Travelling home has become a lot more accessible. However, there are still several factors to consider when planning travel home, including possible quarantine requirements in home countries.
Students travelling to their home countries during current coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions
Schools are asked to work closely with all students and their parents / legal guardians as they make their travel plans.
Students may find travelling during this time different to earlier periods of pre-coronavirus (COVID-19) travel. School staff are requested to take additional time to discuss this with students and to prepare them for the experience.
Please confirm whether students have any pre-existing health (physical and mental) issues that may impact their ability to safely return home. If such conditions do exist, the host school must develop a relevant safety plan, in conjunction with the wellbeing team / medical practitioners and department regional offices (if relevant) for the student during their travel.
The student must have a copy of the safety plan with them during their travel home. In some cases, and when students have a history of suffering from a certain condition (for example, hay fever or asthma) they should visit their GP and request a letter which outlines the treatment they have been receiving for the condition. They should always carry this letter with them throughout their travel.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing
All students should determine if COVID-19 testing is required for entry into any transit stops or their final destination.
Health requirements
Students must ensure they have appropriate supplies of medication with them. Schools should advise students to also take an adequate supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for their entire journey home (including spares). This includes masks and hand sanitiser. Students should wear masks as required, including during any overnight periods, and maintain social distancing requirements.
Home country re-entry requirements
Most countries have re-entry requirements in place. All students and ISCs must check these details with the relevant Embassy and / or Consulate well in advance before booking tickets. Some of these re-entry requirements may include the need to undertake quarantine and / or other requirements. To access information about the main Embassies and Consulates for our students, see:
For a list of all overseas embassies and consulates in Australia, see: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Students should not attempt to embark on their homeward bound journey if they have not completed all their home country re-entry requirements. They should be strongly advised to re-book their flights as they risk being turned away by airline staff.
Additional travel documents or travel items
In addition to normal travel documents, students must always have their school student emergency / safety card with them throughout the journey. Students should always be contactable via telephone (call and/or other platforms such as WeChat) , particularly on the day of departure. Schools should explain what to do and who to call in the event of an emergency.
Travelling via Sydney or other domestic airports
Students must take direct international flights home from Melbourne.
All students holding a Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) must have their proposed travel plans approved well before travel is booked to ensure the student's safety and welfare.
The department may advise the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) of any students travelling without approved care and welfare arrangements as the failure to maintain approved CAAW arrangements is a breach of their student visa and could jeopardise their ability to return to Australia in the future.
If there are no other alternatives and a student must depart from another Australian city, travel must not be road or rail (i.e. car / taxi / ride share / bus / train). Driving for long periods may expose students (particularly unaccompanied minors) to high risks. Please contact your Department School Support Officer as soon as possible if you have a student wishing to travel via road or rail via another Australian city to board a flight to their home country.
Transit times
If transiting through another Australian city cannot be avoided, then it is recommended that the student's transit should be for a short period of time. Students and parents must not book flights with long transit periods or overnight stays. If this is the only flight option, please contact the department so that appropriate accommodation and welfare arrangements can be arranged for the student.
Cancelled international flights (departing from Sydney or other domestic airports)
Prior to departure, the student and parent should be advised to continually check airline websites for any change to departure times or dates prior to leaving Melbourne. Students should not embark on their homeward journey without checking all flights. Please advise the student and their parent / legal guardian verbally and in writing to limit opportunities for confusion.
If the student's travel plans are delayed for any reason, they should call their ISC as soon as they learn of any delay. ISCs should try to obtain as much information as possible from the student and ask if they can speak directly to the official who is with the student to better understand the situation. If the situation cannot be resolved and the student is detained please advise your school leadership and lodge an IRIS report if it constitutes a critical incident.