Travel Exemption for Critical Sectors

Currently, Australia is maintaining its strict border measures to protect the health of the Australian community. There are limited to none flights currently available to and from Australia, however the Australian Government has since recognised allowing a travel exemption for those who work in critical sectors and who possess critical skills.

The Commissioner of the Australian Border Force may grant an individual exemption if you are a non-citizen:

• 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
• providing critical or specialist medical services, including air ambulance, medical evacuations and delivering critical medical supplies
• with critical skills required to maintain the supply of essential goods and services (such as in medical technology, critical infrastructure, telecommunications, engineering and mining, supply chain logistics, agricultural technology, food production, and the maritime industry)
• delivering services in sectors critical to Australia’s economic recovery (such as financial technology, large scale manufacturing, film and television production and emerging technology), where no Australian worker is available
• whose entry would otherwise be in Australia’s national interest, supported by the Australian Government or a state or territory government authority.

An individual can submit a request for a travel exemption under this category or a business can submit a request on their behalf. The applications of multiple travelers within the same group/business can be linked, so that the requests are considered together. If you want to apply for this exemption, it should be done in at least two weeks, but not more than three months, before planned travel. All urgent business travel will be considered inside this time frame.

The request must include:

• traveler details: name, DOB, visa type and number, passport number, proposed residential address and phone number in Australia
• reasons for travel: why your request should be considered for Commissioner discretion/exemption
• supporting statement: setting out how you meet one of the critical skills/critical sector grounds for exemption
• accompanying evidence: the request should be accompanied by supporting evidence, such as a letter from a business involved in the provision of critical goods and services, Australian Government or state and territory government authority advising why your travel is critical at this time

And, most importantly all Individuals must hold a valid visa and an exemption from the Commissioner before they travel. All travellers arriving in Australia, including Australian citizens, are subject to mandatory quarantine for 14 days at a designated facility, such as a hotel, in their port of arrival.​

Our Registered Migration Agents at Migration Centre of Australia have been in the migration industry for many years and have helped thousands of clients onshore and offshore. We are trained professionals in Australian Migration Law and we are trusted providers in the industry for our services. If you want to apply for a travel exemption for yourself or your business, or you want to know more about the current travel exemption for critical sectors, contact us today on (02) 4626 1002 or send us an email at info@migrationcentreofaustralia.com.au and one of my registered migration agents will be ready to help you.