With balmy weather, fascinating nature, and top-class education, studying in Australia remains to be a preferred choice for international students around the world. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the country has closed its borders and successfully contained the virus better than most other countries in the world. Because of this, Australia seems like a safe getaway while the pandemic is still raging across the globe. Right now, all of the states are working on plans to bring international students back into the country.
Students Have Already Started Arriving!
If you want to study in Australia, we have good news that suggests things will go back to normal soon! Did you know some Australian states have already welcomed international students this year? Charles Darwin University located in the Northern Territory has invited 63 students from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia. They arrived on November 30, 2020 under a pilot program and via a charter flight from Singapore to Darwin. This special scheme has been planned for months until it has finally been approved by the Northern Territory Government. Australia’s fantastic economic data and notable progress with vaccination are additional reasons to be optimistic and expect more international students by the end of 2021.
International Study in Australia – What’s the Plan?
After the successful pilot program in NT, Darwin is planning to welcome another group of students from India later this year. Other states are also being busy creating strategies for recovering their international education sectors. They are drafting plans on how to transport and accommodate groups of students in accordance with strict epidemiological measures. So far, these states have already announced some plans:
- Australian Capital Territory: Chief Minister Andrew Barr has told Prime Minister Scott Morrison to approve a plan according to which international students are starting to return in February 2021.
- South Australia: there is a pilot scheme that would allow up to 300 international students to come back to the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia and Flinders University.
- Victoria: the state is working on a proposal to transport 23,000 international students via charter flights by April 2021 who would be able to complete their quarantine in student accommodation.
Can You Apply for a Student Visa Now?
While Australian borders remain closed for commercial flights, it is still possible to organise charter flights for returning students along with Australian residents stranded in other countries across the globe. If you are planning to apply for a Student Visa, and you are worried whether you will be able to complete your studies, here is what you need to know:
- You can apply for your visa now and make travel arrangements as soon as it becomes possible to fly to Australia.
- If you are unable to complete your studies while your original visa is valid due to COVID-19, you will be able to lodge in another application free of charge.
- If you are studying online due to the pandemic, you will be able to apply for a post-study work visa.
- You can apply for the post-study work visa outside Australia.
- You’ll have additional time to provide an English language test if you were unable to complete it due to COVID-19.
