UPDATE: The Australian Government has announced temporary changes to work conditions for student visa holders. Visit the Department of Home Affairs website for more information.
Pre-departure testing
From 18 April 2022, the Australian Government no longer requires people travelling to Australia to have a COVID-19 test before travel. Visit the Australian Government's International travel page for more information.
Travellers are reminded that it is your responsibility to ensure you meet the requirements of the airline or cruise operator you are travelling with and any countries you transit through.
If you’ve just arrived in Victoria, visit our Welcome to Melbourne and Victoria page for inspiration and support to help you get settled.

Welcoming international students back to Victoria
International students make an invaluable contribution to our state’s culture, community, and economy.
Fully vaccinated eligible student visa holders can travel to Australia.
The Australian Government has announced the temporary relaxation of student visa work limits across all sectors of the economy.
To be able to travel to Australia, students must hold an eligible visa and be fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved or recognised by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Please refer to the Australian Department of Home Affairs for more information about vaccination entry requirements for Australia.
Fully vaccinated eligible student visa holders are required to:
- Immediately quarantine at home or other private accommodation upon arrival.
- Get a rapid antigen test, or a PCR test if you don’t have access to a rapid antigen test, within 24 hours of arriving in Australia and continue to quarantine until you get a negative result.
Please visit our Information for overseas travellers page for more information on what you need to do before and after you arrive in Australia if you are fully vaccinated or have a valid medical exemption.
Student arrivals checklist
Follow the links below to make sure you’re prepared to travel to Victoria. If you have any questions, check the relevant website, or contact your education provider.
Student arrivals checklist
Before you leave
- Ensure your passport and student visa are valid
- Australian Department of Home Affairs | Preparing to travel to Australia from overseas checklist
- Ensure your COVID-19 vaccination certificate meets Australia's requirements
- Australian Passports Office | Guidance on foreign vaccination certificates
- Therapeutic Goods Administration | International COVID-19 vaccines recognised by Australia
- Submit your Digital Passenger Declaration
- Department of Home Affairs | Digital Passenger Declaratio
- Check what you can bring into Australia in your luggage
- Australian Border Force | Can you bring it
- Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment| Studying in Australia
- Check your internet and mobile phone access
- You will need access to wifi or phone data to receive your COVID-19 test results in Victoria
- Activate global roaming on your mobile phone for at least four days or set up an Australian mobile phone number
- Pack a universal travel plug or adaptor
- Arrange your accommodation
- Coronavirus Victoria | Information for overseas travellers
- Study Melbourne | Living and accommodation
- You can order food and supplies online to be delivered to your accommodation. Ask your education provider for a list of local suppliers.
When you arrive in Victoria
- Verify your vaccination certificate at airport
- Australian Passports Office | Guidance on foreign vaccination certificates
- Transport from the airport
- Melbourne Airport | Ground transport options
- Ask your education provider if you need assistance with transport from the airport.
- Get a COVID-19 PCR test, or a rapid antigen test, within 24 hours after arrival and isolate until you receive a negative result
- Coronavirus Victoria | Information for overseas travellers
- Coronavirus Victoria | Information for returned travellers
- Coronavirus Victoria | Where to get tested
- Download the Service Victoria app
- Download the Service Victoria app at the App store or Google Play store.
- Add proof of your COVID-19 vaccination to the Service Victoria app
- Coronavirus Victoria | How to get your COVID-19 digital certificate
- Coronavirus Victoria | How to get your COVID-19 digital certificate – International Travellers
- Enjoy student life in Melbourne and Victoria!
- Stay in touch with Study Melbourne through social media and our monthly student newsletter for helpful information and ideas.

Useful links
- Information about travelling to Australia for fully vaccinated student visa holders: Vaccinated travellers | COVID-19 and the border (homeaffairs.gov.au)
- Information about vaccines recognised for travel to Australia: International COVID-19 vaccines recognised by Australia (TGA.gov.au)
- Checklist to help you prepare to travel to Australia: Preparing to travel to Australia from overseas (homeaffairs.gov.au)
- Guidance on foreign vaccination certificates: Australian Passport Office (passports.gov.au)
- What you need to do before and after you arrive in Victoria from overseas: Information for overseas travellers | Coronavirus Victoria
- Find free COVID-19 testing in Victoria when you arrive: Where to get tested for COVID-19 | Coronavirus Victoria
- Getting a proof of vaccination certificate in Victoria: How to get your COVID-19 vaccination digital certificate | Coronavirus Victoria
- What you can/cannot bring into Australia: Can you bring it | Australian Border Force
- Learn about driving with an overseas licence or permit in Victoria: Requirement for overseas licence holders | VicRoads
Frequently asked questions for students studying overseas
Information for returning students
When can students arrive in Victoria?
Fully vaccinated student visa holders can arrive in Victoria from Wednesday 15 December 2021 without a travel exemption.
Please refer to the Victorian Government’s Information for overseas travellers page for more information on what you need to do before and after you arrive in Australia if you are fully vaccinated or have a valid medical exemption.
Please refer to the Australian Department of Home Affairs website for information on current travel restrictions to Australia.
What do I need to do to travel from overseas to Victoria?
Find detailed information about what you need to do before and after you arrive in Victoria on the Information for overseas travellers page.
Will arriving students need to be vaccinated?
Yes, students must be fully vaccinated to arrive in Australia.
Australia considers you to be fully vaccinated if you have completed a course of a COVID-19 vaccine that is registered or recognised by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
For information on what you need to obtain before you arrive in Australia to prove you are fully vaccinated, please refer to the Information for overseas travellers page.
The Australian Passport Office provides guidance on foreign vaccination certificate requirements for international arrivals.
Once in Victoria, you will need to show proof of vaccination to gain entry to most university campuses, businesses and venues across Victoria.
Find out more about accepted proof of vaccination and how you can get proof of vaccination once in Victoria at coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaxproof.
What COVID-19 testing requirements are there for students once they arrive in Victoria?
Arriving students must follow the same testing requirements as all other international arrivals.
These include getting a rapid antigen test, or a PCR test if you don’t have access to a rapid antigen test, within 24 hours of arriving in Australia and continue to quarantine until you get a negative result.
For more information about what you need to do after entering Victoria, including how to find your nearest free COVID-19 testing centre and information about rapid antigen tests, please refer to the Information for overseas travellers page.
Will returning students be required to quarantine on arrival in Victoria?
Fully vaccinated eligible student visa holders are required to:
- Immediately quarantine at home or other private accommodation upon arrival.
- Get a rapid antigen test or a PCR test if you don’t have access to a rapid antigen test, within 24 hours of arriving in Australia and continue to quarantine until you get a negative result.
Please refer to the Information for overseas travellers page for more information.
Will students need to show proof of vaccination to gain entry to university campuses or businesses once in Victoria?
Yes. Victoria’s universities, TAFEs and other training and adult education organisations must ensure that students who are attending on-site are fully vaccinated, unless they have evidence of a valid medical exemption.
Find out more about accepted proof and how you can get proof of vaccination at coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaxproof.
Support for online students
How can I make the most of studying online?
We invite you to join our free online Study Melbourne events to build your employability and leadership skills, and to connect with others while you study online:
- Study Melbourne Hubs – offering in person and virtual opportunities to connect with the student community and Victorian education institutions in key locations around the globe
- Career Catalyst.– sign up for these free and exclusive webinars, workshops, and initiatives to help you develop your professional skills, build industry connections, and launch your career.
- Future Founders Program.– join this free, year-long entrepreneurship program to introduce students to Victoria’s start-up ecosystem, increase their skills and networks and inspire budding entrepreneurs,
- Leadership Labs – our highly successful international student leadership program, focussing on social entrepreneurship and with mentors from the social enterprise sector.
Do I need to keep my OSHC if I am studying from overseas?
Please contact your OSHC provider directly to discuss options to manage your overseas student health cover.
Will my Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) be affected if I am overseas?
Contact your education provider with any questions about your start dates, attendance, fee matters, Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and other issues relating to your study.
Where can I get help with accommodation issues in Victoria?
Study Melbourne's International Student Accommodation Legal Service offers free and confidential help for international students experiencing accommodation issues in Victoria. This service is also available for students who are currently overseas and have accommodation in Victoria.
To make an appointment contact info@studymelbourne.vic.gov.au or call 1800 056 449 (from within Australia).
Will my visa be affected if I reduce my study load?
Please contact your education provider for more information about your studies and ongoing course delivery.
Can I change my study load while I am offshore?
Please contact your education provider for information about flexible course delivery options.
What can I do if I am struggling with studying online?
We understand that it has been a challenging time for you studying online instead of on-campus.
Read our tips on adjusting to studying online
We also invite you to join our free online Study Melbourne events to build your employability and leadership skills, and to connect with others who are also studying online.