At least 31,000 Chinese students arrive in Australia despite a coronavirus travel ban

At least 31,000 Chinese students have arrived in Australia despite the country’s travel ban, after waiting out their two week isolation period in a third country.

The Department of Home Affairs said 31,196 Chinese students have arrived in the country since the middle of February. They have been arriving at the rate of about 1,000 people per day.

The students have satisfied the 14-day quarantine period in a third country, meaning they can then enter Australia because they have no come directly from China.

Thailand, Bali and Cambodia were hot spots for those waiting out the isolation period.

The travel ban for China was first announced on February 1 in a desperate attempt to stop the disease spreading from it’s origin in the city of Wuhan.  

Phil Honeywood, chief executive of the International Education Association of Australia said there were still around 75,000 students who were missing out on their studies.

‘We are talking about young people who have invested an incredible amount of time and finances into getting an education outcome from an Australian university or other provider,’ he told The Sydney Morning Herald.

He said those that were still unable to return to Australia to study may consider other options such as studying in places without travel bans like Britain and Canada. 

Catriona Jackson, Universities Australia chief executive, said those who were unable to return to Australia just yet could study online.

People wearing face masks walk by Flinders Street Station after cases of the coronavirus were confirmed in Melbourne

‘For those who remain offshore, universities have worked tirelessly to provide maximum flexibility to allow them to continue their studies where possible, including online learning options,’ she said. 

Some universities were even offering cash grants to students that were affected by the travel ban.

University of Melbourne has said it would give students who have been affected by the virus and its ‘associated travel restrictions’ support packages of up to $7,500.

Eligible expenses include accommodation costs, fees from flight changes, costs associated with the 14-day quarantine period, and other financial losses. 

‘The student support grants are intended to help students with unanticipated expenses incurred as a result of the travel restrictions related to COVID-19 and to help students transition to or return to study at the University of Melbourne,’ University Provost Professor Mark Considine said.  

The University of Melbourne said on Wednesday it would give students who have been affected by the disease and its ‘associated travel restrictions’ support packages of up to $7,500

Western Sydney University said it was willing to subside the cost of airfares and accommodation to allow them to reach Australia ‘through a third country’. 

Days later, The University of Adelaide said it was offering a care package worth about $5,000 to about 3,000 Chinese students.

The package includes a 20 per cent discount on semester one tuition fees and up to $2000 towards airfares which they can access only once the travel ban is lifted. 

It also offered online study help including videos of lectures, peer networking support and library resources so Chinese students who cannot be on campus by the March 26 start date, so can keep up with their courses remotely.   

There have been 176 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia with three deaths.

There are travel bans for South Korea, Iran, Italy and China. 

There have been 176 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia with three deaths