KATHMANDU: Australian Education Minister Dan Tehan has, in a message, said that the international students are part of the Australian community.

He said: “My message to the international students is: you are our friends, our classmates, our colleagues and members of our community.”

Stating that the impacts of this virus are affecting international students in Australia, Minister Tehan said the Australian government is working with universities and the international education sector to minimize the impact of COVID-19.

“That includes finding innovative ways to support our international students,” he wrote.

“We know the impacts of this virus are affecting our international students here in Australia,” he said adding that the government has announced that international students who have been here longer than 12 months and who find themselves in financial hardship will be able to access their Australian superannuation.

International students are able to work up to 40 hours per fortnight, he added.

He has also said that international students working in aged care and as nurses have had these hours extended to support these critical sectors.

“Our government continues to work with universities and the international education sector to minimize the impact of COVID-19, and that includes finding innovative ways to support our international students,” he has said.

He has also ‘encouraged’ the international students to use the mental health support offered by their education provider.