Deakin backs plan to bring in international students

INTERNATIONAL students could be back in Victoria by the end of the year under a Victorian government proposal, and Deakin University says it is standing ready to make it happen.

Earlier this month, the Victorian government announced it had submitted its International Student Arrivals Plan to allow the gradual return of international students to the federal government.

If approved, 120 places will be available each week under the plan’s first stage. These places will be prioritised for those who urgently need to return to Victoria to do practical work, including health and medical students, and postgraduate research students.

Universities will provide funding towards the extra quarantine places for student visa holders, with students required to cover the cost of their flight to Melbourne.

Students will be quarantined in dedicated accommodation managed by COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria.

The second stage will expand the plan to include more students, including those who are enrolled with other education providers such as TAFEs, English language colleges, private education providers and secondary schools.

Students arriving in Victoria under the plan will be on top of Victoria’s existing international travel cap, and will not take spaces allocated to citizens or permanent residents returning to Australia via Melbourne.

Deakin University vice-chancellor Professor Iain Martin said the staged approach was a safe and strong signal that Victoria and Australia was ready to reopen to the rest of the world.

“Deakin’s international students are a valued part of our community and have made immeasurable contributions to the university. This is something we have never taken for granted.”

“Throughout the pandemic, Deakin has supported our international students who have been impacted by the rapid closure of borders, and other changes, across the world.”

More than 75,000 international students from 100 countries are now studying in Victoria, but a further 47,000 are enrolled with Victorian education providers but stuck overseas while Australia’s international borders are closed.

“We are excited to welcome back international students from the end of this year,” Minister for Training and Skills and Higher Education Gayle Tierney said.

“They are a valued part of our community and help make it vibrant and prosperous.”