Australia ‘reconfirmed’ to open borders to international students on Dec. 15: health minister

Here’s some welcome news for students looking for Australia international borders update. The country is set to reopen its borders as planned on December 15 to eligible visa holders, including international students and skilled migrants, Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt said today.

Hunt told reporters on Monday the reopening was on track to proceed when questioned about the timeline. “Yes, we are on track for that — that’s been reconfirmed over the weekend,” he said. “That reopening is scheduled — will be going ahead in consultation with the prime minister, the National Cabinet discussion and the advice from the chief medical officer.”

On November 29, the federal government announced that they would delay Australia’s border reopening from December 1 to December 15 following concerns over the COVID-19 Omicron variant. Australian Trade and Tourism Minister Dan Tehan said last week regarding Australia international borders update that the reopening “on track” to take place on December 15. 

Hunt, however, had previously refrained from making any guarantees Australia would reopen its border to international students and visa holders in mid-December.  

Morrison’s Australia international borders update includes confirming that international students from South Korea and Japan will also be able to return to Australia from Wednesday. Source: Sonny Tumbelaka/AFP

Australia international borders update: International students from South Korea, Japan to return 

According to SBS News, the Australia international border update includes that from December 15, it’s expected that borders will reopen to international skilled and student visa holders, as well as humanitarian, working holiday and provisional family visa holders.  

The easing of restrictions would mean fully vaccinated visa holders would no longer be required to secure an exemption to travel into the country, it said.

According to Sky News Australia, Australia’s reopening on Wednesday would also be applicable to international students, eligible visa holders and tourists from Japan and South Korea. Morrison confirmed the “encouraging” news during a press conference with the President of South Korea Moon Jae-in on Monday.  

“The borders will be reopened both to Korea and to Japan and for skilled migration and for students as we conclude the pause that we announced several weeks ago,” he said. “This is made possible because Korea and Australia have both shared a COVID-19 experience.”

Despite Australia’s border closure, some 250 international students returned to Australia under the New South Wales International Student Arrival Plan on December 6. 

Students from the pilot programme include those from over 15 nations, including Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea, China and Canada. A second flight carrying students is scheduled to arrive in Sydney on December 24.