International students will return to Victoria from next month in an effort to help boost the economy.
The system will be similar to the one used for the Australian Open, and would allow 120 overseas arrivals into Victoria per week from 24 May. These arrivals, mainly people who can help bring money into the country, can include students and workers needed for major events.
These new arrivals will be on top of Victoria’s existing cap of 1,000 Australians per week.
Acting Premier James Merlino said the plan would “ensure critical economic activity can continue in our state” and comes after the university sector, which heavily relied on international students, spent months pleading for a way to bring overseas students back.
Mr Merlino has sent a letter to the federal government outlining the plan where new arrivals would pay more than the $3,000 fortnightly fee currently being charged for adults, and he asked for approval to a plan which would fast-track visas for the new arrivals. He gave assurances that the arrivals, who would come mainly on commercial flights, would maintain “the highest levels of safety” according to the new programme.
Federal Education Minister Alan Tudge said the government would approve such plans if the programme had the approval of state chief health officer.