Lyla Lindsey
On March 18, 2020, the Australian government banned all Australian individuals from traveling abroad, allowing only those with government-issued exemptions to leave the country. This decision was made to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as around 80% of cases in Australia at the time were from individuals who had contracted the virus overseas. The ban was extended multiple times, with restrictions on both inbound and outbound travel remaining in place until at least October 2021.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ban | 18 March 2020 |
| Date of extension | 18 December 2021 |
| Duration of extension | 3 months |
| Inbound travel restrictions | All non-citizens and non-residents banned from entering Australia from 20 March 2020 |
| Outbound travel restrictions | Australian citizens and permanent residents not permitted to leave the country without a travel exemption |
| Cruise ship requirement | International cruise ships not allowed to enter Australian ports |
| Quarantine | Two-way quarantine-free travel zone established with New Zealand |
| International arrival caps | Implemented |
| India travel pause | Implemented from 1 May 2021 to 15 May 2021 |
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What You'll Learn
The Australian government banned international travel in March 2020
On March 18, 2020, the Australian government declared a "Human Biosecurity Emergency Period," restricting all Australian citizens from travelling internationally. Only those with government-issued exemptions were allowed to leave the country. This initial ban was set to last until December 17, 2020, but as the pandemic evolved, the government extended it further.
The decision to ban outward travel was influenced by the high number of COVID-19 cases in Australia that were linked to international travel. It was reported that around 80% of cases in Australia at the time were acquired overseas. By restricting outbound travel, the government aimed to minimise the risk of Australians contracting the virus abroad and potentially spreading it upon their return.
In addition to the outward travel ban, Australia also imposed inward travel restrictions during this time. On March 20, 2020, Australia closed its borders to all non-citizens and non-residents. These restrictions aimed to limit the number of incoming travellers and reduce the risk of importing COVID-19 cases into the country.
The Australian government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the international travel ban, was guided by medical advice. The Health Minister, Greg Hunt, emphasised that the extension of biosecurity protections was based on specialist medical and epidemiological advice. The government worked closely with health authorities to make informed decisions and adapt to the evolving situation.
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The ban was challenged by LibertyWorks Inc
On March 25, 2020, the Australian Health Minister made the Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Overseas Travel Ban Emergency Requirements) Determination 2020 (Cth). This Determination prevented any Australian citizen or permanent resident from leaving Australian territory unless an exemption was granted by the Australian Border Force Commissioner or an ABF employee in "exceptional circumstances".
LibertyWorks Inc, a Queensland non-profit think-tank, challenged the validity of the Determination on December 10, 2020, in LibertyWorks Inc v Commonwealth of Australia [2021] FCAFC 90. LibertyWorks did not challenge the validity of the Declaration but only the restrictions on overseas travel imposed by the Determination. They submitted that the operation of s 96 had been rendered nugatory since March 25, 2020, and suggested that the spread of the virus could be controlled by measures such as disinfecting outgoing mail or decontaminating outgoing freight.
The Court rejected LibertyWorks' argument, stating that Section 477(6) must be read in its context and its meaning determined by reference to that context. The Court upheld the impugned provisions of the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme Act 2018 (Cth), with two compelling dissents. The decision illustrates the difficulties that arise when applying the implied freedom jurisprudence to Australia's foreign influence legislation.
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The Federal Court of Australia upheld the ban
On March 18, 2020, the Australian government banned all Australian individuals from travelling abroad. This was known as the "Human Biosecurity Emergency Period". Only those with government-issued exemptions were allowed to leave the country.
The Australian government extended the ban on international travel for another three months on December 18, 2021. The emergency period was set to continue until December 17, 2021, for citizens and permanent residents, due to a new wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The AHPPC advised that the international COVID-19 situation posed an unacceptable risk to public health and warranted continued monitoring. The court agreed with the assessment that the risk of Australians returning to the country with COVID-19 and spreading it to other countries was significant.
The Federal Court's decision to uphold the ban was influenced by various factors, including the high number of COVID-19 cases in Australia linked to international travel. The court recognised the need to protect the health and safety of Australian citizens and prevent further strain on the country's healthcare system.
The ban had a significant impact on individuals and businesses, affecting international tourism, travel, aviation, and education sectors. It also resulted in the prohibition of travel via cruise vessels and restrictions on retail outlets at international terminals.
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The ban was extended in December 2020
The Australian government extended the international travel ban by three months in December 2020. The emergency period, which was imposed on March 18, 2020, was extended until December 17, 2021, for citizens and permanent residents due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The decision was made based on specialist medical and epidemiological advice, considering the views of the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer and the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC). According to Health Minister Greg Hunt, the extension aimed to protect public health by continuing biosecurity measures.
The ban included prohibitions on travel via cruise vessels, outbound travel, and retail outlets at international terminals. It was part of Australia's COVID-19 international travel restrictions, which also included inward travel restrictions, mandatory quarantine, international arrival caps, and specific pauses on travel to certain countries, such as India. These restrictions were implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19 into and out of Australia, as a significant number of cases were attributed to international travel.
The Australian government's decision to extend the ban on international travel was influenced by the rising number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the country. New South Wales, for example, reported four new deaths and 1,218 new cases, bringing the death toll to 1,000 at that time. This situation led Prime Minister Scott Morrison to shift away from the country's previous zero-COVID strategy.
The extension of the travel ban had varying responses from different members of individual government bodies. While some, like New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian, supported the announcement that most international travellers would reach the borders once the vaccination target was met, others disagreed. Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk refused to open their borders even after 80% of individuals over 16 received both vaccine doses.
The Australian government's management of international travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic was generally effective in controlling the spread of the virus. The restrictions impacted various sectors, including international tourism, travel, aviation, and education. While there was no initial plan to implement travel restrictions, subsequent decisions were informed by robust planning and policy advice, adapting to the evolving situation.
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The ban was lifted in October 2021
The Australian government banned its citizens and permanent residents from travelling abroad on March 18, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This ban, known as the "Human Biosecurity Emergency Period", was extended multiple times throughout the pandemic.
In April 2021, the Australian government amended the outward travel determination to allow citizens and permanent residents to travel to New Zealand under certain circumstances, creating a two-way quarantine-free travel zone. Additionally, in May 2021, the government implemented a temporary pause on travel to and from India due to the surge in COVID-19 cases in that country.
By December 2021, the Australian government had begun easing travel restrictions for vaccinated individuals. Inbound and outbound travel restrictions for vaccinated people were set to be lifted once 80% of individuals over 16 received both of their vaccine doses. However, this target was not met without controversy, as some members of the government disagreed on whether to open borders once the vaccination target was achieved.
Finally, in October 2021, most of Australia's international travel restrictions were lifted. This included the lifting of inbound and outbound travel restrictions, the cruise ship ban, mandatory quarantine, and international arrival caps. The ban on international travel was in place for approximately one year and seven months, significantly impacting individuals and businesses in Australia, particularly those in the tourism, travel, aviation, and education sectors.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian government first banned international travel on March 18, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yes, only government-issued exemptions were allowed.
The ban was extended by three months on December 18, 2021, and was set to last until December 17, 2021.
Yes, Australia imposed various restrictions, including:
- Inward and outward travel restrictions.
- Cruise ship requirements.
- Mandatory quarantine.
- International arrival caps.
- India travel pause.
In April 2021, the Australian government announced a two-way quarantine-free travel zone with New Zealand, allowing citizens and permanent residents to travel there in certain circumstances.
