Australia reopens international border to fully vaccinated tourists after two-year travel ban lifted
From 21 February 2022, all visa holders who are fully vaccinated for international travel purposes can travel to Australia without a travel exemption. Unvaccinated visa holders will still need to be in an exempt category or hold an individual travel exemption to enter Australia.
Travel restrictions and exemptions
Australian citizens, permanent residents, New Zealand citizens usually resident in Australia and visa holders who are fully vaccinated for international travel purposes can travel to Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption.
If you do not meet Australia’s vaccination requirements for international travel you are not eligible to travel to Australia without a travel exemption, unless you are automatically exempt.
Travel restrictions are subject to change in response to the circumstances surrounding COVID-19. You can stay informed with the latest updates by checking this page regularly.
If you are transiting through Australia further information can be found at Transiting Australia.
Exemption requests to escort Australian citizen or permanent resident minors
Travel exemptions may be granted to people escorting Australian citizen or permanent resident minors to travel to Australia. This is to ensure the safety and welfare of the child or children during travel.
Travel exemptions for this category are generally approved under the following circumstances:
one guardian for each child under the age of 2 years will generally be approved
only one guardian within the same family group for multiple children over the age of 2 years will generally be approved
additional guardians may be considered on a case-by-case basis if medical advice and evidence is provided.
Unless exceptional circumstances apply, people escorting Australian citizen or permanent resident minors to Australia should be a relative (for example, aunt, uncle, grandparent).
Temporary visa holders
Temporary visa holders in Australia can depart Australia at any time, however, if not fully vaccinated for international travel purposes, they may require an exemption to return to Australia. More information can be found at Temporary visa holders returning home.
Exempt categories
You are automatically exempt from the travel restrictions and can enter Australia (without obtaining an individual exemption) if you are:
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 diplomat accredited to Australia, including their immediate family members (each member of the family unit must hold a valid subclass 995 visa)
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
a person invited or sponsored by the Australian Defence Force or the Department of Defence to undertake military activities
a person who has a prescribed status and is seeking to enter Australia on a Special Purpose visa
a visa holder who is fully vaccinated for international travel purposes (from 21 February 2021)
*NOTE: If you hold a temporary visa and believe you are an immediate family member, you will need to request a travel exemption through the travel exemption portal prior to travel
Individual exemptions
You can request an individual exemption if you are unvaccinated or not able to prove you meet Australia’s definition of fully vaccinated for international travel purposes.
An individual travel exemption will not be approved solely on the basis of a claim that you do not meet the Australia’s definition of fully vaccinated for international travel purposes. Clear and specific evidence is required to demonstrate that you meet one of the travel exemption categories listed below.
If you do not meet Australia’s definition of fully vaccinated for international travel purposes, 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.
You must hold a visa and either be automatically exempt or have a travel exemption before you travel to Australia. You can request a travel exemption online and must provide appropriate evidence to support your claims. Requests may be finalised without further consideration if insufficient evidence is provided. 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 individual 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 need to apply for an exemption at least two weeks, but not more than two months, before your planned travel.
Your request must 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
accompanying evidence.
If you are not granted an exemption, you should not continue with your travel plans, as you will not be permitted to board a flight to Australia. If you are granted a travel exemption, you need to take evidence of that exemption decision to the airport.
If you are travelling due to the death or critical illness of a close family member, you can apply inside this timeframe and we will prioritise your application.
Request a travel exemption
If you do not meet an exempt category you can request an individual exemption to Australia's travel restrictions online using the Travel Exemption portal.
Most travel exemption requests are finalised within 7 days. Complex requests may take longer.
In order to travel, you will need both an exemption and a visa. 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. Requests may be finalised without further consideration if insufficient evidence is provided. This may include the following:
proof of identity
evidence that you hold a valid visa or have lodged a valid visa application
travel itinerary
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.
You need to apply for an exemption at least two weeks, but not more than two months, before your planned travel.
Make only one request per person. Duplicate requests will delay assessment.
Travel
If you are not granted an exemption, you should not continue with your travel plans, as you will not be permitted to board a flight to Australia. If you are granted a travel exemption, you will need to take evidence of that exemption decision to the airport.
All people travelling to Australia also need to meet other requirements when preparing to travel to Australia from overseas.
