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Last updated: 18 November
All international students with eligible visas can now travel to Sydney without having to apply for an exemption. UNSW is incredibly excited, and we cannot wait to welcome you to our beautiful campuses and sunny Sydney!
We believe in the important role of on-campus teaching and learning, and the many advantages of our community coming together. From Term 2 2023, we plan to complete our return to in-person teaching for those courses that are best delivered in that mode.
The Australian Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) announced that all universities must return to compliance with the Education Services for Overseas Students Act (ESOS) requirements by 30 June 2023. This means that students holding a student visa must enrol in at least one in-person course per term and complete no less than two thirds of their study face-to-face. Both current and international students should plan to join us in Sydney before the start of Term 2, 2023.
Through Term 1, 2023, we will maintain support for students who are still unable to join us in-person and help to ensure that they have time to make any required adjustments to their living and working arrangements in preparation for Term 2, 2023.
Please do not delay making any required arrangements including visa, travel, and accommodation. We are looking forward to seeing you!
Advice for future students
Stay up to date with information from UNSW
We will communicate the latest information on this webpage and via email. We also recommend you regularly visit the Study NSW website.
Don’t delay your studies
Apply to UNSW with your agent, or directly online. Even if you can’t travel before the start of Term 1 2023, start studying from home and get prepared. We will continue to deliver our world-class education online until Term 2 2023.
Apply for your student visa as soon as possible
Once you have enrolled at UNSW and received your Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE), start your student visa application immediately. We recommend you apply early even if you begin your studies online because visa processing times vary.
Get excited!
We are! We cannot wait to welcome you to our vibrant campuses. Our beautiful city of Sydney is welcoming and safe, with our state close to 95% fully vaccinated. Be assured that your safety and well-being is our number one priority, and we’re excited to see you soon!
Frequently asked questions
It is important to submit your application to UNSW, accept your offer and enrol as soon as possible. Once you have enrolled, you will receive your Electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for your student visa application. Application processing times for Australian student visas vary from country to country and you will need a valid visa before you can travel to Sydney.
For more information on pre-departure and arrival, please visit the Study NSW website.
A vibrant student experience is central to UNSW Sydney and we are looking forward to welcoming all international students to our revitalised campus.
We will maintain support for students who are still unable to join us in-person in Term 1 2023 and help to ensure that they can make any required adjustments to their living and working arrangements in preparation for Term 2, 2023.
From Term 2, 2023, some courses will no longer offer fully online options. An online/hybrid delivery mode may still be a planned aspect of your course/program, and in these cases, this delivery mode will remain available.
Unvaccinated international travellers can enter Australia now.
From 6 July 2022, travellers to Australia will no longer need to:
- fill out a Digital Passenger Declaration or Maritime Travel Declaration
- provide evidence of their vaccination status
- have an exemption if they are unvaccinated.
International travellers visiting NSW:
- are not required to take a COVID-19 test on arrival
- are not required to wear a face mask in airports but must wear a mask while on aircraft flying above NSW and in some other settings.
For updated information about Australia’s travel requirements, please visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
Yes, if you start in T1 2023 you can start your studies online. In most cases, you will find your compulsory core courses online, and you will have a choice of elective courses.
Some courses require specialist equipment or meeting standards for external accreditation and must be studied in person. If your program includes these courses, we may not be able to deliver them online.
From Term 2 2023, students holding a student visa must enrol in at least one in-person course per term and complete no less than two thirds of their study face-to-face. All students should plan to join us in Sydney before the start of Term 2, 2023.
For more information, contact the Nucleus: Student Hub.
Yes. We encourage you to apply for your student visa as soon as possible to ensure you are ready when it’s time to travel. Plus, with a valid visa, your time spent studying with us from home will count toward your eligibility for the post-study working visa (485 Temporary Graduate visa).
You don’t have to submit a separate application for studying outside of Australia unless you plan to reduce your study load. If you cannot enrol in 48 units of credit (UOC) for the year, you will need to apply for a reduced study load. For example, if you’re only going to complete 6UOC in Term 1, you would apply for a reduced study load.
From 6 July 2022, unvaccinated international arrivals will not be required to undertake hotel quarantine and will follow the same guidelines as fully vaccinated international arrivals.
For more pre-departure and arrival information, visit the Study NSW website.
From 5 January 2023, travellers arriving in Australia from China will be required to undertake a COVID-19 test within the 48 hours prior to travel and provide evidence of a negative result before departure. This includes Australian citizens and applies regardless of vaccination status. For the latest travel information from China, please visit the Smart Traveller website.
You can book flights if you:
- are fully enrolled with UNSW, and
- have received an Australian student visa.
The Australian Government has also recently announced changes to Australia’s post study work visa, the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485).
This means:
- Your time spent studying from your home country due to border restrictions will count toward eligibility for the Temporary Graduate Visa
- The Temporary Graduate Visa length of stay has increased from two to three years for graduates of master’s programs
- Visas will be extended for graduates who were outside of Australia at any time between 1st February 2020 and 14th December 2021 while they held a valid Temporary Graduate visa