AUSTRALIA’S lucrative $40 billion international students market and short staffed hospitality sector have received a major jab after Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Australia will reopen to the world from December 01.
From 1 December, fully vaccinated eligible visa holders can come to Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption.
Eligible visa holders include skilled workers, international students, humanitarian, and provisional family visa holders.
However, travellers must still comply with the quarantine requirements in the state or territory of their arrival, and any other state or territory to which they plan to travel.
The PM said the return of skilled workers and international students to Australia will further cement the economic recovery, providing the valuable workers the economy needs and supporting education sector.
“These changes demonstrate the success of our National Plan, as the government continues to get Australia back to normal and reopen to the world safely,” he said.
More than 200,000 international students, eligible skilled migrants and refugees are expected to return to Australia over December and January.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said both skilled workers and international students play an essential role in the economy, with students contributing $40 billion to the economy.
Researcher Tony Crabb recently told Australian Property Journal’s Talking Property podcast that for every dollar international students on education, they spend a further $1.15 on goods and services in the broader economy.
The peak body, Universities Australia yesterday welcomed the news.
Chief executive Catriona Jackson said this is great news which will give heart to more than 130,000 international students with visas waiting to return to Australia.
“We look forward to further detail so we can work quickly to get students back for first semester next year,” Jackson added.
Currently New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria and South Australia have pilot plans approved by the Commonwealth Government for the return of international students. The Queensland Government has also lodged a pilot plan to the Commonwealth Government for approval. The first of these special flights, organised by New South Wales and ACT universities, arrives in Sydney on 6 December.
According to UA, commencements in the higher education sector have declined by more than 40% since the peak recorded in August 2019, with new starters now falling to just above the level recorded in August 2013.
Jackson said the value of international students to Australia is more than just the impact they have on the economy and employment, though their $31 billion annual economic contribution and support for 250,000 jobs is important.
“These students are the future corporate and political leaders of our nearest trading partners. They make an enormous contribution to Australia’s influence in the world,” she continued.
Meanwhile employers will also be celebrating, particularly in the hospitality sector.
“Whether it’s in hospitality, construction, mining or agriculture across the broader economy. There is a need to bring back those skilled workers and help build our economy back stronger as we recover from Covid-19.” Frydenberg said.
