Travel Exemptions to Be Removed for Fully Vaccinated Eligible Travellers

Australia further eased travel restrictions on Monday, allowing fully vaccinated, eligible visa holders to visit the country without applying for a travel exemption starting December 1. Skilled and student visa holders, humanitarians, working holidaymakers, and provisional family visa holders are all eligible.

Australia’s Safe Reopening Plans

Australia’s government has announced further reforms as part of its effort to reopen the country securely.

According to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, fully vaccinated eligible visa holders could enter Australia without applying for a travel exemption from December 1, 2021. Eligible visa holders include working holidaymakers, travellers from skilled and student cohorts, humanitarian aid workers, and those on provisional family visas.

Furthermore, he emphasized that the ongoing protection of Australians’ health will be maintained while reuniting families and safeguarding the country’s economic recovery by opening the border to student and skilled visa holders.

Who are the Fully Vaccinated, Eligible Travellers?

Morrison stated that travelers must be fully vaccinated with a dose of a vaccine approved or recognized by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and have a valid visa for one of the eligible visa subclasses. Also, they must provide proof of vaccination status and present a negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test performed within three days of departure.

In the present day, Labour has taken control of the government, and Anthony Albenes is serving as Prime Minister. The authorization that is granted to travelers who can prove that they have had all recommended vaccinations is still valid under the new PR.

What Effect Will This Have on the Economy? 

Returning skilled workers and overseas students to Australia will help to further solidify the country’s much-needed economic recovery by supplying the necessary labor and supporting the important education sector.

Meeting Australia’s Vaccination Requirements in 2022

For the purpose of Australia’s border procedures, to comply with Australia’s vaccination requirements and be classified as a “fully vaccinated” traveler. To enter Australia as an unvaccinated visitor, you must comply with the requirements for unvaccinated travelers.

Temporary visa holders arriving in Australia might have their visas revoked, be detained, and deported if they fail to meet Australia’s border entry criteria for international travel vaccinations.

If you have finished the main course of a vaccination that has been authorized or recognized by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, you are regarded as fully vaccinated to enter and depart Australia. This applies to both visitors and residents (TGA). This involves the use of a combination of approved vaccine doses. 

The following are the currently authorized or recognized vaccinations, as well as the doses that are acceptable for international travel:

Two doses, at least 14 days apart,

• AstraZeneca Vaxzevria
• Covishield (by AstraZeneca)
• Biotech Covaxin 
• Sputnik V of the Gamaleya Research Institute
• Novavax/Biocelect Nuvaxovid
• Pfizer/Biotech Comirnaty
• Moderna, Spikevax, or Takeda
• Sinovac Coronava
• Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV

There is a Scarcity of Workers in Australia

As of right now, Australia is experiencing a serious labor shortage. More 417 visa holders are required, which is great news for foreign skilled workers. The processing period varies based on when you apply for tourists and working holiday makers. The processing period is determined by the date on which you submitted your application if it was received after border crossings were resumed.

The Restrictions are Still Valid for Unvaccinated Travellers

Individuals who are not vaccinated must still get permission from the government before traveling internationally.

According to the health ministry, Australia has registered 290,336 COVID-19 cases and 1,942 fatalities since the epidemic began last year.

91.5 percent of people aged 16 and over have gotten their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination, while 85.1 percent of citizens are fully vaccinated.