Information for international students returning to Sydney and NSW
From 1 December 2021, fully vaccinated eligible visa holders can come to Australia without
needing to apply for a travel exemption. Eligible visa holders include skilled and student
cohorts, as well as humanitarian, working holiday maker and provisional family visa holders.
Under these arrangements, travelers must:
Be fully vaccinated with a completed dosage of a vaccine approved or recognised by Australia & Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Hold a valid visa for one of the eligible visa subclasses
Provide proof of their vaccination status
Present a negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test taken within three days of departure.
We look forward to welcoming International Student back to New South Wales (NSW). To
help you prepare for your return, please use this checklist to ensure you have all the relevant
information and documents required. Plan ahead and please read carefully to ensure you have
a safe and smooth journey and transition back to NSW community.
Step 1 (Mandatory)
Ensure your passport and student visa for Australia are valid
Check that your passport is valid for at least six months prior to your arrival in Australia.
All international students must ensure that their student visa for Australia is valid.
Step 2 (Mandatory)
Ensure your vaccination certificate meets Australia's requirements
You must be fully vaccinated with a Therapeutic Good Association (TGA) approved or
recognised COVID-19 vaccine.
To understand which vaccines are approved or recognised please go to the Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade website.
Note: Travelers vaccinated outside Australia must present certificates that meet the
following criteria:
Issued by a national or state/provincial-level authority or an accredited vaccination provider
Written in English or accompanied by a certified translation
Containing at a minimum:
- name as it appears in the traveler ID & passport
- either date of birth or passport number
- the vaccine brand name, and
- the date of each dose or the date on which a full course of immunisation was completed.
Paper and digital certificates are equally acceptable.
Complete as soon as possible.
Step 3 (Mandatory)
Submit Australian Travel Declaration (ATD) online
You must submit your Australian Travel Declaration online with a copy of your vaccination
certificate before your flight.
You will then receive an email confirmation with details to be shown (either electronically or
printed) before boarding your flight and on arrival in Australia.
Complete at least 72 hours before your scheduled departure.
Step 4 (Mandatory)
Obtain a negative COVID-19 PCR test before travelling
Visit your local COVID-19 test center to receive a test before travelling.
Read more about Australian Government’s advice in providing evidence of your pre-
departure COVID-19 PCR Test.
Please also check requirements of your local authority and airline for pre-departure testing, as
criteria may vary depending on your departure/transit location. Complete the test within three
days of scheduled departure, unless your local authority/airline instructs otherwise.
Note: If you are participating in the NSW International Student Arrivals Pilot Plan and you
test positive to COVID-19, you must advise your education provider immediately.
Complete the test within three days of scheduled departure.
Step 5 (Mandatory)
Verify vaccination certificate at airport
Before boarding, the airline staff will check:
that your vaccination status is valid for travel to Australia and
that your COVID-19 test was negative.
Please have a printout of your vaccination certificate ready to prove that you are vaccinated.
The certificate must meet Australian Government requirements (see step 2).
Complete at flight check-in.
Step 6 (Recommended)
Organise your accommodation in Sydney
It is best to book short-term accommodation before you arrive in Australia and look for
longer-term options when you arrive. This allows you time to explore the neighborhoods
and view the properties and can help you choose an option that best suits you. Temporary
accommodation includes budget hostels and hotels.
In compliance with visa condition 8533 on your student visa grant, you must let your
education provider know your residential address within seven (7) days of arriving in
Australia. If your residential address changes you must let your education provider know
within 7 days of the change.
Complete two weeks before departure.
Step 7 (Mandatory)
Obtain a COVID-19 nose and throat PCR test within 24 hours of arrival
Go to the closest NSW Health free testing clinic to obtain a test. Visit the NSW Health
website to find the closest clinic to you. Read the NSW Health requirements for mandatory
testing here.
Complete within 24 hours of arriving in NSW.
Step 8 (Mandatory)
Obtain a COVID-19 nose and throat PCR test on or after seventh day of arrival
Go to the closest NSW Health free testing clinic to obtain a test. Visit the NSW Health
website to find the closest clinic to you. Read the NSW Health requirements for mandatory
testing here.
Complete on or after day seven of arriving in NSW.
Step 9 (Recommended)
Download the Service NSW app
Download the Service NSW app to your phone. This will allow you to check in at places like
supermarkets or restaurants and receive COVID-19 updates while living in NSW.
Download the Service NSW Mobile App.
Complete any time before you start moving around in public in NSW.
Step 10 (Recommended)
Add proof of your COVID-19 vaccination to Service NSW app
If you’re not eligible for Medicare, you can still add your COVID-19 digital certificate to the
Service NSW app by using the Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI) service through myGov.
This means you can quickly check in and show proof of your COVID-19 vaccination
wherever it’s required.
Read more about adding your proof of COVID-19 vaccination to Service NSW here.
Complete any time after arriving in NSW
If your visa is no longer valid or are you planning to study in Australia?
Contact us NOW!