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Australian citizens and permanent residents are currently unable to leave the country due to COVID-19 restrictions unless they have an exemption. If you are seeking an exemption, you must apply for it at least two weeks before your intended departure date. Your application must include evidence supporting your claims, such as proof of a long-term move, a valid visa, or a doctor's note. If you are waiting for a decision on a visa or citizenship application, you can still enter and leave Australia under the conditions of your current visa. However, if you are seeking citizenship, be aware that long absences may lead to increased scrutiny of your application, as the primary basis for obtaining citizenship is evidence of your intention to live in Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | Australian citizens or permanent residents |
| When to apply | At least 2 weeks but not more than 3 months before travel |
| Application process | Submit application and supporting documents online |
| Supporting documents | Proof of travel purpose, visa, medical condition, etc. |
| Outcome | Approved or denied; approval letter required when leaving |
| Visa status | Expectation to leave if visa has expired |
| Citizenship application | No travel for indefinite periods; inform department of short-term travel |
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What You'll Learn
How to apply for an exemption to leave Australia
As of 2021, Australian citizens and permanent residents need an exemption to leave Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Exemptions are granted on a case-by-case basis and generally for compelling reasons such as:
- Visiting critically ill immediate family members or attending their funeral
- Receiving necessary medical treatment that is not available in Australia
- Picking up a young child or children to return to Australia with them
- Completing an existing work contract
If you are not an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you do not need an exemption to leave the country. However, you may be unable to return as Australia has also banned people who are not Australian citizens, permanent residents, or their immediate family members from arriving without an inbound travel exemption.
To apply for an exemption to leave Australia, you must do so at least two weeks but not more than three months before travel, unless your travel is due to the death or critical illness of a close family member, in which case priority will be given. You can apply online and will need to provide evidence to support your application, such as:
- A statement or evidence of when you wish to return to Australia
- Any other proof to support your claims
- Your supporting documents (up to 25 attachments per request, with a maximum file size of 15MB)
You can create an account at https://travel-exemptions.homeaffairs.gov.au/tep to submit your request and track its status. It is recommended to keep up to date with the constantly changing restrictions and exemptions via official channels.
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Leaving Australia while your visa application is being processed
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you cannot leave Australia due to COVID-19 restrictions unless you have an exemption. Exemptions are granted for compelling reasons and you must provide evidence to support your claims. For example, you may be asked to provide proof of a current valid visa, a doctor's letter, or proof that you are moving to another country on a long-term basis.
If you applied for a visa from Australia and are awaiting a decision, you can enter and leave Australia following the conditions of your current visa. If you were granted Bridging Visa A (BVA) when you submitted your application, it will automatically become active when your current visa expires and will be valid until a final decision is made. However, if you need to leave Australia, you should apply for Bridging Visa B (BVB), which can be valid for one year. BVBs are granted with a defined travel period, during which you can leave and re-enter Australia. If you depart Australia with another type of bridging visa in effect, you may not be able to re-enter until your substantive visa is granted.
If you are waiting for citizenship by conferral, you may leave Australia for short periods. It is recommended that you inform the Department of your departure and provide approximate dates for your return. Do not leave indefinitely, as the Department may assume that you do not intend to return. The primary basis for obtaining citizenship is solid evidence that you genuinely intend to live in Australia.
Additionally, some Australian visas can only be granted if the applicant is onshore, such as the Parent Aged Visa subclass 864/804 and the Partner Visa subclass 820. Therefore, it is recommended that applicants obtain a visa before travelling abroad.
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Leaving Australia before your citizenship application is finalised
If you have applied for Australian citizenship and need to leave the country before your application is finalised, there are a few things you need to do to ensure your application is not affected. Firstly, it is important to remember that there is a standard residency requirement for obtaining citizenship, which includes residing in Australia for at least four years with an absence of no more than 12 months during that period. If you need to leave Australia for a short period, it is recommended to inform the Department of Home Affairs of your departure and provide them with approximate dates for your return. Providing an intended return date is crucial for the Department to continue processing your application.
If you are unable to provide an intended return date and remain overseas, the Department may request evidence of your return to Australia, such as an airline ticket, employment contract, or lease agreement. In addition, if you plan to be outside of Australia for an extended period, you will need to provide additional information and evidence to support your application. This may include proof of your current valid visa, medical certificates, or proof that you are moving to another country on a long-term basis.
It is important to note that the Department does not have the legal capacity to defer making a decision on an application indefinitely. If you intend to be away for an indefinite period, it may be advisable to consider withdrawing your application and re-applying upon your return to Australia. However, please be aware that the application fee is non-refundable.
Additionally, if you have a visa and need to leave Australia, you can enter and exit the country according to the conditions of your current visa while waiting for a decision on your citizenship application. If you need to stay outside Australia for more than three months, you must apply for an exemption and provide a compelling reason for your travel.
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What to do if your visa has expired
If your visa has expired within the past 28 days, the Department of Home Affairs offers a 28-day 'grace period' during which you can generally apply for another type of visa without being subject to the 3-year exclusion period. This exclusion period bars you from applying for any temporary Australian visa for 3 years after leaving the country. If you have not applied for another visa and remain in Australia after your visa expires, you will immediately be deemed an unlawful non-citizen. If your visa application is refused, you will be granted 28 days to make arrangements for your departure, unless a review application is lodged.
If you are seeking an exemption from Australia's outbound travel restrictions on the basis that you are leaving the country for three months or longer, you must provide evidence of a compelling reason for your trip. This can include a doctor's certificate to support your claim that you are travelling to care for sick family members.
If you are waiting for a decision on a visa or citizenship application, you can enter and leave Australia following the conditions of your current visa. If you were granted Bridging Visa A when you applied, this will automatically become active when your current visa expires and will remain valid until a final decision is made. If you need to leave Australia, you should apply for Bridging Visa B, which can be valid for 1 year.
To obtain Australian citizenship, you must reside in the country for 4 years, with an absence of no more than 12 months during that period, and have a Permanent Residency visa during the last year, with no more than 90 days overseas.
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How to apply for an outward travel exemption
Australian citizens and permanent residents are subject to outbound travel restrictions due to COVID-19. Exemptions can be granted in certain circumstances, but these are limited. If you are seeking an exemption, you must provide sufficient evidence to support your claims.
Firstly, you must read and acknowledge advice about travel risks, including potential delays to your return to Australia. You must also ensure you have the resources to support yourself overseas for a prolonged period, in the event of flight cancellations or other disruptions. If you are not granted an exemption, you should not continue with your travel plans.
If you are seeking an exemption on the basis that you will be outside of Australia for three months or longer, you must provide a compelling reason for your trip. This can include:
- Critical work providing assistance to the country of destination’s COVID-19 response
- Travel in Australia’s national interest
- Seeking urgent medical treatment for a critical illness that cannot be treated in Australia
- Providing care for sick family members
You must also provide a Statutory Declaration confirming that you are applying for a travel exemption on the basis that you will be absent from Australia for more than three months. A false statement in a statutory declaration is an offence under the Statutory Declarations Act 1959.
If you are ordinarily resident overseas, you must apply for a travel exemption through the Travel Exemption Portal at COVID19.homeaffairs.gov.au. If you are outside Australia and want to return to your country of residence, you can apply for an outwards exemption before you arrive in Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Australian citizens and permanent residents cannot leave Australia due to COVID-19 restrictions unless they have an exemption.
To obtain Australian citizenship, you must:
- Reside in Australia for 4 years with no more than 12 months of absence during that period
- Have a Permanent Residency visa during the last year with no more than 90 days overseas
- Submit an application on the Department's website
- Pass a test
- Receive a citizenship confirmation letter
- Attend a citizenship ceremony
To apply for an exemption to leave Australia, you must:
- Submit your application at least 2 weeks but not more than 3 months before your planned departure
- Provide supporting documents such as proof of your current valid visa, medical certificates, or evidence of your plans to move to another country
- Create an account on the Australian government website and submit your request
