Do you need to leave Australia citing emergency, compassionate or family reasons?
On 1 August 2021, the Minister for Health and Aged Care amended the Biosecurity Determination 2020.
So, from 11 August 2021 Australian citizens and permanent residents ordinarily resident in a country outside Australia will not be automatically exempt from Australia’s outward travel restrictions.
Also, according to the Department of Home Affairs website, until 7 September 2021, travellers who arrive at the airport without an exemption, will be allowed to travel if their status as ordinarily resident overseas can be confirmed by an Australian Border Force officer at departure.
DHA lists the following reasons that can allow you permission to leave:
- Response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including the provision of aid
- Travelling for business
- Receiving urgent medical treatment that is not available in Australia
- Urgent and unavoidable personal business
- Compassionate and compelling grounds
- Travel is in Australia’s national interest
- Travelling overseas for a compelling reason for at least three months
- Ordinarily resident in a country other than Australia
The number of Australians who have received approval to leave the country has gradually increased.
DHA says that it has made the process easier to use via an online portal where one request per person can be filed.
However, getting a travel exemption from the Department of Home Affairs isn’t easy.
You must provide evidence to support your claims.
A request to travel outside Australia may be finalised without further consideration if insufficient evidence is provided.
According to DHA, evidence may include:
- passport/s
- marriage certificate/s
- birth certificate/s
- death certificate/s
- proof of relationship (for example, shared tenancy agreement, joint bank account etc.)*
- proof that you are moving to another country on a long term basis such as leases, job offers and evidence your goods are being transported
- proof of your current valid visa, including in Australia and/or overseas
- letter from a doctor or hospital about any medical treatment/condition with statements on why travel is necessary
- letter from your employer, or other evidence that you are travelling for a business reason
- statement or evidence to show when you wish to return to Australia
- any other proof you may have to support your claims.
A person on a temporary visa in Australia can leave at any time, however, they will generally not be permitted to return to Australia.
Finally, based on current health advice, travel restrictions for travel to India has returned to global settings.
Individuals seeking an exemption to travel from Australia to India can apply for a travel exemption through the travel exemptions portal.