Queensland’s borders to reopen on December 13 — where does this leave international students?

Queensland border
Queensland will open its borders to fully vaccinated travellers from interstate hotspots on December 13. Source: Fabrice Coffrini / AFP

Queensland borders will reopen to “domestic hotspots” from 1am, Dec. 13, 2021, announced Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today (Dec. 6, 2021).

In a press statement, Palaszczuk said: “It is clear we will reach our target of 80% fully vaccinated much sooner although exactly when is difficult to predict. Nominating a time and date provides travellers and business with certainty to make their plans and comes four days early.”

From Dec. 13, 2021, fully vaccinated international arrivals must be fully vaccinated and return a negative COVID test within 72 hours of departure, be required to get a test on arrival and must go into home or hotel quarantine for 14 days. The press statement does not explicitly mention details about international student arrivals.

Queensland border: Where does this leave international students?

While Queensland will open its borders to fully vaccinated travellers from interstate hotspots, where does this leave international students stuck abroad?

Health minister Greg Hunt previously said he isn’t making any guarantees that Australia will reopen its border to international students and visa holders in mid-December.

The government announced on November 29 that it is delaying the reopening of its borders from December 1 to 15 following concerns about the Omicron variant. International students taking part in a state or territory International Student Arrivals Plan, and have been granted an exemption, will still be able to travel to Australia.

The National Cabinet and the National Federation Reform Council are expected to next meet as scheduled on December 10, and updates about the border reopening could be expected then.

 

Stay tuned for updates on Australia’s border reopening.