International students completed 1-year study in Australia can access superannuation

In a major relief to international students, the Australian government has announced that those who have completed one year of study in the country are eligible to access their superannuation. International students who are facing financial hardships because of the Coronavirus pandemic can have access to their superannuation. However, students must have stayed for at least one year in Australia. 

This announcement comes a day after the Australian Prime Minister said that overseas students were not eligible for any financial support as under their visa arrangements, they are required to support themselves for one year in Australia. However, Acting Immigration Minister Alan Trudge issued a statement, saying ''students who have been here longer than 12 months, who find themselves in financial hardship will be able to access their Australian superannuation.''

"The Government will undertake further engagement with the international education sector who already provide some financial support for international students facing hardship.. for example, we understand there are some education providers that are providing fee discounts to international students," he said.

"There are 565,000 international students in Australia, mainly studying in the higher education or vocational education sector. They are an important contributor to our tertiary sector and economy, supporting 240,000 Australian jobs,'' he noted.

This comes as a major relief to Indian students who are staying there. Indian students account for the second highest number of international students with more than 1,40,000 enrolled in 2019 in various educational institutions. Trudge added that the students are encouraged to rely on family support, part-time work, and their own savings to sustain themselves in Australia.

"As part of their visa application, international students have had to demonstrate that they can support themselves completely in their first year,'' he added.

Apart from this, the government has also relaxed working hours for international students allowing them to work for up to 40 hours per fortnight from May 1, 2020, in places like major supermarkets and elderly care facilities. Also, working hours for nurses have been extended in order to support the critical sectors. The government has also announced that it will be flexible in cases where students are not able to meet their visa requirements like attending their classes because of the Covid-19 pandemic.