
In 2022, Novak Djokovic was banned from the Australian Open and deported from Australia over his COVID-19 vaccination status. The world's number one tennis player had his visa cancelled multiple times and was initially barred from the country until 2025. However, he has since been granted a temporary visa to compete in the 2023 Australian Open.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2022 |
| Reason | Failing to meet Australia's COVID-19 vaccination requirements |
| Person | Novak Djokovic |
| Event | Australian Open |
| Country | Australia |
| Visa Status | Cancelled twice, reinstated, then cancelled again |
| Court Decision | Visa reinstated by Federal Circuit Court Judge Anthony Kelly |
| Final Decision | Visa cancelled by Immigration Minister Alex Hawke |
| Current Status | Barred from Australia until 2025, but the government may waive the ban |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Novak Djokovic's unvaccinated status
In 2022, Australia had strict entry regulations due to the pandemic, mandating complete vaccination for all non-citizens unless a medical exemption was present. Djokovic initially obtained an exemption from vaccination rules through assessments by two independent medical panels organized by Tennis Australia and the Victorian state government. However, upon his arrival in Australia, the Australian Border Force (ABF) detained Djokovic, citing inadequate evidence to fulfill entry requirements, and his visa was revoked. This led to a legal battle, with a court restoring his visa, only for the Australian Immigration Minister to cancel it again on public health grounds, expressing concern about fuelling anti-vaccination sentiment.
Djokovic was deported from Australia and barred from the country until 2025. However, in July 2022, Australia scrapped a rule requiring international travellers to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status, and Djokovic expressed hope for positive news on his bid to play in the 2023 Australian Open. In November 2022, it was announced that Djokovic had been granted a temporary visa to play in the 2023 tournament, causing some controversy.
Best Routes to Fly from UK to Australia
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$9.99

Australian visa cancellation
In January 2022, Novak Djokovic's visa was cancelled by the Australian government due to his COVID-19 vaccination status. Australia had mandated complete vaccination for all non-citizens unless a medical exemption was present.
Upon his arrival in Australia, the Australian Border Force (ABF) detained Djokovic, citing inadequate evidence to fulfil entry requirements. Djokovic appealed the decision, and his visa was reinstated by a judge who cited insufficient time for him to seek legal advice before the decision to deny entry was made. However, Australia's Immigration Minister Alex Hawke used discretionary powers to cancel Djokovic's visa again, citing health and "good order" reasons, and expressing concern that his presence might fuel anti-vaccination sentiment.
Djokovic was barred from Australia until 2025 but was granted a temporary visa in November 2022 to compete in the 2023 Australian Open. Since the cancellation of his visa, Australia has removed COVID-19 border restrictions, including the vaccination requirement for entry.
The decision to grant Djokovic a visa to compete in the 2023 Australian Open was controversial. Former Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews stated that waiving the visa ban would be a "slap in the face" for Australians who received the COVID-19 vaccine. She argued that there should not be one rule for Djokovic and another for everyone else.
Chalcopyrite Deposits: Australia's Copper-Rich Regions
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Court reinstates Djokovic's visa
Novak Djokovic, the world's No. 1 ranked tennis player, was banned from entering Australia in 2022 due to his COVID-19 vaccination status. Australia had mandated complete vaccination for all non-citizens unless a medical exemption was presented. Although Djokovic initially obtained an exemption through assessments by medical panels, his visa was still denied by the Australian Border Force (ABF) upon arrival, citing inadequate evidence to fulfill entry requirements.
Djokovic appealed the decision, and Federal Circuit Court Judge Anthony Kelly reinstated his visa, stating that there was insufficient time for him to seek legal advice before the decision to deny entry. Following this, Djokovic was reinstated as the No. 1 seed for the Australian Open. However, Australia's Immigration Minister Alex Hawke used discretionary powers to cancel the tennis star's visa again, citing health and good order reasons, as well as concerns about fuelling anti-vaccination sentiment.
Djokovic's legal team initiated another appeal, and the court ruled in his favour. Despite this, Djokovic was ultimately deported from Australia and barred from the country until 2025. The decision to deport him and uphold the visa ban sparked controversy, with some believing it was a ""slap in the face" for Australian citizens who received the COVID-19 vaccine.
Applying to be a Doctor in Australia: A Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Australian Immigration Minister cancels visa again
In January 2022, the Australian government cancelled Novak Djokovic's visa twice, preventing him from participating in the Australian Open. Djokovic was opposed to receiving the COVID-19 vaccination, which was required for non-citizens entering Australia unless a medical exemption was present.
Upon his arrival in Australia, the Australian Border Force (ABF) detained Djokovic and revoked his visa, citing a lack of evidence to meet entry requirements. Djokovic appealed the decision, and the court reinstated his visa. However, Australian Immigration Minister Alex Hawke used discretionary powers to cancel Djokovic's visa a second time, citing health and "good order" reasons. Hawke expressed concern that Djokovic's presence in Australia might fuel anti-vaccination sentiment.
Djokovic was initially barred from re-entering Australia until 2025, but the government can waive this three-year visa ban. In July 2022, Australia removed the rule requiring international travellers to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status. In November 2022, Djokovic was granted a temporary visa to participate in the 2023 Australian Open. Immigration Minister Andrew Giles stated that all COVID-19-related Australian border restrictions under the Biosecurity Act 2015 had been removed, including the requirement to provide evidence of vaccination status.
Base Rate Entity: Australia's Unique Employment System
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Djokovic barred from Australia until 2025
In January 2022, Novak Djokovic was barred from entering Australia over his Covid vaccination status. The tennis star had travelled to Australia with an exemption permission, but upon arrival, the Australian Border Force (ABF) detained him and revoked his visa, citing inadequate evidence to fulfil entry requirements. At the time, Australia mandated complete vaccination for all non-citizens unless a medical exemption was present.
Djokovic's visa was reinstated by a judge who cited insufficient time for him to seek legal advice before the decision to deny entry was made. However, Australia's Immigration Minister Alex Hawke used discretionary powers to cancel the visa again on public health grounds, expressing concern that his presence might fuel anti-vaccination sentiment.
Djokovic was deported from Australia, and initially barred from the country until 2025. However, in November 2022, it was announced that he had been granted a temporary visa to return to the country for the 2023 Australian Open. The decision was made after Australia removed all Covid-19 border restrictions, including the vaccination requirement for entry.
While Djokovic was allowed back into the country, former Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews stated that waiving his visa ban would be a "slap in the face" for Australians who received the Covid-19 vaccine. She argued that there should be one rule for everyone, regardless of status.
Aussie Adventure to Costa Rica: Flights and Tips
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Australia banned Novak Djokovic for failing to meet the country's COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
The Australian Border Force (ABF) detained Djokovic and revoked his visa, citing inadequate evidence to fulfill entry requirements.
A Federal Circuit Court Judge reinstated Djokovic's visa, but Australia's Immigration Minister Alex Hawke used discretionary powers to cancel it again on health and "good order" grounds.
Yes, the Australian government can waive the three-year visa ban. However, former Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews argued that doing so would be a "slap in the face" for Australians who received the COVID-19 vaccine.









































