Updated Individual Exemptions List to Be Granted Travel Exemption

Since 20 March 2020, travel restrictions were imposed to prohibit incoming arrivals into Australia with the purpose to slow down the spread of COVID-19 in Australia. There are only certain categories of people are exempted from these travel restrictions. Travel exemptions are grouped into:

  •  A. Automatic Exemptions, and 

  • B. Individual Exemptions. 

Recently, in response to the changed circumstance of Covid-19 pandemic, the list of Individual Exemptions has been updated.

Based on the updated list, people who fall within Category G (see list below) have been added to the list. In addition, as Social Worker has been added in the PMSOL, social workers who hold temporary work visas (including subclass 482 and 457 visa) can also apply for the travel exemption.

The Commissioner of the Australian Border Force and decision-makers may grant you an individual exemption if you are:

  1. a foreign national traveling at the invitation of the Australian Government or a state or territory government authority for the purpose of assisting in the COVID-19 response

  2. a foreign national whose entry into Australia would be in the national interest, supported by the Australian Government or a state or territory government authority

  3. providing critical or specialist medical services, including air ambulance, medical evacuations and delivering critical medical supplies

  4. a foreign national with critical skills or working in a critical sector in Australia

  5. a foreign national sponsored by your employer to work in Australia in an occupation on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL)

  6. military personnel, including those who form part of the Status of Forces Agreement, Commonwealth Armed Forces, Asia Pacific Forces and Status of Armed Forces Agreement

  7. a person who resides on a vessel that seeks safe port at the closest appointed port for reprovisioning or safety reasons for a limited duration, supported by the relevant State or Territory government where safe haven is sought

  8. a student completing year 11 and 12, with support from the relevant Australian State or Territory government health authority and education department

  9. a student in your final years of study of a medical, dental, nursing or allied health profession university degree, where you have evidence of a confirmed placement in an Australian hospital or medical practice which commences within the next two months

  10. travelling for compassionate and compelling reasons.


How Can Agape Henry Crux Help You

If you want to find out more about your eligibility or need advice on your Australian migration matter, please do not hesitate to contact us. You can book a Migration Planning Session with one of our immigration lawyers to seek professional advice by calling 02-7200 2700 or email us to book a time at info@ahclawyers.com.

We speak fluent English, Korean, Mandarin, Cantonese, Indonesian, Burmese and Malay. If these aren’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.

This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact our office.