Australia Allows Entry to Students and Eligible Visa Holders

The Australian federal government has announced plans to relax its international borders substantially from the start of December.

From 1 December, Australia will allow fully vaccinated eligible visa holders, including skilled workers, students and travellers on working holidays to enter the country without the need to apply for a travel exemption.

The return of skilled workers and students to Australia is a major milestone in our pathway back, it’s a major milestone about what Australians have been able to achieve.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison

Australia had first reopened its border to quarantine-free travellers on 1 November after 20 months of stringent pandemic restrictions. But arrivals were first restricted to Australian citizens and permanent residents.

Who Can Enter Australia

Until now, those travelling to Australia are required to apply for a travel exemption, even if they are fully vaccinated.

However, the new measures will enable fully vaccinated eligible visa holders to enter the country without having to apply for an exemption.

International students, skilled workers and eligible visa holders are permitted to enter the country from 1 December.

Fully vaccinated South Koreans and Japanese who hold valid visas will also be able to enter without undergoing quarantine. The same rule applies to individuals on humanitarian visas.

But the government has yet to decide when general tourists will be allowed to return.

I think Australians are very keen to see us take this step-by-step approach. They’ve been through a lot and they’ve sacrificed a lot to ensure that we can open safely so we can stay safely open.
Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison

Entry Requirement to Australia

All eligible individuals must show proof of vaccination of a negative COVID-19 PCR test before entering the country.

The government expects that a total of 200,000 students and eligible visa holders will enter the country between December and January.

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