We are currently in unchartered territory. Never before have we had so much access to so much information so instantly. This, coupled with the coronavirus and world-first global travel restrictions, mass job loss and statistics of infections and deaths increasing exponentially by the day, and the media are sending everyone into a tizz. It makes you want to just shut off, ignore the group chats, stay off social media and only switch on the tv after the news (for MAFS of course). 

The problem is that every couple of days we are experiencing further restrictions on our liberties in an attempt to try to ‘flatten our curve’. If you don’t stay informed you could wake up one day to find your hairdresser leaving you with a half head of foils because your 30 minutes is up, or getting a fine for trying to hug your boyfriend (imagine if that showed up on your police checks).

The trick is to stay informed, but get the information direct from the source, rather than the twisted versions of the truth some ‘news’ reports are winding you up with. It can be a bit tricky to know where to find the information directly, especially if you aren’t even from Australia.

Below are some links to resources that will help keep you informed about what is happening in the country and in your area, your employment and your visa, so you can get the information easily and directly.  

Prime Minister’s Media Releases

https://www.pm.gov.au

 

Department of Home Affairs and Visa Updates

https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au

 

Services Australia – Centrelink and Welfare

https://my.gov.au/LoginServices/main/login?execution=e1s1

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/affected-coronavirus-covid-19

 

Fairwork

https://coronavirus.fairwork.gov.au

 

Visas – Checking your conditions & expiry date and lodging applications

https://online.immi.gov.au/evo/firstParty?actionType=query

https://online.immi.gov.au/lusc/login

 

State Government COVID-19 updates & Media Releases

WA

https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/Default.aspx

https://www.wa.gov.au/government/covid-19-coronavirus

VIC

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/category/media-release/

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

QLD

http://statements.qld.gov.au

http://conditions.health.qld.gov.au/HealthCondition/condition/14/217/838/novel-coronavirus

TAS 

http://www.premier.tas.gov.au

https://coronavirus.tas.gov.au

NSW

https://www.nsw.gov.au/your-government/the-premier/media-releases-from-the-premier/

https://preview.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

SA

https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/news/media-releases

https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/health+topics/health+topics+a+-+z/COVID+2019

NT 

http://newsroom.nt.gov.au

https://nt.gov.au/wellbeing/health-conditions-treatments/viral/novel-coronavirus

ACT

https://www.act.gov.au

http://covid19.act.gov.au

Government Jobs Hub

https://www.dese.gov.au/covid-19/jobs-hub

Disclaimer: The above information does NOT constitute legal advice and DOES NOT create a lawyer-client relationship between you and Visa Sidekick. It does not take into account individual circumstances and is intended to be informational only. If you need legal advice please contact an Australian Immigration Lawyer.