Hundreds of International Students make their way back to Campus for the 2022 Academic Year

The Northern Territory is welcoming more than 350 international students back to Charles Darwin University (CDU) –  two years after international borders closed due to the global pandemic.

The Territory was the first jurisdiction to allow international students back into classrooms in late 2020 under strict quarantine arrangements. But with international borders opening on Monday, the Territory is welcoming back hundreds more international students.

International education generates more than $172 million in export revenue each year for the Territory. Each student contributes an average of $40,000 to the economy and the sector, supporting over 600 Territory jobs each year.

The newly arrived international students from countries including Nepal, China, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Bangladesh and Canada will begin their studies on 7 March, with Orientation Week beginning 28 February.

Students have enrolled in a wide range of higher education and vocational education and training courses, including business, teaching, accounting, nursing and IT.

There are currently more than 2,000 international students enrolled at CDU, and the number is expected to double over the coming years. More international students will continue to arrive in Darwin to continue their studies on campus which have mostly been online over the past two years.

Quotes from Chief Minister Michael Gunner:

“We were the first jurisdiction in Australia to welcome international students back into Australia at the end of 2020.

“Attracting international students to the Territory to study supports permanent local jobs in the education sector, and across a wide variety of sectors from hospitality and tourism to our service industries, which is good for the Territory economy.

“The Territory provides high quality education for everyone who studies here. In return, international students strengthen cultural, social and economic ties, and contribute to creating vibrant economic, social and cultural precincts.”

Quotes from Minister for International Education, Nicole Manison:

'It's fantastic to see international students returning to the Territory, boosting the economy, creating jobs and enriching the community.

“In 2020, the Territory was the first jurisdiction to welcome international students back to Australia to study, because they’re hugely important to our community, our international education sector and our economy.”

Quotes from Charles Darwin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman:

“It’s been a long wait for many international students who can finally realise their dream of studying in Australia and in the Northern Territory.

“We are excited to have them here on campuses across the Territory and see them settle into life in the community. International students add vibrancy to our campus life and having them back is an important milestone for the University.”