Making the Right Decision for Your Higher Education in Australia Amidst Closed Borders

The Australian government has taken the restrictive action of closing its borders for all except citizens of Australia, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although in the best interest of the Australian community, this decision has impacted and sparked an atmosphere of uncertainty, especially among international students looking to pursue their career aspirations in the country. The ambiguity on when the country will open its borders to welcome international students has led to students either choosing countries with open borders or having to confront the choice of dropping out from their programs in the Australian Universities.

Australia has consistently been among the most popular choices for international students to pursue their studies abroad. In view of the ongoing pandemic, the Australian government has declared certain significant relaxations on their visa rules for international students affected by COVID-19; the highlights of which being:

• As the government recommences granting student visas in all locations outside Australia, students will already have visas and will be able to travel to Australia once the borders re-open.
• With critical modifications to the Temporary Graduate visa rules, the eligibility requirements for a post-study work visa have been relaxed for applicants who have pursued an education from an Australian University online given the COVID-19 restrictions.
• Existing and new student visa holders undertaking online study in their home country owing to the pandemic will be able to count their education towards the Australian Study Requirement.
• And more…

So what exactly are the implications of these relaxed regulations on students looking to pursue their higher studies in Australia? The most significant implication being the online study undertaken by students enrolled in Australian Universities will count towards the Australian Work Visa Requirement. Hence, considering the government’s visa relaxations and the added advantage of not missing out on your semester, it is an opportunity to save on the substantial expenditure of living costs, ranging AUD 1,400 to AUD 2,500 per month. Students can opt to study online in their home country, with no additional living expenses, and resume their studies or pursue a career in Australia once the border restrictions are lifted.

There is always the option to opt-out! Students can wait for the subsequent intake until the country opens its borders and then go ahead with fulfilling their Australian dream. However, with individuals, families, communities, countries trying to make the best efforts to cope with the existing circumstances, Australia is not far behind in helping its international students find a win-win situation in their best interest!

For more information visit Collegepond.