By Molly Magennis
The Federal government has paused the return of international students due to concerns about the threat of the new omicron strain of COVID-19..
The government announced last week that students would be allowed to enter the country from December 1 without a travel exemption.
But on Monday, the government announced the return of international students would be paused until at least December 15.
The university and hospitality sector, which both traditionally rely on international students, suffered heavily when the pandemic forced an exodus of students back to their respective countries.
Victoria University vice-chancellor Adam Shoemaker said that international students were an integral part of the university, and that the delay was disappointing.
“There was much excitement for their return. However, the safe passage of international students, and their health and wellbeing upon arrival, is paramount,” Professor Shoemaker said.
“We will continue to support them while they are offshore and look forward to resuming the reopening plan when it is safe to do so.”
Footscray Traders Association president Stuart Lucce-Pope said that there is a ‘chronic shortage’ of hospitality staff due to the lack of international students.
“Every hospitality business that I’ve spoken to over the last 3 months at least … definitely since opening up, is desperately looking for kitchen staff, front of house staff,” he said.
“Some places that are so desperate, they’re even advertising a sign on cash bonus which is not helpful for all businesses because it’s setting a benchmark.”
As the owner of Littlefoot Bar in Footscray, Mr. Lucce-Pope has experienced first hand how hard it is to find staff.
“I’m going to lose my main chef in the middle of January. Usually I’d put an ad in the hospitality forum and I’d be flooded with email applications, this time I got three.”
Maribyrnong mayor Anthony Tran said the council recognises how important international students are to Maribyrnong.
“They are an important part of our community, calling the city home, studying locally at Victoria University and supporting local traders in both business and employment.”
