We understand some of you may be struggling with your finances, so we’ve put together a guide of resources to help you navigate through these challenging times:
Murdoch Resources
Student support package
Financial assistance fund up to $1000
No parking fees
Essentials Bursary for International students
Technology Bursary
Data pack to support online learning
Limited supply of laptops
Visit our website to find out more.
Accommodation
The Student Village can help students needing emergency accommodation on a case by case basis. Contact the Guild Student Assist Team for more information.
External/Community Resources
Centrelink: (not available to International Students)
Coronavirus Supplement: A fortnightly payment of $550 payment (received fortnightly) if you already receive one of the following:
JobSeeker Payment
- Partner Allowance
- Widow Allowance
- Sickness Allowance
- Wife Pension
- Youth Allowance
- Austudy
- ABSTUDY
- Parenting Payment
- Farm Household Allowance
- Special Benefit.
Centrelink will pay it automatically from 27th April 2020 for up to 6 months.
For more information click here:
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/coronavirus-supplement
Economic Support Payment:
Two Economic Support Payments of $750 each. You won’t be eligible if you’ve already received the Coronavirus Supplement.
You’re eligible if you already receive one of the following:
- Age Pension
- Disability Support Pension
- Carer Payment
- Carer Allowance
- Parenting Payment
- Wife Pension
- Widow B Pension
- ABSTUDY Living Allowance
- Austudy
- Bereavement Allowance
- Newstart Allowance
- JobSeeker Payment
- Youth Allowance
- Partner Allowance
- Sickness Allowance
- Special Benefit
- Widow Allowance
- Farm Household Allowance
- Family Tax Benefit A
- Family Tax Benefit B
- Double Orphan Pension.
You can also get the Economic Support payment if you receive one of the following concession cards or one of the following Department of Veterans’ Affairs payments:
- Pensioner Concession Card
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
- Veteran Gold Card.
- Veteran Service Pension
- Veteran Income Support Supplement
- Veteran Compensation payments, including lump sum payments
- War Widow(er) Pension.
For more information click here: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/economic-support-payment
Directly affected by COVID-19
If you or a family member have been directly affected by Coronavirus, you may be eligible for a payment if you’re:
- not able to work or don’t have work
- in isolation or hospitalised
- caring for children.
For more information click here: https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/affected-coronavirus-covid-19/if-you-need-payment-coronavirus-covid-19
Other Government Initiatives:
Assistance with Child Care: Weekly payments will be made directly to early childhood education and care services in lieu of the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and the Additional Child Care Subsidy. Early childhood education and child care services do not need to apply for the payments, they will be paid automatically. Families will not be charged fees during this time.
See below for more information:
https://www.pm.gov.au/media/early-childhood-education-and-care-relief-package
Debt
Some debt recovery is paused:
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/news/were-pausing-some-debt-activity-during-coronavirus-pandemic
International Student Work Hours
International students who already have employment in Coles or Woolworths can increase their work hours up to 40 hours per fortnight.
For more information see: https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/davidcoleman/Pages/more-help-aussie-shelves-stocked.aspx
Energy Assistance Payment
Households experiencing financial hardship can apply for relief including an extension of the energy assistance payment, no disconnections for power and water and additional support for Keystart customers.
For more information click:
https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2020/03/$1-billion-COVID-19-economic-and-health-relief-package-unveiled-.aspx
Emergency Relief
The Salvation Army: Doorways Program
What they offer:
- Coles gift vouchers
- Kmart gift vouchers
- E vouchers, through Coles and Woollies
- EFT (limited)
- Bill paying, car rego, license, fuel, transport, rent, general accommodation, furnishings if moving, utilities, education costs, clothing, shoes, medical, pharmacy, interpreting services.
Please contact the main service in William Street Northbridge on 9260 9599, where you’ll receive assistance from a case worker.
For more info see: https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/about-us/our-services/doorways-and-emergency-relief/
Vinnies
Vinnies can provide emergency relief and can arrange a home visit after collecting vital information.
For more information see the link: https://www.vinnies.org.au/page/Find_Help/WA/Emergency_Relief__Home_Visitation/
St Pats
Provides emergency relief by appointment only. Can help with food vouchers, clothing and transport vouchers, bills and advocacy. They also provide take-away meals of breakfast and lunch every day, lunch by gold coin donation.
For more information see the link: https://stpats.com.au/news/news/covid-19-response/
Red Cross
- Provides emergency relief to migrants who do not have any other supports. Can assist with food packages for families who might otherwise go hungry
- household goods, groceries and transport vouchers
- healthcare and essential medicines
- social and community activities to maintain people's wellbeing.
Please see the link below:
https://www.redcross.org.au/about/how-we-help/migration-support/migration-emergency-relief
National Debt helpline
www.ndh.org.au
www.financialcounsellors.org
Free individual support and advice by financial counsellors to work with creditors and consolidate debts.
