Thousands of international students in Australia have been left without work and government support during the coronavirus crisis. Many will at least be offered a welcoming home thanks to hundreds of generous Australians.

Hundreds of Australian families are signing up to house some of the thousands of international students expected to face financial hardship and homelessness due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
A discounted, short-term homestay accommodation scheme for students has just started in anticipation of tough times ahead, underwritten by crisis funds from governments and educational institutions.
 
There are hundreds of thousands of international students in Australia, contributing almost $40 billion a year to the economy. But with the economy in hibernation due to the global pandemic, many have lost their jobs.

Despite having paid taxes, they are not eligible for federal government support packages and currently have few ways of getting home.

Please click here to read the full “Australians open their homes to international students left destitute by the coronavirus shutdown” article originally published at SBS News Australia written by Griffith Asia Institute, Industry Fellow, Stefan Armbruster.