UPDATE
1- RENT RELIEF GRANT
The Victorian Government has established an $80 million rental assistance fund to provide rent relief payments of up to $2000 to Victorians experiencing rental hardship due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The grant is paid directly to the tenant’s agent, lessor or landlord to contribute to the tenant’s rental payments.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Everyone can apply it doesn’t matter if you are citizen, permanent resident, student, working holiday visa or other temporary visa holder. The fund will assist all Victorian renters who have, or will shortly have, a bond registered with the Victorian Residential Tenancies Bond Authority.
To be eligible for the grant you will need to have less than $5,000 in savings and still be paying at least 30 per cent of your income in rent. Your household income must be less than $1,903 per week.
HOW TO APPLY?
If you are unable to pay your rent you should first contact your landlord or property manager to negotiate a rent reduction or deferral of payments.
When you reach a written agreement, you can lodge it with Consumer Affairs Victoria.
OTHER STATES?
The other Australian’s states have announced plans for renters protections. Check the details here
2- UTILITY RELIEF GRANT
A new relief grant is available in Victoria for people experiencing unexpected financial hardship due to Covid-19. This relief grant will help pay gas, electricity, or water bills.
More details here
3- EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND STUDENTS OF VICTORIA
The International Student Emergency Relief Fund provide up to $1,100 for vulnerable international students who are facing financial hardship as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19).
They have changed the enrolment cut-off date from March 16 to March 31 so more students can access the Fund. Your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) must show you were enrolled at 31 March 2020. You must also meet the other eligibility criteria.
More details here
4- WORKING FOR VICTORIA FUND
The Victorian Government has created a $500 million ‘Working for Victoria’ program to help people who have lost their job due to the COVID-19 to get back into the workforce.
While workers can apply their skills to the roles available for specific roles, the program also allows employers and organisations who have vacancies to register their details, which then enables them to screen workers who fit into the available roles.
The program is placing job seekers in roles like food preparation and delivery for the vulnerable, and also in jobs related to the quarantine program for returning international arrivals such as transport operations, security and cleaning.
Many have also found work at call centres, minor maintaining, landscaping and upgrading public space.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Anyone who has working rights in Australia can apply.
HOW TO APPLY?
Under this initiative, the state government is inviting job seekers to register their details on the vic.gov.au/workingforvictoria to access opportunities. The Victorian Government has partnered with Sidekicker to match potential applicants with work aligned to their skills and experience.
5- RED CROSS EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND
The Red Cross is receiving funding from the Australian Government for the next six months to deliver emergency relief. These funds are for people on temporary visas who have no way to support themselves and who have urgent needs. This includes food, medicine and crisis accommodation costs.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
- in Australia on a temporary visa
- are in urgent financial hardship
- cannot access Centrelink, Medicare or similar services
- have no income, savings or other financial support (including from family overseas).
Please know that the Red Cross provides assistance based on need. They have to prioritise people with urgent needs, such as families with young children, people with a disability, people who are experiencing harm, people who are vulnerable to COVID-19, and people with physical or mental health issues.
HOW TO APPLY?
You can email nat_rc_msp@redcross.org.au or call 1800 733 276
6- FINANCIAL SUPPORT IN TASMANIAN
Today, Wednesday 22th of april, Tasmania Premier Peter Gutwein made the announcement on and said temporary visa holders could be eligible for an initial $250 payment if they can “demonstrate genuine financial hardship”.
Backpackers and temporary visa holders (working holiday visa and students included) who have lost their jobs amid the coronavirus pandemic can now receive financial support from the Tasmanian government.Those with families can receive up to $1000.
Read the article here
7- RELEASE YOUR SUPERANNUATION
Application for the release of your 2019-20 superannuation are now closed. Temporary residents are not eligible to apply for an early release of super in the 2020–21 financial year.
Since 21st of April 2020, If you have been financially affected by COVID-19, you may be eligible to apply for an early release of your superannuation.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Citizens and permanent residents of Australia or from New Zealand can apply for up to $10,000 in 2019–20 and up to a further $10,000 in 2020–21. Eligible temporary residents are able to apply once to access up to $10,000 of super in 2019–20.
To be eligible for early release of super, temporary residents must be in one of the following circumstances:
- You hold a student visa that you have held for 12 months or more and you are unable to meet immediate living expenses.
- You are a temporary skilled work visa holder, your working hours have reduced to zero and you remain engaged with your employer.
- You are a temporary resident visa holder (excluding student or skilled worker visas) and you cannot meet immediate living expenses (including Working Holiday Visa).
HOW TO APPLY?
Applications can be submitted online through myGov:
- until 30 June 2020 for the 2019–20 year
- between 1 July 2020 and 24 September 2020, for the 2020–21 year.
https://my.gov.au/LoginServices/main/login?execution=e2s1
Login if you already have an account or create an account if you don’t have one yet. Link your account to the ATO (Australian Taxation Office). You will then be able to apply for the early release of your superannuation.
You can also check our article about the industries still hiring in Australia
https://studydestination.com.au/industries-recruiting-victoria-help-you-get-a-job/
|
