Damon Mcknight
Australia's international travel ban has been extended several times since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, the ban was expected to end in March 2021, but it was extended until June of that year. Later, it was further extended until December 2021, with the government citing public health risks and the emergence of new COVID-19 variants as reasons for the extension. The travel ban has had significant impacts on Australians, including those wishing to travel for business, pleasure, or to visit loved ones overseas. As of October 2021, Australia's travel restrictions were expected to remain in place until mid-2022, with some speculating that the ban could be lifted once 80% of travellers are fully vaccinated. However, the end date for the travel ban remains uncertain, and it has been described as never-ending.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of extension | 2nd September 2021 |
| Previous end date | 17th September 2021 |
| New end date | 17th December 2021 |
| Travel ban duration | Until 80% of travellers are fully vaccinated |
| Current inbound travel | Quarantine-free travel to New South Wales, Victoria, and the Australian Capital Territory |
| Previous end date | Late October 2021 |
| Previous end date | June 2021 |
| Previous end date | March 2021 |
| Previous end date | Early 2021 |
| Previous end date | 17th March 2020 |
| Exemptions | Specific exemptions granted for outbound travel |
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What You'll Learn
Australians require permission to leave the country
Australia has had some of the world's strictest border controls during the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, the Australian government banned most Australians from leaving the country without an exemption. The Australian Border Force has been responsible for granting these exemptions. In the period examined by one source, officials assessed 208,791 exemption requests and approved 119,922 applications. A further 17,017 requests were deemed not to require an individual exemption, meaning roughly 65% of requests were either approved or deemed not to require an exemption.
Some people do not require permission to leave Australia. These include people who usually live overseas, aircraft crew or maintenance staff, freight workers, those with essential work at an offshore facility in Australian waters, those travelling on official government business, and those travelling directly to New Zealand.
For those who do require permission, common reasons to leave are for work, urgent medical reasons, compassionate reasons, or travel in the national interest. Permissions can also be granted for a "compelling reason", with no intention to return for three months or longer.
The Australian government has extended the ban on outbound international travel several times. In March 2021, the government extended the ban for three more months, until mid-June. In December 2020, the government extended the ban until March 2021.
The Australian government has cited the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as the reason for the ban. The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee has advised the government that the COVID-19 situation overseas continues to pose an unacceptable public health risk to Australia.
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Exemptions are rare and hard to come by
Australia's international travel ban has been a source of frustration for many, with persistent rejection of travel ban waiver requests. The process to gain an exemption is challenging, and there is no review process available for refusals.
The Australian government has identified specific criteria for those who may be eligible for an exemption. These include:
- Family members of Australian citizens or permanent residents.
- Foreign nationals invited by the Australian government to assist with the COVID-19 response.
- People with critical skills, such as those listed on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (e.g., nurses, doctors, medical specialists, and engineers).
- People working in essential industries, such as aged care, agriculture, medical technology, telecommunications, engineering, mining, food production, and the maritime industry.
- Individuals who can demonstrate strong economic, scientific, cultural, or other benefits to Australia.
Even for those who meet these criteria, gaining an exemption is not guaranteed. Applicants must provide significant substantive evidence to support their request, and the process can be lengthy and unpredictable.
For example, Australian permanent residents must obtain an exemption before travelling overseas. Many applicants have reported submitting requests well in advance of their planned travel dates, only to receive no response from the government, causing them to delay their departure or cancel their plans altogether.
The Australian government has faced criticism for the lack of transparency and responsiveness regarding the exemption process. With limited exemptions and a challenging approval process, those seeking to enter or depart Australia continue to face difficulties.
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Travel restrictions will be lifted when 80% of travellers are fully vaccinated
Australia has been very serious about its border controls during the COVID-19 pandemic. The country had imposed a ban on international travel in March 2020. Since then, the ban has been extended multiple times. In March 2021, the Australian government extended the ban until June 2021. In September 2021, the Australian government again extended the ban until December 2021.
Inbound and outbound travel restrictions are set to be removed when 80% of those travelling are fully vaccinated. However, Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan and his Queensland counterpart Annastacia Palaszczuk have refused to commit to opening their borders when the target is met.
The Australian government's decision to lift travel restrictions when 80% of travellers are fully vaccinated is a sensible and cautious approach. By ensuring a high level of vaccination among travellers, the risk of COVID-19 transmission during travel is significantly reduced. This not only protects the health and safety of travellers but also helps prevent the spread of the virus within the community.
Achieving an 80% vaccination rate among travellers will also help boost Australia's economy. The tourism industry has been severely impacted by the pandemic, and easing travel restrictions will encourage more people to visit the country. This will result in increased spending in the local economy, benefiting businesses and communities across Australia.
Furthermore, lifting travel restrictions when 80% of travellers are fully vaccinated demonstrates Australia's commitment to a safe and gradual reopening. By setting a clear and achievable target, the government provides certainty and confidence to both travellers and the tourism industry. This approach allows for a more sustainable recovery and helps avoid the potential disruptions caused by sudden changes in border policies.
While the focus is currently on lifting restrictions for travellers, it is important to recognise that Australia's overall COVID-19 response extends beyond this. The country's public health measures, including testing, contact tracing, and quarantine protocols, remain crucial in managing the pandemic. Additionally, ongoing surveillance and monitoring of new variants will be essential to inform future border control policies.
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The ban was extended due to the emergence of more transmissible COVID-19 variants
Australia's international travel ban was extended multiple times during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the emergence of more transmissible variants of the virus. In December 2020, the Australian government extended the ban on outbound international travel until at least mid-March 2021. This decision was made in response to the rapid spread of COVID-19 in many countries, with the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee deeming the situation a significant public health risk. The Health Minister, Greg Hunt, stated that the extension aimed to mitigate the risk posed by the emergence of highly transmissible COVID-19 variants.
The extension of the travel ban meant that Australians could only leave the country with specific exemptions. By March 2021, more than 100,000 exemptions had been granted to Australians since the borders were initially closed due to the pandemic. Exemptions were given for various reasons, including business, medical treatment, and compassionate grounds. However, those who were granted exemptions often faced challenges with expensive airfares and flight cancellations.
The emergence of new COVID-19 variants, such as the highly infectious South African strain, played a significant role in the Australian government's decision-making process. In March 2021, the Australian government again extended the international travel ban for three more months, until mid-June. This extension was advised by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, which stated that the COVID-19 situation overseas continued to pose an unacceptable public health risk to Australia, including the spread of more transmissible variants.
The ongoing emergence of new COVID-19 variants and the goal of mitigating public health risks influenced the Australian government's approach to border restrictions. The extension of the travel ban allowed the government to monitor the situation, aiming to protect the health and safety of Australians while also recognizing the challenges faced by those impacted by the restrictions. The development and rollout of vaccines also played a crucial role in Australia's strategy to combat the pandemic and gradually reopen its borders.
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Domestic travel options are opening up
Australia has had some of the world's strictest border controls during the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee deemed COVID-19 a significant public health risk internationally due to the rapid spread of the virus in many countries. Since then, Australia has extended its international travel ban several times.
However, as of December 2020, more domestic travel options have started to open up across Australia. Travellers from New South Wales and Victoria can now enter Western Australia without needing to quarantine for the first time in almost nine months. Queensland has also opened up to Adelaide, although WA Premier Mark McGowan has warned that border restrictions could be swiftly reintroduced if circumstances change.
In March 2021, the Australian government extended the international travel ban for three more months, meaning the country's international borders would remain shut through mid-June. However, the country's flag carrier, Qantas, has said it is planning for international travel to restart at the end of October 2021, in line with the expected completion of Australia's vaccine rollout.
As of September 2021, Australia extended its travel ban on overseas travel until December. According to Health Minister Greg Hunt, inbound and outbound travel restrictions will be removed when 80% of travellers are fully vaccinated. However, the Western Australia Premier and his Queensland counterpart have refused to commit to opening their borders when this target is met.
Despite the ongoing international travel ban, domestic travel options continue to open up for Australians.
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Frequently asked questions
As of September 2021, Australia has extended its travel ban on overseas travel for the foreseeable future.
The travel ban has been in place since March 17, 2020.
Australians are not allowed to leave the country unless given a rare or essential exemption. International visitors are also banned from entering Australia.
The Australian government has not provided a definitive end date. However, Qantas Airways, the country's flag carrier, has stated that it expects international travel to restart at the end of October 2021, coinciding with the completion of Australia's vaccine rollout.
