Support available through the lockdown
To help support you through the lockdown in New South Wales there are a number of support options available.
COVID-19 vaccine
Did you know COVID-19 vaccines are free for everyone in Australia regardless of your Medicare or visa status?
While many Australian citizens need to provide their Medicare (public health system) details before receiving their COVID-19 vaccination, you might not have access to Medicare as an international student. In this case, you will need to have an Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI) to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, and to receive proof that you have been vaccinated.
An IHI is a unique 16-digit number used to identify a person for healthcare purposes in Australia. If you have an IHI, health professionals (such as doctors), and anyone else you allow, can access your health record.
Information in your health record will include details of vaccinations you receive in Australia, such as a COVID-19 vaccine. Proving you have been vaccinated against COVID-19 might soon become essential in your occupation, when accessing public services, and when you’re travelling interstate or overseas.
View more information on booking a COVID-19 Vaccine without a Medicare Card.
Pandemic Disaster Leave Payment
If you live in New South Wales and have a valid visa with work rights, you may be eligible to access Pandemic Disaster Leave Payments of $1500 via Centrelink. To be eligible for these payments, you should be directed by NSW Health to self-isolate or quarantine for a period of 14 days, or be caring for someone with COVID-19, and have no other source of income.
COVID-19 Disaster Payment (Australian Government)
The COVID-19 Disaster Payment will be available from 1 July 2021 for eligible people in a Commonwealth-declared COVID-19 hotspot in Sydney.
International Students are eligible to apply after creating a Centrelink Customer Reference Number. Check the Australian Government website for updates.
Free Food Hampers every Friday
COVID-19 Update
In order to support the Macquarie International Student Community, we signed a new partnership with Oz Harvest to provide free food relief hampers for our international students in need every Friday from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm.
Be advised that you can only collect the hamper if you live within 5km from Campus or within the LGA City of Ryde.
We encourage you to check emergency food assistance for international students of Study NSW for delivery options or Macquarie University's Support Website for food assistance around Sydney.
COVID-19 Health Hub
Study NSW and the Australian international education sector are working to support the health, wellbeing, and academic success of international students. Find out more on the Study NSW website.
New short term moratorium on evictions
Tenants who can’t pay their rent in full because they are impacted by the recent COVID-19 outbreak can't be evicted between now and 11 September 2021. Find out more on the Fair Trading NSW website.