Australia finally welcomes international travelers
COVID19 and the border – Travel restrictions and Exemptions
The Australian Border Force has imposed a travel ban on inbound travel in response to the COVID19 outbreak back in March 2020. These restrictions impacted inbound travel to Australia unless the person belongs to an exempt category. A traveler is exempt from the travel restrictions and can enter Australia (without obtaining an individual exemption) if they are:
- An Australian Citizen
- A permanent resident
- Immediate family member of an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- A NZ Citizen usually resident in Australia and their immediate family members
- A person who has been in NZ or Australia for 14 days or more
- a diplomat accredited to Australia, including their immediate family members
- a person transiting Australia for 72 hours or less
- airline crew, maritime crew including marine pilots
- a person recruited under the Government approved Seasonal Worker Program or Pacific Labour Scheme
- a person who holds a Business Innovation and Investment (subclass 188) visa
- a person who holds a Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa in the ‘Post COVID-19 Economic Recovery Event’ stream and who is supported by the Global Business and Talent Attraction Taskforce
- a person invited or sponsored by the Australian Defence Force or the Department of Defence to undertake military activities
- a person who has a prescribed status and is seeking to enter Australia on a Special Purpose visa
- a fully vaccinated Singapore citizen travelling from Singapore and arriving into a participating Australian state or territory that allows fully vaccinated travelers to arrive quarantine free
- a fully vaccinated Japanese citizen travelling from Japan and arriving into a participating Australian state or territory that allows fully vaccinated travelers to arrive quarantine-free
- a fully vaccinated citizen of the Republic of Korea (South Korea), travelling from South Korea and arriving into a participating Australian state or territory that allows fully vaccinated travelers to arrive quarantine-free
- a fully vaccinated person who holds a valid visa listed on the New arrangements for eligible visa holders
- a fully vaccinated New Zealand passport holder seeking to enter Australia on a Special Category (TY444) visa
All other temporary visa holders who are seeking to travel to Australia are required to apply for a travel exemption. Individual exemptions can be requested by travellers who are not holders of an eligible visa or who are unvaccinated, holding any visa type. For example, travellers may apply for a travel exemption on the basis of compassionate and compelling reasons, a foreign national with critical skills or working in a critical sector in Australia, a foreign who has received an invitation from the Australian Government to assist with the COVID19 response or a foreign national sponsored by your employer to work in Australia in an occupation on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL). There are also several other grounds to be granted a travel exemption to travel Australia.
What has changed?
From 21 February 2022, all fully vaccinated visa holders can travel to Australia without a travel exemption. Unvaccinated visa holders will still need a valid travel exemption to travel. This announcement effectively reopens Australia’s borders to international tourist and business travellers. Despite the announcement, travel within Australia will still be restricted. The vast state of Western Australia remains closed to most non-residents indefinitely due to the escalating health risks posed by the Omicron COVID19 variant. New border rules have been introduced to allow for compassionate travel into WA.
Need help?
Travel restrictions are subject to change at short notice and prospective travellers are encouraged to consult us for the latest information. The team at Crystal Migration have extensive experience in dealing with Travel Exemptions and restrictions. If you would like further information or would like assistance with lodging a travel exemption request, we encourage you to contact us so that we may assist you with you.