As part of the easing of restrictions imposed in response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and re-opening international borders, NSW Government has received approval from the Commonwealth Government to allow fully vaccinated international students to undertake travel to NSW as early as the end of this year under the pilot plan, as per the media announcement made on 24 September 2021.
In the first phase, the pilot aims to bring back 500 international students to Australia by the end of the year, with having the travelers to quarantine for a 14-day period at the specified facility at Redfern. For this purpose, an accommodation provider named Scape has been identified which complied with COVIDSafe standards, as approved by NSW Health and NSW Police, and can accommodate up to 650 students. The plan is expected to expand and evolve as the local and global vaccination rates continue to rise.
John Barilaro, Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional New South Wales, Industry and Trade said, “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…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…Importantly, this plan will not come at the expense of any Australian citizen or resident wishing to return home.”
