A Biosecurity Determination has been made to temporarily stop all travellers (including Australian citizens and permanent residents) entering Australia if they have been in India in the 14 days prior to departure. This means that the automatic exemptions and individual exemption categories outlined in the Commissioner’s Guidelines and Operational Directives do not apply to travellers from India while this Determination remains in effect.
The Determination commences on 12:01AM on 3 May 2021 (in the place where the flight commences) and will cease on 15 May 2021.
The restrictions do not apply to:
Australian Government facilitated flights
emergency medical evacuation flights
Exemptions to the pause on travellers arriving from India
Automatic exemptions to these specific restrictions on travellers from India apply to the following people:
aircraft or maritime crew
a worker associated with the safety or maintenance of an aircraft or vessel
a person engaged in the conduct of inbound and outbound freight
a person (including a member of the Australian Defence Force) who is travelling on official government business and holds an Australian Official Passport or an Australian Diplomatic Passport, including their immediate family members (who may travel on personal passports)
a diplomatic, consular or other foreign official accredited to Australia and their immediate family members (all persons in this category must hold a valid Diplomatic (subclass 995) visa to be eligible)
a member of an Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT)
There is no need for people in the above exempt categories to apply for an exemption in advance of travel. You must carry evidence of your eligibility for the exemption category with you.
The ABF will not approve discretionary inwards travel exemptions for anyone who has been in India for 14 days prior to their departure until after 15 May 2021.
This advice is subject to change. Please check back regularly.
students who have been selected to take part in an International Student Arrivals Plan that has been approved by the relevant state or territory government, and endorsed by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment as satisfying the Protocols and Preconditions for International Student Arrivals.
students who are in their final three years of study of a medical university degree, who have evidence of a confirmed placement in an Australian hospital or medical practice. The placement must commence within the next two months, and provide medical services to the Australian public.
a Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa holder in the following circumstances:
where the subclass 300 visa has been granted; and
the subclass 300 visa application was lodged at least 12 months before submitting a travel exemption request.This means if you applied for a subclass 300 visa on or before 18 August 2020, and you have now been granted your subclass 300 visa; you are eligible for an inwards travel exemption on 18 August 2021.
Exemption requests to escort Australian citizen or permanent resident minors
Travel exemptions may be granted to people escorting Australian citizen or permanent resident minors to travel to Australia. This is to ensure the safety and welfare of the child or children during travel.
Travel exemptions for this category are generally approved under the following circumstances:
one guardian for each child under the age of 2 years will generally be approved
only one guardian within the same family group for multiple children over the age of 2 years will generally be approved
additional guardians may be considered on a case-by-case basis if medical advice and evidence is provided.
Unless exceptional circumstances apply, people escorting Australian citizen or permanent resident minors to Australia should be a relative (for example, aunt, uncle, grandparent).
a person who holds a Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa in the ‘Post COVID-19 Economic Recovery Event’ stream and who is supported by the Global Business and Talent Attraction Taskforce.
a higher degree research student enrolled in an Australian education institution (including Masters by research and PhD students) with evidence of a current research grant from a Commonwealth agency or support from a relevant government agency outlining why the research is considered essential and/or in Australia’s national interest and how their role is critical to the research.