What is the criteria for being automatically exempt from travel restrictions to enter Australia?
Australia’s Department of Home Affairs has updated its ‘Travel Restrictions and Exemptions’ for overseas travellers. Under the updated rules announced on Friday, several categories are automatically exempt from the travel restrictions and can enter Australia without obtaining an individual exemption.
Australia’s borders are currently closed and entry to Australia remains strictly controlled to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Travel to Australia is only available if an overseas traveller is exempt or has been granted an individual exemption.
The automatically exempt categories are as follows:
- an Australian citizen
- a permanent resident of Australia
- an immediate family member of an Australian citizen or permanent resident*
- 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
- 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
- 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.
Travellers need to carry evidence that they meet one of the above categories when travelling.
For details, visit the ‘Coming to Australia’ page of the Australian Government.
