23 Mar 2020
Dear parents and agents
On 19 March 2020 the Australian Government announced a ban on the arrival of all non-citizens and non-residents into Australia as a further measure to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia.
This decision means that international students who leave Australia to return home to be with their families will not be able to return until this ban is lifted.
All international students for NSW government Schools who leave Australia at this time will need to:
· submit a parent letter and flight ticket to DE International and their school and
· inform their homestay of their decision to return to their home country; and
· seek confirmation from their school that they can return to their studies; and
· advise DE International and the school whether they wish to:
1. suspend their study plan until the ban is lifted; or
2. suspend their study plan until the beginning of Term 1, 2021, providing the travel ban is no longer in place; and repeat the school year upon return.
Student visas will not be impacted if students suspend their study plan due to the Coronavirus travel bans. For those requesting to return at the beginning of next year, a new Confirmation of Enrolment will be issued and fees will be held in credit during the suspension period. Students are responsible for ensuring that they have a valid visa to return to Australia which covers the suspension period.
Students seeking an extended absence from their homestay arrangement will need to organise for their belongings to be packed and taken home with them or stored if they do not wish to continue paying for homestay fees. Students will need to contact their Homestay Provider to advice of their decision. It is important to understand that given the uncertainty of the length of absence, they may not be able to return to the same homestay.
We are committed to providing ongoing support to all our international students, their families, hosts and staff in schools during this challenging time of uncertainty.
Kind regards
Elizabeth Webber
Chief Education Officer
DE International