NSW is working on a strategy to get overseas students back to its universities this year – despite opposition from Federal government.

Under the NSW plan, international students would be quarantined in a purpose-built housing in Sydney.

Despite Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Treasure Josh Frydenberg’s saying that Australian Border will stay shut until 2022, NSW Government is estimating they can get international students fly back to Study in Australia by October 2021.

NSW’s Tertiary education was generation more than 14 billion dollars annually before covid-19 pandemic. The Education system is pretty badly hit and student’s education is suffering. NSW government is working closely with NSW universities vice chancellor, state government as well as federal government to develop an International Student Accommodation Quarantine Program.

“We are moving quickly towards a plan to welcome International Students back to Australia” Professor Glover said.

It is estimated that NSW lost a third of its overseas student base this year and it may lose more as international students are still waiting to come back to university campus.

Many students are struggling and worried that many courses require more practical learning and remote studies cannot do the justice to their course. Students are looking to change and switch to countries which have lesser restrictions and are allowing international students to complete their studies in campus.

Students are hopeful that the NSW government’s plan for quarantine program may help them recommence their studies and able to pick up their research and practical learning.

NSW government said that the quarantine program will run along with the existing hotel quarantine system and with same stringent health and police processes. Returning overseas students would be quarantined in the new 600-bed student accommodation for 14 days. The student arrivals will be counted separately and will not be affected by the returning Australian Citizens or other International arrivals. The plan is to bring a few hundred students for the semester.

The program aims to use chartered flights rather than taking commercial flights and not reduce the seats for returning Australians.

The quarantine program has been approved by NSW government’s Department of Premier and Cabinet. An existing, empty student accommodation building has been inspected by the official and approval has been given for them to be used for student return quarantine plan.

The plan is close to be finalized and execution might begin soon bringing back students over coming months. However, the plan still requires approval of federal government.

International students are still enrolling and applying at Australian universities even when the borders are closed. Students are study remotely from their home countries.

Many reports and research suggest that students are more willing to study face to face rather than studying online. Countries like USA, UK and Canada that compete with Australia for International Students have more open borders.

Hopefully international students who are looking forward to return to Australia might soon hear the good news from the Government. Once the NSW’s student quarantine program is approved by the federal government, students might be able to return to Australia. Stay tuned for more updates and follow IOES on Social Media.

Article referenced to

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/nsw-plans-to-bring-back-international-students-despite-ongoing-border-closures

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/may/13/nsw-pushes-plan-to-bring-international-students-to-australia-using-purpose-built-quarantine

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-11/federal-budget-2021-borders-international-travel-vaccines/100132620