Janice Lozano
Australia's international border ban was lifted on December 1, 2021, allowing fully vaccinated international students to enter the country without quarantine. The Australian government had announced that its borders would open for many temporary visa holders from this date. This came after 18 months of border closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the country hitting its vaccination targets earlier than expected. The first states to reopen were New South Wales and Victoria, with the latter aiming to accept 120 international arrivals per week.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of opening borders | 1st December 2021 |
| Who can enter? | Fully vaccinated international students |
| Quarantine requirements | None |
| Number of students | Limited number of 250 international students every two weeks |
| First arrivals | 4th December 2021 |
| States | New South Wales and Victoria |
| Travel arrangements | Chartered flights |
| Accommodation | Quarantined hotels |
| Quarantine fee | $3000 |
| Movement | Tightly monitored |
| Medication | Provided by the Australian government |
| Testing | Necessary medications and testing provided |
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What You'll Learn
- Victoria's economy and the education sector are dependent on international students
- Quarantine and travel arrangements for international students
- The Australian government's stance on borders and international students
- The impact of border closures on international students' mental health
- Victoria's plans to welcome international students post-Australian Open
Victoria's economy and the education sector are dependent on international students
Victoria's economy and education sector are heavily dependent on international students. Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, relies on international students to fund its school system. The students bring in foreign cash, which is a large part of the state's economy. Victoria has an International Student Program that brings in foreign students to study at various universities, supervised by the Australian government.
The prolonged closure of Australia's borders has had a significant impact on the state's economy, as many international students have started to look for alternative countries for their higher studies. Recognizing the importance of international education to the economy, the Victorian government has been eager to reopen borders and welcome back international students.
In July 2020, the federal government lifted restrictions that prevented international students from entering states with internal border closures, specifically acknowledging the situation in Victoria, which required a "ring of containment" due to rising COVID-19 cases. This was a positive step towards allowing international students back into the country.
In April 2021, Victoria further relaxed travel restrictions, citing the successful staging of the Australian Open as encouragement to open borders to more international arrivals. The state government announced plans to accept international students from May 24, 2021, with funding from relevant sectors, including universities.
However, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had previously stated that quarantine facilities would be reserved for Australians returning home until at least the end of April. He encouraged universities to work with states and submit proposals for bringing international students back to Australia.
Finally, on December 1, 2021, the Australian government reopened its borders to fully vaccinated international students without the requirement for quarantine. This was a significant step towards restoring Victoria's economy and education sector, which heavily rely on international students.
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Quarantine and travel arrangements for international students
Victoria, Australia, is home to many international students, who bring in foreign cash and fund the school system. The pandemic has led to the closure of Australian borders, which has impacted the economy. Victoria's successful staging of the Australian Open encouraged it to further open its borders to international students, actors, film crews, and major event organizers.
As of April 27, 2021, Victoria planned to accept 120 international arrivals per week from May, outside of its international passenger arrival cap of 1,000 per week. Foreign arrivals would stay in a hotel outside the existing hotel quarantine program. The quarantine fee is expected to be over and above the fee paid by returning Australians. The Victorian government is working closely with the Australian government and education providers to welcome international students back to Victoria when it is safe to do so. The plan will follow all protocols and preconditions set by the Australian government and adhere to the public health advice and directions set by the Victorian Chief Health Officer.
As of December 20, 2021, all fully vaccinated international travellers arriving in Victoria must get a PCR test within 24 hours of arrival and isolate until they receive a negative result. They must also get tested again between days 5 and 7 after arrival and need not isolate while waiting for this second test result. Those who are not fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine need to take a viral test three to five days after arriving and self-quarantine for a full seven days after travelling, even with a negative test result.
The Covid-19 readiness plan is the responsibility of the university, which must describe how the institution will manage the mandatory two-week quarantine for international students. This includes quarantine locations, travel arrangements, and support in getting essential items. The Study Melbourne Student Centre provides free and confidential information, services, and practical help for international students in multiple languages.
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The Australian government's stance on borders and international students
The Australian government has taken a varied approach to the issue of international students and border closures during the Covid-19 pandemic. Initially, the federal government ruled that international students would not be allowed into states with internal border closures, such as Victoria. However, this stance was later revised, and international students were allowed to return to Australia even before all state borders were open. This decision was made in light of the Covid-19 outbreak in Victoria, requiring a "'ring of containment'".
To facilitate the return of international students, the Australian government implemented several measures. These included providing chartered flights and arranging quarantine accommodations, with the associated fee costing around $3000. The government also recognised the importance of international education to the Australian economy, particularly in Victoria, where international students bring in foreign cash that supports the university system.
In April 2021, Victoria further relaxed its travel restrictions, announcing plans to accept international students from May 24 onwards. This decision was influenced by the successful staging of the Australian Open, which encouraged the state to open its borders to more international arrivals. Victoria aimed to accept 120 international arrivals per week, excluding those under the existing hotel quarantine program.
Despite these efforts, the Australian government has also introduced stricter visa requirements for international students. In 2024, the government imposed a de facto cap on student visa applications, prioritising applications until they reached 80% of each provider's cap. This was met with criticism, with some arguing that it would negatively impact the international education sector and the Australian economy.
In August 2024, the government announced a tougher minimum English language requirement for international students and increased scrutiny for those applying for a second study visa. Enrolments at public universities were set to be reduced to around 145,000 in 2025, with private universities and non-university higher education providers allowed to enrol 30,000 new international students. These measures were justified by the government as a way to address concerns about the impact of high concentrations of international students on the country and the education outcomes of Australian students.
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The impact of border closures on international students' mental health
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the mental health of international students, who have faced numerous challenges due to border closures and travel restrictions. The closure of borders has resulted in feelings of isolation and uncertainty among international students, who have been stranded in their host countries, unable to return home or continue their studies as planned. This sense of entrapment and uncertainty about their future has taken a toll on their mental well-being.
In Australia, the state of Victoria is heavily dependent on international students to fund its school system and contribute to the economy. The prolonged closure of borders has not only affected the Victorian economy but also the mental health of international students who were pursuing their education in the state. The Australian government's initial ruling prohibited international students from entering states with internal border closures, such as Victoria. This decision left many international students stranded outside the country, causing anxiety and stress about their academic careers and future prospects.
To address this issue, the federal government eventually lifted the restriction, allowing international students to return to Australia even before all state borders were fully open. Victoria also took initiatives to relax travel restrictions, particularly for international students, actors, film crews, and major event organizers. These steps were taken to mitigate the negative impact of prolonged border closures on the mental health of this cohort.
The pandemic has exacerbated existing mental health issues and created new ones. International students have faced barriers to accessing mental health services due to cultural stigma, limited awareness of available resources, and academic pressures. The sense of isolation and uncertainty about their academic and immigration status has contributed to increased feelings of depression and anxiety. Additionally, the pandemic has disrupted social support networks, further impacting the mental health of international students.
To support the mental well-being of international students during border closures and the pandemic, it is crucial to develop culturally competent mental health services and initiatives that reduce stigma. Creating peer support groups and improving access to mental health resources can help address the specific challenges faced by this population. Additionally, governments and educational institutions should collaborate to implement comprehensive support strategies that consider the unique needs and circumstances of international students.
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Victoria's plans to welcome international students post-Australian Open
Victoria's economy is highly dependent on international students, who bring in foreign cash and contribute $13.7 billion a year to the state's economy. The state government has been working on plans to welcome international students back into the state, especially since the successful staging of the Australian Open.
In April 2021, Victoria announced plans to relax travel restrictions on Western Australia and accept international students from May 24. The state government attributed this decision to the successful staging of the Australian Open, which encouraged it to open its borders to more international arrivals. The government also considered options to allow a small number of economic cohorts to arrive before May 24.
Victoria's travel rules for the Perth and Peel regions of Western Australia were changed from red to orange, allowing travel with the requirement of isolation until a negative COVID-19 test is produced. Foreign arrivals would stay in a hotel outside the existing hotel quarantine program, with the relevant industries providing funding to support the cost of the scheme.
Victoria aimed to accept 120 international arrivals per week from May, which would be outside the state's international passenger arrival cap of 1,000 per week. Monash University Chancellor Margaret Gardener noted that the university sector expected to at least partly fund the plan, as international students are vital for the economic recovery of the state.
However, as of September 2021, it appears that Victoria is behind in receiving approval for its pilot plans to bring international students back, with NSW and South Australia already having their plans approved by the federal government. Victoria continues to work with the Commonwealth and education providers to welcome international students when it is safe and reasonable to do so, but the lack of enough safe purpose-built quarantine facilities remains a challenge.
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Frequently asked questions
Victoria renewed its plans to accept international students from May 24, 2021.
Quarantine and travel arrangements will be in place. International students will be monitored and provided with necessary medications.
International students bring in foreign cash and fund the school system in Victoria. The state is very dependent on international students to support its economy and university system.
International students must be fully vaccinated and no quarantine is required.
