International Student Hotline
1800 QSTUDY: 1800 778 839
1800 QSTUDY is for students studying an international program at an accredited International Student Program school. This service provides support for students and their authorised contacts and Education Queensland International (EQI) homestay hosts, and responds to incidents that involve international students outside school hours.
Disaster recovery information in your language
Information about natural disasters in Queensland and how to prepare for them is available in a range of languages. See the translated fact sheets here.
Replacing lost or destroyed documents (Passports, Birth Certificates etc)
- Domestic students and staff
The Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (RBDM) will provide free replacement life event certificates to those people who have had their certificates lost, damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster area. The Queensland Government provides information on how to replace a range of documents here. - International students and overseas nationals
International students who have had their documentation (e.g. passports,etc) lost, damaged or destroyed should contact their home country's consular office or high commission.
AskIzzy.com
AskIzzy.com is an online directory connecting people who are in crisis with the services and support they need. The directory contains links to organisations, community groups and charities offering housing, food, facilities, legal assistance, and counselling services. You can find the AskIzzy online directory here.
Car damage
If your car has been damaged by flood waters, contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to discuss the situation. If you haven’t already, make sure you have photos of the damage to provide to your insurer as evidence. Just as you shouldn’t drive through floodwaters, you shouldn’t drive a water-damaged car before consulting an expert first.
Sandbags
Sandbags are a useful tool for sealing cracks in doorways and creating another barrier between your home and flood waters.
Brisbane City Council provides pre-filled sandbags to residents and businesses in the Council area. Pre-filled sandbags are available for collection 24 hours a day, seven days a week from September to March and also when there is severe weather predicted (e.g. higher than normal high tides, heavy rainfall events). There are a number of sandbag collection points across the Brisbane area. Find locations and more information via the Brisbane City Council website.
During times of significant sustained and intense rain with widespread flooding, Lockyer Valley Regional Council may make sand and empty sand bags available for community members to come along and fill their own bags. Council will make public announcements through the media if they are making sand and sand bags available. Find out more via the Lockyer Valley Regional Council website.
Volunteering
Help others and take care of yourself
When you're volunteering during a disaster it's important to recognise that everyone will react in different ways. Below are a few practical tips about how you can help others and also take care of yourself.
Supporting people experiencing loss and change
- Everyone has different reactions to a disaster or traumatic event
- Don't assume that someone is ready for your offer of help
- Talk to people affected by a disaster as you normally would
- Ask if you are not sure about anything
- If you see someone’s stress level or emotions are increasing, give them some space. Then consider directing them to professional advice or family support
- It's common for people to feel frustrated and angry when they start to recover from a traumatic event. It’s important for you to stay calm and give them some space
Taking care of yourself
- Be aware of the risks and dangers of your environment
- Think about your own health and safety before helping others
- Follow advice provided by authorities
- As a volunteer you may witness traumatic events and experience a range of emotions. Take care of your emotional needs as well as your physical needs
