International student arrivals - update from TEQSA and ASQA
In March 2020, in an initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ASQA and TEQSA announced flexibility in regulatory arrangements and requirements to enable providers to support students to study online either in Australia or offshore.
As long as the student remained enrolled with their provider, and the assessment requirements of the course allowed it, the location of the student and the mode of delivery would not prevent the student from attaining an Australian qualification.
The Prime Minister has announced that fully vaccinated international students and temporary graduate (subclass 485) visa holders will be able to arrive in Australia from 1 December 2021.
As there are around 164,000 international student visa holders outside of Australia, it may take some time for students to gradually return to Australia.
ASQA and TEQSA will continue to apply regulatory flexibility until conditions allow for the return of a substantial proportion of international students who are currently not in Australia. ASQA and TEQSA will review this approach in mid-2022.
Providers should assure themselves that current and ongoing arrangements for students maintain assessment and quality standards and are appropriately documented as previously published.
If providers have questions about their specific circumstances, including how they may resume delivery, they should contact their relevant regulator.
