Latest News about Return of NSW International Students – Universities Included in Plan

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has confirmed the news about the return of NSW international students. International students who’re fully vaccinated will be back in NSW by the end of 2021. Dominic Perrottet has revealed the plan to reopen the higher education sector of New South Wales. This plan will be a pathway for NSW to be reopened after the Delta Variant outbreak.

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Statements by Dominic Perrottet

NSW Treasurer, Mr. Dominic Perrottet, has been working on the plan to bring international students back for almost a year. However, the plan couldn’t be executed due to the Delta variant outbreak in New South Wales. However, the goal of bringing overseas students back to NSW will hopefully be achieved by the end of this year.

Mr. Dominic Perrottet has stated that,

‘NSW will have first mover advantage compared to the rest of the country. We have the best universities in Australia, and now we are going to be the sole market for international students.”

He further added that,

‘Tens of thousands of people in NSW rely on the international student market for work.’

University Vice Chancellors had a final meeting on 23rd of September 2021 to discuss the plan’s quota sharing arrangements with NSW Treasure officials. According to this plan, 500 international students will be brought back by the end of December 2021. As stated by a government source, the NSW government prioritize the Indian marketplace for its trade and investment strategy.

Therapeutic Goods Administration currently approves vaccines like Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Moderna. International students who’ve got any of these shots will be prioritized to bring back to NSW. Furthermore, the overseas students will be returning from Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore and the United States of America. Students from China and Nepal aren’t included to return under this plan.

As part of Mr. Dominic Perrottet’s efforts, he’s also working on strategies to bring international students back from China and Nepal.

According to the Deputy Premier and Minister for Industry and Trade, John Barilaro, the staggered return of students is just the beginning of a pilot program that will gradually expand and develop as vaccination rates continue to rise in NSW and on a global basis.

John Barilaro, the Deputy Premier and Minister for Industry and Trade of NSW, has said that the surprise return of overseas students is just the first step of this pilot program. However, the plan to bring NSW international students back will be developed with time. Moreover, vaccination rates will be increased in New South Wales and on a global level.

Mr. John Barilaro said that,

‘The international education sector sustains thousands of jobs across NSW, and I’m proud that NSW is leading the way with the return of international students to our shores.’

He added that,

“The safety of the people of NSW is paramount and we are taking no risks. All participating students will be required to be fully vaccinated with a TGA-recognised COVID-19 vaccine, and strict quarantine protocols will be in place.”

Approved Vaccinations to Travel to NSW International Students

According to the plan requirements, all international students must have been vaccinated with Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson, Moderna and AstraZeneca. These vaccines are officially approved and recognized by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

Whereas the inbound international students who’re vaccinated with Sinovac or Sinopharm aren’t allowed to travel to New South Wales. This policy also implies to international students from China and Nepal. However, in June 2021, Dominic Perrottet informed that NSW international students with medical or any health-related degree will be preferred to return to NSW under this plan.

As, universities in New South Wales have discussed quotas by considering the number of enrolments in 2019. NSW International students will have to quarantine for 14 days in the purpose-built student accommodation after arriving in NSW.

According to Mr. Dominic Perrottet, the NSW government has planned strategies to allow NSW international students to get back safely. As he stated that,

“At this stage, we are examining options and part of that is looking at how we can bring international students back without reducing our capacity to take Australian citizens wanting to return home.”

Moreover, according to 2019 statistics, the Australian economy has earned almost $37.6 billion from international education. In comparison, international education contributed around $14.6 billion to New South Wales back in 2019.

International Student Return Plan NSW Implementation | December 2021

Universities Included in Plan

Universities that are included in the pilot program involves;

University of Wollongong
University of Newcastle
University of Sydney
Western Sydney University
Macquarie University
UNSW
UTS
Australian Catholic University

Conclusion

The Government of New South Wales has revealed the plan about bringing international students back to NSW. NSW Treasurer, Mr. Dominic Perrottet, has introduced a pilot plan under which 500 students will be travelling to NSW. However, they’ll be in quarantine for 14 days in the purpose-built student accommodation after arriving in New South Wales. Different universities are included in this plan and students will be allowed to return to NSW by the end of December 2021.

If you need more information regarding the border opening of Australian states so, you can contact our registered migration consultancy firm!

Nasir Nawaz

I’m Nasir Nawaz. I’m a registered migration consultant in Australia. I am based in Sydney. I’ve studied Master of Laws at the University of New South Wales. I’m providing immigration services for several years.

Consult with me for legal advice on Australian visas to permanently live, study, and work in Australia.