Australia’s international border relaxed as students and skilled migrants return

A major change to Australia’s border comes into effect today, allowing two groups of people back into the country.

International students and skilled migrants can once again enter the country without an exemption in a major change to Australia’s border.

Until Wednesday, only fully vaccinated Australians, permanent residents and their immediate family, in addition to fully vaccinated travellers from New Zealand and Singapore, were allowed into the country without exemption.

But from today, fully vaccinated international students, skilled migrants, as well as humanitarian, working holiday maker and provisional family visa holders will be able to enter Australia.

Travel with Japan and Korea will also resume today.

The arrivals hall at airports across the country will be busy with with visa holders allowed to return. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

All arrivals will have to self-isolate for 72 hours on arrival and will only be able to enter states that have already open its doors to international travellers.

The major border change was due to come into effect on December 1, but the emergence of the Omicron variant put a pause on the reopening on recommendation by the National Security Committee.

Innes Willox, chair of the ministerial advisory council on skilled migration and AI Group chief, said it was important governments not lose their nerve and keep borders open.

“We have to make this as easy for people wanting to get into the country as possible and those who want to contribute to our economy,” he told ABC Radio.

The international border has been closed for close to two years. Picture: Mark Stewart

“It's going to be hard, there is strong competition from countries like the US, UK, Canada for for migrants and for labour. This the skill shortage issue is not just one that is generic to Australia, it’s a global problem at the moment.

“We're going to have to fight hard to pick up the slack and get in fill those skills gaps as quickly as possible.”

Universities Australia boss Catriona Jackson said she was delighted international students could finally return to Australia.

“We have missed their presence dearly and couldn’t be more delighted to welcome them back from today,” Ms Jackson said.

The sector estimates it lost $1.8 billion over the course of the pandemic, partly due to the shortfall of international students.

Ms Jackson has warned it could take years before numbers return to pre-pandemic levels.

“Every student you don't get in the first year is a student you don’t have in the second, third and fourth year,” she said.

“There'll be a nasty tail.”