The Department of Home Affairs has started a review process for the refusal of travel exemptions.
Now one can apply for the review if the Department of Home Affairs refuses their request for a travel exemptio
“If we refuse your request for a travel exemption, you can apply to the Department for a review. You should apply for the review within 21 calendar days of the refusal notification,” the Department has said.
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“A senior officer with no involvement in the initial decision will conduct the internal reviews. They will re-consider all information that was available to the original decision-maker. They will also review the decision according to current policy and guidelines,” if further added.
“We will aim to give you our decision and the reasons for it within 15 business days of receiving your review request.”
The DoHA says the review should be requested only if:
- you have new information to support your request
- your circumstances have changed, or
- Government policy has changed.
“We consider all requests on their merits. We will approve requests if they meet current policy and have enough evidence,” it says.
Fully vaccinated Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible visa holders across a number of categories can travel to and from Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption. See: Travel restrictions and exemptions.
One must hold a visa and an exemption to Australia’s travel restrictions before travel. An exemption can be requested online.
DoHA says, you may be considered for an individual travel exemption by the Commissioner of the Australian Border Force or decision makers 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)
- 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 who has been selected to take part in an International Student Arrivals Plan that has been approved by the relevant state or territory government, and endorsed by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment as satisfying the Protocols and Preconditions for International Student Arrivals.
- a student in your final three years of study of a medical university degree, where you have evidence of a confirmed placement in an Australian hospital or medical practice. The placement must commence within the next two months, and provide medical services to the Australian public.
- a higher degree research student enrolled in an Australian education institution (including Masters by research and PhD students) with evidence of a current research grant from a Commonwealth agency or support from a relevant government agency outlining why the research is considered essential and/or in Australia’s national interest and how their role is critical to the research.
- a student completing year 11 and 12, with endorsement from the Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE), and support from the relevant state or territory government health and education authorities. Further information regarding this process can be found at the Department of Education, Skills and Employment website.
- a student in the final two years of study of a 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.
- an unvaccinated Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa holder in the following circumstances:
- where the subclass 300 visa has been granted; and the subclass 300 visa application was lodged at least 12 months before submitting a travel exemption request. This means if you applied for a subclass 300 visa on or before 18 August 2020, and you have now been granted your subclass 300 visa; you are eligible for an inwards travel exemption on 18 August 2021.
