As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic swept the globe in early 2020, countries responded by closing their international borders in an attempt to reduce the rate of its infectious spread.

Australia’s borders have been closed to all non-citizens and non-residents for over a year and only certain people may enter – those who have been granted a travel exemption, and those who are automatically exempt from seeking a travel exemption.

Who is Automatically Exempt?

Those who are not required to apply for a travel exemption include Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, New Zealand citizens who are typically resident in Australia, family members of the Australians and New Zealand citizens (spouse, de facto partner, dependent child and legal guardian) and anyone who has spent 14 days in New Zealand and is arriving by plane.  

Despite this, many are still stranded overseas are finding it difficult to find available flights, maintain their booked flights, or satisfy the relevant authorities that they do normally reside in Australia or are eligible family members.

Who Requires a Travel Exemption?

Australian visa applicants and New Zealand Citizens who are not normally resident in Australia and have not been in New Zealand for 14 days, must obtain a travel exemption before they are permitted entry (New Zealand passport holders generally receive a visa on arrival while all other passport holders must continue to have a valid Australian visa).

To qualify for a travel exemption, you will need to meet at least one of the following primary reasons for entry to Australia:

• Your visit is in Australia’s national interest or is to assist with the COVID-19 response, as supported by the Australian Government or a State or Territory Government

• You provide specialist medical services or deliver critical medical supplies

• You work in a critical sector in Australia such as providing critical skills:

  • to supply essential goods and services;

  • in sectors critical to Australia’s economic recovery including fintech, large scale manufacturing, film, media and television production, and emerging technology;

  • in religious or theology fields

• You are being sponsored by an Australian business to work in an occupation of the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL)

• Students completing Year 11 or 12 with an endorsement from the Department of Education, Skills and Employment as well as support from the relevant State or Territory government health authority

• Students who have a placement in an Australian medical practice who are completing their final two years of medical, dental, nursing or allied heath profession university degree. The placement must commence within 2 months of seeking the travel exemption

• Compassionate and compelling reasons such as the death or critical illness of a close family member

The Process

You will need to lodge your visa application before submitting your travel exemption. There is no guarantee the exemption will be approved even you meet the above guidelines and your visa has been granted - often, applicants have to make a number of applications before having their exemption request approved or deciding to walk away from the process.

If you are successful with both the visa application and travel exemption, you will need to carry evidence of the exemption with you as you travel to Australia.

Australia’s strict border measures does mean that limited flights are available to Australia and it may not be possible to get an immediate flight to enter. Furthermore, these travel restrictions are subject to change and it remains unclear on when they will ease; most likely once the pandemic has been dramatically reduced or is under control, worldwide.

Contact Us

Understandably, this can be an upsetting, frustrating and confusing time for all. If you need to travel to Australia to reunite with loved ones, to study, work or other compassionate reasons, contact us today to discuss how we can help.