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“Good morning passengers, this is your captain speaking. Welcome aboard your flight to Australia.”
It won’t be long before you can hear that for yourselves! No more checking the latest news on when international students can return to Australia as the land down under progressively reopens their borders for quarantine-free international travel. But hold on to your hats — there’s still plenty to get ready before boarding the plane and embarking on your university life. Here’s our comprehensive guide on everything you need to do for a smooth journey!
Only fully vaccinated travellers will be eligible to enter Australia without quarantining. Australia currently officially recognises eight types of vaccines from the following manufacturers:
You’ll need to present a certificate of vaccination when checking in for your flight, so make sure you have that on hand. It’s best to have an electronic copy on your phone and a few hard copies of it, just in case. For more information on vaccination certificates, visit the Australian Passport Office website here.
COVID or no COVID, this is an essential step for all international students to Australia. A valid Subclass 500 student visa is needed for you to enter and stay in Australia for the duration of your studies. Check out our step-by-step guide on applying for an Australian student visa to get started. Before that, you’ll also need to settle your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) insurance, which can usually be arranged through your university.
A comfy and cosy place to stay? Yes please. You might not get the opportunity to tour properties in person, but securing good student housing can make your university experience in Australia all the more enjoyable. If you’re looking for awesome student apartments in Adelaide and Melbourne, look no further than Y Suites!
It doesn’t hurt to compare a few different airlines for the best available prices and flight timings. However, before you confirm your purchase, make sure you are fully aware of the current travel restrictions for your country of origin and destination. For example, at the moment, travellers from Singapore can only fly to the Australian capital territory, New South Wales, and Victoria. Each state/territory may also have different requirements in place.
Not all countries have Vaccinated Travel Lanes or travel bubbles with Australia, so it’s important to check before you travel. Refer to the Australian Government website for the current approved International Safe Travel Zones and relevant State and Territory Information.
Getting your nose or throat poked is no fun, but trust us, it’ll be worth it for quarantine-free entry to Australia. You need to take a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test within three days before your flight’s scheduled departure and get a negative result. Only PCR tests using respiratory or saliva samples are accepted, so no Antigen Rapid Tests (ART). The Australian Department of Health has FAQs regarding pre-departure requirements if you’d like to learn more.
All travellers to Australia must complete an Australia Travel Declaration (ATD) at least 72 hours before departure. Don’t leave this till the last minute — ensure you submit it BEFORE boarding your flight. You will have to provide information about your passport, evidence of vaccination, destination, contact details and more. Once you’ve submitted it, you should receive an email confirmation which you’ll need to show before boarding and on arrival.
These are unpredictable times, where things can change in an instant. It’s always a good idea to stay up-to-date with Australia’s COVID restrictions both before you fly and while you’re there. Different universities might have varying policies on mask-wearing or entering the campus, so it’s best to get to know them too. You should also familiarise yourself with the nearest clinic or steps to take should you (touch wood) contract COVID-19 — better safe than sorry!
We hope this blog has helped you be more prepared and feel more confident about your upcoming semester in Australia. From all of us at Y Suites, we wish you safe travels and a fantastic year ahead!
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