1 November 2021,was a remarkable day for Australia. Today marks the official reopening of borders after nearly 600 days, with New South Wales and Victoria — Australia’s largest states — welcoming the first quarantine-free overseas arrivals.
NSWPremier’s press release: many people who have waited so long can finally return home to see their family and friends today.
The first quarantine-free flight landed this morning inSydney
The first quarantine-free flight also arrived this morning inMelbourne
NSW international student return pilot — flight expected to arrive 6 December
Also breaking today: sources have confirmed to Australian media outlet The Australian that the first flight bringing NSW international students back is expected to arrive on 6 December. The Singapore-departing flight will carry students from approximately a dozen countries. All students are required to have received two doses of an approved vaccine and must complete two weeks of mandatory hotel quarantine.
Several university vice-chancellors in NSW have expressed confidence that mandatory hotel quarantine will soon be removed for vaccinated international students.
NSW, Canberra and Victoria have all reached the double-dose 80% vaccination target, with other states moving at full speed. It is expected thatAustralia-wide 80%target will be reachedin early November. Vaccination rates, therefore, should not hold back the border reopening — it all comes down to how quickly the government can roll out the process for different groups.
With borders opening on 1 November, currently only arrivals via NSW and Victoria canenter completely quarantine-free. Those currently eligible include Australian citizens and PR holders and their immediate family members (including parents),though this is seen as a critical first step.Arrangements are also underway for skilled migrants, international students, working holiday makers, and other temporary visa holders — with numbers gradually increasing from late 2021 into early 2022.
Also today,the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)formally recognised the Sinopharm-Beijing Biological vaccineand another Indian vaccine, paving the way for more Chinese international students and skilled migrants to enter Australia.(For more details, see today’s second article)
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet today hinted thatNSW could also lift restrictions ahead of schedule. Double-dose vaccination rates in regional NSW have already surpassed 80%, with some areas exceeding 90%. Once vaccination rates reach 95%, restrictions can be eased more safely.
Australia is facing a worsening labour shortage
International flights will also gradually increase
Newstars on Change.org
Petition to the Prime Minister and Minister for Immigration
Over 11,000 signatures!
1. Follow New Zealand’s lead and grant a one-off amnesty to temporary residents who have been struggling and waiting for a pathway to permanent residency
2. Restore the skilled migration visa allocation for this financial year to at least the original level of 108,000 places
SBS and ABC News follow-up coverage!
Keep up the push — every signature counts
Sign! Sign! Sign!
(Long-press the QR code below)
If you are currently outside Australia —
get your student visa ready now!
All these positive developments have boosted confidence, and offshore visa enquiries and applications have surged recently.If you are planning to enter Australia, check your visa status now,if your visa is expiring, renew it immediately; if you don’t yet have a visa, take advantage of this final offshore application window and apply now!
Student visa processing times have increased significantly — previously averaging 2–4 weeks for approval, now averaging 6–10 weeks,and with larger volumes of applications to come, the wait will be even longer, with approval rates also likely to decline.
For more details, feel free to contact us directly!
These are all applications from the past week or twothat have been approved —offshore student visas↓
Best value option
Advantages of applying for a student visa
The student visa could be one of the first visa categories permitted to enter Australia — and it can be applied for directly from offshore. As the best-value all-in-one option, what exactly are its advantages?
–The eligibility requirements for this visa are relatively straightforward compared to other Australian visas, and the approval rate is very high.A single application can securea visa valid for 2–3 years, with the freedom to travel in and out of Australia during that period.
–The visa can be renewed multiple times after expiry, and depending on circumstances,a spouse and childrenmay also apply as accompanying dependants.
– The student visagrants legal work rights, health insurance coverage, greater employment opportunities, and broad access to the job market.
– The correspondingcourse arrangements are highly flexible, with relatively relaxed attendance requirements, no language test requirement, and no age restriction.Tuition fees are low, instalments are available, and intake commences every month.
– If you have plans to migrate,there are multiple migration pathways available, such as studying a migration-relevant field, applying for a partner visa, or running a small business.
If you previouslyheld an Australian student visa, are currently in China and unable to return, and your visa is about to expire or has already expired, there is no need to worry — contact us as soon as possible. We can assist you in applying for an offshore renewal directly, with a very high approval rate.
If you are currently in Australia and your visa is about to expire, regardless of whether you hold a student visa, visitor visa, Working Holiday (Subclass 462/417), Subclass 580 Guardian visa, or any other visa type — if it is about to expire, you may consider renewing to a student visa.
Everyone should plan their visa arrangements without delay. Be sure to compare your options carefully and engage a reputable, well-established migration agency to handle your course enrolment and visa.Newstars has 20+ licensed migration agents and lawyers dedicated to guiding you through every step of your visa journey.
We have always emphasised to everyonethat no visa matter should be taken lightly — do not take risks with your own application. In particular, a student visa refusal caused by inadequate documentation can affect future visa applications. Current student visa holders in Australia should focus on maintaining their studies and complying with all visa conditions.
Many clients who have recently contacted us about renewalshave a CoE gap issue, which poses a significant risk to the renewal application,if you have any concerns about your visa or enrolment, please do not hesitate to contact us.
If you are looking to come to Australia, get in touch now and start preparing your visa application early — so that the moment entry is permitted, you can be ready to go and experience life in Australia while earning.
Migration & Study Abroad Updates
Recommended Videos
Previous Articles
NSW Subclass 190 latest invitation round — ICT and more! QLD open / VIC invites accountants / SA opens engineering offshore, Subclass 189 chemical engineering invited!
NSW Subclass 190 latest invitation round — ICT and more! QLD open / VIC invites accountants / SA opens engineering offshore, Subclass 189 chemical engineering invited!
Australia’s borders about to reopen — widespread labour shortage for chefs, waitstaff, tradespeople and more!
A giveaway from the Department of Home Affairs — visa fee waiver? Full refund?
Major update — first look! Department of Home Affairs detailed guidance documents for the 10 GTI fields!
Migration information sharing and Q&A community
Step 1: Long-press to add our customer service contact
Step 2: After adding, please
PR needs renewing too!? Isn’t it permanent residency?Click ‘original link’Watch the video — don’t let your PR lapse!
