Around 80,000 international students have returned to Australia since it first opened its doors to international students. According to Universities Australia, 13,500 overseas students entered the country in the previous week alone. Universities Australia's Chief Executive, Catriona Jackson, noted the difference in atmosphere at various university campuses, where staff and students had reconnected after "what has been a lengthy period away for so many." Universities Australia also noted in their announcement that 7,000 students returned in the week beginning January 24th. Furthermore, according to Universities Australia, the 13,500 overseas students accounted for last week represents a 33 percent increase over the prior week.
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While Jackson assured returning students of a warm welcome, he also noted that the industry still has a long way to go in terms of recovery. Universities, she noted, realize that "they are not out of the woods," but they are fighting back against employment losses and income losses. After months of anticipation, Australia has declared that its borders would be accessible to vaccinated tourists and business travelers beginning February 21, 2022. Previously, the country had declared border restrictions will be relaxed with a focus on qualified workers and overseas students. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has now declared that top ministers have decided to reopen the borders on February 21, 2022, for all vaccinated visa holders. The proof of vaccination, which all overseas travelers must present upon entering the country, is the key to the procedure.
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On 23rd November 2021, The Australian government had announced that the ban on fully vaccinated travelers, such as foreign skilled workers, international students, working holidaymakers, and provisional family visa holders, will be lifted in December 2021. This comes after the country's adult Covid-19 vaccination rate surpassed the target of 85 percent.
Morrison stated that beginning December 1, all eligible visa holders who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will be allowed to enter Australia. They wouldn't have to apply for a travel exemption anymore.
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International students, skilled migrants, and refugees who test negative within 72 hours of departure, are fully vaccinated, and have a valid visa will be allowed to enter Australia, with priority given to those who test negative within 72 hours of departure.
Covaxin and Covishield vaccines have been approved in Australia. Qantas, an Australian airline, will begin service between Delhi and Melbourne and Sydney in December. Earlier, Karen Andrews, Minister of Home Affairs, stated that, while citizens were prioritized, more travel restrictions, including for certain non-citizens, would be eased as vaccination rates increased. She went on to say that the country expects to welcome fully-vaccinated skilled workers and international students before the end of the year.
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Quarantine-Free Morrison said in a statement that the country is continuing to take steps to safely reopen to the rest of the world, including changes to their international border arrangements. The same will be implemented on December 1. Travelers to Australia should follow the quarantine requirements of the state or territory where they arrive. According to the Australian Prime Minister's statement, these measures will contribute to the economic recovery of the Australian economy as well as the education sector.
According to recent media reports, the Australian government intends to welcome international students before the previously scheduled date of December 15, 2021. Meanwhile, an agreement has been announced between India and Australia to resume commercial passenger services after regular international flights were suspended due to the pandemic. With the emergence of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, the Australia border will now reopen on December 15th for students and skilled labour, rather than December 1st, as previously planned. According to the announcement, students will be able to enter Australia without the need to apply for a travel exemption beginning December 15th.
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He also stated that Victoria will take steps to keep its scheduled reopening, which was agreed upon with the Prime Minister, the Chief Medical Officer, and the National Cabinet the previous weekend. Furthermore, India's Ministry of Civil Aviation announced an air bubble with Australia, which will allow Australian citizens and valid visa holders to travel and enter either Australia or New Zealand. The ministry also stated that the airlines will be responsible for ensuring that travelers from India, Nepal, and Bhutan are not barred from entering the destination country before being issued a ticket or boarding pass.
Ravi Lochan Singh, President of AAERI and Managing Director of Global Reach, took to social media to announce an air bubble for Nepalese and Bhutanese travelers to travel through India. He also stated that Air India and Qantas have begun regular and direct flights between Delhi and Sydney and Melbourne.
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According to media reports, those traveling to the country must also meet the travel requirements of the state or territory of arrival as well as the states or territories to which they intend to travel. All visitors to New South Wales and Victoria should quarantine at home or in private accommodation for 72 hours upon arrival. Meanwhile, visitors planning to enter Queensland or South Australia must undergo a 14-day quarantine. The Northern Territory requires all fully-vaccinated visitors to stay at a Covid-Safe zone in Alice Springs, Greater Darwin, or Katherine for 14 days beginning December 20th.
According to reports, Western Australia will welcome back students on February 5th, 2022. Meanwhile, Tasmania has yet to announce a date for the return of international students. The University of Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory, on the other hand, is in the process of updating information on the subject.
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A spokesperson for the University of Canberra welcomed the federal government's decision, stating that the university's first international students are scheduled to return to Canberra via the pathway in early January 2022. The federal government has approved International Student Arrival Plans for four states, namely South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. International students who match the country's entry requirements, which include being fully vaccinated, can travel to the participating states and territories without quarantine or needing a travel exemption beginning December 15, 2021, according to a notice on the Home Affairs website. According to reports, students who do not qualify for travel without a visa may be eligible to go to Australia through the International Student Arrival Plan. Additionally, it has been stated that some overseas students who match specific requirements, such as a few health and medicine students and PhD research students, may be granted restricted travel waivers.
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