The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations calls for international travel restrictions set on temporary migrants to be lifted. Currently, international students need to apply for an inwards exemption in advance with a ‘strong compassionate or compelling reason’ before they leave the country.
Departing the country without an inwards exemption means they will not be guaranteed safe passage back into Australia to resume their studies. This has left many international students torn. All they want to is return home over the holiday break and to reunite with family they have not seen throughout this pandemic.
“Last year international students were bluntly told can leave the country and there was nothing stopping them. Now ironically, many would very much like to go home but are feel they can’t because of this dateed piece of travel regulation.” says CAPA National President Errol Phuah.
CAPA has sent a letter to the office of the Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Karen Andrews MP, Education Minister the Hon. Alan Tudge MP and the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship the Hon. Alex Hawke MP to address this matter and eagerly awaiting their response. We sincerely hope that this issue is simply an oversight that can be amended immediately.
International students are a vulnerable group in the population that were severely affected by the pendemic. There were no centerlink support for them, or medicare to support their mental health, the least we can do is allow them to return home and be with their families over the holiday.
END
For comment:
CAPA International Officer Vineet Prabhakar
CAPA National President Errol Phuah
M: 0431 545 167
E: president@capa.edu.au
