Applying For Australian Travel Exemption: What You Need To Know

how do I apply to leave australia

If you are planning to leave Australia, there are a few things you need to do to ensure a smooth departure. Firstly, it is important to check if your passport is valid and will remain valid for the duration of your trip, as well as any additional time required by countries you are transiting through. If you are an Australian citizen, you must ensure you have an Australian passport to exit the country. Additionally, if you are bankrupt, you must seek approval from your trustee and provide them with the necessary information, such as your reasons for travel, dates of travel, income, and who is paying for the trip. It is also recommended that you purchase travel insurance and familiarize yourself with the Consular Services Charter, which outlines the assistance provided by the Australian government to travellers overseas.

Characteristics Values
Visa status Those with an expired visa are expected to leave Australia
Vaccination status No evidence of vaccination status is required to leave Australia
Travel insurance The Australian government recommends purchasing travel insurance before leaving the country
Passport validity Australian citizens must have a valid passport to enter and exit Australia
Travel exemptions Unvaccinated visa holders do not need a travel exemption to leave Australia
Notarial services The Australian government can provide some notarial services for those traveling overseas, such as document legalization
Refund scheme The Tourist Refund Scheme allows visitors to claim a refund of the goods and services tax (GST) and wine equalization tax (WET) paid on goods purchased in Australia
Bankruptcy Individuals who are bankrupt must seek approval from their trustee and may be subject to a non-refundable application fee

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Travel insurance and passport requirements

When travelling abroad from Australia, it is important to have the appropriate travel insurance and to ensure your passport is up to date and valid for your trip. Here are some key things to consider:

Travel Insurance:

  • Ensure your travel insurance covers your entire itinerary, including any planned activities and potential emergency expenses. It is important to research your destinations and understand the specific requirements for each location.
  • The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides valuable advice and updates on travel risks. It is worth consulting their guidance and signing up for their email notifications to stay informed. This can help you make informed decisions about your travel insurance needs.

Passport Requirements:

  • Check the expiry date of your passport. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your planned departure date. Ensure it has enough remaining validity for your trip.
  • Some countries may have specific entry and exit requirements, such as needing a certain number of blank pages in your passport. Research the requirements of your destination(s) to ensure compliance.
  • While Australia no longer requires an International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate for entry or exit, other countries may still enforce this. Always check the latest COVID-19 travel advice for your intended destinations, as well as any requirements from airlines or cruise operators.

By taking these steps, you can ensure that your travel insurance and passport are in order, allowing you to focus on enjoying your trip.

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Visa requirements

If you are a citizen of Australia, you must enter and exit the country with an Australian passport. This passport must be valid on the day of your arrival in Australia, and it must have six months of remaining validity if you are passing through a third country that requires it.

If you are travelling or moving overseas, you must seek approval from your trustee. You will need to provide your trustee with the following information:

  • Reasons for travel and the countries you want to visit
  • Dates you intend to leave and return to Australia
  • Contact details, including an email address, phone number, and overseas address
  • Income per year
  • Compulsory payment plans while overseas (if applicable)
  • Who is paying for the trip and a letter from that person if it is not you
  • Employer evidence if you are travelling for work

Your trustee may charge a fee to process your application. If your trustee is the Official Trustee (AFSA), you can apply online, but a non-refundable application fee of $150 applies.

If your visa has expired, you are expected to leave Australia. However, there are steps you should follow to avoid any problems when leaving the country. For example, unvaccinated visa holders do not need a travel exemption to travel to Australia. Still, it is important to remember that airlines, vessel operators, and other countries may have specific requirements that travellers need to comply with.

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Trustee approval

If you are bankrupt and wish to travel overseas, you must seek approval from your trustee. You can contact your trustee to apply for permission, and they may charge a fee to process your application. The Official Trustee (AFSA) allows you to apply online, but a non-refundable application fee of $150 applies.

To apply for trustee approval, you will need to provide the following information:

  • Reasons for travel and the countries you want to visit
  • Dates you intend to leave and return to Australia
  • Contact details, including an email address, phone number, and overseas address where your trustee can contact you
  • Income per year
  • Details of any compulsory payment plans while you are overseas (if applicable)
  • Who is paying for the cost of the trip, including a letter from that person if it is not you
  • Employer evidence if you are travelling for work

Your trustee must have adequate information and time to consider your request, so it is important to provide as much detail as possible when applying for approval.

It is important to note that the process and requirements for trustee approval may vary depending on individual circumstances and the specific trustee involved. Therefore, it is always best to contact your trustee directly to obtain the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the application process and any required documentation.

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Tax refunds

If you are leaving Australia, you may be able to lodge your tax return early. This can be done by paper or online. If you are leaving Australia permanently, you can claim a refund of the goods and services tax (GST) and wine equalisation tax (WET) that you paid on goods in the country. You can also claim a partial superannuation refund, which can be done at any time during the year, as long as you are leaving Australia and not returning on the same visa. The average super refund claimed for backpackers is around $2,000 AUD. To submit a claim, you will need details such as your name, date of birth, passport number, superannuation fund and membership number, and your Australian tax file number (TFN). You can also claim a tax refund if you are a working holidaymaker, as 29% of your income is usually deducted for tax purposes.

If you are lodging your tax return early by paper, you will need to use the paper tax return form. The processing time for early lodgements is 50 business days. If you are lodging your tax return online, you will need to link the ATO to your myGov account. You will also need an Australian bank account to receive any refund amounts.

Before lodging your tax return, you will need to collect a payment summary from each of your employers, plus details of other income earned while in Australia. Payslips are not sufficient as they may not contain final payment details. If your employer reports through Single Touch Payroll, your payment, tax, and super information will be available as an income statement online in myGov. You will also need your tax file number and other identifying information, such as your previous year's notice of assessment.

If you are claiming a superannuation refund, it is important to obtain the name and details of your superannuation fund from your employer. You can use a business such as Taxback.com to assist in claiming your superannuation.

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Notarial services

In Australia, notarial services are performed by Justices of the Peace (JP), Public Notaries, and similarly authorised persons. A JP is an independent and objective witness who can help with some notarial services. Their signature is recognised anywhere in Australia. However, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) cannot legalise documents certified by a JP.

Australian Notary Publics provide notarial services for most types of documents for use overseas. Notaries can also witness and certify copies of documents for use overseas. You can find a Notary Public using each state or territory listing.

Overseas, the Australian Government delivers notarial services through its embassies and consulates. Consular officials can witness signatures on Australian documents, legalise many Australian documents, and certify true copies of some documents and photographs. They can also witness Australian statutory declarations, but only for use in Australia.

Frequently asked questions

If you're bankrupt and want to travel or move overseas, you must seek approval from your trustee and provide them with the following information:

- Reasons for travel and the countries you want to visit.

- Dates you intend to leave and return to Australia.

- Contact details including an email address, phone number, and overseas address.

- Income per year.

- Compulsory payment plans while you're overseas (if applicable).

- Who is paying for the trip, including a letter from that person if it's not you.

- Employer evidence if you're travelling for work.

Your trustee may charge a fee to process your application.

All Australian citizens must enter and exit Australia on an Australian passport. Your passport must be valid (not expired) on the day of your arrival in Australia. It does not need to have six months of remaining validity to enter Australia unless you are passing through a third country that requires it.

The Australian Government recommends purchasing travel insurance before leaving the country.

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