*Information correct as of 29 September
As announced by NT News on 28 September 2020, under a deal struck by the Northern Territory and the Australian Federal Government, a group of 70 international students will be flown from Singapore to Darwin to continue their studies. The students will be able to travel once flights have been organised, with the aim for the pilot program to commence in late October.
The chosen students will be those undertaking higher education and VET courses at Charles Darwin University. As with all international arrivals to the Northern Territory, they will be placed into mandatory quarantine. However, as reported by the ABC, it is uncertain who will pay for the flights to Australia and covering the $2,500 per student Howard Springs quarantine cost. This may be covered by the university, or by the students themselves.
According to NT News, the NT Chief Health Officer Dr Hugh Heggie has approved the health and welfare plans that cover the international students’ return, which include health and wellbeing support to be delivered by Charles Darwin University staff.
This is the latest update regarding the proposed pilot programs to bring international students back into Australia.
Stay tuned for further updates as they come.
