The picture shows a general view from the Taronga Zoo's Sky Safari overlooking the Sydney harbor, Australia, as the zoo reopened its doors to vaccinated visitors after the lifting of Sydney's lockdown restrictions against the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: AFP

A group of international university students arrived in Australia from Singapore on Sunday after nearly a two-year pandemic absence, as a travel bubble between the two countries came into effect.

Fully vaccinated travelers from Singapore are now allowed into Melbourne or Sydney without the need to quarantine - part of Australia's gradual reopening of its borders that began in November. 

Australia closed its international borders in March 2020 to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Catriona Jackson, chief executive of Universities Australia, which represents 39 universities, said the flights from Singapore saw the first international students enter Australia since small numbers returned in November 2020.

"We understand these initial numbers are small, but they are a clear signal of the intent to allow many more students to return to classes and our communities soon," Jackson said.

There are about 130,000 international students remaining outside Australia, she added.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, international students made up 21 percent of Australia's tertiary education students, compared to 6 percent on average across countries that are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Australia's closed borders have also intensified a skills shortage across sectors, forcing firms to start offering sign-on bonuses for the first time in years. 

The closed borders, however, together with quick lockdowns, strict health measures and public compliances with the rules, have made Australia one of the most successful countries in managing the pandemic.

Reuters