Graduates are seen at the campus of University of Sydney, Australia, June 5, 2019. (BAI XUEFEI/XINHUA)

CANBERRA — The University of Adelaide will offer fee discounts and airfare reimbursements to Chinese students affected by the novel coronavirus pneumonia travel ban.

Deputy vice-chancellor Pascale Quester has written to Chinese students enrolled at the institution who have not been allowed to enter Australia offering them a 20-percent reduction in tuition fees, special tutoring and up to 2,000 Australian dollars (US$1,320) for flight costs when the travel ban is lifted.

With the tertiary academic year set to begin on March 2, Chinese students who commit to attending the university will study online until they can enter Australia

With the tertiary academic year set to begin on March 2, Chinese students who commit to attending the university will study online until they can enter Australia.

"When you are able to join us in Adelaide, we will offer intensive tutorials, which will maintain the high level of immersive, face-to-face learning you expect from us," Quester wrote.

"We will need to ensure you can attend campus for your immersive face-to-face experience no later than 1 June.

ALSO READ: Australia lifts virus travel ban on some Chinese students

"We are confident travel restrictions will have lifted by that date. If the restrictions have not lifted then we will provide students with a full and unconditional refund, or offer a way to complete courses remotely."

According to a survey in September 2019, Chinese nationals account for over 50 percent of the University of Adelaide's international students.

Greg Hunt, Australia's minister for health, on Saturday announced that the travel ban will be relaxed for Chinese students enrolled in Australian secondary schools, declaring that Australia has contained COVID-19.

READ MORE: Australia universities brace for economic fallout from travel ban

He told reporters that restrictions for tertiary students will be reconsidered "in a week" with the tertiary education sector facing losses of billions of dollars as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.