Australia’s welcoming international students, but there’s a catch!

Nov 10

Timing is everything in education and immersing your child in the English language, while undertaking a world class education has a limited window. Your child’s chance to learn English and get a world-class education is running out. Make sure they’re first in line for a place at an Australian boarding school in 2022 or 2023 by following the new visa rules.

Australia and New Zealand to Welcome International Students from 2022

Australia and New Zealand have announced plans to open their doors to international students from 2022 with some conditions. Australia will welcome students from first semester 2022 and New Zealand’s intake will be limited commencing second semester. These countries have remained “largely COVID free” buying time for full or near full vaccination rates before reopening. Largely considered the two safest major economies on Earth, your child will experience a “normal” education, largely free from COVID chaos – able to study undistracted.

But there’s a catch to accessing the safest international education for your child

Australia is opening up far more places than New Zealand but your child must be fully vaccinated by any of the approved vaccines – Astra Zeneca, Pfizer or Moderna – and provisionally Novavax. Here’s the problem, the vast majority of international students coming to Australia are from China and India. Parents in China and India must make a choice in how to vaccinate their children to meet Australia’s stringent entry requirements.

Note that the most readily available vaccine in the region, AstraZeneca is not approved for children in Australia, however international students vaccinated using AstraZeneca CAN access Australian schools.

Chinese Students: At this time, there has been no indication that any of the Chinese vaccines (Sinopharm, CoronaVac, RBD-Dimer, CanSino) will be added to the approved list.

Indian Students: Zydus Cadila / ZyCoV-D is the dominant vaccine for children in India and is not listed as an approved vaccine for Indian students coming to Australian boarding schools.

Indonesian Students: Indonesian parents should opt for Pfizer or Moderna (Astra Zeneca is also approved in Australia although generally reserved for seniors, not children) for any child wishing to study in Australia in 2022 or beyond.

Vietnamese Students: The Vietnamese vaccine rollout has been delivered in partnership with Australia and other countries. While other vaccines are available in Vietnam, the Australian produced Astra Zeneca vaccine is recommended for entry to Australia.

Vaccination takes time – and time is short to enrol your international student

With lead times for the second dose of up to two months, and “immune reaction” taking a further three weeks, vaccination decisions can’t be delayed. If you’re choosing Australia or New Zealand for your international student in 2022 or 2023, you must plan your vaccine regime now. Accessing approved vaccines may also take time, especially in China where these are difficult to locate.

What can you do to help your student in the meantime?

Preparing for international study at Australian boarding schools starts with the Australian Boarding School Association. Reach out to get all the information you need including, recommendations on the right schools for your child. Then, help your child to prepare by studying online with the official Australian Boarding Schools Association tutoring service in the city your child will study. Once in Australia, your child will have access to the same tutors they’ve already worked with online.

Safety is always the most important factor in choosing international schools

Australia and New Zealand enjoy stable, safe learning environments for children, including some world class schools and plenty of good options for undertaking the IB certificate. But, studying internationally in 2022 and 2023 is more complicated these days, be prepared to work a little harder to set your child up for a lifetime of success.