How do I submit my interest in the program?
Expression of interest forms will be emailed directly to students. This form will need to be submitted for students to be considered as part of the program.
How do I know if I am successful in gaining a place in the program?
Students will be notified of their travel date 8 weeks prior to their date of departure for Australia. Please note the NSW International Student Arrivals Pilot Plan will allow a limited number of 250 international students studying with NSW education providers to return each fortnight.
Will the pilot expand to include commencing students or students that have commenced their studies online?
Yes. Initially the pilot will focus on returning students. After the pilot has been reviewed continuing and commencing students will be contacted by their education institutions to be invited to travel to Australia.
Am I required to be vaccinated to return to NSW?
Based on current health authorities' advice, only students who are fully vaccinated with a vaccine recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) will be eligible to return to NSW as part of the NSW International Student Arrivals Pilot Plan. This is to help protect the safety of the NSW community and the students themselves. The TGA has confirmed that CoronaVac (Sinovac) and Covishield (AstraZeneca/Serum Institute of India) vaccines are to be considered 'recognised vaccines' for incoming international travellers to be regarded as appropriately vaccinated.
Students who have been vaccinated with two doses of vaccines recognised by TGA will be considered fully vaccinated for the purpose of travelling to Australia.
Do I need to be vaccinated to register?
Students must be fully vaccinated, and provide evidence that they are fully vaccinated, at point of registration. Students who cannot evidence their vaccination will be unable to book a flight.
What are the requirements for vaccination certificates to be accepted?
Are digital vaccine certificates accepted?
Yes, as long as all other requirements are met.
Is it mandatory that the certificates are translated by the free translating service on the Department of Home Affairs website?
No it is not mandatory. Students can also obtain translations from organisations such as NAATI, University partner education agents.
Is there a preference for the digital EU COVID vaccine certificate or the respective EU country's own digital vaccine certificate?
Both certificates will be accepted as long as they meet all requirements for vaccine certificates.
Will I be considered as fully vaccinated if I have received two doses of different approved TGA vaccines. For example, first dose is AstraZeneca and second dose is Pzifer.
Students who have been vaccinated with two doses of vaccines recognised by TGA will be considered fully vaccinated for the purpose of travelling to Australia. (Except for Janssen which requires one dose).
Will I be considered as fully vaccinated if I have been vaccinated with one dose of a TGA approved and one dose of a non TGA recognised vaccine. For example, one dose of Sinopharm and one dose of Pzifer.
Students who have been vaccinated with two doses of vaccines recognised by TGA will be considered fully vaccinated for the purpose of travelling to Australia. (Except for Janssen which requires one dose). Students who have received mixed vaccination where one vaccine is not approved or recognised by the TGA do not qualify as fully vaccinated.
Can I bring a family member/partner with me?
At this stage family members/partners will not be able to travel through the flights and quarantine arrangements, organised through FCM Travel. Family members/partners can travel to Australia if organised separately.
How much will flights cost?
Below costs are indicative pricing only and exact costs will be shown to students that are offered a seat on a flight to come to Australia.
| Source Countries | Approx. Airfare Per
Person (incl. taxes &
booking fee) |
| Frankfurt, Germany | ~$4370AUD |
| Hong Kong | ~$2335AUD |
| London, UK | ~$3570AUD |
| Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | ~$1870AUD |
| Paris, France | ~$3270AUD |
| Manila, Philippines | ~$2270AUD |
| Singapore | ~$1570AUD |
| Seoul, South Korea | ~$2370AUD |
| Taipei, Taiwan | ~$2470AUD |
| Bangkok, Thailand | ~$2070AUD |
| TBC, Vietnam | ~$2070AUD |
| TBC, India | ~$3270AUD |
| Kathmandu, Nepal | ~$3270AUD |
| Los Angeles, USA | ~$2770AUD |
| China | ~$2470AUD |
What do I need to do if I live in a city or town that is not the city of departure?
You will need to make your own travel arrangements to the city of departure. You should arrive in the city of departure around 24 hours prior to departure to allow for any delays and ensure there is plenty of time to transit to your flight/s to Australia.
Do flights costs include a return ticket?
No. Flight costs are for one-way travel from the specific departure point to Sydney, Australia only.
What happens if I can't pay for my flight when I register?
If you're unable to pay your registration will be incomplete. If your registration is incomplete by the time the registration tool closes your position will be offered to another student.
Can I travel on the same flight as my friend if they are invited to register?
Yes, this is possible if your friend is invited to register and travel on the same flight as you are.
What is the latest time I could be notified if I am on Stand-by?
Standby students will be notified no later than 24 hours prior to departure that they are being offered a seat. Standby students may also indicate they are willing to be notified with less time before departure when they complete their registration.
Where can I find a facility to complete my pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test?
Click here to find a recognised clinic, hospital, or testing centre near you. If your departing country or region is not listed, please check with your local health authorities. Do note that the cost of the PCR test may differ, depending on the test location and medical provider.
Do I have to pay for the cost of the hotel during my quarantine?
Students do not need to pay for the cost of quarantine accommodation.
Will I have to pay for meals in quarantine?
Meals during quarantine are included in the total cost of quarantine accommodation. Students may order groceries, food, and other services to be delivered to their rooms whilst in quarantine at their own cost.
What is the quality of quarantine accommodation? What facilities are in the room? Will I have access to other facilities?
Scape Redfern provides high standard Purpose-Built Student Accommodation. All rooms include a bathroom with toilet and shower, small kitchenette with microwave, small fridge, study and dining desk, bed, storage spaces, Smart TV, telephone, self-adjustable heating/cooling air conditioning and wifi. Students in quarantine are required to remain in their rooms at all times and will not be able to access other building facilities. Students can visit Student Accommodation in Sydney | Scape Australia for further details about their accommodation.
How will my health and safety be ensured whilst in quarantine?
NSW Police and NSW Health staff will be on-site at all times to ensure the health and safety of students in quarantine, per the existing health and safety protocols for the NSW Government hotel quarantine program.
Can I request to quarantine with another person on my flight?
No. Strict requirements from NSW Health only allow one student per room during quarantine.
Can I quarantine with a family member or friend?
No. Strict requirements from NSW Health only allow one student per room during quarantine. In the initial stages of the return of international students to NSW dependents, carers and family members cannot travel with students on the charter flights arranged by FCM Travel.
What if I get sick in quarantine? Will my overseas student health cover, cover any medical or hospital costs?
Students who test positive for COVID during quarantine will be transferred to Special Health Accommodation (SHA) which offers 24/7 comprehensive care overseen by NSW Health. Students will remain in SHA until they are no longer symptomatic and pass a COVID negative test.
Please refer to your overseas health insurance provider for questions about what your cover includes.
What if I get COVID while I’m isolating? What will happen? Do I need to pay additional medical costs?
Students who test positive for COVID during quarantine will be transferred to Special Health Accommodation (SHA) which offers 24/7 comprehensive care overseen by NSW Health. Students will remain in SHA until they are no longer symptomatic and pass a COVID negative test.
Students will not need to pay additional medical costs.
What arrangements will be made for me when I complete quarantine?
If your university is based in another city in NSW, you are able to contact FCM Travel for help with booking flights to your final destination after quarantine. Alternatively, you are able to make your own arrangements to travel to your final destination in NSW.
For students remaining in Sydney please contact your education institution.
How do I do my laundry/who will cover the cost of laundry while in quarantine?
Students may use the laundry service offered by the Purpose Built Student Accommodation provider at their own cost. Alternatively, students may wash their own clothes in the bathroom facilities using their personal supply of washing detergent.
Is it compulsory that my post-quarantine accommodation is confirmed prior to my departure?
It is strongly recommended that students confirm their post-quarantine accommodation prior to departure. As a condition of their student visa, the Department of Home Affairs requires students to advise their education provider of their residential address. Students must contact their education provider to update their local address in Australia within seven days of arrival or within seven days of changing their address.
Do I need to arrange travel insurance? Is it compulsory?
Travel insurance is not compulsory but is strongly recommended.
What are the Cancellation Conditions?
The specific cancellation conditions relating to your booking will be advised at the time of registration. A summary of all cancellation conditions is detailed below.
Charter Flights
What are the Booking Terms and Conditions?
FCM Travel Team
Email: international.students@fcmtravel.com.au
Phone: +61 7922 2159
Email: international.students@fcmtravel.com.au
Phone:
(+61) 2 7922 2159