20 May 2021

Restrictions remain in place and travel to Australia possible only available if you obtain an exemption. The COVID-19 Travel Restrictions are constantly changing. This information is correct as at 20 May 2021.  

Exempt Categories
You are automatically exempt from the travel restrictions and can enter Australia (without obtaining an individual exemption) if you are:

• an Australian citizen
• a permanent resident of Australia
• a New Zealand citizen usually resident in Australia and their immediate family members
• a person who has been in New Zealand or Australia for 14 days or more immediately prior to arrival by air in Australia
• an immediate family member of an Australian citizen or permanent resident*

          Note - If you hold a temporary visa or do not yet hold a valid visa for Australia, you must provide proof of   your relationship (such as your marriage certificate, evidence of your de-facto relationship such as shared finances or property, your birth certificate or birth certificate for your children) before you travel to Australia, and cannot travel until you have been cleared to.  You need to carry evidence that you meet one of the above categories when travelling. Additional evidence may be requested.

• a diplomat accredited to Australia, including their immediate family members (each member of the family unit must hold a valid subclass 995 visa)
• 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.

If you are not in an exempt category you can request an individual exemption to Australia's travel restrictions.

Individual Exemptions
The Commissioner of the Australian Border Force and decision makers may grant you an individual exemption if you are:

• a foreign national travelling at the invitation of the Australian Government or a state or territory government authority for the purpose of assisting in the COVID-19 response
• a foreign national whose entry into Australia would be in the national interest, supported by the Australian Government or a state or territory government authority
• providing critical or specialist medical services, including air ambulance, medical evacuations and delivering critical medical supplies
• a foreign national with critical skills or working in a critical sector in Australia
• a foreign national sponsored by your employer to work in Australia in an occupation on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL)
• military personnel, including those who form part of the Status of Forces Agreement, Commonwealth Armed Forces, Asia Pacific Forces and Status of Armed Forces Agreement
• a person who resides on a vessel that seeks safe port at the closest appointed port for reprovisioning or safety reasons for a limited duration, supported by the relevant State or Territory government where safe haven is sought 
• a student completing year 11 and 12, with endorsement from the federal Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE) and; support from the relevant Australian State or Territory government health authority and education department. Further information regarding this process can be found at the Department of Education, Skills and Employment website.
• a student in your final two years of study of a medical, dental, nursing or allied health profession university degree, where you have evidence of a confirmed placement in an Australian hospital or medical practice which begins within the next two months.
• travelling for compassionate and compelling reasons.

You must hold a visa and an exemption to Australia’s travel restrictions before you travel. The exemption application needs to have  all required evidence and we back the evidence up with written submissions.  

​Many people receive denial of an exemption because insufficient evidence is provided or the evidence is not adequately presented. All documents need to be officially translated into English.

Compassionate and Compelling Reasons to Travel

The Commissioner of the Australian Border Force may grant you an exemption if you are seeking to travel for compassionate and compelling reasons. Compassionate and compelling reasons include, but are not limited to, needing to travel due to the death or critical illness of a close family member.

You must hold a visa and have an exemption before travel.
If you are travelling due to the death or critical illness of a close family member, you can apply inside this timeframe seek a priority decision.  

Temporary visa holders departing Australia during COVID-19 Restrictions
Temporary visa holders in Australia can depart Australia at any time, however, they will generally not be permitted to return within a separate excemption being granted.
 
Applications
When to Apply -  atleast two weeks (however this can be overcome with proper submissions) , but not more than two months, before the planned travel.

Most travel exemption requests are finalised within 7 days. Complex requests can take longer.

To complete a travel exemption request you should hold a visa, or have applied for a visa, and provide information and documents to support your request. Many people receive denials because of the lack of evidence or not presenting the evidence adequately. With our applications written submissions are added to the applications. 

Depending on the category and reasons the evidence required can include;:

• traveller details: name, date of birth, visa type and number, passport number
• proposed residential address and phone number in Australia
• your reasons for coming why you should be granted an exemption
• a supporting statement: setting out how you meet one of the grounds for an exemption
• Any agreement or contracts  relevant to your reason for travel
• travel itinerary
• If marriage, birth, death certificate/s
• proof of relationship or residence (such as a shared tenancy agreement, joint bank account etc.)
• letter from a doctor or hospital, indicating why travel is necessary
• letter from an employer indicating why travel is necessary
• supporting letter from a business or government agency, advising why your skills are critical
• statutory declaration to support your claims.

A travel exemption does not guarantee a seat on a flight. If you are not granted an exemption, you will not be permitted to board a flight to Australia. 

If you would like to apply contact us and provide us with as much detail as you can, including which category you likely satisfy, the timing of travel, details of any previous denial and the number of people needing an exemption. 

For alternative  quarantine options please visit