Universities Australia today welcomed the news that overseas vaccines from China and India would be recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and news from the Prime Minister that international borders may open in November.
The TGA has announced that Coronavac (Sinovac) and Covishield (AstraZeneca/Serum Institute of India) vaccines will be considered as ‘recognised vaccines’ for incoming international travellers.
Universities Australia Chief Executive Catriona Jackson said:
“The TGA decision clears the way for fully vaccinated students from China and India to re-join their friends on Australian university campuses in the near future. This is good news for universities and students, but also for Australia’s economic recovery.”
“The decisions will bring fresh hope for more than 130,000 students who have been patiently waiting to return to Australia to complete their studies.”
“Nearly half of all international students in higher education remain outside of Australia. Around one third of our international PhD students are also offshore, anxious to return to complete their research here.”
“It also sets Australia on a path to reverse the declines in international education that have seen the annual contribution to Australia’s bottom-line fall from $40 billion pre-COVID to less than $32 billion.”
“The safety of students and staff has been our guiding priority at all times. Only international students who have had a double dose of a TGA-recognised vaccine are eligible to return to Australia.”
“International students make an enormous cultural and economic contribution to Australian life, and we look forward welcoming them all back. Today’s announcements are a solid step in that direction.”
