COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and the Australian border 

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From 9pm AEDT 20 March 2020, only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can travel to Australia. 

All travellers to Australia are required to self-isolate for 14 days, either at home or in a hotel. 

Travel restrictions are subject to change. Please check back regularly. 

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Travelling from overseas 

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 All people entering Australia must self-isolate for 14 days. 

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• You may board a domestic flight to your intended destination in Australia to self-isolate there. 

• If you are well and not symptomatic, you may self-isolate in a hotel. 

• If travellers do not comply with their 14 day self-isolation requirements, they may face a range of penalties that exist in each State or Territory. 

 

Restrictions in place until: Further notice 

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Exemptions to travel restrictions 

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You can travel to Australia if you are: 

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An Australian citizen 

You can come to Australia. You will need to self-isolate for 14 days, at home or in a hotel. 

Australians are advised not to travel overseas. Australian's overseas should return home as soon as possible. For further information see Smartraveller. 

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A permanent resident of Australia 

You can come to Australia. You will need to self-isolate for 14 days, at home or in a hotel. For advice on travelling outside of Australia see Smartraveller. 

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A New Zealand citizen usually resident in Australia 

You can come to Australia. You will need to self-isolate for 14 days, at home or in a hotel. You must carry proof of residency (driver's licence or documents in relation to your residency). 

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An immediate family member of Australian citizens and permanent residents 

In this case, immediate family means: 

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• spouses 

• dependents 

• legal guardians 

 

Without visa - You can't come to Australia until you have a visa. Apply for a visa and include proof (such as your marriage certificate, your birth certificate or birth certificate for your children). If we let you travel, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days, at home or in a hotel. 

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With a temporary visa (except for Partner and Child visa holders) - Attach proof (such as your marriage certificate, evidence of your de-facto relationship such as shared finances or property, your birth certificate or birth certificate for your children) and submit this form. Do not travel until we advise that you can. If we let you travel, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days, at home or in a hotel. 

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Partner and Child visa holders (except Prospective Marriage visa holders) can come to Australia. You will need to self-isolate for 14 days, at home or in a hotel. 

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Visa holders in Australia 

You must apply for a new visa before your current visa expires. You may be eligible to be granted a bridging visa that will keep you lawful until a decision is made on your visa application. See what you need to do to stay longer. 

No further stay condition (includes 8503, 8534 and 8535) 

This means you can't apply for most other visas until you leave Australia. If your visa has less than 2 months validity remaining you can request to waive this condition. 

Condition 8558 (Non-resident cannot stay for more than 12 months in any 18 months period) 

You will need to apply for a new visa that suits your new needs. Explore your visa options. 

If your visa has expired, you need to apply for Bridging E visa (BVE) immediately in order to become lawful. A BVE keeps you lawful while you make arrangements to leave or finalise your immigration matter. 

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Complying with visa conditions 

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• Can't enter before required entry date 

For temporary visa holders, you will need to apply for a new visa once the travel restrictions are lifted. Permanent visa holders should contact the departmental office which granted their visa, but only when they are able to travel. 

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•  _Can't provide additional information due to office closure (Health or Police clearances, Biometrics, English Language Testing) 

You will be given additional time to complete checks and provide requested information. You do not need to contact us to ask for an extension while the relevant services are unavailable. 

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•  _Can't return to Australia before my visa expires and want to return 

You will need to apply for a new visa once the travel restrictions are lifted. 

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•  _Can't return to Australia in time for my new visa which requires me to be in Australia at time of application or grant 

You will need to apply for a new visa once the travel restrictions are lifted. 

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•  _Can't complete Australian Study Requirement or periods of stay under the regional initiatives for Temporary graduate visa holders 

We are looking at possible concessions on a case-by-case basis. 

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Processing visa applications 

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Applicants should be aware that some services relating to the visa application process may be impacted by COVID-19. 

We are aware of issues accessing the VEVO system for certain visa holders. If you can't use VEVO to check your visa status and conditions, you can still access your visa grant letter and visa conditions online using your ImmiAccount. 

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Visa cancellation 

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We will notify you in writing if your visa has been cancelled in response to the temporary travel restrictions. This will include information on how to seek revocation of the visa cancellation decision. 

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Special arrangements for students who are in Australia 

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Information about working in Australia 

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•  _Australia’s major supermarkets will temporarily be able to offer more hours to international student employees to help keep shelves stocked. 

•  I_n_t_e_r_n_a_t_i_o_n_a_l_ _s_t_u_d_e_n_t_s_ _r_e_a_d_y_ _t_o_ _f_i_l_l_ _c_r_i_t_i_c_a_l_ _s_t_a_f_f_ _s_h_o_r_t_a_g_e_s_ _i_n_ _a_g_e_d_ _c_a_r_e_. 

 

Student visa holders do not need to apply. You should contact your employer. 

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Education providers 

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Information about deferrals, extensions and what to tell students. 

Students unable to return to Australia to continue their studies may need to have their study deferred. This will not affect their visa status. 

See information relating to Confirmation of Enrolment arrangements 

Where a student requires additional time to complete their studies (beyond their visa expiry date) they will: 

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•  _need to apply for a new student visa and 

•  _will require a new Confirmation of Enrolment. 

 

Extension

Student visas can’t be extended. The student will need to apply for a new visa that meets their current needs. 

What to tell students 

Education providers should supply students with information about: 

•  _Australian Government travel restrictions 

•  _any state or federal health restrictions that may affect them. 

 

Education providers should work with students to determine when they may be able to recommence their studies. 

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Studying online 

We do not regulate mode of study requirements for international students. 

Education providers should contact their regulatory agency for further advice. 

For the exceptions as result of the travel restrictions, see the National Code requirements for affected tertiary students to undertake online study. 

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Bridging visa holders 

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If your Bridging visa expires and you are outside Australia, you will need to apply for another visa. Bridging visas cannot be granted if you are outside Australia. 

From 9pm AEDT 20 March 2020, only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can travel to Australia. 

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Cruise ship passengers 

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As at 15 March 2020 the Australian Government restricted all cruise ships from entering Australia for 30 days, inclusive of direct arrivals and Round Trip Cruises. 

All travellers entering Australia from 0001 AEDST 16 March 2020 must undertake a precautionary self-isolation period for 14 days upon departure from your last overseas port. 

We are working with the cruise industry to: 

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•  _implement the restriction 

•  _bring everyone currently on a cruise safely back to port and on to their home destinations either in Australia or overseas. 

 

Cruise ship crew must self-isolate for 14 days* or for the duration of their stay whichever is shorter. 

Australian citizens and residents may complete a domestic transfer and commence their precautionary 14 day* self-isolation period in the final destination. 

While in transit, they must remain in the airport or if they have a layover, they must self-isolate in their accommodation for that transit period. 

* Please note that the 14 day period commences from the day of departure from the last port of embarkation. As an example, if a ship has travelled for 10 days prior to arrival in Australia, the 

self-isolation period will only be the remaining four days. This is only applicable provided no crew member falls ill or displays symptoms of illness 

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Cruise ship industry 

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As of 15 March 2020 there is a full restriction on arrivals of any cruise ship that has left a foreign port. The restrictions are inclusive of direct arrivals and Round Trip Cruises (RTC). 

This measure will be reviewed after 30 days. 

The health, welfare and safety of Australians, both at home and overseas, is the highest priority of the Australian Government. 

From 0001 AEDST 16 March 2020, Australia will deny entry to any cruise ship that has left a foreign port, with the exception of: 

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•  _Australian-flagged vessels. 

•  _International cruise ships en route having departed their last overseas port and destined for Australia. 

•  _Australian cruise vessels (domestic cruise ships) operating within the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone can continue to operate without restriction. 

•  _RTC’s that are already in progress and currently returning to Australia. 

 

Cruise ships that do not meet the above exemptions, may be approved through the Maritime Traveller Processing Committee (MTPC). These approved cruise ships will be required to go to Brisbane or Sydney. 

Crew

•  _Cruise ship crew must self-isolate for 14 days or for the duration of their stay whichever is shorter. 

 

Source – Australian Department of Home Affairs