China is Australia’s single largest source of international students — by far. Although Australia reopened its borders early, the number of Chinese students returning to campus was lower than expected due to ongoing restrictions. The big news this week is that China’s Ministry of Education Service Centre for Overseas Students has officially announced: overseas degrees and qualifications obtained through remote learning from the 2023 spring semester (northern-hemisphere autumn semester) onwards — including new and continuing enrolments — will no longer be eligible for certification.

In short, online-only degrees will no longer be recognised for credential certification. This means many Chinese students who had not planned to enter Australia will now need to arrive before the new academic semester — starting February/March — and return to campus.Read more: International students overseas — apply for your visa now and return to Australia! The Ministry of Education has announced: cross-border online learning will no longer be certified from the new semester!

At least 42,000 Chinese students still outside Australia

Overnight, Australia has been scrambling to prepare. Estimates suggest more than 40,000 Chinese students will rush to return to Australia before the new semester, presenting a sudden and significant challenge for the Department of Home Affairs visa processing unit, airlines, universities, and accommodation providers.

Official data shows that currently approximately 42,000 student visa holders with mainland Chinese passports are still overseas — meaning they already hold a visa. What remains unknown is how many new visa applications will now be lodged as a result of this change.

Airlines —

Chinese airlines have recently been adding direct flights to Australia. Australian media understands that airlines are receiving an increasing volume of enquiries from Chinese students, and capacity — even accounting for unannounced flights — is expected to be severely stretched.

In recent days, most flights from China to Australia have been fully booked or close to it.

Universities —

Australian universities had already been progressively confirming plans to end all online learning in Semester 2 of 2023 (the July semester), with Semester 1 serving as the final transition period.

The University of Sydney — most popular with Chinese students:

A spokesperson said that while the “vast majority” of students would return to campus in Semester 1, they would continue to provide remote learning “as far as possible” for those who cannot return. The plan to cease online classes from Semester 2 remains in place.

UNSW stated:

They are “continuing to support” Chinese students both on campus and studying remotely.

University of Melbourne:

From Semester 1, some postgraduate programmes “may continue to offer” online learning, but all undergraduate programmes will be delivered on campus.

RMIT:

They are currently looking into the best ways to support Chinese students wishing to return to their Melbourne campus.

Many universities have effectively had their timelines brought forward involuntarily.

The Group of Eight universities, which host the largest number of Chinese international students, have said that getting everyone back on campus by the start of Semester 1 would be “a near-impossible task” — with visas and accommodation both needing to be arranged within just a few weeks.

Visa processing —

The Group of Eight Australian universities will urgently seek advice and clarification from the Chinese Embassy regarding any special-circumstances provisions available to Chinese students. As for the Australian government, they have indicated they will urge that all international student visa applications be prioritised, to minimise further disruption. After all, without confirmed visa grants, most other arrangements — flights, accommodation — cannot be finalised.

The Australian Minister for Education has promptly indicated that they will work with the Department of Home Affairs — which handles visa approvals — to address the situation.

Having all international students back on campus is ultimately a positive development for everyone — students and institutions alike. The hope is that this sudden surge does not once again lead to visa processing backlogs. Student visa processing is currently running at around 1–3 months — if you haven’t arranged your visa yet, get in touch with us now to lodge your application!

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