Western Australia, one of the most sought after destinations for international students and travelers alike is finally open fully. From March 3, 2022, the WA government announced that government approved vaccinated international students will be allowed into WA without the need to quarantine for 14 days. Students will be required to take a rapid antigen test within 12 hours of arrival and report the result.

Of course students and visitors are required to have a registered G2G pass and will also be required to be double vaccinated. The WA government also has a number of support programs for returning international students. A number of programs are available to support international students as part of the Western Australian Government’s $77 million Safe Transition Industry Support Package.

  • $6 million Industry Support Program for International Education providers
  • $8 million Student Quarantine Support Program
  • $2 million University Services for Students Support Program
  • Financial support for international students

Financial assistance is available if you are an overseas student enrolled at a Western Australian institution who arrived in Perth between 20 January and 2 March 2022 and was needed to quarantine. A one-time payment of $2 000 will be made available to help with quarantine costs.

Accommodation subsidy

You might also be eligible for an accommodation subsidy if you were enrolled in a course of 12 months or longer in semester one 2022, and were not in WA for study purposes anytime in 2021. The $1500 subsidy will assist you with your accommodation costs.

ELICOS bursary

You may be eligible for a bursary to assist with course costs of up to $1 500 if you are an international student enrolled in an approved provider ELICOS course for 20 weeks or more beginning in Semester one 2022, have arrived in Western Australia from an international location, and were not in Western Australia for study purposes at any time in 2021.

Support payments for universities

Universities can additionally receive $500 per international student forced to quarantine as part of the Western Australian Government’s package to provide support services during their stay quarantined in Western Australia.

Small and medium-sized private international education providers who had committed money in preparation for the re-opening on February 5th now have access to a new $6 million initiative.

Smaller providers will be eligible for $50,000 in grants, while medium-sized providers would be eligible for $100,000.

Regulations to follow while in Western Australia

  • Wear A Face Covering Everywhere Indoors (Other Than A Home), Including When On Public Transport, In Taxis And Rideshare Vehicles
  • Make sure you are Aware Of any Public Health Measures In WA And Find Out What You Can And Can’t Do
  • Get Tested If You Develop Any Covid-19 Symptoms
  • Be Familiar With Information And Advice For Managing Covid-19, Including Any Testing And Isolation Guidance
  • Regularly Check The List Of Exposure Sites And Follow The Relevant Health Advice
  • Use The ServiceWA App, SafeWA App, Or Mandatory Contact Registers To Check In To Certain Businesses And Venues
  • Have Your Proof Of Vaccination Ready To Enter Certain Businesses And Venues
  • Check The Remote Aboriginal Communities Page Before Travelling Through Remote Areas In WA

The State Government has established a new International Student Travel Portal to assist international students returning to Western Australia. The site, which can be found here, is your one-stop shop for planning your trip to Perth, Western Australia.