Support for international students stranded in Queensland as a result of COVID-19 has been ramped up.
Students aged 18 and over are to be able to connect with professional support counsellors through a home-grown counselling service.
A digital platform will be created to link case workers with students to guide them through mental health, visa, crisis accommodation and other essential needs.
Ministerial Champion for International Education and Training, Kate Jones said the Online Student Hub was part of $2.2 million funding allocated to support students.
“We are also offering isolation care-packs, pre-prepared meals and other living expense payments to students,” Ms Jones said.
She said the education of international students was a huge industry supporting more than 20,000 people throughout the State.
“We must take care of struggling students,” she said.
“If we don’t, operators throughout the State could lose hundreds of millions of dollars.
“University, TAFE and college students are juggling a range of challenges including loss of work, separation from friends and family and severe anxiety. This online tool will put these students in contact with professionals who can help them.”
Ms Jones said Study Queensland had appointed a local EdTech firm to develop the digital platform which allowed students to access resources, chat functions and book free counselling sessions.
“These students need our help. With flights cancelled and our borders shut, many of these students are stranded in Queensland,” Ms Jones said.
“They need our help,” she said.
“Multicultural Australia will provide the online counselling resources (and) students in demonstrated financial hardship may also be referred for emergency assistance,” she said.
