New rules for international students revealed

International uni students flying into Victoria have finally been given a clear plan on vaccination and quarantine requirements.

Fully vaccinated international students no longer need to quarantine when they arrive in Melbourne if they can prove both of their Covid vaccine doses to federal authorities.

In an overhaul of the Victorian government’s Student Arrivals Plan that brought requirements for international students in line with fully vaxxed international arrivals, the tens of thousands of students set to fly into Melbourne can skip quarantine measures if they have been double jabbed with a vaccine approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Trade Minister Martin Pakula said the federal government had been advised of the changes, which have been in place for international arrivals since November 1.

Students must also return a negative Covid test within 72 hours of their flight into Melbourne and regular visa requirements and travel exemptions will still apply.

International students won’t have to quarantine in Victoria if they are fully vaxxed. Picture: Tom Huntley

Mr Pakula said updating travel measures to scrap quarantine for international students could be welcomed back into Victoria sooner.

“The amazing vaccination effort of Victorians means fully-vaccinated international arrivals, including students enrolled at our universities and colleges, will not have to serve a period of hotel quarantine,” Mr Pakula said.

“International students add to the cultural richness and diversity of our state. They are valuable members of our community and we look forward to welcoming them back soon.”

The quarantine changes come after the federal government endorsed the International Student Arrivals Plan in October, which prioritised the arrival of health and medical students back into Victoria for “practical work” such as research.

About 49,000 international students are currently overseas, while 70,000 remained in Victoria.

International students contributed approximately $13.7 billion to Victoria’s economy and kept about 79,000 Victorians in a job each year before the pandemic.