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Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia has implemented some of the world's toughest travel restrictions. Australian citizens and permanent residents have been banned from going overseas since March 2020. However, people who don't normally live in Australia have been free to depart without permission. To leave Australia, citizens and residents must apply for an exemption and provide a “compelling reason” for their travel, which falls into specific categories. This has led to debate about whether these restrictions are appropriate or legal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who needs permission? | Australian citizens and permanent residents |
| Who is exempt? | People who don't normally live in Australia |
| When did the rules change? | March 2020 |
| What do applicants need to prove? | That they have a "compelling reason" for leaving |
| What is considered a "compelling reason"? | Travel being essential for work or business, in the national interest, or for urgent medical treatment unavailable in Australia |
| What documents are required? | Foreign driver's license, tenancy agreement, letter from employer, death certificates, or proof of an event or relationship |
| How far in advance should applicants apply? | At least two weeks but not more than three months before departure |
| What is the success rate of applications? | About one in three requests are granted |
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What You'll Learn
Exemptions for Australians living abroad
Since March 2020, Australian citizens and permanent residents have been banned from going overseas without permission due to some of the world's toughest COVID-19 restrictions. However, people who don't normally live in Australia have been free to depart without permission.
As of August 2021, Australians living abroad have to apply for an exemption to leave the country if they visit. This means that anyone who returns, even to visit relatives, will not automatically be granted permission to leave again unless they meet the grounds for an exemption. To be granted an exemption, Australians living abroad will need to prove they have an "established and settled" home overseas via documents, including a foreign driver's license, tenancy agreement, and a letter from an employer.
Australian citizens who normally live in another country can apply for a waiver while living abroad, which means they can get an advance waiver. Exemptions may be granted after providing a foreign driver's license or residency card, proof of a hire or foreign bill, or ID as proof of foreign employment.
It's important to note that living abroad as an Australian citizen doesn't exempt you from your tax responsibilities in Australia. Australian citizens are generally required to report and pay tax on their worldwide income, including income earned overseas. This includes employment income, rental income, business income, investment income, and any other taxable income derived from abroad. However, if you are considered a non-resident for tax purposes, you may be eligible for a foreign income exemption and may not need to pay tax in Australia on income earned overseas.
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Exemptions for permanent Australian residents
Since March 2020, Australian citizens and permanent residents have been banned from travelling overseas without a compelling reason. However, those who do not normally live in Australia have been free to depart without permission.
In August 2021, the Australian government expanded the travel ban to include Australian citizens who are residents of other countries. This means that Australian citizens and permanent residents who normally reside in a country other than Australia will need to apply for a travel exemption to leave the country.
To be granted permission to leave Australia, individuals must demonstrate a compelling reason for needing to do so. This can include reasons such as having an established and settled" home overseas, employment, study, or compassionate reasons. To support their application, individuals may need to provide various documents, including foreign government-issued documentation, evidence of residence overseas, and evidence of overseas employment.
It is important to note that the rules regarding permission to leave Australia have been subject to change, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Australian government has stated that the purpose of these exemptions is to improve consistency in border measures and reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission while still allowing essential travel.
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Exemptions for urgent medical treatment
Since March 2020, Australian citizens and permanent residents have been banned from travelling overseas due to some of the world's toughest COVID-19 restrictions. Exemptions are granted only if certain criteria are met. One of these criteria is "urgent medical treatment".
To be exempt from the outbound travel ban on the basis of seeking urgent medical treatment, the treatment in question must not be available in Australia. Applicants must provide evidence of this fact, as well as prove that their reason for leaving is "compelling". This evidence must be in the form of a Commonwealth Statutory Declaration.
The Australian government has stated that these restrictions provide a balanced approach between allowing Australians to travel, if essential, while protecting community health.
It is important to note that the exemption criteria are subject to change. Applicants should refer to the latest official sources for the most up-to-date information.
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Exemptions for travel in the national interest
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about some of the world's toughest travel restrictions in Australia. Exemptions for outbound travel in the national interest are granted to those who are:
- Providing critical or specialist medical services, including air ambulance, medical evacuations, and delivering critical medical supplies.
- Working in a critical sector in Australia, such as agriculture, horticulture, aged care, and public health.
- Travelling in association with essential work at an offshore facility in Australian waters.
- Critical workers providing assistance to the country of destination's COVID-19 response.
Australian citizens or permanent residents are not allowed to leave Australia unless an exemption is received. Exemptions are also granted to those who need to travel for urgent medical treatment that is not available in Australia.
The Australian government has placed a ban on Australians departing Australia, with very limited exemptions. You won't need to apply for an exemption to leave if you're returning to your usual place of residence overseas or work for an airline, in freight, or in government.
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Exemptions for dual citizens
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia has implemented some of the world's toughest travel restrictions. Since March 2020, Australian citizens and permanent residents have been banned from going overseas. However, exemptions can be granted under certain circumstances.
For dual citizens, the process of obtaining permission to leave Australia can be complex and uncertain. While Australian citizens are generally required to apply for an exemption to depart the country, dual citizens may face additional challenges. The Australian government has been known to reject a significant number of exemption requests from dual citizens, even for those who appear to meet the guidelines.
To increase the chances of a successful application, dual citizens should be prepared to provide comprehensive documentation. This may include proof of an established and settled home overseas, such as a foreign driver's license, tenancy agreement, or a letter from an overseas employer. Additionally, demonstrating a compelling reason for needing to leave Australia is essential. Reasons that have been deemed acceptable include urgent medical treatment unavailable in Australia, travel for work or business purposes, or travel being in the national interest.
It is important to note that the approval process for exemptions is not entirely clear, and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. The Australian government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been subject to ongoing debate and legal scrutiny. As a result, exemption requirements and approval rates may change over time. Therefore, it is advisable for dual citizens seeking to leave Australia to stay updated on the latest official guidelines and seek legal advice if necessary.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian citizens and permanent residents need to apply for permission to leave Australia. People who don't normally live in Australia can depart without permission.
You need to provide sufficient documentation to prove that you have a compelling reason for leaving Australia. This could include a foreign driver's licence, tenancy agreement, or a letter from an employer. If your documents are not in English, they must be officially translated.
Your travel must fall into one of the following categories: essential for critical industries and business, receiving urgent medical treatment unavailable in Australia, or in the national interest.
You need to apply for an exemption online (which is free) and then bring the approved exemption to the airport. You should apply at least two weeks but not more than three months before your departure.
