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The City of Melbourne will invest $200,000 in retail vouchers to support international students impacted by COVID-19 and boost trade at the Queen Victoria Market.
The program, titled ‘Our Shout,’ will support international students affected by job losses and housing insecurity with access to vouchers worth up to $200 each.
"We are a caring city and we need to look after each other. We know many students are isolated and far from home. We have a responsibility to make sure they can make ends meet and continue to feel welcomed and included in our community,” Lord Mayor Sally Capp said.
The COVID-19 crisis has had a devastating impact on Victoria’s international student economy, which is worth $9.1 billion a year. Through the ‘Our Shout’ program, Lord Mayor Sally Capp remarked that it aims to support students and provide a revenue boost for Queen Victoria Market traders.
International Engagement portfolio Chair Councillor Philip Le Liu noted that Melbourne’s international students have been amongst the hardest hit by COVID-19. “Thousands of international students live in our municipality – many of whom have lost their jobs and have little access to government support. Our food voucher program is a simple but effective way we can help make this time less stressful.”
International students can apply for vouchers on the City of Melbourne website. The vouchers will be available for collection from Melbourne Town Hall from Tuesday 26 May.