The news about Australia’s international borders opening in November 2021 brings relief to families who have long been separated due to the pandemic. It also brings excitement to temporary visa holders who are currently stuck outside of Australia as they anticipate their return.
This article intends to provide information about the travel exemption requirements by looking at examples of people with varying objectives in entering Australia on different visa categories.
1. To have a holiday in Australia
People who can enter Australia are those who are under the exempt categories such as Australian citizens, permanent residents, immediate family members of an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizens who are usually residents of Australia and their immediate family members and more, or people who may be granted individual exemptions, or people who have compassionate and compelling reasons to travel to Australia. If your main purpose is to have a holiday here and you do not fall on the categories mentioned above, then you cannot enter Australia yet until our borders fully open to visitors.
The full list of exempt categories and circumstances that where an individual exemption may be granted is available here.
From time to time, we hear about travel bubbles between Australia and other countries, but the full details are still unclear as of the time of writing this article. The most recent information available from the media was the travel bubble between Australia and Singapore.
2. You visit your adult child who is a permanent resident or an Australian citizen
From the 1st of November 2021, parents of adult Permanent Residents or Australian citizens are included in the definition of immediate family members and are automatically exempt from travel restrictions. However, a travel exemption request is still required for the parent applicant to provide evidence of relationship with his/her Permanent Resident or Australian citizen adult child.
The travel exemption application form is accessible here.
3. To work in Australia (holders/applicants of TSS 482 visa)
TSS 482 visa holders with critical skills or working in a critical sector or whose occupation fall under the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) may be granted an individual exemption. PMSOL roles include Registered Nurses, Chefs, Accountants, Medical Practitioners, Social Workers, Software Engineers and more. See the link here.
Information about critical skills and critical sectors are available here.
4. To study in Australia
Travel exemptions are available for a limited number of international students under the International Students Arrival Plan. This is for students who meet specific requirements such as taking a course of study in the Health/Medical field or undertaking Ph.D. research. This applies to student visa holders who are still offshore and may have started their course online or may have deferred their course to a future intake. Check with your education provider if you are eligible for this.
For potential applicants, student visas are still being processed by the Department of Home Affairs. However, at this point, student visa holders cannot enter Australia yet unless they are invited under the International Students Arrival Plan and have been granted a travel exemption.
5. To be with your spouse/de-facto partner on a temporary visa
This applies to spouse/de-facto partners who are holding either a student visa (subclass 500) or a work visa (TSS 482) or a graduate visa (subclass 485). Subsequent entrant visas are currently being processed by the Department of Home Affairs. This means that these visas can be granted to offshore applicants, but they can only enter once Australia’s border has fully opened or if they have a travel exemption.
6. To live with a spouse/de-facto partner who is permanent resident or an Australian citizen
This applies to holders of Partner Visa (subclass 309 or 820) or Visitor Visa (subclass 600) or Prospective Marriage Visa (PMV) (subclass 300). If you hold a Partner Visa (subclass 309 or 820), you do not need to apply for a travel exemption. However, if you hold a Visitor Visa, you will need a travel exemption before you can enter Australia.
If you are a PMV holder and your PMV application was lodged at least 12 months before submitting a travel exemption request, you are eligible to apply for a travel exemption.
7. To live with your parent/s who is a permanent residency visa holder
Children who are dependents of Australian citizens or Permanent Residents who are eligible to apply for a Child Visa (subclass 101) can enter Australia once their visa is granted as this is a permanent residency visa. Travel exemption is not required.
8. To live with your parent/s who is on a partner visa 820 or partner visa 309
Children who are eligible to apply for a 445 visa can also enter Australia once their visa is granted and when they get an approved travel exemption.
If you still find this information unclear and if you want to get specific advice based on your circumstance, it is suggested that you get advice or assistance from a Registered Migration Agent or an Immigration Lawyer.
(Johanna Bertumen Nonato is a Registered Migration Agent (MARN1386856) and the CEO of BridgeAus Migration Consultancy. For enquiries, email info@bridgeaus. com.au or call 0427 589 274).
READ MORE
- Five attributes of successful visa applications
- Useful strategies in achieving your Australian visa objectives in 2021
- FAQs on bringing a dependent child to Australia
- Who has the power to cancel a visa?
