COVID-19 and International Students: What You Need to Know

The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented disruption for international students globally, and Australia was no exception. This article documents what international students needed to know about COVID-19's impact on their studies, visa conditions, and circumstances during the pandemic period - presented as historical context, since Australia's COVID-19 restrictions have now been fully lifted.

For current and prospective international students: there are no COVID-19 related requirements or restrictions in place for studying in Australia in 2024 and beyond. The information below is relevant as historical context and for students who were affected by the pandemic period.

What COVID-19 Meant for International Students at Its Peak

When Australia closed its international borders in March 2020, international students faced a stark choice: remain in Australia for the duration of the closure (which ultimately lasted nearly two years), return home and continue their studies remotely where possible, or defer their studies entirely.

Each option came with significant trade-offs. Students who remained in Australia faced financial hardship as casual work - particularly in hospitality and retail - dried up. The government's JobKeeper wage subsidy scheme specifically excluded international students, many of whom fell through the support gap. Students who returned home faced the uncertainty of remote delivery and, in many cases, significant time zone challenges.

Australian Government Support During COVID-19

The Australian Government's support for international students during the pandemic was criticised as inadequate by many student advocates, education institutions, and international commentators. The initial position - that international students should return to their home countries if they could not support themselves - was walked back as the severity of the situation became apparent.

Support measures that were eventually introduced included:

• Allowing international students to access their superannuation early (a measure also available to Australian residents)
• Temporary relaxation of work hour restrictions for students in certain sectors, particularly healthcare and aged care
• Extensions of certain visa types for students unable to travel
• State-based support funds in some states, notably Victoria

Education Providers' Response

Australian universities and TAFE providers made rapid transitions to online and blended delivery during the pandemic. The quality of this transition varied significantly between institutions, reflecting the degree to which they had invested in online learning infrastructure prior to the pandemic.

Many institutions introduced fee waivers, fee deferrals, emergency bursaries, and extended refund policies for students facing genuine hardship. Some universities used their own reserves to provide direct financial support to stranded students.

Impact on Visa Conditions and Timelines

The pandemic created significant disruption to the normal progression of student visa conditions and post-study pathways. Key impacts included:

• Course completion delays: Students whose courses were disrupted received extensions to their student visa where needed to complete their qualifications
• 485 Post-Study Work Visa: The application window was extended for students whose 485 eligibility was affected by COVID-19 disruptions
• Skills assessments: Some assessing bodies introduced modified requirements to account for the disruption to normal assessment processes
• English language test requirements: Some visa subclasses temporarily accepted alternative evidence of English proficiency where standard testing was unavailable

The Recovery and Lessons Learned

Australia's international education sector demonstrated significant resilience during and after the pandemic. By 2023, international student enrolments had returned to near-record levels, reflecting the enduring appeal of Australia as a study destination despite the difficulties of the pandemic period.