Covid quarantine scrapped for international students flying into NSW from December

Certain international travellers will no longer need to quarantine in NSW under new conditions introduced by the government.

International students wanting to study in NSW will no longer need to undertake quarantine if they are fully vaccinated.

Students will return via flights to NSW from December through a pilot plan’s phased approach, with the first chartered plane of returning international students to touch down on December 6.

It comes 18 months after the country’s borders closed to international students, and makes NSW the first Australian state to accept such arrivals since before the pandemic.

Premier Dominic Perrottet announced the changes on Friday.

Premier Dominic Perrottet on Friday said international education played a vital role in connecting NSW to the world.

“This is a significant milestone in our road map to recovery and I can’t wait to welcome back such an important part of our community,” Mr Perrottet said.

“They don’t just make a significant contribution to our economy, international students play a role in our culture and contribute to our community and lifestyle.”

Around 290,000 international students were studying in NSW before the pandemic, supporting more than 95,000 full-time jobs.

Around 250 international students will arrive in the state on the first flight on December 6.

The first flight into the state will carry around 250 students from over 15 nations, including Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea, China and Canada, with a second flight to bring in students from South Asia and India also scheduled.

The students must be vaccinated with a TGA recognised vaccine in order to apply.

Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney and Minister Trade and Industry Stuart Ayres said students would also require Commonwealth Government approval to travel to Australia.

“I welcome continued collaboration with the Commonwealth Government in supporting international students as they return to NSW,” Mr Ayres said.

“This sends a clear message about how much NSW values our international students.”