COVID-19 BOOSTER DOSES ARE NOW AVAILABLE

On 28 October 2021, the Australian Government announced COVID-19 vaccination booster doses for people 18 years of age and older.

Read on to find out more about the booster program, and when you can get your booster dose.

Why is there a booster program?

The COVID-19 vaccines available in Australia – Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca), Comirnaty (Pfizer) and Spikevax (Moderna) – are very effective at protecting people from severe disease, having to go to hospital, and death. They also have a significant impact on reducing the risk of getting COVID-19 and passing the virus on to others.

The Australian Government has started rolling out booster doses to people who completed their two-dose primary vaccination course at least six months ago.

It is important people know that two doses of COVID-19 vaccine provide very good protection, especially against severe disease.

A booster dose, six or more months after the second dose, will make sure that the protection from the first doses is even stronger and longer lasting and should help prevent spread of the virus.

Do not rush to get your booster dose before six months of having your initial course, even if you are going overseas or you have other concerns. You can be confident that your two-dose course is giving you full protection for at least six months.

How do I get my COVID-19 vaccine booster dose?

COVID-19 vaccines are free to everyone in Australia. This includes booster doses.

You can go to a doctor, a government vaccination clinic, or a participating pharmacy to get your COVID-19 vaccine booster dose.

To book your COVID-19 vaccine booster dose appointment, visit www.australia.gov.au, or call 1800 020 080. For interpreting services, call 131450.

If you do not remember when you had your second dose, you can find those details on your COVID-19 vaccine certificate. Go to www.servicesaustralia.gov.au for information on how to access your certificate. Or, if you received your second dose from your doctor, you can ask them.

What’s the difference between booster doses and third doses?

Australia’s immunisation experts, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), recommend a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine for people aged 12 years and over who are severely immunocompromised. People who are severely immunocompromised have lower levels of immunity than the rest of the population. They need this third dose to get the same protection others will have from two doses.

Those who are eligible for a third dose should have it between two to six months after their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine, as part of their initial course.

A third COVID-19 vaccine dose is different from COVID-19 booster dose. Booster doses are not currently recommended for people who are severely immunocompromised and who have had a three-dose primary course of the COVID-19 vaccination.

Where do I go for more information?

It’s important to stay informed about the COVID-19 vaccination program through reliable and official sources.

Visit www.health.gov.au/covid19-vaccines-languages for more information in your language. You can also call the National Coronavirus and COVID-19 Vaccine Helpline on 1800 020 080. For interpreting services, call 131 450.

COVID-19 VACCINES ARE FREE AND AVAILABLE FOR EVERYONE OVER 12 YEARS OF AGE

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many challenges to everyone in Australia. We have all had to make changes in our lives to keep ourselves, our family and community safe. Vaccination is a critical step to getting back to the things we love to do.

Everyone in Australia 12 years of age and over can have a free COVID 19 vaccine at participating pharmacies, doctors’ clinics, and government clinics. Read on to find out where you can get information about the COVID-19 vaccine in your language, and how to book your COVID-19 vaccination, even if you do not have a Medicare card.

The vaccines and doses recommended for Australians may be different from what is happening in other countries. It is especially important that everyone living in Australia follow the health advice given by Australia’s health experts.

Accessing translated COVID-19 resources

If you would like information about COVID-19 vaccines in your own language, visit the Australia.gov.au website. All you need to do is click on the “information in your language” and choose your own language from the 63 languages available.

How to get the COVID-19 vaccine, even without a Medicare card

COVID-19 vaccines are free for everyone in Australia, even if you are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident. This includes people without a Medicare card, overseas visitors, international students, migrant workers, and asylum seekers.

Everyone in Australia aged 12 years and over can book their vaccination now.

You can get a COVID-19 vaccine at:

• Commonwealth vaccination clinics.
• participating general practices.
• Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Services
• state and territory vaccination clinics, and
• participating pharmacies.

If you are an overseas visitor living in Australia, an international student or anyone without Australian citizenship or permanent residency, you may not be able to access Medicare benefits. But that does not stop you from getting vaccinated.

You do not need to be eligible or enrolled in Medicare to receive a free COVID-19 vaccination.

If you do not have a Medicare card, you can get your free vaccination at:

• Commonwealth vaccinations clinics,
• state or territory vaccination clinics, or
• participating pharmacies

Use the Australia.gov.au link to find your nearest vaccination clinic and book your vaccination. If you need phone or on-site interpreting at your vaccine appointment, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450. If you need phone or on-site interpreting at your vaccine appointment, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.

Getting proof of your COVID-19 vaccination

You can access your Immunisation History Statement:

• Online, by setting up your own “My Gov account” and then accessing your Medicare account, or
• Through the Express Plus Medicare app.

If you do not have a Medicare card, or do not have access to a My Gov account, you can access your Immunisation History Statement by:

• asking your vaccination provider to print a copy for you; or
• by calling the Australian Immunisation Register enquiries line on 1800 653 809 (8 am-5 pm Monday to Friday AEST) and asking them to send your statement to you in the mail. It can take up to 14 days to arrive in the mail. For interpreting services please call 131 450.

For more information on how to get proof of your COVID-19 vaccinations, see the Services Australia app.

For other COVID-19 vaccine information, visit Australia.gov.au website or call 1800 020 080. For interpreting services, call 131 450.

Woolworths helps customers celebrate Diwali with expanded South Asian product range 

Tuesday 2 November 2021: Diwali preparations are now made easier and more convenient with special South Asian products available in selected Woolworths stores across the country.

Diwali occupies an unparalleled place in the hearts of people and Woolworths has embraced the importance of the role food plays during Diwali by offering tailored products for the South Asian community, available in over 200 stores nationally and also online.

The range of products includes snacks, spices, rice, atta flour and other cooking ingredients to help create flavourful special dishes during the festive period. These specially sourced products not only offer popular food items, but also provide great convenience to the South Asian community in Australia to help them prepare for the Diwali celebrations.

Woolworths is offering special prices on key household ingredients such as Dhara Sunflower Oil, a range of Maharajah’s Choice spices, Kushi Juices, Amul White Ghee and a range of Katoomba Ingredients, used in everyday cooking.

In this week’s catalogue, customers will find Riviana Basmati Rice 5kg bags half price, down to $9.50 each, and savings across selected Patak’s products including Mini Pappadums, Curry Paste and Simmer Sauce.

Woolworths Commercial Director for Grocery Food Ewan Shearer said; “We understand Diwali is an important time for family gatherings, celebration and great food. Our teams have been working hard to expand our South Asian product range and ensure customers have all the ingredients and products they need to celebrate.

“For Diwali, we have the right variety of local and international products offering great value to help our customers during their busy preparations leading into the Diwali festivities.

“On behalf of Woolworths, I would like to wish the entire community a very happy Diwali.”

For more information on Woolworths stores that stock the Diwali range and recipe ideas, visit www.woolworths.com.au/diwali and for this week’s catalogue, visit https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/catalogue.

THE HON ALEX HAWKE MP

MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION, CITIZENSHIP, MIGRANT SERVICES AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS 

MESSAGE FOR DIWALI 2021

I extend my best wishes to all Australians celebrating Diwali, the Festival of Lights.

At its heart, Diwali is about the triumph of light over dark and of knowledge prevailing over ignorance. A fitting celebration as more and more Australians are vaccinated against COVID-19 every day, and we are able to gather again as a community.

As we begin to reopen, I look forward to seeing people dressed in their finest clothes and coming to together to light the diya lamps, sharing in the joy and festivity of Diwali.

Australians have been confronted with many hurdles over the past year. While some Diwali celebrations will again be different from previous years, I hope to see more family reunions ahead, made easier by the Government’s recent decision to recognise parents as immediate family for the purpose of international travel.

As we overcome the challenges of the last 18 months, I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for all that you have done to support one another and the wider Australian community – you have stood out as a continuous example of compassion and community service, embodying the message of Diwali.

I wish you a bright and happy Diwali.

ALEX HAWKE

MESSAGE FROM THE PRIME MINISTER

DIWALI 2021

My warmest greetings to the people of so many faiths who celebrate the festival of lights.

On the darkest night of the month, we hold in our hearts the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. It is the moment when we turn the corner, and begin to see the lights ahead of us, guiding us forward.

We have been through dark times in these last two years.

This year, we celebrate Diwali as we draw ever closer to the light at the end of our COVID-19 tunnel.

That means all the things we’ve had to forsake – welcoming, gathering, celebration and ceremony – will again be possible. For some parts of Australia, we will be able to celebrate this year, and for the remainder of the country, next year.

We look forward with joy and hope knowing that our Diwali celebrations will take place again. Over recent years, I have joined Diwali celebrations around Australia and I know the joy, colour, community and food that makes Diwali such a special celebration.

We will get to that time with our National Plan to open safely, and to stay safely open. Our vaccination program underpins this plan and I urge all Australians to get vaccinated –– to take up the opportunity offered by our doses of hope.

I thank you, as people of faith and cultural communities, for your efforts over many months to keep your communities safe, together, and part of our united response to the pandemic.

May everyone celebrating Diwali this year be refreshed by its sense of hope and prosperity, and by the fellowship of your family and community.

Happy Diwali!

The Hon Scott Morrison MP

Prime Minister of Australia

Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children (SPDC), 2021

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India launched a scheme called “ Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children” (SPDC), for the academic year 2021-22 on May 31, 2021, for the Children of NRIs/ PIOs belonging to 69 countries in pursuing under graduate courses in several disciplines in India. A copy of the revised guidelines are attached herewith for ready reference. Only fresh year students ( Ist year) shall be eligible to get the scholarship.

Is it worth it?

Mobile Phone and Seatbelt Detection Cameras are live, right across Queensland, and they don’t miss a trick. So, if you or your passengers aren’t wearing seatbelts or not wearing them properly, or if you’re using your phone illegally while driving, tough penalties apply.

You will also receive double demerits if you are caught again within 12 months. This means you could lose your licence. Is it worth it?