Plans to bring international students back to Australia are taking shape in New South Wales and Victoria before year’s end — NSW has two batches of 500 students each, while Victoria will admit 120 per week. The numbers are modest, mainly serving as a pilot to lead by example, but it is better than nothing and marks a promising start.
Under both states’ plans, students cover their own airfares. In New South Wales, most universities have indicated they are willing to cover quarantine-related costs, while in Victoria the decision is left to individual institutions.
Industry insiders have long pointed out that having each state devise its own plan and then navigate multiple layers of approval is too slow to meet student entry demand. Some have suggested the federal government first issue unified national guidelines, with states then adjusting accordingly.
Federal Education Minister Alan Tudge: Looking Forward to a Large-Scale Return of International Students Next Year
At an international conference last Friday, the Minister stated that Australia’s borders will open next year to(more) international students, and that he hopes “tens of thousands”will be able to return to universities and other educational institutions, adding that the government is also considering introducingnew policies, to “accelerate the rapid return of students”.
In the short term, the number of international students entering Australia may still be subject to restrictions,but he hopes to ultimately lift all caps on numbers, at which point demand itself will become the driving force for international students returning to Australia.
Regarding Victoria’s plan,the federal government will review it very promptly.
International Education Association of Australia’s Phil Honeywood Recommends: Work Visas and Bonus Points as Incentives
Australia’s share of the international education market has partly shifted to the UK and Canada since the pandemic. According to IDP Connect data, Australia’s share of international student demand has fallen from 16.8% to 11.6% over the past two years.
“The key to (attracting international students back) ispost-study work visa incentives, and awarding them additional migration points.”
PS. We are still awaiting a visa exemption policy for Subclass 485 holders stranded overseas (such as an extension or a freeze option).
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Australia’s Prime Minister: In Discussions with New South Wales to Accelerate Border Reopening Date
Today, 11 October, New South Wales has finally taken the first real step towards genuine reopening, with everything proceeding as planned — and even ahead of schedule. The Prime Minister stated this weekend that he isworking with the New South Wales government to achieve a border opening earlier than anticipated (for Australian citizens and permanent residents who have received two approved vaccine doses)“I know the New South Wales government wants to accelerate home quarantine in November. If that can be achieved, we will be able to take action to facilitate a faster opening of the international border through New South Wales.”
The Prime Minister previously stated thatstates reaching 80% double-dose vaccination coverage may open their borders first,and at the current pace, New South Wales and the national capital Canberra could reach that milestone by the end of October. Beyond vaccination rates as a prerequisite, there is also a need forvaccine passports and home quarantine arrangements to be in place, which is why the federal government says it will work with state governments to facilitate an accelerated reopening.
He also addressed Victoria directly, saying New South Wales’s situation provides “light at the end of the tunnel”: “We welcome the Victorian Premier to announce a safe reopening — the people of Victoria have sacrificed more than anywhere else.”
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We Call on Australia to Grant a One-Off Amnesty to Temporary Residents Waiting for Migration! Restore the Original Skilled Migration PR Quota!
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Just received your PR? This is for you! Parent migration processing progress, eligibility requirements, and Q&A — save this post!Click “Original article link”to read!
