Happy 21 February 2022 – Fortress Australia, ie, Australian Border is now open!

I think most of you knew that this was coming.  This has been in the news for the last few weeks. I don’t know about you, but it almost seems like awakening from a bad dream where you’re not sure which is real. Australian border open?? You wait for someone to shake you awake and say “No! COVID! Lockdown!” I always believed that this would happen soon enough, and my prediction was (for once!) correct when I said Feb 2022! See below what I received this morning from the Border Force people (who used to assess the dreaded travel ban exemptions)!

Look at the “Outcome” in the box!

Travel Ban Exemption reply

Dear Jeff

I refer to your request for an exemption from the travel restrictions on travel to Australia. This advice applies to the following travellers:  

On 7 February 2022, the Prime Minister announced changes to Australia’s travel restrictions for fully vaccinated visa holders. From 21 February 2022, all visa holders who have received a full vaccination schedule of a recognised COVID-19 vaccine can travel to and from Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption. If you have applied for but not yet been granted a visa, you will not be able to travel to Australia until you have been advised that the visa has been granted.

Children who are aged 17 or under and travelling with a fully vaccinated adult will be treated as vaccinated for the purposes of their travel. Travellers who have a genuine medical contraindication to COVID-19 vaccines will also be able to access the automatic travel exemption available to fully vaccinated visa holders. More information about providing proof of a medical contraindication to COVID-19 vaccines is available on the Department’s website.

The information provided in your travel exemption request indicates that all travellers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If this is correct and you have the required evidence to support your vaccination status, you no longer need a travel exemption to enter Australia. Your vaccination status will be assessed by airline staff when you check in for your flight to Australia.

If you are not fully vaccinated in accordance with the requirements above, you will need to submit a new travel exemption request for assessment.

Before you travel

To reduce the risk of encountering problems when you travel, please ensure you monitor our website for the latest information on requirements for travel to Australia: What I need to do before I travel | COVID-19 and the border (homeaffairs.gov.au)

• All travellers to Australia must have a valid visa. Visit our website to explore your visa options.
• When you travel, you will need to carry proof of:
  • Your COVID-19 vaccination status
  • Your pre-departure travel declaration
  • Your negative pre-departure COVID-19 test

To ensure you have the right evidence for these requirements, refer to What I need to do before I travel | COVID-19 and the border (homeaffairs.gov.au)

• Masks must be worn on all international flights, including at airports.
• You may be required to quarantine upon arrival in Australia. To find out more, contact the relevant state or territory government health department.

So welcome to a new day! Welcome to a world where borders are open and Australian Filipina couples can once again visit each other freely. Enjoy!

Jeff Harvie is a Registered Migration Agent from Australia, but resident in Philippines since 2010 with his Filipina wife Mila and large extended family. Experienced with the Philippines culture, cross-cultural relationships and bureaucracy as well as Australian visas and Australian Migration Law, he writes with authority and fortunately with enough informality and humour that the average Aussie gets it! Down Under Visa specialises in visas for Australians in relationships with ladies and gents from Philippines, Thailand, China and Vietnam. Read MORE