Australia will welcome more than 200,000 international travellers planning to study, work or migrate Down Under to boost Australia's economy after the Covid pandemic.
The country's vaccination rate soared over 85 per cent on Sunday, meaning normal international travel will begin under the final phase of the government's reopening plan.
The milestone was marked as the nation received its first non-quarantining visitors from outside New Zealand in almost 20 months.
Planeloads of tourists, expats, business travellers and separated families broke down in tears of joy as they touched down in Sydney and Melbourne from Singapore.
Daniel Andrews and other Labor premiers have supported Singapore's 'Green Lane' travel bubble, but Mr Morrison's plan likely won't be as well-received.
Victoria, WA and Queensland have opted for a more cautious approach as cases overseas surge, and want to wait longer before fully opening to the world.
Scott Morrison is set to open the doors to more than 200,000 international travellers planning to study, work or migrate Down Under, in a move aiming to boost Australia's economy in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. Pictured: Airport staff welcome Singaporean travellers to Melbourne
A couple embrace at Melbourne Airport after being torn apart by the coronavirus crisis
A young boy holds a koala and welcome home balloon as he awaits a relative from Singapore in Sydney
'The prime minister doesn't determine those matters,' the Victorian premier told reporters on Sunday after being criticised by Mr Morrison about the state's Covid response.
'They are matters of state public health law and they are not a matter for the PM, frankly. I would refer him back to his national plan.'
The federal government's immigration strategy will prioritise 'skilled workers' as the nation struggles to plug gaps in the labour market, The Australian reported.
'As our recovery gathers pace, businesses around the country are increasingly in need of skilled workers, whether they be in hospitality, mining, construction, or professional services,' Mr Morrison said.
'In meetings last week with businesses representing almost every sector of the economy, the most pressing issue raised was workforce shortages and the need to reopen our borders, allowing skilled migration to recommence.'
International students will also be jumping to the front of the check-in desk as the education sector desperately tries to claw back the lucrative $40 billion market which supported about 250,000 local jobs prior to the pandemic.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison receives his COVID-19 booster vaccination at Kildare Road Medical Centre in Blacktown in Sydney on November 19, 2021
Plane loads of tourists, expats, business travellers and separated families broke down in tears of joy as they touched down in Sydney (pictured) and Melbourne from Singapore
Dan Andrews and other hard line Labor premiers are un likely to support an influx of overseas arrivals as Covid cases
