To the Leading Out community:
In recent days, COVID-19 has become a topic of concern for our teachers abroad and their families at home.
We want to assure you that we are monitoring this situation closely and working hard to make sure the needs of our teachers are met. We want you to know your options and ensure your safety as our top priority.
This post will provide:
- Information about schools for teachers in Australia
- Flight coverage information from Flight Centre
- Medical coverage information from Flight Centre
For information about finding rural work in Australia during potential school closures, click here.
Please bookmark this post and check back regularly. Because of the changeable nature of the situation, information is only as relevant and accurate as the minute it is posted. We will update the page with any relevant data.
This post was last updated: July 14th, 2020 at 11:30 AM EST.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact Steve at Steven@leadingout.net.
Information for Teachers in Australia
What is the state of Australian schools and what will happen if there are school closures?
LATEST UPDATE: Victoria is back in lockdown. Schooling will be in a remote classroom setting until 19th August.
Remote lessons will be taught by teachers from school, so we believe there will be an increased need for our service over Term 2.
Year 11, 12 students will remain learning on-site, and special development schools are also fully operational.
The government announced this will be for the next 6 weeks, in line with the lockdown Level 3 that Victoria has been put back into.
There will be no interruption of access to communication with Leading Out via email or phone during this time.
Here is some useful financial support for you to access through these times:
For Australian citizens, the Australian government is removing waiting periods for Newstart and increasing the fortnightly payments by $550 to approximately $1,100 per fortnight.
For both Australian and overseas citizens, the government is allowing up to $10,000 to be withdrawn from superannuation funds in the 2019-20 and the 2020-21 years. This can be withdrawn without paying taxes, and we highly recommend taking advantage of this.
Please note that the easiest way for the benefit or superannuation draw-down to be accessed is via the MyGov online portal: https://my.gov.au/
This is just the support that we are currently aware of, however there may be more announced in the coming days.
Once schools re-open, we are anticipating a huge demand for casual relief teachers and the vital role you play in the education of Victoria’s children will be more important than ever. Be gentle on yourself over the coming weeks and remember we are here anytime you need to talk.
What should I tell my students when they ask about COVID-19?
The topic of COVID-19 will inevitably be discussed in classrooms across Australia. Here are a few tips to assist with the discussion should it arise:
- Seek advice when you first arrive at the school for how they are dealing with the conversations around COVID-19. Follow any guidance given.
- Generally speaking, teachers can assist in this by being calm, reassuring and consistent. They can be a critical resource in ensuring children and young people remain in a predictable routine.
- To ensure routine, make sure that you focus on the everyday learning and curriculum requirements.
If the topic of COVID-19 arises, students need factual and age appropriate information and clear instruction about how to avoid spreading the virus:
- Allow the student’s questions and their age guide you in how much information to share.
- Very young children generally need clear, simple information and reassurance. Keep it brief and to the point.
- Reassure students that there are health professionals and government who are working hard to ensure people’s health and safety. At this point very few people are sick with the virus. Not everyone will get the virus and the vast majority of people who get the virus will fully recover.
- Older children may need assistance to separate rumour from reality. It is important to focus on accurate and factual information that is age appropriate. Having reliable and trustworthy sources will give them a sense of reality and control.
- Be vigilant for students who may be experiencing increased anxiety. Routine, factual information, calmness and attentiveness will help reduce anxiety.
Keep up to date with developments on the Victoria government’s Education and Training page.
What can I do for work if schools shut down for a period of time?
If schools close down, our Leading Out network is pleased to offer connections that will help our community find work in rural areas.
Some benefits of rural work during this time are:
- An opportunity to leave the busy city and spend some time in a less populous and quieter part of the country.
- A steady income regardless of closures.
- Room and board is often included with rural job opportunities.
- A rural job will give you another 12 months on your working holiday visa, allowing to return to Melbourne once schools re-open.
For more information about this topic, please read our blog about finding rural Job Opportunities.
Current Flight Information from Flight Centre
For urgent assistance with destination issues outside of office hours please contact Flight Centre’s 24/7 Emergency Assist at 1-844-873-5491, or collect outside of North America at 1-416-979-6799.
NOTE: As this information is ever-changing, if you have booked through Flight Centre, the best option is to contact Flight Centre directly for the most current information.
How can I change my departure date?
Note: From 9pm AEDT 20 March 2020, the Australian government declared that only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can travel to Australia. This means you must rebook your schedule for a later date when the borders reopen.
We recommend contacting Flight Centre to assist with this.
Dates currently can be changed for travel only in March/April, with the change fee waived – the airfare difference will still apply.
Depending on the airline and departure dates there may be waivers in place to help make this more affordable for you.
Travel must be rebooked by the end of March and, and likely completed by the end of this year (Dec 31 2020).
How can I change my return date?
Once again, the best thing to do is contact your Flight Centre agent directly for the most up-to-date information.
Any departures beyond April right now typically are still in regular airline Terms and Conditions unless the traveller has interruption insurance coverage.
What are the costs associated with changing a flight date?
Every airline is different depending on their departure/return date and when they bought the ticket. Flight Centre can help you determine this cost.
Is there any insurance that will cover costs of these changes?
This would be a covered risk, provided you purchased your insurance prior to your specific insurance company’s drop date for COVID-19.
The two companies Flight Centre works with are Manulife (March 4) and Allianz (March 11).
As of these dates, the insurance companies no longer allow you to buy cancellation insurance and have COVID be a covered event – it’s now considered a known event.
Are there any currently any travel restrictions to and from Australia? Will you keep us personally apprised of any changes?
Flight Centre advises our guests to continue to check travel.gc.ca for the most up to date information for Canadians looking to travel to/from Australia and New Zealand.
As information is changing by the minute, we’re not able to notify every traveler.
As of March 20, 2020 only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can travel to Australia.
Read the Department of Home Affairs’ updates on COVID-19 and the Australian border.
Read Australia’s COVID-19 information for international travelers.
The Government of Canada has also released the following statement:
In an attempt to limit the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), most governments have implemented special entry and exit restrictions for their territory.
Before travelling, verify if the local authorities of both your current location and destinations have implemented any specific restrictions related to this situation. Consider even your transit points.
Restrictions imposed could include:
- Entry bans, particularly for non-residents
- Exit bans
- Quarantines of 14 days or more upon arrival, regardless of where you are arriving from
- Health screenings
- Border closures
- Airport closures
- Flight suspensions to/from certain destinations, and in some cases, all destinations
- Suspensions or reductions of other international transportation options
Additional restrictions can be imposed suddenly. Airlines can also suspend or reduce flights without notice. Your travel plans may be severely disrupted, making it difficult for you to return home. You should not depend on the Government of Canada for assistance related to changes to your travel plans.
- Monitor the media for the latest information
- Contact your airline or tour operator to determine if the situation will disrupt your travel plans
- Contact the nearest foreign diplomatic office for information on destination-specific restrictions
Current Medical Information from Flight Centre
Does the basic coverage that Flight Centre provides cover COVID-19 related illness?
Yes—this would be a covered risk provided you purchased your insurance prior to your specific insurance company’s drop date for COVID-19.
The drop dates are Manulife (March 4) and Allianz (March 11). If you purchased insurance on or before these dates, you’re covered.
How much will my insurance policy cover?
The amount covered varies with policies.
Emergency (unforeseen medical) coverage under Manulife:
- Under 60 plans: up to $5 million
- Youth plans: up to $1 million
Emergency (unforeseen medical) under Allianz:
- Under 60 plans: up to $10 million
- Youth plans: up to $1 million
Are there any additional nuances regarding medical coverage related to COVID-19?
If you have Emergency Medical benefits on your policy, departed on your trip prior to March 13, 2020 and contracted COVID-19 at your destination, you will continue to be eligible for Emergency Medical treatment.
There is an exception to this if the Government of Canada issued a Level 3 or Level 4 travel advisory for your trip destination prior to your departure date.
- Important update: For policies with Emergency Medical benefits that are purchased on or after March 13, 2020, any Emergency Medical claims related to coronavirus will not be payable.
Any questions or concerns? Contact Steve at Steven@leadingout.net.
