Australia could welcome international students ‘before the end of the year’

What’s the latest news on international students’ Australia? The country’s borders could open to international students by the year’s end. Australia announced today that fully vaccinated Australians will not require an exemption to depart Australia from November 1.

Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said the Morrison government was committed to easing ​restrictions for fully vaccinated Australians, in line with soaring vaccination rates and the National Plan to transition Australia’s COVI​D-19 response.

“Our first priority is Australian citizens and permanent residents and today we are delivering on that by removing restrictions on fully-vaccinated Australians travelling out of Australia,” she said in a statement. “I look forward to further easing restrictions over coming weeks and months as more and more Australians become fully vaccinated. Before the end of the year, we anticipate welcoming fully vaccinated skilled workers and international students.”

“Our system of border exemptions has kept Australia free from widespread COVID transmission for more than 18 months, but as Australia’s vaccination rate continues to climb, and the end of the year approaches, the Morrison government stands ready to once more welcome a significant number of fully vaccinated people across Australia’s international border.”

International students in Australia must be fully vaccinated. Source: Saeed Khan/AFP

International students Australia: Australia-Singapore travel bubble

Separate news regarding international students Australia includes the Australia-Singapore travel bubble, or travel corridor. The Australia-Singapore travel bubble will open on November 8, but students from Singapore are not expected to return yet. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, fully vaccinated Australians, permanent residents and their family members can fly to Singapore and back without quarantining. These travellers will initially be able to land only in Sydney and Melbourne as other states have yet to reopen.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said students from Singapore and travellers on business are expected to be able to use the travel lane “after Australia has finalised the arrangement for their entry.” “We look forward to doing more with Australia and Australia opening up further,” Singapore Transport Minister S Iswaran was quoted saying.

“But we also recognise that every country has to make its own assessment of its circumstances, both in terms of infection rates, vaccination rates etc. What we would want to do is make sure these initial arrangements work well so that both sides have the confidence to do more and facilitate travel for a wider group of travellers.”

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had met with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong a few months back to set up a new arrangement that will see Australia’s borders open more quickly to Singapore. Morrison had indicated last week that Australia would provide early access to re-enter the country to Singaporean students and business travellers under a deal proposed by Lee. 

Entry for these visa classes have yet to be signed off. “Details for this arrangement will be announced by Australia later,” the Civil Aviation Authority said. Iswaran described the Australian-Singapore travel bubble or travel corridor as “significant” as Australia had previously been open only to New Zealand. These news, in addition to the pilot plans announced by New South Wales and Victoria, serve as welcoming news for international students Australia.