CQUniversity ready to welcome back international students after two years

After almost two years' CQUniversity is ready to welcome back its first cohort of international students for Term 1' 2022.

Following vaccination targets being hit in several jurisdictions' the University is now fielding application and enrolment enquiries from students abroad who want to study at one of the University's campuses in Queensland' New South Wales and Victoria.

CQUniversity's Director' International' Mr Shehan Thampapillai said the CQU community was looking forward to once again welcoming international students back and also explained that there were a number of incentives now available to attract students to Australia.

"The past two years have been really difficult for international students with no certainty on when they would be able to enter or return to Australia to commence or resume their studies.

"While we have helped some students to continue with their studies online' others have delayed their study journey for when they could return to a physical campus.

"We were delighted to hear the announcement late last year from the Federal Government that international borders would re-open to eligible student via holders.

"We have seen students return to NSW and Victoria and just last week Queensland re-opened their international borders to vaccinated travellers.

"The re-opening of our borders to students has also been complimented by some great new initiatives to re-invigorate the international education sector here in Australia.

"Some of these noteworthy initiatives have been the extension of work rights to three years for students who complete a Master by Coursework degree and the relaxation of student visa work limits meaning students can work more hours while studying – something that will be welcomed by students and industry – especially those sectors who are struggling to find employees at the moment.

"The Federal Government has also announced a visa fee rebate for international students entering Australian over the next eight weeks – an initiative that will really help many students arriving from overseas'" said Mr Thampapillai.

Mr Thampapillai also explained that there was even more incentive for international students to study in regional areas with opportunities to attain generous Destination Australia Scholarships.

"Destination Australia Scholarships are funded by the Federal Government and are available to international students studying at CQUniversity's regional campuses in Bundaberg' Cairns and Rockhampton.

"These study locations offer much more than a quality education with their close-knit communities' a truly Australian experience' opportunities to explore iconic natural wonders' and a lower cost of living than capital cities.

"The scholarships are valued at $15'000 per year to eligible students and can help students to cover the cost of tuition fees' living expenses and study resources.

"Students could also be eligible to take advantage of CQUniversity's International Student Scholarships which are valued at up to 25 per cent of the total course tuition fees.

"There are some great opportunities for international students who choose to study in Australia this year and I would encourage all international students to consider not only Australia but CQUniversity as their study destination".

For more information about the Destination Australia Scholarships and studying in Australia with CQUniversity please visit cqu.edu.au/international.