Australia is opening its international borders from 1 December

On November 22, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that Australia will be expanding its travel restrictions starting December. 

After Australia met the key milestone of 85% double vaccinated for adults over 16, a new step is being taken in returning Australia to normality.

Eligible visa-holders will be able to enter the country complying with each state’s quarantine requirements. 

image: 9news.com.au

A list of the eligible visa holders can be found on the home affairs website along with some more information on the traveling conditions, but these are it:

​​ 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

Wonderful news as we near Christmas time and thousands of international students and temporary visa holders are given hope of seeing their family for the first time in a very long time. 

Morrison claimed this action has been taken to fuel Australia’s economic recovery from the pandemic and explained that working and student visa-holders will be given priority as the country needs workers and students (who usually work in the hospitality sector during their studies). 

Students account for about $35 billion of the Australian economy and universities have come to rely on international students who make up for about 21% of enrolments (and paying around triple what local students do).

More information is yet to be revealed, and whether the entry to the country will be as smooth as hoped is yet to be discovered, but we will be sure to update you further as soon as we know.

In light of this news, are you going to be planning a trip any time soon? 

image: static.euronews.com/

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