Advice for students impacted by conflict in the Middle East
Latest information for students and graduate researchers impacted by conflict in the Middle East
Latest information for students and graduate researchers impacted by conflict in the Middle East
Last updated: 12 May 2026
The escalation of conflict in the Middle East is deeply distressing, and our focus is supporting your health, wellbeing and engagement with your studies and research programs during this challenging time.
This page will be updated regularly with new content.
Support for your health and wellbeing
A range of online health and wellbeing resources are available for all students and graduate researchers via the Student Health and Wellbeing Digital Hub.
Travel impacts
If you are outside Australia
If you are travelling outside Australia, please monitor the situation and follow the advice of the Australian Government through Smartraveller.
If your Australian visa is about to expire and you cannot travel home
If flight cancellations or other issues are preventing you from travelling home at the end of your studies, please review the advice available from the Department of Home Affairs regarding staying longer.
If you are about to go on a global experience, or are already overseas
In line with the Student Travel Policy (MPF1209), enrolment related travel is not permitted to DFAT Level 3 and 4 countries (‘Reconsider your need to travel’ and ‘Do not travel’).
This applies to transit and layovers in affected locations.
Even if you don’t plan to leave the airport, do not transit through these countries.
Significant disruptions or changes to international travel itineraries remains highly likely at this time.
A number of alternative travel routes have been implemented by airlines, and you are encouraged to ensure you are familiar with these details, and the terms and conditions of your airfare.
In a significant number of situations, travel insurance policies exclude coverage for losses directly caused by war, armed conflict, or civil unrest.
These limitations also apply to travel insurance arranged via the University.
This may mean that in some circumstances you may be out of pocket for additional costs, where disruptions or changes to your travel have resulted in additional costs to you and are determined by the insurer to be exclusions.
If you are about to travel or are currently travelling overseas on a Global Learning program, please make allowance for unforeseen out-of-pocket expenses while your insurance claim is being assessed.
Please refer to the travel insurance and the emergency assistance webpages for more information.
If you have a question relating to your global experience program, please contact Global Learning directly.
Support with your assessment
Coursework students
If you have an assessment due shortly and the events in the Middle East have impacted your ability to complete this on time, you might wish to consider applying for an extension or Special consideration.
Graduate researchers
If you are due to have a progress review, and it cannot be held online and you cannot apply for leave of absence, contact your faculty graduate research team for advice.
Additional support
If you have an urgent query that is not covered on this page:
Coursework students
Please contact Stop 1 using the General Enquiry service.
Graduate researchers
Please contact your department graduate research administrator or faculty graduate research team.
Frequently asked questions
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If your flight is cancelled, first check with your airline or travel agent for alternative options and, where you still wish to travel, please confirm the new arrangements accordingly. The airline / travel agent will be able to advise you on the relevant arrangements regarding refunds, credits, or additional costs.
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Work directly with your airline / travel agent to confirm your flights and, where you still wish to travel, pay any additional costs. Make sure you retain written confirmation from the airline of the cancellations, and any rerouting offers or refusals.
Make careful note of your airfares terms and conditions, including the arrangements any applicable refunds or credits available to you directly from the airline / travel agent.
If the result of your interaction with the airline / travel agent is that you will be out of pocket for additional expenses, you may be eligible for support via the University’s travel insurance.
Please only contact travel insurance once you have resolved the options available to you via the airline / travel agent.
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Keep in touch with your airline / travel agent and confirm flights with your travel agent or airline at least 24 hours prior to departure and continue to monitor your flight for updates.
Refamiliarize yourself with the support available from your travel insurance provider, or the university’s travel insurance if applicable.
If your flight is cancelled, first check with your airline or travel agent for alternative options, prior to contacting University travel insurance.
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This is a personal decision that you will need to explore and decide, and there are a number of resources available for you to make a well-informed decision.
Please make sure you read the current travel advice prepared by the Smartraveller website for both your destination and all transit locations. Also refer to the Smartraveller website for the page on Global travel impacts of conflict in the Middle East.
Travel insurance does not generally cover costs arising solely from a personal decision not to travel, cancel or re-route. Usually, you must also make efforts to recover costs from airlines first before any claims on travel insurance.
When you arrange your travel itinerary, do not book travel that routes through DFAT Level 3 and 4 countries (‘Reconsider your need to travel’ and ‘Do not travel’), noting this also applies to transit and layovers in affected locations, even if you do not plan to leave the airport. Make sure you check your itinerary carefully.
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Travel is not permitted to DFAT Level 3 and 4 countries (‘Reconsider your need to travel’ and ‘Do not travel’) - this applies to transit and layovers in affected locations.
Even if you don’t plan to leave the airport, do not transit through these countries.
Contact your airline / travel agent to seek advice about changing your plans, avoiding any routes that transit through a location that is listed by DFAT with a level 3 or 4 rating.
If flights are available, book alternative routes, making sure you keep all records (receipts, confirmations, and correspondence). In the first case, seek refunds or credits from your airline / travel agent, where eligible.
Please only submit an insurance claim once your airline reimbursement options have been exhausted.