If endorsed, the first stage of the plan would see 120 places made available each week. These places will be prioritized for university students who urgently need to return to Victoria to do practical work, including health and medical students and postgraduate research students.

Students and workers will be allowed to return to Australia within weeks, with tourists potentially permitted back into the country by Christmas.

With Australia’s international borders reopening in Sydney for citizens, residents, and their families on November 1, the government is moving fast on the plan to allow more travelers into the country.

International Vaccine Certificates Issue

Australia will be introducing an International COVID19 Vaccine Certificate this month. While at first, this will be for outbound travel for Australians, it will be expanded to authenticate vaccination certificates issued by other countries.

Returning to Australia would be made possible with the rise in Australia’s vaccination rates. Tudge said the country is close to hitting the 70% and 80% vaccination targets. 

Already 81% of over 16 years are now the first dose vaccinated, just under 60% second dose. In New South Wales, they have already hit 70% of double doses.

These vaccination rates allow for the entire reopening of our economy, including the opening of our international borders. The National Plan expressly states that international students can start to return at 70%, and then in larger numbers from 80%.

Australian travel news has already announced that international travel will recommence in November; initially, this will be for Australians and permanent residents, with international students and skilled workers to follow. 

Australia has also recognized the Sinovac and Covishield vaccines for incoming international travelers, critical for international students who have received these vaccines in their largest source countries such as India and China. 

This is in addition to the four vaccines already approved for use in Australia: Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Modena and Johnson & Johnson.

Home-Based Quarantine Will Be Mandated

Australia is trialing home-based quarantines. If successful, it can break the hotel quarantine bottleneck. This could potentially be for a matter of days, not weeks, in the not too distant future.

University of Western Australia interim vice-chancellor, Jane den Hollander said the unhelpful comments would send an unwelcome signal and stymie Australia’s post-pandemic recovery. Young people come here to study from all over the world because of Australia’s friendliness and the quality of our educational communities.

Irrespective of the off-the-cuff remarks of politicians, their message to their international students is that they value them as part of their learning community. 

And they are glad that they are here to learn and research with them, and they are here to support them if there is anything they need.

Employers must continue to follow Australian workplace law. Foreign workers, including foreign students, have the same rights under Australian workplace law as all other employees. 

This news issue has opened gates for more students to jump in but only with proper protocol, the government can welcome all.

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