The McGowan government has given international students until Saturday to arrive in Australia if they want to be allowed into WA to start their courses.
It marks the latest round of confusing advice given to overseas students after Premier Mark McGowan announced on January 20 the state was abandoning its planned reopening.
Prior to that, international students were expecting to be granted entry into WA without quarantining after February 5.
But the ban on entry for them was reimposed when the border reopening was indefinitely delayed.
On January 25, the government issued new directions allowing international students into WA if they entered via another state or territory, provided they were double-vaccinated and could isolate at a suitable premises for 14 days.
Senior minister Rita Saffioti said the latest change had been decided in consultation with the university sector and that students must still meet vaccination and quarantine requirements.
"I think that was some work that was undertaken with the [Education] Minister and the university sector," Ms Saffioti said.
She said it ensured students who were already in Australia were able to commence their studies with WA universities.
Deadline 'unfair': Opposition
Shadow education minister Peter Rundle said he had been inundated with calls from the international education sector about the changed rules.
"What's emerged today is a backflip upon a backflip," Mr Rundle said.
"Mark McGowan has seen fit to change his mind, with limited warning on the rules for students wanting to come to Western Australia for study.
"They've given international students three different options over a short period of time."
Mr Rundle said students and universities had only been informed yesterday they could get in if they arrived my midnight on February 4.
"That's only a few days' notice," he said.
"Our universities are scrambling, our students are scrambling, it's going to cost them hundreds if not thousands of dollars in airfares if they can get their airfares and [meet the] requirements to get into WA.
"They need to enter also through another city in Australia so that adds a further complication.
"In my perspective, the international student sector in WA is in chaos and confusion."
"We've got an international student sector in Western Australia worth about $2 billion and 12,000 jobs ... it's not good enough."
A government spokesperson said the February 5 deadline was in line with what Mr McGowan announced on January 25 for international students returning to WA.
"Students, already in Australia (by February 5), who meet all the entry requirements for approved travellers can enter Western Australia, provided they quarantine in suitable premises for 14 days and meet all other entry requirements, this includes vaccination and testing requirements," the spokesperson said.
