While unfettered inbound and outbound international travel appears to be a pipe dream for the moment, the prime minister announced late last week that international students will be one of the first groups able to enter Australia under small-scale pilot programs in conjunction with certain institutions. This is likely to be rolled out in July 2020, but states and territories must come to the party first by lifting their own border restrictions.

After lockdown measures that have stemmed COVID-19 cases considerably, the Australian Government is keen to begin ramping up the nation’s economy and kick-start an economic recovery. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) statistics, Australia’s fourth-largest exports in the 2018-19 financial year was education-related travel services, followed by personal travel, aka tourism, in fifth.

While education is a key export, its economic benefit must be weighed against public health safety and suppressing any coronavirus outbreaks. It is therefore critical to properly manage the entry of international students in Australia when the government decides to open its international border.

In discussions with the National Cabinet on Friday, the prime minister alluded to allowing international students to enter Australia “on a small, phased scale through a series of controlled pilots.”

The big caveat on this, however, is the need for state borders to reopen, which is expected by the end of July 2020 with the possible exception of Western Australia, and the return to on-campus learning for students already in Australia regardless of whether they are domestic or international students. In a subsequent press conference, the Prime Minister laid down the gauntlet to state and territory leaders to open their borders.

It is likely university students enrolled in a select number of universities will be first to be allowed into Australia as part of this pilot program. Media reports have proposed that this will occur in July.

Media reports over the weekend also indicate that other categories of foreign nationals may be allowed to enter Australia during this period, particularly those who “deliver national benefit”, such as international business travellers according to the health minister. It is not known what type of visa holder the health minister is referring to, whether this would include overseas workers such as Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage visa holders, or remain exclusive to business skills, or business visitor visas.

The health minister also stated that those inbound, once a firm stance and potential agreements with other countries are in place, may either not be required to quarantine if coming from a COVID-19-free country such as New Zealand, or the quarantine period is halved from countries with low levels of coronavirus infections.

While there is much talk about preparing for a return to normalcy, there is still plenty of legwork to do with no firm dates set. No doubt education providers would be looking to their state and territory premiers and chief ministers to take the first step.