Introduction
Cyclone Alfred swept across South-East Queensland in March 2025, causing widespread disruptions and challenges for many, including international students. International students affected by Tropical Cyclone Alfred in March 2025 may be eligible for various forms of assistance to help with immediate needs and recovery efforts.
Support from Queensland Government:
If you are living in Gold Cost City, Logan City and Redland City areas, you may receive huge supports from Queensland Government.
- Emergency Hardship Assistance: This grant provides $180 for individuals and up to $900 for families of five to cover essential needs, including food, clothing, medication, and temporary accommodation during and after the cyclone.
- Essential Service Hardship Assistance: If you have lost 1 or more essential services (e.g., electricity, water) for more than 5 days, you may get support of $150 per individual or up to $750 per family of 5 to cover these services.
- Essential Household Contents Grant: Queensland Government may give you financial support to replace the essential household contents that you lost due to the cyclone. If eligible, you may get up to $1,765 for individuals or $5,300 for couples/families. Please note that you must keep the evidence, such as photos or videos, to show your household lost.
- School Fee Waivers for Dependent Students: If you are an international student and are facing financial hardship due to the cyclone, you can apply for the school fee waiver for your dependent child/children. You can check your eligibility and application procedure on Queensland Government website https://www.qld.gov.au/education/international/financial/waivers
Support from Institutions
Universities or Colleges may have grants to help international students overcome hardship and difficulties as a result of Alfred cyclone.
For example, the University of Queensland (UQ) provides a range of support in response to Alfred tropical cyclone.
- Emergency support: If students need emergency support regarding accommodations, food, and essential needs, they can directly contact Student Service (student.services@uq.edu.au). UQ can provide you with temporary accommodations, food and groceries for you.
- Financial Hardship Assistance: If you are facing hardship, you can apply for financial hardship assistance from UQ. This grant can help you to rent/bond your accommodation, pay utility bills, pay medical expenses, relocate due to disaster, buy study-related equipment and furnish your living environment.
Important Notices for International Students
Record damages:
- You should maintain all records of any damages or losses due to the cyclone. These records will be very important for you to apply for any emergency or financial support during and after the disaster. If possible, you should take clear photos or record videos to show the damages and losses
- The authorities may come and inspect your place to determine if you are eligible for the support. In some cases, you may apply for the support first before getting rid of all the damaged things.
Contact your university/college
- It is advisable to directly contact your university or college to know what support is available for international students. Education institutions normally provide very comprehensive support, from accommodation, food, finance to learning challenges and mental health.
Please note that you are not alone. If you need any advice from SOL Edu and Migration, please don’t hesitate to reach out us at 07 3003 1899, hello@soledu.net or hello@solmigration.com.