International Students | COVID-19 FAQs
The University is committed to supporting all international students to succeed in their studies, despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Questions and answers related to travel to Australia, vaccination, and current health directives in Adelaide are also provided on the Study Adelaide website.
Changes to temporary visa holder arrangements
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Am I able to enrol in less than a full time load due to the effects of COVID-19?
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
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Am I able to work more than 40 hours per fortnight?
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.
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Where can I find more information about changes to student visa conditions based on COVID-19?
We recommend that you contact the Australian Government directly, or refer to their materials, for the most up-to-date and accurate information.
Visa information for international students
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Do I need to have a valid student visa if I am commencing my program from offshore?
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.
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If I am studying offshore, do I need to apply for a new student visa prior to the expiry of my current student visa?
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.
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What should I do if my Confirmation of Enrolment has expired?
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.
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Will studying online breach my visa conditions?
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 2022. 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.
Health and wellbeing
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Does my Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) cover COVID related illness?
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I don’t have a Medicare Card, can I still get vaccinated?
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.
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 .
For all other health and wellbeing questions, including what to do if you test positive, please refer to the StudyAdelaide FAQs.
Travel
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Do I require a travel exemption to travel to Australia?
No, you do not require a travel exemption to enter Australia. The Australian Government has re-opened Australia’s borders for all visa holders.
We recommend keeping up to date by referring to the StudyAdelaide website, and the Department of Home Affairs website.
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Am I required to quarantine when I arrive in Australia?
There is no longer a requirement to quarantine upon arrival in Australia. International travellers arriving in Adelaide are required to take a COVID-19 test within 24 hours of arrival and quarantine until they receive a result.
We recommend keeping up to date by referring to the StudyAdelaide website.
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Do I have to be vaccinated to travel to Australia?
There is no vaccination requirement to enter Australia. All visa holders can travel to Australia without obtaining a travel exemption.
More information about travel to Australia can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Accommodation
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Does the university offer financial assistance if I need to quarantine or self-isolate?
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.
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If I test positive for COVID, do I go to a Medi-Hotel?
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.
Remote or face-to-face study
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How do I know what will be face-to-face and what will be online?
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. -
I'm an international student who isn't in Adelaide and I would like to study a blended mode course. Can I?
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 2022.
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I'm an international student who isn't in Adelaide and I would like to study online. Can I?
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 2022.
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.
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Can new students start at the University of Adelaide in 2022 if they are offshore?
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.