The successful vaccination programmes rolling out across the world, Australia is starting to contemplate reopening the borders for vaccinated travellers as part of its student pilot initiatives, as per local media.
Recently, the Federal Government of Australia approved the student return plan laid out by South Australia, which aims to see 160 students return every two weeks. Stakeholders also expect New South Wales to receive its approval for the student return plans in late June to early July. As per the NSW pilot scheme, 250 students are expected to return every fortnight.
Additionally, the Australian and New Zealand Governments have announced that the quarantine-free travel between the two countries will commence this week.
Scott Morison, Prime Minister of Australia, stated that the key to establishing travel bubbles are compatible vaccination recognition systems with countries such as Singapore, South Korea, and Japan, the local media reported.
Also Read: South Australia's Plan to Welcome International Students Approved
Dan Tehan, the Australian Trade Minister, explained that while the country is in no rush to relax border restrictions, discourse between Australia and Singapore are to continue regarding the possibility of travel bubbles. Tehan highlighted that the travel bubbles with Singapore will take place if it is safe to do so, while in the meantime, processes that would facilitate safe travel bubbles will be looked into.
Completing his statements, Morrison added that fully-vaccinated international students could be helpful in testing out a ne traffic light system trial to facilitate international arrivals.
Will Opening up Australian Borders be Helpful?
The pandemic has resulted in drastic impacts, especially negative impacts in the Australia Higher Education sector. Institutions in New South Wales and South Australia have witnessed drastic declines in student enrolment numbers, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A decrease in international student enrolment results in a decrease of annual income, as revealed by UNSW, which recorded a decline of $19.4m in annual results as compared to 2019. Meanwhile, the University of Wollongong conducted a study, which highlighted a headline result of approximately $40m, with a decline of onshore international student enrolments, thus scar[ring] the budget position for several years stated the institution.
However, this downturn was not witnessed by all universities in the country. The University of Adelaide revealed a better-than-expected overseas student enrolments in 2020. In its annual report released late in May, the University recorded an international student revenue amounting to $254 million, same as in 2019, while it saw reduction against budget targets of $293 million, sources claim.
Vice-Chancellor and President, Peter Hj, revealed that International commencements have appeared to be down by 37% while it was down by 17% in semester 1 itself. However, he added that further significant losses will lead to sustained losses for Universities in Australia for a minimum period of 3 years.
Holding back on opening the borders to international students can lead to a crisis-like dimensions which can threaten the countrys research base drastically, especially when the time had been right to utilise it to become a more resilient economy with an enhanced sovereign capability.
Also Read: Australia to Offer Emergency Funds to International Students During Lockdown
However, Victorias Chief Health Officer, Brett Sutton, stated that they do not wish to import any case of the Delta variant, which has been report in Singapore, a country Australia is considering for the travel bubble.
Sutton further commented that the vaccination coverage in Australia may facilitate the reopening of borders eventually. As per current data, 6,590, 741 vaccine doses have been administered, however, the country has hit a few snags.
Sutton urged the citizens of Australia to vaccinate themselves so that the country would be open for the world to travel to and jump-start the education, tourism and other sectors that have been affected by the border closures.
