Border opening to overseas students from December 1

International students’ borders are being reopened.

From December 1, 2021, fully vaccinated valid visa holders will not need to request a travel exemption to visit Australia. Foreign students and skilled people, as well as humanitarian, working holidaymakers, and provisional family visa holders, are also eligible.

Travellers are required to:

• To be completely vaccinated, you must have received a full dose of a vaccine that has been licenced or recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia.

Two doses, separated by at least 14 days:

• Vaxzevria by AstraZeneca
• Covishield by AstraZeneca
• Comirnaty Pfizer/Biontech
• Spikevax Spikevax Spikevax Spikevax Spikeva
• Coronavac Sinovac
• Covaxin by Bharat Biotech
• BBIBP-CorV Sinopharm (for 18-60-year-olds).

Alternatively, one dose of:

• COVID Vaccine by Johnson & Johnson and Janssen-Cilag.

Have a valid visa for one of the visa subclasses that are eligible (see the table below)

• They must show documentation of their immunisation status.
• A COVID-19 PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test conducted within three days before departure must be negative.

In addition to the travel bubble with Singapore, which began on November 21, fully vaccinated South Koreans and Japanese with valid visas would be able to enter Australia without being quarantined.

*Only NSW, VIC, and the ACT will enable tourists to fly in without being quarantined due to differing legislation across states and territory.

WA:

• Once 90% of Western Australians (aged 12+) are completely vaccinated, will accept fully vaccinated domestic and international newcomers (including international students) with no quarantine time.
• (90 percent of the time) Date of completion: late January/early February 2022

​SA:

• Once 90% of South Australians (aged 12+) are completely vaccinated, will accept fully vaccinated domestic and international newcomers (including international students) with no quarantine time.
• (90 percent of the time) Date expected: late December 2021

What should you do if you have a study permit and are currently studying abroad?

Contact your educational institution for further information and to see if you qualify for an International Student Arrival Plan. Your school provider can give you more information and will let you know if you’ve been accepted for a return and given a travel exemption.