Latest study abroad updates (COVID-19)

IDP will always be there to help you realise your dreams. We are in this together.

We understand these are trying times and so we’re making all efforts to make sure you keep updated with all the latest information about your favourite study destinations.

Australia

1. The Australian Government will increase the length of stay on the Temporary Graduate visa from two to three years for Masters by coursework graduates, matching that of Masters by research graduates. Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector graduates will also receive a two-year Temporary Graduate visa.

   • Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa holders who have been unable to travel to Australia as a result of COVID-19 international border restrictions will be able to apply for a replacement visa. This will allow current and former Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa holders whose visas expired on or after February 1, 2020 to re-apply for a new subclass 485 visa of the same duration as their original visa.

   • The new visa settings will also extend existing measures for students and temporary graduates to recognise time spent offshore studying online to count towards qualifying for a temporary graduate visa. (As on November 25; Australian Government)

2. Starting December 1, fully vaccinated eligible visa holders including international students can travel to and from Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption and going through the mandatory quarantine. (As on November 22; Australian Government)

3. The New South Wales Government has announced it will not require international students to quarantine if they are fully vaccinated with a TGA recognised vaccine. This aligns with quarantine requirements for returning Australians. The first chartered plane of returning international students under the NSW International Student Arrivals Pilot Plan is scheduled to touch down in Sydney on Monday, December 6. (As on November 12; NSW Government)

4. Australia has taken another important step towards reopening its international border to travellers through the launch of the International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate. The international certificate:

   • has a QR code which can be read by passport control systems at borders around the world, as well as being compatible with COVID-19 travel apps such as the IATA Travel Pass

   • is free to access and is secure
     (As on November 1; Australian Government)

5. The South Australian Government’s COVID Ready Plan, released on October 26, 2021, paves the way for international students to travel to South Australia when 90% of South Australia gets fully vaccinated, which is expected in late December this year. At that point, arrivals who are vaccinated with a TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) approved or recognised vaccine will not be required to quarantine. This means that there is no longer a requirement for the student quarantine facility at Flight Training Adelaide, which was a core component of the International Students Arrival Plan in its current form. (As on October 26; ABC news)

6. The Queensland Government has announced the phased return of international students to Queensland starting from January 2022. It mentions:

   • Students will need to quarantine in a purpose-built accommodation “Wellcamp”
   • A proportion of students must study at universities outside of Brisbane
   • Priority will be given to medical and health students who will work for Queensland health (As on October 26; Australian Government)

7. The ACT (Australian Capital Territory) will welcome back international tertiary education students who are fully vaccinated with a TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) recognised COVID-19 vaccine for the start of the 2022 academic year. Students will need to follow all Australian Government vaccination and testing requirements for international arrivals. Quarantine will not be required in the ACT for fully vaccinated students. (As on October 22; Australian Government)

8. Australia will be introducing an International COVID19 Vaccine Certificate in October. While at first this will be for outbound travel for Australians, it will be expanded to authenticate vaccination certificates issued by other countries. Covishield vaccine will be recognised for incoming international travelers, in addition to the four vaccines already approved for use in Australia — Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. The National Plan expressly states that international students can start to return at 70 per cent, and then in larger numbers from 80 per cent. (As on October 8; Australian Government)

9. Hundreds of international students will start returning to NSW by the end of this year. 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. (As on September 23; The Sunday Morning Herald)