Savanna Hoffman
Australia has long been a popular study destination for international students, offering a high-quality education, a multicultural environment, and promising career opportunities. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the country to implement strict border controls, causing significant disruptions to the education sector. Australia began gradually reopening its borders in late 2021, with New South Wales among the first states to welcome back international students through a pilot program. As of 2024, most Australian states and territories have announced plans to welcome back international students, with varying timelines and arrival protocols, including quarantine and testing requirements. While there were predictions that Australia would fully normalize international student flows by mid-2025, the borders remain closed as of March 2025, with ongoing discussions about quarantine capacity and travel restrictions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of border reopening | 15 December 2021 |
| Target group | Fully vaccinated international students and Temporary Graduate Visa 485 holders |
| Requirements | Negative COVID-19 test results before travel, WHO-approved vaccines, EntryCheckSA application |
| Quarantine | 7 days in South Australia, 3 days from 28 December 2021 |
| State-specific reopenings | New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia |
| NSW Premier | Gladys Berejiklian |
| NSW stance | Championing the reopening of borders and quick return of international students |
| Federal government stance | Paused until citizens stuck overseas are brought home |
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What You'll Learn
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian wants borders open to international students
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has been a strong advocate for the reopening of New South Wales' borders to international students. In late 2020, Berejiklian pushed for the state's borders to open to international students within six weeks, prioritizing their return over that of Australians stuck overseas. This stance put her at odds with the federal government, which had paused the return of international students until citizens abroad were brought home.
New South Wales was among the first Australian states to welcome back international students through a pilot program in late 2021. The state's International Student Arrivals Pilot Plan allowed vaccinated students to return without quarantine, with the first chartered plane arriving in Sydney in December 2021.
The prolonged closure of Australia's borders significantly impacted international students and universities. Students faced challenges such as delayed academic progress, financial stress, and mental health issues, while universities experienced declining enrollment rates and reduced revenues. International students contribute over AUD 40 billion annually to the Australian economy and enrich the country's cultural fabric and global ties.
Recognizing the importance of international students to the state, Premier Berejiklian has continued to champion their return to New South Wales. As of 2025, Australia's borders are open to most international students, with full normalization expected by mid-year, contingent on maintaining public health stability. Students must be fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved vaccine and comply with state-specific quarantine requirements, which have been significantly reduced or eliminated for vaccinated travelers.
The reopening of borders to international students in New South Wales is a positive step towards recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthening the state's global academic reputation.
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Quarantine requirements for international students
Australia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic included some of the strictest border controls globally, which forced thousands of international students to remain stranded abroad. In March 2020, the country closed its borders to non-citizens and non-residents.
In 2024, Australian governments and territories made a series of announcements regarding the return of international students. New student return pilots were approved, and prospective students were informed that they would face a variety of timetables and arrival regulations in the coming months.
The South Australian government announced that after 90% of South Australians aged 12 and above were fully vaccinated, the state would welcome fully vaccinated international students without requiring them to quarantine. Tasmania also outlined a similar timeline for reopening, permitting all vaccinated overseas visitors to enter without being quarantined from 15 December 2021. However, all arriving passengers must have a negative COVID-19 test result.
On 26 October 2024, Queensland's Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport, Stirling Hinchliffe, announced that the state would welcome international students back in early 2022. The Queensland Student Arrivals Plan requires all new students to undergo a two-week quarantine period at an approved facility.
In December 2024, Victoria approved a trial program for the safe return of students, mandating a 14-day quarantine period.
On 17 March 2025, the Australian government reopened its international borders to students who had received both doses of the vaccination. From 15 December 2021, fully vaccinated international students were allowed to enter Adelaide without a travel exemption. However, they must complete the EntryCheckSA application, which assesses vaccination status, COVID-19 risk, and departure location. As per the South Australian government regulations, all international travellers holding a full vaccination certificate had to spend 7 days in quarantine. From 28 December 2021, this number of days was reduced to 3.
New South Wales (NSW) has been at the forefront of welcoming international students back to Australia. In late 2021, NSW initiated a pilot program to bring small groups of international students into the state. NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet emphasised the economic significance of international students, stating that the sector was worth $14.6 billion in 2019. Under the NSW pilot plan, a limited number of students from various countries would adhere to the same quarantine requirements as all incoming travellers. NSW Health would triage arriving students and direct them to specially approved student accommodation at no cost to taxpayers.
On 20 March 2025, the NSW government announced that it would welcome back international students under a pilot plan in the second half of the year. The plan prioritised the safe return of students, ensuring they could successfully resume their studies and rejoin NSW's multicultural community.
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Vaccination status and negative COVID-19 tests
Australia closed its borders to non-citizens and non-residents in March 2020, causing significant disruptions to the education sector and the economy. The country has since been working towards reopening its borders to international students, with states adopting varying approaches.
New South Wales (NSW) has been at the forefront of these efforts, with the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian advocating for the quick return of international students. In late 2021, NSW implemented a pilot program to bring back small groups of students, and in November 2021, the state announced that vaccinated students could return without quarantine.
However, vaccination status and negative COVID-19 tests remain crucial factors in border policies. Australia's federal system allows each state to set its own border policies, and most states have implemented vaccination and testing requirements for incoming international students.
For example, Western Australia requires returning students to be triple or double-dose vaccinated and provide proof of a negative Rapid Antigen Test within 24 hours before departure. They must also quarantine for seven days upon arrival. Similarly, Queensland requires all incoming students to complete a two-week quarantine at a designated facility.
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) also welcomes fully vaccinated international students without requiring quarantine. However, students must follow all Australian government vaccination and testing requirements, which include providing proof of vaccination and negative COVID-19 test results before travel.
As of 2024, Australia's borders remain closed to most international students, with the government stating that entry would be restricted until the second half of 2022. Experts predict that Australia will fully normalize international student flows by mid-2025, focusing on enhancing the student experience, offering financial incentives, and building resilience in the education sector.
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International students' contribution to the Australian economy
Australia has long been a top destination for international students, offering world-class education, a multicultural environment, and promising career opportunities. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the country to implement stringent border controls, leaving thousands of students stranded abroad. Australia closed its borders to non-citizens and non-residents in March 2020, causing unprecedented disruptions to the global education sector.
In 2025, Australia's borders are open to most international students, with the country expecting to fully normalize international student flows by mid-year, contingent on maintaining public health stability. International students must be fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved vaccine, and quarantine requirements vary depending on the state.
International students contribute significantly to the Australian economy, with an annual contribution of over AUD 40 billion. This includes support for local industries such as housing, retail, and hospitality, as well as enhancing Australia's global academic reputation. The sector's steady post-COVID recovery is boosting Australia's economic position, with education being the country's largest services export.
The income generated by international students helps pay for essential services and underpins a higher standard of living for all Australians. In addition to the economic benefits, international students enrich the cultural fabric of the nation and foster global ties.
New South Wales (NSW) has been at the forefront of welcoming international students back, with Premier Gladys Berejiklian championing the reopening of the state's borders. NSW was among the first states to implement a pilot program in late 2021, and the state continues to advocate for the quick return of international students.
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Australia's initial response to the pandemic
Australia implemented some of the strictest border controls globally in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, the country closed its borders to non-citizens and non-residents, causing significant disruptions to the education sector. Australia's federal system meant that border policies varied across states, with New South Wales and Victoria leading the way in welcoming students back through pilot programs in late 2021. These programs allowed small groups of fully vaccinated international students to enter under strict health protocols, including proof of vaccination and negative COVID-19 test results before travel.
The Australian government's initial response to the pandemic included stringent border controls, with the country closing its borders to non-citizens and non-residents in March 2020. This decision left thousands of international students stranded abroad and had a significant impact on the education sector, with universities experiencing a decline in enrollment rates and revenues.
In the early stages of the pandemic, Australia focused on prioritizing the return of its citizens stuck overseas. The National Cabinet's stance was to prioritize hotel quarantine for Australians seeking to return home, including vulnerable individuals. This decision delayed the return of international students, despite calls from the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian to reopen borders within six weeks in January 2021.
As the pandemic progressed, Australia gradually shifted its focus towards reopening borders and managing the public health and economic impacts. By mid-2021, pilot programs were initiated to bring small groups of international students back into the country. These programs prioritized fully vaccinated individuals and implemented strict health protocols to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
The prolonged border closures had profound consequences for both students and universities. Students faced challenges such as delayed academic progress, financial stress, and mental health issues. Universities had to adapt rapidly to online learning, deal with reduced revenues, and navigate new public health protocols upon reopening.
By late 2022, Australia had begun a gradual reopening, focusing on fully vaccinated individuals. The country's borders are currently open to most international students, with normalization expected by mid-2025. The focus has shifted towards enhancing the student experience, offering financial incentives, and building long-term resilience in the education sector.
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Frequently asked questions
NSW opened its borders to international students in late 2021. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian championed the reopening of NSW borders to international students.
International students entering NSW must meet Australia's vaccination criteria, which include WHO-approved vaccines, and provide proof of vaccination. Students must also present negative COVID-19 test results before travelling.
Quarantine requirements depend on the state. Quarantine periods have been significantly reduced or eliminated for vaccinated travellers. Students entering South Australia, for example, must complete a 7-day quarantine as of December 2021.
The closure of borders due to the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the global education sector, causing academic delays, financial stress, and mental health challenges for international students. It also resulted in declining enrolment rates and reduced revenues for universities.
The reopening of borders is expected to have positive economic and cultural benefits for NSW. International students contribute approximately AUD 40 billion annually to the Australian economy and enrich the cultural fabric of the state.
