International students turn to foodbanks as casual work dries up in second Melbourne lockdown – The Guardian

International students in Melbourne are bracing for more hardship after the city returned to a six-week lockdown prompted by a spike in coronavirus cases.
Melburnians who have lost work or who have been forced to close their businesses can access boosted unemployment benefits or the jobkeeper wage subsidy, but international students and other temporary visa holders are locked out of federal government assistance.
Before the pandemic, many supported themselves through part-time or casual work, an option that has become increasingly difficult after the return to stage three restrictions placed 5 million Melburnians into lockdown.
Last year Indonesian masters student John, 42, was one of about 3,500 students who received an Australian government scholarship, the Australia Award, which allowed him to take up a chemistry course at a Melbourne university.
Yet John, who did not want his real name used in case it affected his scholarship, is now unable to adequate provide food for himself, his partner and his three children.
The family, who live in Melbournes inner north, rely each week on emergency food relief from the Kasih project, a community organisation that has been providing care packages and winter clothing to international students since late March.
He said the $1,100-a-fortnight Australia Award scholarship covered his rent, but he had very little left over to cover food for the family.
John had been working part-time as an Uber Eats rider until his electric bicycle was stolen in April.
He was also particularly worried about the emotional toll that the next six weeks might have on his family, particularly as his children return to learning from home.
Ive got three kids. They dont speak English so theyre relying on me, he said.

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