Janice Lozano
Australia's international border restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have negatively impacted international students, with some expressing disappointment and anxiety about the lack of clarity on when borders will reopen. Australian universities have also expressed concern about the financial implications of the border closures, as international students contribute significantly to the economy. While there were positive signs in 2021 that borders might reopen for international students, with pilot programs and charter flights proposed, these plans were delayed due to concerns about the pandemic. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has emphasized the difficulty of reopening borders and has prioritized returning Australians over international students in quarantine facilities. As of 2024, there is still no clear timeline for when Australia will fully open its borders to international students, and application numbers remain lower than pre-pandemic levels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date borders opened for international students | 15th December 2021 |
| Current status of borders for international students | Open |
| Visa application processing status | Active since the second half of 2020 |
| Visa norms | Changes to provide flexibility for international students |
| Temporary Graduate Visa | Extended from 2 years to 3 years |
| Pilot programs | South Australia, New South Wales |
| Border opening timeline | No clear timeline |
| Border opening conditions | Effective COVID-19 vaccines |
| Quarantine facilities | Reserved for Australians returning home |
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What You'll Learn
- International student arrivals in Australia dropped by 99.8% in February 2024 compared to 2023
- The Australian government has not provided a clear answer or timeline for border openings
- Australian universities are anxious about the closed borders and have expressed concerns
- Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk opposed expanding international arrivals to include students
- Australia's COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness will determine the reopening of borders
International student arrivals in Australia dropped by 99.8% in February 2024 compared to 2023
Australia's borders have been open to international students since 15 December 2021, following an 18-month closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the number of international student arrivals in Australia saw a sharp decline in February 2024, with a 99.8% drop compared to February 2023. This significant decrease raises concerns among Australian universities, which have been advocating for the reopening of borders to international students for over a year.
The Australian government has expressed support for the international education sector, announcing changes to visa norms and granting extensions for temporary graduate visas. Additionally, the government has committed to protecting the post-study work rights of international students. Despite these efforts, the number of international student arrivals remains low.
In 2021, several states in Australia, including South Australia and New South Wales (NSW), proposed pilot programs to facilitate the return of international students. South Australia's program aimed to accommodate up to 160 international students in a new quarantine hub in Adelaide, while NSW planned to quarantine students in student accommodation rather than hotels. These initiatives signaled a positive step towards welcoming international students back to Australia.
However, the lack of a clear timeline for the full reopening of borders specifically to international students has caused anxiety among prospective students. The Australian government has prioritized suppressing the spread of COVID-19 and managing quarantine facilities for returning Australians, making it challenging for international students to enter the country.
With international students contributing significantly to the Australian economy, the extended border closure has had financial ramifications. Universities are anxious about the decline in student demand, with application numbers lower than in previous years. The situation has led to concerns about the future of Australia as an international student destination, with some students reconsidering their plans to study in the country.
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The Australian government has not provided a clear answer or timeline for border openings
Various Australian states have proposed pilot programs and plans to bring back international students. For example, South Australia announced it would accommodate up to 160 international students in a new quarantine hub in Adelaide, and New South Wales (NSW) Treasurer Dominic Perrottet shared a similar plan to bring international students back to the state within six to eight weeks. However, these plans have faced delays and pushbacks due to concerns about international arrivals and the strain on the hotel quarantine system.
The lack of clarity from the Australian government has caused anxiety and reconsideration among prospective international students. Some students have expressed frustration and disappointment with the government's response, feeling that their concerns are not being addressed. The decline in international student arrivals and enrolments has also impacted the Australian economy, with international students contributing significantly to the economy annually.
While there are positive signs that Australia's borders will eventually open, the Australian government has not committed to a specific timeline. Universities and colleges in Australia are advising students to apply for their student visas promptly, as there will likely be delays in processing visa applications. The Australian government has also announced changes to visa norms and extensions for temporary graduate visas to support international students and attract skilled migrants.
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Australian universities are anxious about the closed borders and have expressed concerns
Australian universities are understandably anxious about the closed borders and have expressed their concerns to the government for over a year. The pandemic has had a significant financial impact on the higher education sector, with a sharp decline in international student arrivals and enrolments. International students contribute over two billion Australian dollars per year to the economy, and their absence has been acutely felt.
In February 2024, only 200 international students arrived in Australia, a staggering 99.8% decrease compared to the same month in the previous year. This has caused great concern for universities, as application numbers remain lower than pre-pandemic levels. As of December 2020, enrolments from China, Australia's largest student source country, dropped by 26%, contributing to an overall decline of 22%.
The Australian government has acknowledged the importance of international students to the country's economy and has proposed various initiatives to support the sector. These include changes to visa norms, extended regulatory fee waivers, and additional grants for education providers impacted by the pandemic. The government has also extended the duration of the temporary graduate visa from two to three years and is working on initiatives to protect post-study work rights for international students.
Despite these efforts, universities remain anxious about the lack of a clear timeline for fully reopening borders to international students. While there have been pilot programs and discussions about charter flights, the process of bringing international students back to Australia has been slow and cautious. Universities are eager for more concrete plans and faster progress, as the financial losses continue to mount.
The situation has also caused uncertainty and anxiety among prospective international students, who are reconsidering their choices and wondering if they should defer or change their study destinations. The universities' lack of transparency about the reopening of borders further exacerbates the problem, leaving students feeling uncertain about their future plans and educational pursuits in Australia.
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Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk opposed expanding international arrivals to include students
Australia's borders have been open to international students since December 15, 2021, after remaining closed for 18 months due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Australian government has taken several measures to support the international education sector, including changes in visa norms, extended regulatory fee waivers, and additional grants for education providers.
However, the reopening of borders to international students was not a unanimous decision among state leaders. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk initially opposed expanding international arrivals to include students, citing concerns about the strain on the hotel quarantine system. Palaszczuk's state intended to ditch hotel quarantine upon reaching a 90% double-dose vaccination milestone, projected to occur in early January.
Palaszczuk's stance on quarantine requirements reflected her focus on managing the health impacts of the pandemic and ensuring the safety of Queenslanders. She proposed tougher international travel testing rules, advocating for a mandatory COVID-19 test on arrival for international travelers, in addition to the existing pre-departure testing requirement.
Despite Palaszczuk's initial opposition, Queensland did reopen its borders to domestic hotspots on December 13, 2021. Additionally, the Palaszczuk government submitted the Queensland Student Arrivals Plan to the Federal Government, demonstrating their intention to scale up international student arrivals over time. This plan aimed to address the challenges posed by Covid-19 variants and utilized Wellcamp's proximity to an international airport as a critical component.
While the reopening of borders is welcome news for international students and the education sector, universities and colleges advise students to apply for their visas promptly due to expected delays in processing applications. Students are also reminded to ensure they meet the vaccination requirements, including completing the required time since their final dose.
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Australia's COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness will determine the reopening of borders
Australia's COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness will be a key factor in determining the reopening of its borders to international students. While there is no definitive timeline for when this will happen, several sources indicate that the Australian government is committed to reopening borders and supporting the international education sector.
In July 2021, Prime Minister Scott Morrison stated that the government would consider lifting border restrictions for international students as part of the framework to ease coronavirus restrictions. He emphasized that any reopening would be carried out with strict quarantine restrictions and that the immediate priority was to suppress the coronavirus spread in the country. The Health Department Secretary, Brendan Murphy, supported this stance, stating that border reopening would depend on whether a COVID-19 vaccine could effectively prevent transmission.
Some Australian states have proposed initiatives to facilitate the return of international students. For example, South Australia announced it would accommodate up to 160 international students in a new quarantine hub in Adelaide, and New South Wales (NSW) Treasurer Dominic Perrottet shared a similar plan to bring international students back to the state. Additionally, universities and colleges in Australia are advising students to apply for their student visas quickly, as there will likely be delays in processing applications.
The absence of international students has negatively impacted the Australian economy, with a significant decline in revenue for the higher education sector. This has prompted universities to express their concerns to the government about the closed borders. While there is no clear timeline for when Australia will fully reopen its borders to international students, the country has taken steps towards welcoming them back, with some international students already returning under strict quarantine measures.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Australia's borders have been open for international students since 15 December 2021.
Student visa application processing restarted in Australia in the second half of 2020. Universities advise students to apply for their student visas as soon as possible, as there will be a delay in processing applications.
All eligible visa holders and skilled migrants can enter Australia. Students need to ensure that seven days have been completed since their final dose of vaccination.
The Australian government has announced that it will support the international education sector once the borders are open. Changes to visa norms will provide flexibility, and extended regulatory fee waivers and additional grants will be available to support education providers impacted by the pandemic.
International student arrivals in Australia have been low. In February 2024, only 200 international students arrived, compared to 121,120 in the same month the previous year.
