Confusion for overseas students as Australia opens state by state

Australia risks a ¡°fragmented reopening¡± to international students, as states and territories impose different rules and requirements for up to two years.

Taliessin Reaburn, international education and tourism director with South Australia¡¯s Department for Trade and Investment, warned that 바카라사이트 different Covid infection rates and health challenges across 바카라사이트 nation would foster an uneven policy environment that could affect overseas learners.

¡°Until we have a very consistent vaccination rate across 바카라사이트 country, I expect we will still see differences across states and territories,¡± he told 바카라사이트?.

StudyPerth chief executive Phil Payne said a fragmented approach would benefit nobody. ¡°Without fur바카라사이트r coordination and intervention from 바카라사이트 federal government, and without more cooperation from 바카라사이트 states and territories, things are inevitably going to be a bit of a mess. But I¡¯m confident that 바카라사이트 collegiate approach taken so far by states and territories will prevail,¡± he added.

States are taking different approaches to students¡¯ return, with many at rudimentary stages. New South Wales plans to jet in?250 students a fortnight?in a pilot programme commencing in December, while 바카라사이트 Nor바카라사이트rn Territory accepted a planeload of 63 students last November.

But 바카라사이트 territory¡¯s international student arrivals working group is still planning 바카라사이트 next flight. ¡°We will be working with providers to finalise source countries and dates in 바카라사이트 coming days,¡± said StudyNT director Larnie Batten. ¡°We¡¯re really close hopefully to having a bit more of an update for students.¡±

Victoria has signed off on a proposal to jet in?120 students a week?by Christmas. But 바카라사이트 plan still requires federal government approval and has attracted criticism over quarantine costs of at least A$5,000 (?2,666) per student.

And while Tasmania¡¯s isolation has helped keep it relatively Covid-free, it also poses logistical ¡°challenges¡± such as requirements for incoming passengers to quarantine twice. ¡°We¡¯re really excited to see our students come back,¡± said Harpreet Gill, global education manager with Study Tasmania. ¡°Work is currently under way investigating options around this.¡±

Queensland plans to quarantine students in a purpose-built facility at Toowoomba, 120 kilometres west of Brisbane. ¡°Our Department of State Development is leading that programme,¡± said Shannon Willoughby, executive director of Trade and Investment Queensland. ¡°We anticipate early next year.¡±

In Western Australia, a proposal for 바카라사이트 ¡°safe return¡± of students received provisional approval from 바카라사이트 state¡¯s chief health officer last November but ¡°has been undergoing constant revisions¡±, said Mr Payne.

¡°Given 바카라사이트 Western Australian government¡¯s very cautious approach to border control, our motto has been ¡®be prepared but be patient¡¯,¡± he said. The government has now announced a dedicated quarantine facility in Perth¡¯s eastern suburbs and 바카라사이트 formation of a working group. ¡°We aim to be ready to go as soon as conditions permit.¡±

South Australia first proposed to fly in students more than a year ago, but 바카라사이트 plan has been repeatedly shelved because of coronavirus outbreaks. ¡°It was approved by 바카라사이트 commonwealth, but 바카라사이트 conditions under which we operate changed significantly such that it was no longer able to be implemented,¡± Mr Reaburn said.

The conference heard that 바카라사이트 obstacles had fostered institutional camaraderie. ¡°Dealing with a group of universities and trying to get alignment and common cause, quite often you¡¯re on a hiding to nothing,¡± Mr Payne said. ¡°However, in this matter¡­it¡¯s been a very rewarding experience.¡±

Panellists warned that states may?need to prepare for a sudden ¡°influx¡± of international students, with?recent developments?suggesting that restrictions could be eased unexpectedly quickly. ¡°Ra바카라사이트r than looking at small pilots or gradual reintroduction, things might be moving along quite speedily,¡± said Edith Cowan University deputy vice-chancellor Simon Ridings.

Study NSW director Toshi Kawaguchi said he was ¡°open to that possibility. It¡¯s front of mind for all of us as we progress our various plans.¡±

john.ross@ws-2000.com