The Premier’s announcement this morning paves the way for a potential return of international students in Western Australia from Semester 1 next year.
As you may already be aware, the Western Australian Government has today confirmed the roadmap for the reopening of our borders with the first fully vaccinated international arrivals, including international students, set to be welcomed to Perth from February 2022 subject to Western Australia achieving a 90% double vaccination rate. Once the State achieves 80% which is predicted to occur in December, the date of the border opening will be announced.
Recent labour force data highlight once again that Western Australia’s economy is the strongest in the nation, with employment rates at an all-time high and record jobs growth. So, international students arriving in Perth in 2022 will enjoy unprecedented opportunities to gain meaningful employment while studying and then great prospects for their career or business.
The State Government has made it clear that the safety of all Western Australians remains the highest priority but is confident the timing is right to ease border restrictions. It also helps WA’s international education sector to align with our counterparts in other Australian states and territories and will stimulate the active planning for the safe return of international students, who we all know make such a valuable contribution to our community.
Since July 2020, StudyPerth has been working closely with Western Australia’s international education sector to develop a comprehensive and detailed Plan for the safe return of international students. The Plan has been revised and updated to ensure alignment with the National Plan to manage Australia’s transition to living with COVID-19.
The StudyPerth team and member institutions are in regular contact with our counterparts in other states and territories regarding our respective plans. We share the nation’s ambition to restore safe pathways to Australia for international students as soon as possible and we are very much part of the national effort to make this happen.
A Project Team has been actively consulting with the relevant State and Federal Government agencies, including the Western Australian Chief Health Officer, to address the preconditions for the safe resumption of international student arrivals in Perth.
We remain committed to the safe return of international students and we aim to keep you up-to-date with all new developments.
Visit www.studyperth.com.au/safereturn for more information.
For more information on MSA Immigration’s Study to Migrate visa services please click HERE.