Australian borders open

International students can come back to Australia

International Students are permitted to travel to Australia and participating states and territories without obtaining a travel exemption. The requirements and eligibility of international students returning to Australia is dependent on the state or territory. The participating states and territories have been working closely with the Department of Home Affairs to develop international student arrival plans to facilitate the gradual re-opening of Australian borders.

New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia have opened their borders to international students and arrivals form 15 December 2021 in line with the Federal Government’s border announcements. The below information provides a brief overview of each state and territories requirements.

NSW, QLD, VIC, TAS & SA

New South Wales (NSW)

NSW Government Website

Returning international student travelers and international arrivals are required to:

1. Have received a full dose of a COVID-19 vaccine approved or recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA);
2. Provide evidence of vaccination status; and
3. Present a negative COVID-19 PCR Test that was taken three (3) days prior to travelling to NSW
4. Once arriving, international students must isolate for 72 hours AND receive a negative COVID-19 PCR Test that was taken within 24 hours of arrival

Queensland (QLD)

QLD Government Website

Returning international students and other international arrivals are required to:

1. Complete the Queensland International Arrivals Registration AND Australian Travel Declaration
2. Must be fully vaccinated with a TGA approved or recognised vaccine
3. Provide evidence of vaccination status
4. Provide a negative COVID-19 test taken in the 72 hours prior to travelling to QLD
5. Must undertake 14 days quarantine as QLD has not reached 90% fully vaccinated rates yet

Victoria (VIC)

VIC Government Website

Returning international students are required to:

1. Must hold an eligible student visa
2. Must be fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved or recognised by the TGA and provide proof of the vaccination
3. Must undertake 72 hours home quarantine upon arrival
4. Must produce a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 24 hours of arriving in Victoria AND must produce a negative COVID-19 PCR test between days 5 and 7 after arriving in Victoria

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

ACT Government Website

Fully vaccinated international arrivals are permitted to enter the ACT and are required to adhere to the following:

1. Complete an online declaration form within 48 hours prior to arriving in the ACT
2. Travel directly to their residence/accommodation and complete three days quarantine
3. Undergo COVID-19 testing within 24 hours of arriving in Australia
4. Undergo a further COVID-19 test on day 6 after arriving in Australia

South Australia (SA)

SA Government Website

Returning international student travelers are required to complete an EntryCheck SA Application. This application assesses the risk level of vaccinated arrivals and the entry conditions applicable to the individual are dependent on the level of risk posed. All international arrivals are also subject to the following entry conditions:

1. Must be fully vaccinated with a TGA approved or recognised vaccine
2. Negative COVID-19 test result received 72 hours prior to departure
3. Quarantine for 7 days after arrival
4. COVID-19 test within 24 hours of arrival in SA
5. COVID-19 test again on days 6 and 13 after arrival
6. Daily symptom check for 14 days after arrival using HealthCheck SA
7. No entry to high-risk settings for 14 days after arrival
8. No entry to COVID Management Plan events for 14 days after arrival

Tasmania (TAS)

Tasmanian Government Website

Tasmania recently opened their borders to international students and arrivals from 15 December 2021 in line with the Commonwealth Government. The Tasmanian Department of Education have produced an Info Sheet on Traveling to Tasmania as an International Student.

1. Must be fully vaccinated with an approved or recognised vaccine by the TGA
2. Must hold an eligible and valid visa
3. Present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure
4. Complete an Australian Travel Declaration Form
5. Travel into Tasmania through another Australia city which allows international arrivals without quarantine
6. Apply to enter Tasmania through the Tas e-Travel System up to 7 days prior to arrival
7. Quarantine for 7 days in a suitable residence or government managed quarantine facility (fees may apply)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA & NORTHERN TERRITORY

Western Australia and the Northern Territory have remained cautious throughout the COVID-19 pandemic due to the vulnerable communities that live in these states. This is reflected in their conservative approach to opening state borders as both Western Australia and the Northern Territory remain closed to international and domestic travelers.

Western Australia (WA)

WA Government Website

Western Australia currently has strict border regulations in place and are not permitting international students to enter the state. It was recently announced that from 5 February 2022, WA will ease its border restrictions to allow international arrivals. All international arrivals must comply with the following:

1. Must be double vaccinated
2. Must return a negative PCR COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to departure
3. Must return a negative PCR COVID-19 test within 48 hours of arriving in WA and on day 6

Northern Territory (NT)

NT Government Website

Northern Territory also have strict border controls currently in place. From 20 December 2021, these entry requirements change. The NT will allow any person who is fully vaccinated to enter the Northern Territory without any requirement to quarantine. The following must be complied with:

1. Complete a Border Entry Form prior to arriving in the NT
2. Return a negative PCR COVID-19 Test 72 hours prior to arriving in the NT and provide evidence
3. Return a PCT test within 72 hours of arriving in the NT
4. Return a PCR test on day 6 after arriving in the NT
5. You are permitted to travel anywhere in the NT except to an exclusion zone within 14 days of your arrival to the NT.
   Exclusion zone – communities that have a full vaccination rate less than 80%

Please note this information is accurate at time of writing this article. Please see each government’s relevant website for the most current information on border restrictions and requirements.

From 6 July 2022 Australian entry/exit requirements have changed:

• People entering Australia do not need to provide evidence of vaccination status
• People entering Australia do not need to complete the Digital Passenger Declaration or Maritime Travel Declaration
• People leaving Australia will not be asked to provide evidence of their vaccination status
• Unvaccinated visa holders do not​ need a travel exemption to travel to Australia

Masks are still required on flights travelling to Australia.

It is important to remember that airlines, vessel operators and other countries may have specific requirements that travellers need to comply with.

Related:

• Skilled Migration Visas and First Entry to Australia
• Section 48 Barred and New Zealand Travel Bubble
• Australian Migration Intake in the COVID-19 era
• Travel restrictions to Australia affecting international education
• New travel exemption added for Australians leaving Australia
• Australia and New Zealand Travel Bubble
• Australian borders likely to open in beginning of 2022
• Australia’s four-phase plan to open its border