Australia re-opens border to eligible visa holders
Australia re-opens borders to non-citizens
Australia closed its border in March 2020 and the reopening of international travel has been delayed with the emergence of the new Omicron variant. Even though Australia permanent residents and citizens are allowed to travel back to Australia, many other temporary visa holders were still unable to do so. This has resulted in a severe labour shortage which threatens to hamper economic growth.
As of 15 December 2021, eligible visa holders will be able to and from Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption. You may also be able to travel to Australia without a travel exemption if fully vaccinated or be automatically exempted if traveling under a safe travel zone arrangement. If any of these do not apply, then a travel exemption will still be required. The relaxation of border rules is expected to ease labour shortages which will help businesses and boost tourism.
Internal borders are also expected to be open by April 2022 as announced by the Prime Minister.
Recommended pathways to return or come to Australia
International students
Australia is well known for its world class education system that is ideal for students looking to study abroad. International students are an important part of the Australian community and will be able to travel back to Australia without an exemption.
To further help cope with workforce shortages, international students can for more than 40 hours per fortnight in any sector prior to course commencement. This is a temporary arrangement and will be reviewed later in April 2022.
Additionally, student visa holders travelling to Australia between 19 January 2022 to 19 March 2022 will be eligible for a refund on their application charge. This refund can be applied for up until 31 December 2022.
Temporary graduate (subclass 485) visa holders
Graduate visas are another option that can be considered if you have recently graduated from an Australian institution. Graduate visas will have work rights and will allow holders to live and work in Australia temporarily.
Additionally, certain Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa holders will be able to have their visas extended or enlivened to 30 September 2022 and will be notified directly by the Department if eligible.
This interim measure allows eligible Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa holders who were affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions to enter, or remain in, Australia to live and work until they can apply for and be granted a replacement Temporary Graduate visa.
Skilled migrants
General Skilled Migration are points-tested and are either independent, state / territory sponsored or family-sponsored permanent visas (Subclass 189 / 190 / 491 /191). As of January 2022, NSW, ACT & SA have updated their requirements for offshore applicants.
To be considered during a NSW invitation round, you must:
Be eligible for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
Have submitted an EOI in SkillSelect
Have a valid skills assessment in an occupation that is within an ANZSCO unit group identified on our NSW skilled occupation lists page
For some occupations – at least 3 years of experience
Have continuously resided outside of Australia for the past 3 months
Partner visas
The Department made a priority the family stream in the delivery of the onshore components of the program, where applicants could meet requirements, and to facilitate offshore partner and child cases with an urgent need to travel.
Concessions were made available for the Subclass 309 Offshore Partner Visa, which allowed the visa to be granted even if the applicant is in Australia, provided that the application was made after 1 February 2020.
Travel exemption is also available for married or de facto partners who can prove their genuine relationship, which means that travelling to Australia on visitor visa and apply for onshore partner visa is now possible. Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa holders will also exempted from the current travel restrictions if the application was lodged before 18 Aug 2020.
Overseas-based parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents
Overseas-based parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents will now be allowed to enter Australia, bringing relief to many migrants. But they’ll need to be fully vaccinated and have their paperwork in order before their visit. They are also allowed to apply for a travel exemption to enter Australia.
For longer stay, we recommend a visitor visa to travel to Australian then apply for parent visa to stay in Australia for certain aged parent. Parent visa will also provide you with access to Medicare for healthcare after you move to Australia.
It is recommended parents get their visa and travel exemption approved before booking flights.
Travel in Australia
If you are not looking to stay in Australia for a long period of time but just to travel, there are several options that are available such as visitor visa or working holiday visas. Working holiday visas will also allow you to work to support your travels in Australia.
For working holiday visas, you can work unlimited working hours with the same employer in the same location for 6 months for a duration of 12 months. Second or third working holiday visas are available to some nationalities with some additional requirements.
Who is considered fully vaccinated?
Two dosed at least 14 days apart of:
AstraZeneca Vaxzevria
AstraZeneca Covishield
Pfizer/Biontech Comirnaty
Moderna Spikevax or Takeda
Sinovac Coronavac
Bharat Biotech Covaxin
Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV (for people under 60 years of age on arrival in Australia)
Gamaleya Research Institute Sputnik V
Novavax/Biocelect Nuvaxovid
Or one does of:
Johnson & Johnson / Jassen-Cilag COVID Vaccine
New arrangements for eligible visa holders
From 15 December 2021, fully vaccinated eligible visa holders can travel to Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption. This includes eligible visa holders in Australia seeking to depart and return.
Subclass 163 State /Territory Business Owner Visa
Subclass 173 Contributory Parent (Temporary) Visa
Subclass 200 Refugee Visa
Subclass 201 In-country Special Humanitarian
Subclass 202 Global Special Humanitarian Visa
Subclass 203 Emergency Rescue
Subclass 204 Women at Risk Visa
Subclass 300 prospective Marriage Visa
Subclass 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa
Subclass 402 Training and Research Visa
Subclass 403 Temporary Work (International Relations) Visa
Subclass 405 Investor Retirement Visa
Subclass 407 Training Visa
Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa
Subclass 410 Retirement Visa
Subclass 417 Working Holiday Visa
Subclass 444 Special Category Visa
Subclass 449 Humanitarian Stay (Temporary) Visa
Subclass 457 Temporary Work (Skilled) Visa
Subclass 461 New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship Visa
Subclass 462 Work and Holiday Visa
Subclass 476 Skilled - Recognised Graduate Visa
Subclass 482 Temporary Skilled Shortage Visa
Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa
Subclass 487 Skilled - Regional Sponsored Visa
Subclass 489 Skilled - Regional (Provisional) Visa
Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa
Subclass 500 Student Visa
Subclass 560 Student Temporary Visa
Subclass 571 Student Schools Sector Visa
Subclass 572 Vocational Education and Training Sector Visa
Subclass 573 Higher Education Sector Visa
Subclass 575 Non-Award Sector Visa
Subclass 580 Student Guardian Visa
Subclass 590 Student Guardian Visa
Subclass 785 Temporary Protection Visa
Subclass 786 Temporary Humanitarian Concern Visa
Subclass 790 Safe Haven Enterprise Visa
Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary) Visa
Subclass 884 Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) Visa
Subclass 988 Maritime Crew Visa
In addition, travelers with acceptable proof that they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons & children under the age of 12 can access the same travel arrangement as fully vaccinated travelers.
What does this mean for you?
If you already hold any of the above visas and are already fully vaccinated, you can now book a ticket and travel to Australia. The quarantine requirements still depend on individual states so it's important to be fully informed based on your travel destination.
If you do not have any of the eligible visas but would still like to travel to Australia, we can then look at your circumstances to identify the options available for you.
If you are an Australian resident or citizen and if you have any overseas families or friends who wishes to come to Australia, this information may be beneficial to them.
We are here to help
Think Visa has helped many people come to Australia over the years and we would like to do the same for you. The next step is to arrange a free consultation with us to assess your circumstances and get the process started.
