Douglas Olsen
The resumption of international flights to Australia for international students has been a highly anticipated topic, with the country's international education sector valued at billions. During the pandemic, various pilot programs and travel arrangements were implemented to facilitate the return of international students, but they were often subject to stringent restrictions and quarantine requirements. As Australia moves towards reopening, the availability of international flights and the easing of border restrictions will be key factors in determining when international students can return. The Australian government has indicated that vaccinated citizens and permanent residents will be given priority, with a staged approach that may gradually include international students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | International flights to Australia for international students are expected to resume in July 2024. |
| Number of students | 350 students are expected to arrive in Canberra as part of a pilot scheme. |
| Countries | Students are expected to come from India, China, and other countries. |
| Quarantine | Students will be subject to mandatory quarantine, which will be partly paid for by the University of Canberra and the ACT government. |
| Vaccination requirements | Students must be fully vaccinated with a vaccine recognized by Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). |
| COVID-19 testing | Students must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within three days before departure. |
| Visa | Students must hold a valid visa for one of the eligible visa subclasses. |
| Airlines | Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia have partnered to offer flights to Canberra via Melbourne. |
| Previous suspension | International flights to Australia were previously suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions. |
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What You'll Learn
International students' return to Australia
International students return to Australia
International students are a vital part of Australia's economy, with many paying up to $30,000 a year to study. In 2019, there were 21.3 million international arrivals in Australia, but the pandemic has significantly impacted these numbers. Australia has been working on a plan to welcome back international students, but it has been a slow process due to the country's strict COVID-19 restrictions.
In 2020, a pilot program was announced to allow international students to fly into Australia. This program was initially meant to begin in Canberra, but it was pushed back due to a second wave of coronavirus cases in Melbourne and clusters in Sydney. The program eventually kicked off in Adelaide in September 2020, with up to 300 students from China, Hong Kong, and Japan travelling from Singapore to Australia. These students underwent the standard 14-day hotel quarantine.
In October 2021, it was announced that Sydney would resume international flights from November, allowing vaccinated Australians to travel. International students were not included in this initial phase, but New South Wales (NSW) was keen to resume inbound travel for students soon after. The Commonwealth adopted a staged approach, with the first phase focusing on Australians, Australian residents, and their families.
In 2024, universities in Australia considered chartering flights for international students to tackle travel disruptions caused by COVID-19. The University of Canberra and the Australian National University successfully flew in 350 students in July 2024 as part of a pilot scheme. These students underwent mandatory quarantine in hotels, partially funded by the universities and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government.
While there is a growing demand for international student arrivals in Australia, the availability of international flights and state quarantine requirements continue to be limiting factors. However, with the country's focus on reopening borders and the economic benefits of international students, we can expect to see more initiatives and relaxations in the near future.
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Quarantine requirements
As of November 2021, Australia has opened its borders to vaccinated international travellers, including international students. However, quarantine requirements vary across states and territories.
In New South Wales, fully vaccinated travellers are exempt from quarantine. However, they must self-isolate for seven days upon arrival and adhere to additional conditions set by the state. Meanwhile, unvaccinated travellers must undergo 14 days of hotel quarantine.
In Adelaide, international students arriving from Singapore under a pilot program must undergo a standard 14-day hotel quarantine at their own expense.
The University of Canberra and the Australian National University have also implemented a similar quarantine requirement for their pilot scheme. As part of their plan to fly in 350 international students in July 2024, the universities will provide mandatory quarantine at hotels in Canberra, with the cost partially covered by the institutions and the ACT government.
Additionally, the Australian government has specified COVID-19 guidelines for inbound travellers. Travellers must be fully vaccinated with a TGA-approved vaccine and hold a valid visa from an eligible subclass. They must also provide proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within three days before departure.
It is important to note that international students should consult with experts regarding specific arrival conditions in their intended state of study, as each state in Australia has set its own additional requirements.
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Vaccination status
In 2020, the Australian government announced a pilot program to allow international students to fly into the country. The program was expected to be controversial given the other stringent restrictions on flights into Australia at the time. The pilot program included 300 students from China, Hong Kong, and Japan who would travel from Singapore to Adelaide and undergo the standard 14-day hotel quarantine.
In 2021, the Australian government opened its borders to international students, with the scale of international student arrivals expected to grow steadily once the borders opened. However, the focus was on returning Australians as a priority. It was expected that once states and territories reached an 80% double vaccination rate, they would open to returning Australians first and then to migrants and international students.
In October 2021, it was announced that international travel would resume for vaccinated Australians in November. Vaccinated returning travellers who had received two doses would be required to self-isolate in home quarantine for seven days. Unvaccinated Australian residents and natives would still need to undergo hotel quarantine for 14 days. Additionally, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) had recognized several new vaccines, including the Sinovac and CovidShield vaccines, ensuring that students and skilled migrants from countries like India could enter the country.
In May 2024, it was reported that universities in Australia were considering chartering flights for international students to bring them to campuses. The University of Canberra and the Australian National University planned to fly in 350 students in July 2024 as part of a pilot scheme backed by the federal and Australian Capital Territory governments. These students would also undergo mandatory quarantine at hotels in Canberra, partially paid for by the universities and the ACT government.
While there is a demand for international student arrivals in Australia, the availability of international flights and the vaccination status of travellers are key factors that determine the scale of their arrivals.
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International flights to Canberra
International students were allowed to fly into Australia as early as September 2020, when a pilot program was announced by Trade Minister Simon Birmingham. However, it is unclear if this program included Canberra. In October 2021, it was announced that Canberra would continue to operate government-sponsored repatriation services, helping bring Australians home from around the world.
As of 2023, Canberra International Airport is serviced by only one airline with a single route. Fiji Airways operates a direct flight from Canberra to Nadi, Fiji, twice a week, and from October, it will fly three times a week. This route is a convenient option for those planning a holiday in Fiji or the US, as passengers do not need to transit from a domestic flight. The flight takes around 4.5 hours, and the price is comparable to other flights to the US.
In the past, Canberra Airport had more international flights. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Qatar Airways operated flights from Canberra to Hamad International Airport in Doha via Melbourne, and Singapore Airlines flew a Singapore-Canberra-Wellington-Canberra-Singapore route. Qatar Airways has announced that it will resume daily flights to Canberra by December 2025.
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Universities' charter flights
In 2020, the Australian government announced a pilot programme to allow international students to fly into the country. However, this programme was met with controversy due to the existing cap on the number of Australians allowed to return home each week and stringent restrictions on flights into Australia.
In the UK, however, several universities have taken matters into their own hands by chartering flights to bring international students back to campus. This approach has been adopted by over two dozen universities, with a focus on bringing students from China safely to their campuses in the UK. The University of Manchester was one of the first to organise such a flight, bringing students from Chongqing to Manchester and then on to universities in North and South West England and Wales. Other universities that have chartered flights include Queen's University Belfast, the University of Bolton, and the University of Exeter. These universities have worked closely with airports and local councils to support international students with their travel and any necessary quarantine requirements.
Queen's University Belfast, for example, arranged a direct charter flight from Beijing to Belfast at a cost of £616 per student. Students were required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of departure. The university stated that the decision was made to help reduce stress and anxiety for those travelling and to provide reassurance for students and their families.
The financial risk of chartering flights is a consideration for universities, with the reported cost of one charter flight totalling £600,000. However, with international student revenues contributing significantly to the UK economy, and a high demand from international students, universities are motivated to ensure students can safely arrive on campus.
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Frequently asked questions
International flights to Australia resumed in November 2021. However, there was a focus on returning Australians first, with international students and tourists expected to follow.
International students entering Australia must be fully vaccinated with a TGA-recognised vaccine and hold a valid visa for an eligible subclass. They must also submit a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within three days of departure.
International student arrivals are steadily growing as borders open and vaccination rates increase. Australia's federal election in May 2024 and the proposed 30% cap on international enrolments may impact this.
Some universities in Australia are considering chartering flights to help international students arrive on campus. This approach has been used in other countries such as the UK and Northern Ireland.
