The Australian government is hopeful international students may begin to return to campuses in small batches through pilot programs put forth by state governments.
The development follows the approval of the Covishield vaccine — an Indian-made version of AstraZeneca — for incoming international travellers.
Highlights:
- International students from India can start returning to Australia by the end of 2021
- Australia approves Indian-made Covishield vaccine for international arrivals
- Nearly 130,000 international students are currently stranded overseas, according to government data
Commenting on the development, Mr Tehan told the Indian media that students from the South Asian nation can return to the Australian shores in time for the next intake in 2022.
“It means that the pathway for our Indian international students to return to Australia is there again and with semester one starting in February, March next year, those international students will be able to start returning towards the end of this year and the beginning of next year,” he said during a media conference following the trade ministers’ talks in New Delhi on 1 October.
International students will return to Australia in large numbers in 2022: PM Scott Morrison
AAP
Small number of vaccinated international students can return by December, and in large numbers by 2022: PM
The announcement comes on the heels of the Morrison Government’s decision to bring back skilled migrants and international students after the priority return of Australian citizens and permanent residents stranded overseas when the borders reopen next month.
Reaffirming his commitment to foreign students, Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week said students are a critical part of the government’s COVID-19 economic recovery plan.
He said the government is closely working with states to provide a pathway for the return of fully vaccinated students by December and in large numbers by 2022.
“The arrangements that have been put in place even now by state governments working with ourselves on how those quarantine arrangements could work for vaccinated students coming into Australia.
“I think will see us be in a much stronger position for the next year and hopefully even before the end of this year, but certainly for next year, I would hope that we’d be able to be having those students back and it’ll be one of the key changes that we will see,” Mr Morrison said during a virtual press conference with the Indian media on 30 October.
In line with the government’s plan, at least two states, New South Wales and South Australia, have secured approvals from the Commonwealth government for their student return plans, while Victoria is on track to submit its proposal for a phased return of vaccinated students.
While the first phase of the NSW plan is anticipated to bring back 500 students to Sydney on chartered flights, a small group of 160 students will be allowed back into Adelaide as part of the SA government’s plan.
Former Sydney student Akshit Bhasin has now moved to the US.
Supplied by Akshit Bhasin
For Akshit Bhasin, a former Sydney-based student from India, who has now moved to the US to pursue a business degree, the news has left him at a crossroads in his academic career.
The 21-year-old told SBS Punjabi that he was forced to shift his Australian dream to the US following the Australian government’s reluctance to commit to a timeline for the return of international students.
“I was fed up with the Australian government, who to date hasn’t committed to a proper timeline for the return of foreign students unlike the US, Canada or the UK, which have opened their borders for student visa holders.
“When I couldn’t see any hope, I decided to indefinitely defer my study in Australia to move to the US, which was offering me certainty and a future,” he said.
Mr Bhasin, however, told SBS Punjabi that his heart still lies in Australia and given a chance, he would like to return to Sydney to meet his friends and complete his diploma in motor mechanics, which is nearing completion.
International Education Association of Australia CEO Phil Honeywood says the future looks bright for students from India.
IEAA
According to federal government data, nearly 130,000 international students remain stuck abroad due to COVID-induced border closure, almost half of all foreign students enrolled in Australian universities.
Phil Honeywood, the chief executive of the International Education Association of Australia, said while the number of students set to return in the initial phases will be limited to the hundreds, the education industry decimated by the COVID-19 crisis hopes the move will send a message to international students about Australia’s willingness to welcome them back.
“We are not talking big numbers, but it’s a start, and we are very happy that there is some proof of life for the beleaguered industry.
“The good news is that from last week, of course, we have approval for Sinovac and for Covishield which is a popular vaccine in India. We didn’t have the approvals for these vaccines before so that’s going to be a good thing, and we have got a lot of work happening on COVID passports as well, so I think the momentum is beginning in the right way,” he said.
Mr Honeywood said the future looks promising for students from India.
“For Indian students, there are in many ways better opportunities than so many other countries because Indian students have proven themselves to be very resilient and very focussed filling the skills gap whereas without naming them, students from other countries are focused on getting a more generic business or commerce degrees,” he added.
SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at https://www.sbs.com.au/language/coronavirus
Listen to SBS Punjabi Monday to Friday at 9 pm. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
