Update as of 15 December: The Australian border officially reopened to international students on 15 December 2022. On this date, Australia also launched its safe travel zone with the Republic of Korea and Japan. Fully vaccinated travellers from these countries will be able to enter Australia without having to quarantine. Be sure to read up on border updates as well as travel updates on quarantine conditions.
Great news for international students and temporary visa holders! As of 1 December 2021, fully vaccinated eligible visa holders can come to Australia without having to apply for a travel exemption.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the announcement at a press conference on Monday 22 November.
“The return of skilled workers and international students to Australia is a major milestone in our pathway back,” said the prime minister.
The decision has been applauded by key players in the international education and tourism sectors – including Insider Guides!
Are you as excited as we are? Are you hoping to learn more about this announcement and how it affects you? We’ve got you covered. Read on to discover the most important details about the recent border update.
What are the requirements to enter Australia?
If you’re hoping to enter Australia under this arrangement, you must:
- Be fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved or recognised by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
- Hold a valid visa that falls under one of the eligible visa subclasses
- Provide proof of your vaccination status
- Present a negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test that was taken within three days of your departure.
Will I have to quarantine upon arrival in Australia?
Quarantine requirements vary between states and territories. You will need to comply with the quarantine requirements in the state or territory that you will be arriving in, as well as any other state or territory you plan to visit.
At the time of this writing, fully vaccinated eligible visa holders from Singapore, Japan and the Republic of Korea will be able to enter participating Australian states and territories quarantine-free from 1 December. Travellers from other countries will be subject to a quarantine period, as determined by the state or territory they are entering.
Currently, vaccinated travellers returning to Australia may only travel between New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory without quarantining. If you’re hoping to travel to another state or territory, you may be barred from entering or may be required to undergo quarantine.
You can learn more about each state and territory’s quarantine regulations here.
What types of visas are included in this plan?
There are several types of eligible visas include:
- Subclass 200 – Refugee visa
- Subclass 201 – In-country Special Humanitarian visa
- Subclass 202 – Global Special Humanitarian visa
- Subclass 203 – Emergency Rescue visa
- Subclass 204 – Woman at Risk visa
- Subclass 300 – Prospective Marriage visa
- Subclass 400 – Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa
- Subclass 403 – Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (other streams, including Australian Agriculture Visa stream)
- Subclass 407 – Training visa
- Subclass 408 – Temporary Activity visa
- Subclass 417 – Working Holiday visa
- Subclass 449 – Humanitarian Stay (Temporary) visa
- Subclass 457 – Temporary Work (Skilled) visa
- Subclass 461 – New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa
- Subclass 462 – Work and Holiday visa
- Subclass 476 – Skilled – Recognised Graduate visa
- Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage visa
- Subclass 485 – Temporary Graduate visa
- Subclass 489 – Skilled – Regional (Provisional) visa
- Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
- Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa
- Subclass 500 – Student visa
- Subclass 580 – Student Guardian visa (closed to new applicants)
- Subclass 590 – Student Guardian visa
- Subclass 785 – Temporary Protection visa
- Subclass 790 – Safe Haven Enterprise visa
- Subclass 870 – Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa
- Subclass 988 – Maritime Crew visa
For more information on visas and travel requirements, visit the Department of Home Affairs.
Keep your eyes peeled for more border updates here on Insider Guides.
