The Times Australia
The Times News

.

A code to ease border restrictions for boarders



After working with isolated students and families on border issues for over a year, Senator Perin  Davey welcomed the endorsement by National Cabinet of a National Code to support the COVID safe travel needs of boarding school students.

“This agreement comes just as families are preparing for school holidays and considering what term  four would look like for their children,” Senator Davey said.

“This has been a long time coming for the families who have been facing uncertainty for the last 12  months and ever-changing rules and exemption requirements.

“The Delta variant has been a game changer. In the past, once the immediate lockdown eased there  was a hope it would not happen again. Delta has shown you should prepare for the worst and hope  for the best.”

The National Code for Boarding School Students provides states and territories with principles to  develop a consistent, national approach to help boarding students and their families travel across  intrastate and interstate borders during school holidays and throughout school terms.

“Everyone has had to contend with a lot of uncertainty due restrictions on travel within states, let  alone travel across state and territory borders,” Senator Davey said. 

“But these travel restrictions have left some students effectively stranded with no means of being  able to return to their families, adding to the pressure and uncertainty they’ve been experiencing.

“The mental wellbeing and resilience of these students has been seriously tested and unfortunately,  I know some students who have decided to withdraw from school rather than face continued  uncertainty.

“This decision recognises the unique circumstances of boarding school students, their families and of  boarding schools and their staff.

“Full credit must also be given to the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association and the Australian  Boarding Schools Association who have been supporting students and families through the entire  pandemic.”

Minister for Regionalisation, Regional Communications and Regional Education Senator Bridget  McKenzie welcomed the adoption of a national code to support boarding students.

“Boarding students need to move safely and efficiently between their schools and homes,” Minister  McKenzie said.

“While border closures and intrastate travel restrictions have helped control the spread of COVID 19, it has unintentionally left many boarding students isolated and unable to receive the support and  care of family that they need, which has had a dreadful impact on their mental health and wellbeing.

“Today’s decision is a win for common-sense. The National Code takes a clear, compassionate and  practical approach to supporting COVID-safe travel by boarding school students and their families.”

There are approximately 23,000 boarding school students throughout Australia. Normally, about  1,600 students around Australia would be crossing a state or territory border to return home from  their boarding school.

Jurisdictions will be responsible for implementing the Code in line with the relevant health advice.

Times Magazine

Building an AI-First Culture in Your Company

AI isn't just something to think about anymore - it's becoming part of how we live and work, whether we like it or not. At the office, it definitely helps us move faster. But here's the thing: just using tools like ChatGPT or plugging AI into your wo...

Data Management Isn't Just About Tech—Here’s Why It’s a Human Problem Too

Photo by Kevin Kuby Manuel O. Diaz Jr.We live in a world drowning in data. Every click, swipe, medical scan, and financial transaction generates information, so much that managing it all has become one of the biggest challenges of our digital age. Bu...

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

The Times Features

Is our mental health determined by where we live – or is it the other way round? New research sheds more light

Ever felt like where you live is having an impact on your mental health? Turns out, you’re not imagining things. Our new analysis[1] of eight years of data from the New Zeal...

Going Off the Beaten Path? Here's How to Power Up Without the Grid

There’s something incredibly freeing about heading off the beaten path. No traffic, no crowded campsites, no glowing screens in every direction — just you, the landscape, and the...

West HQ is bringing in a season of culinary celebration this July

Western Sydney’s leading entertainment and lifestyle precinct is bringing the fire this July and not just in the kitchen. From $29 lobster feasts and award-winning Asian banque...

What Endo Took and What It Gave Me

From pain to purpose: how one woman turned endometriosis into a movement After years of misdiagnosis, hormone chaos, and major surgery, Jo Barry was done being dismissed. What beg...

Why Parents Must Break the Silence on Money and Start Teaching Financial Skills at Home

Australia’s financial literacy rates are in decline, and our kids are paying the price. Certified Money Coach and Financial Educator Sandra McGuire, who has over 20 years’ exp...

Australia’s Grill’d Transforms Operations with Qlik

Boosting Burgers and Business Clean, connected data powers real-time insights, smarter staffing, and standout customer experiences Sydney, Australia, 14 July 2025 – Qlik®, a g...