Return of International Students

Western Sydney University and other universities have been working closely and constructively with Study NSW, the state and federal governments for over 12 months to facilitate the safe return of international students to Australia and to our local communities. A pilot plan has now received support from the Australian Government and NSW Government.

The Pilot Plan will allow 250 international students studying with NSW education providers to return each fortnight from early December 2021.

All costs associated with travel and quarantine will be covered by Western Sydney University, with returning students covering flight costs. Specific details about the costs involved are still being finalised at this stage and will be communicated directly to eligible international students.

Invitations will be sent to eligible students based on a range of criteria. Please also refer to the vaccination eligibility requirements FAQs below.

We know that many of our students are keen to find out about their eligibility to return under the plan. We are currently finalising details and will provide further information in the coming weeks.  

Please ensure you update your location and contact details in your student record via MySR so we are able to communicate with you and plan accordingly. Please note that you will be unable to update your details in MySR between 30 September and 6 October due to planned updates to the platform.

Only a small number of Western Sydney University students will be eligible to return in the initial phase. We will continue to work with other universities and the NSW Government to deliver a successful International Student Arrivals Pilot Plan. A successful, scaled return will lead to an expanded pilot and allow for more students to return to NSW in due course.

The aim of the NSW International Student Arrivals Pilot Plan is to ensure that international students who remain abroad can get back to NSW as soon as possible. We also know there are many international students who have remained in NSW during the COVID-19 pandemic and would like to return home and visit their friends and family. International border restrictions are still in place, and student visas and travel exemptions are a matter for the Commonwealth Government. We encourage you to review the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs (www.homeaffairs.gov.au) to keep up to date on any developments.

Based on current NSW Health advice, only students who are fully vaccinated with a vaccine recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) will be eligible to return to NSW as part of the NSW International Student Arrivals Pilot Plan – to help protect the safety of the NSW community and the students themselves.

Only students who are fully vaccinated with a vaccine recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) are eligible to initially return to NSW as part of the NSW International Student Arrivals Pilot Plan. The Pilot Plan will be overseen at all times by all key NSW Government agencies including NSW Health, and they will continue to review the pilot and communicate any changes to eligibility requirements in due course.

We will continue to provide high-quality online classes for our students overseas for as long as that is required. We will also continue to have dedicated support and one-on-one help for our offshore students if they need it. We will continue working with other universities and the government partners to deliver a successful pilot and find ways for more international students to return to NSW in due course.

In the uncertainty of these times, Australia’s focus on minimising the risks of COVID-19 means international students can be more confident of their experience here than just about anywhere else in the world. The pilot will ensure that returning students can successfully resume their studies and enjoy NSW’s vibrant, multicultural community as COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease in the state.

For regular updates, please visit the Study NSW website or subscribe to the Study NSW newsletter and follow Study NSW on  Facebook,  Instagram,  Twitter and WeChat.

If you have any concerns with your studies, we want to hear from you. Speak to your academic advisor or reach out to your dedicated Western Success Advisor. Your advisors will continue to support you throughout your study. If you are unsure of who your Western Success Advisor is, please email westernsuccess@westernsydney.edu.au or call +61 2 9852 5155, Monday to Friday, 10am to 4:30pm (AEST).