Latest Updates on International Students’ Return to Australia

Key Highlights:

• Overview 
• Australian Capital Territory
• Western Australia
• Other States

Several states in the island country of Australia have started planning the return of international students to them, while some like Western Australia are maintaining a strict border position, delaying their arrival.

Australian Capital Territory

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government announced recently that they will welcome back international post-secondary students who are fully vaccinated for the start of the 2022 academic year, but there are no dates set yet.

The students must be vaccinated with a vaccine recognized by the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA). 

A spokesperson of the ACT government said in a statement that “The ACT government is working on the expectation the international border will be open in 2022”. 

“If the Australian government requires a formal plan for the return of students in 2022, we will work with the tertiary sector on submitting one, noting any requirements will be those set by the Australian government,” he added.

Western Australia

Students still do not expect to return anytime soon in Western Australia as the state continues to maintain its hard border position despite international travel resuming for NSW residents.

The Premier of Western Australia, Mark McGowan, was quoted by news.com.au saying that the state’s vaccination levels have to reach a very high level before travellers will be allowed to enter the state.

Other States

The states of New South Wales and Victoria are currently set to bring back a group of international students by the end of the year. The University of Melbourne has welcomed this move.

The university’s vice-chancellor, Duncan Maskell, said that “We acknowledge the Victorian government for supporting the safe return of international students and thank the Australian government for approving the plan.”

I am optimistic that a large proportion of new or returning international students will be studying on campus in 2022,” he added.