International Students | COVID-19 FAQs

In 2022, the normal conditions for student visa holders apply, meaning you are required to complete your program within the duration of your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), which is best achieved by enrolling in a full-time load of 12 units per semester, or 9 units per trimester.

Exceptions to the requirement to enrol in a full-time study load are:

• An approved Reduced Study Load due to compassionate and compelling circumstances
• An approved Leave of Absence
• Intervention strategy implemented by your Faculty or School as a result of Unsatisfactory Academic Progress
• If you are still on track to complete your course by your CoE end date
• If you are in your final semester and need fewer than 12 units to complete your course.

Note: an extension CoE can only be issued if you meet the eligibility criteria to extend your study duration. If you are facing compassionate and compelling circumstances to prevent you from studying a full-time load, you are required to apply to reduce your study load, please see the online application form

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian government relaxed some student visa restrictions related to work. For the most recent information about restrictions, please see the Department of Home Affairs website. Please note that the relaxation of work restrictions is managed entirely by the Australian Government and is subject to change at any time.

We recommend that you contact the Australian Government directly, or refer to their materials, for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

• Study in Australia website
• Department of Home Affairs website

Email: international.students@dese.gov.au

The Australian Government is strongly encouraging students who are commencing their CRICOS studies online and want to study in Australia or be afforded ESOS protections to start their visa application process when enrolling or as soon as practically possible. This will ensure you are protected by the ESOS framework and can travel to Australia when possible.

Yes, it is important to hold a student visa, as it offers you important ESOS protections such as tuition assurance, as well as being necessary to travel to Australia or apply for post-study graduate visas.

You can read more information about post-study visas and the Australian Study Requirement on the Department of Home Affairs’ website.

You will need to apply for an extension of your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and a new student visa where necessary. It’s important to be aware of your student visa’s expiry date and apply to extend your CoE before your visa expires.

For information on applying for a new visa, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

CoEs can only be issued in a limited range of circumstances. Apply for a new CoE by submitting the CoE Application Form, taking note of the eligibility criteria.

In 2022, the normal conditions for student visa holders apply, meaning that student visa holders studying onshore in Australia are required to:

• enrol in at least one face-to-face (or blended mode) course in each compulsory study period
• attend all face to face components of your course
• ensure your online enrolments do not exceed 1/3 of the total enrolments for your program

Exceptions to the requirement to attend campus are automatically granted to students stranded offshore for Trimester 1 and Semester 1. If you are onshore and cannot attend face-to-face classes due to exceptional circumstances, such as an ongoing illness, you are required to contact International Student Support to seek an exemption.

Cover is available to OSHC policyholders for medical services provided in hospital and out of hospital, including PBS prescription medicines and emergency treatment. OSHC also cover COVID testing. For further information, refer to your OSHC provider.

• CBHS

• Medibank

• AHM

• Bupa

• NIB

• Allianz

More questions about Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)? Read the FAQs in the Ask Adelaide knowledge base.

Yes, your Medicare or visa status does not matter – you can still get a free COVID-19 vaccination with suitable ID. This includes booster doses as long as you are eligible (currently aged 18 or over and had the second dose at least three months ago).

Detailed information is available on the Department of Health website .

Information about how to obtain digital proof of vaccination through the Commonwealth Government can be found here .

To book your vaccination, visit the SA Health website .

The Australian government has re-opened Australia’s borders for all fully vaccinated visa holders.

We recommend keeping up to date by referring to the StudyAdelaide website, and the Department of Home Affairs website.

There is no longer a requirement to quarantine upon arrival in Australia. Fully vaccinated international travellers arriving into Adelaide will be required to take a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of arrival and quarantine until they have been tested.

We recommend keeping up to date by referring to the StudyAdelaide website.

Only fully vaccinated international students will be able to enter Australia without a travel exemption.

To qualify as fully vaccinated, you need to have received the recommended schedule of doses of a vaccine that Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved or recognised.

More information about COVID-19 vaccinations and travel can be found here .

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade recognise a number of different vaccines. Refer to their website  for the comprehensive list, and for more information about which documents are required. Remember to bring hard copies of all your important documents to show border officials in the airport.

The University does not offer financial assistance for accommodation. However, you may be eligible for a student loan to offset some of your costs. You can find more information about student loans on our website.

If you receive a positive COVID test result, it is important that you self-isolate immediately. SA Health lists the steps to take  after testing positive. 

SA Health will advise you if you are required to enter a medi-hotel, but it is only in rare circumstances. If you live in a situation that is impossible to self-isolate in, email the Accommodation Service for advice.

Once you have determined which courses you will enrol in, you will need to review the course delivery mode on the Course Availability and Mode List. Students need to ensure they are aware of the course delivery mode and to determine if there are any changes required to their enrolment.  If your course is not listed, please contact your Faculty.

The teaching delivery modes available include:
•    Blended – a mix of face-to-face and online study
•    Online – online study only

Note: Some blended courses can accommodate a deferred face-to-face component making them available to offshore and interstate students. Students will receive a Result Pending (RP) and complete these face-to-face components at a later date.

The University’s Critical dates which detail the last day to add/drop courses and census dates remain unchanged.

To view a course delivery mode for the 2022 Academic year go to the Course Availability and Mode List. In some instances, courses in Blended mode (a mix of face-to-face and online study) will be able to accommodate delaying the face-to-face teaching component, which will make these courses available to students who are offshore or interstate. Students will instead complete these face-to-face components at a later date.

Students who are unable to attend campus and need to take a course to complete their degree are asked to contact their Faculty Student Advisor.

Note: The University’s Critical dates which detail the last day to add/drop courses and census dates remain unchanged.

Exceptions to the requirement to attend campus are automatically granted to international students offshore (outside of Australia) for Trimester 1 and Semester 1.

We understand that travelling to Adelaide right now may not be possible for all international students. As such, the University will continue to provide online study options for the first half of the year.

Please ensure you enrol in the correct delivery mode for your courses by checking the Course Availability and Mode List or contact your Faculty Student Advisor for assistance.

Yes, we have degrees available for study to students offshore although in-person attendance is required for enrolment in some programs or courses. 

For more information about a specific program, see Degree Finder.

Note: The University’s Critical dates which detail the last day to add/drop courses and census dates remain unchanged.

If you are a student who is commencing your program from offshore and are unable to embark on a full-time study load, you will be eligible to apply for a new Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and student visa when your current CoE expires.

To apply to reduce your study load, please see the online application form.