Australia's prime minister has said international tourists won’t be welcomed back until next year, with the return of skilled migrants and students given higher priority, AP reports.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia was expected to reach the vaccination benchmark on Tuesday at which the country could begin to open up: 80 per cent of the population aged 16 and older having a second shot.

“The next priorities are skilled migrants that are very important for the country and who are double vaccinated, as well as students who are coming and returning to Australia for their studies,” Morrison told Seven Network ​television.

“We will get to international visitors as well, I believe next year,” Morrison added.