A warm welcome back to international students

Bar March 2022

Didasko Learning Resources is delighted to welcome back international students to Australia. International students lend unique perspectives and an invaluable diversity to classrooms across the country, and we are thrilled at the news of their return.

As of December 15th, after over twenty months of strict border restrictions, student visa holders are once again allowed to enter the country to study.[i] The return of international students was originally scheduled for the 1st of December, but the emergence of the Omicron COVID-19 variant led state and federal authorities to take caution, delaying international arrivals by two weeks. However, after a fortnight in review, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt has confirmed Australia is “on track” to welcome international students back into the country.[ii]

Although the Australian Government announced that there was no need to apply for a travel exemption under the new arrangements, there are some requirements to be met. In order travel to Australia for educational purposes, students must:[iii]

  • Be fully vaccinated
  • Provide proof of vaccination
  • Have completed a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) COVID-19 test within 72 hours of their departure
  • Hold an eligible VISA
  • Not have been in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi or Mozambique in the last fourteen days due to the prevalence of the Omicron COVID-19 variant in those nations

The extent of quarantine and testing underwent by travelers upon arrival is decided by the state or territory in which they land.[iv]

  • Victoria, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory require all travelers to self-isolate at home for 72 hours following their arrival. They will also need a PCR test on the first and sixth days of their stay.
  • Students wishing to study in Tasmania will have to travel there via the mainland and satisfy their quarantine requirements there before entering Tasmania.
  • Queensland and South Australia have mandated that travelers are to isolate for fourteen days upon arrival, but this will be revised when the states achieve a vaccination rate of 90% amongst those aged twelve and over.
  • Western Australia is embracing the change less hurriedly, with borders set to open for international students on the 5th of February.
  • Northern Territory is also hesitant, with no word yet as to when international students will be allowed to return.

Opening the borders in December means that students will have time to enroll and prepare for the 2022 academic year. Current projection sees many students travelling overseas to pursue their education, with estimates expecting to see over 200,000 international students and skilled migrants arrive in Australia this summer.[v]

And although this is not an academic concern, these laws also mean that international students who have been studying here throughout the pandemic can finally visit their families overseas and return to Australia after doing so.

To find out more about Didasko Learning Resources, please contact us at 1300 554 100 or email us at customerservice@didasko-online.com

[i] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-15/international-students-tourists-covid-border-reopening/100700046

 

[ii] https://www.studyinternational.com/news/australian-travel-restriction-update/

 

[iii] https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/news/australia-to-welcome-all-fully-vaccinated-students-from-1-december

 

[iv] https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/english/student-arrivals-travel-and-visas/updates/student-arrival-plans-and-latest-travel-advice

 

[v] https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/international-students-skilled-migrants-to-return-to-australia-as-border-reopens/news-story/c48ebd81f6dafa4f1a3e299871e750ef

 

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