Active Study Australia logo
The Latest COVID-19 Updates for International Students Travelling to Australia

News

The Latest COVID-19 Updates for International Students Travelling to Australia

Originally published in 2020 during Australia's border closure, this article documents the COVID-19 impact on international students. Australia's borders are now fully open and all restrictions have been lifted.

News5 min readActive Study Australia

Note: This article was originally published in August 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Australia's borders are now fully open, and all COVID-19 travel restrictions for international students have been lifted. The content below is preserved as a historical record of the information that was available at the time of publication. For current visa and entry requirements, please consult the Department of Home Affairs website or contact Active Study Australia.

The Situation in August 2020

When this article was first written, Australia had closed its international borders in March 2020 as part of its COVID-19 response - one of the earliest and most comprehensive border closure decisions among major study destinations. For international students who had been planning to travel to Australia to begin their studies, the situation created significant uncertainty.

At the time, the Australian government was providing regular updates through the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force. International students who had been granted student visas but could not travel were advised that their visa validity would not be affected by the delay in travel.

The Impact on International Students

During the period of border closure (March 2020 - February 2022), international students in Australia faced unprecedented challenges including restrictions on work hours, access to financial support, and uncertainty about course continuity. Many institutions rapidly transitioned to online delivery to allow students offshore to continue their studies.

Students who had returned home during the initial lockdown period faced a prolonged wait before they could return to Australia to complete their degrees in person.

Planning to study in Australia?

Get up-to-date guidance on visa requirements and entry conditions from our expert team.

What Changed During the Pandemic

During the pandemic period, the Australian government introduced several temporary changes to support international students, including:

  • Temporary relaxation of work hour restrictions for students in critical sectors
  • Extension of visa conditions to account for COVID-related delays
  • Changes to attendance and academic progress monitoring requirements
  • Access to some emergency financial assistance for eligible students

These measures reflected recognition that international students were significantly impacted by circumstances beyond their control.

The Reopening of Australia's Borders

Australia reopened its borders to international students in December 2021, with a full general reopening in February 2022. The return of international students was welcomed as a major positive development for Australia's education sector, which had experienced a significant decline in international enrolments during the border closure period.

By 2023, international student numbers in Australia had substantially recovered, and the sector returned to strong growth.

Australia's borders are fully open - start your study journey now.

Book a free consultation with Active Study Australia today.

Current Situation (2024 and Beyond)

As of 2024, there are no COVID-related travel restrictions affecting international students travelling to Australia. Entry requirements are the same as they were pre-pandemic - a valid student visa (Subclass 500), a current passport, and compliance with standard Australian border requirements.

The Australian government's commitment to international education remains strong, with record numbers of international students enrolled in Australian institutions and ongoing policy support for the sector.

Plan Your Study With Confidence

The disruption of the pandemic years is behind us. Australia's universities, TAFEs, and English language schools are fully operational and welcoming international students from around the world. If you have been planning to study in Australia and were deterred by the pandemic period, now is an excellent time to revisit your plans.

Contact Active Study Australia for current visa requirements, course options, and a personalised study plan - completely free of charge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to start your journey to Australian PR?

Book a free consultation with our MARA-registered migration agents and get a personalised study and PR pathway mapped for you.

Migration Institute of AustraliaMember of Migration AllianceQEAC L085 AustraliaMigration Agents Registration Number 2318131Australian Government Office of the Migration Agents Registration AuthorityICEF Agency Status

We are a licensed Migration Agent. Our License details can be found here.

You can find more information about migration agents at the Migration Agent Registration Authority www.mara.gov.au