I’ve recently posted a number of posts with information about travel exemptions, which are required for Australian citizens and permanent residents to depart Australia, as well as most temporary visa holders wanting to enter Australia. However, when will Australia’s international borders actually reopen?
Looking at Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s 4 phase plan, we are currently in Phase A.
Phase A has an international commercial flight cap of just 3,070 people per week. That’s 3,070 people per week are currently permitted to enter Australia on commercial flights, whether they are Australian citizens or visa holders.
Phase B is set to commence once at least 70% of people aged 16+ are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In achieving this target, each State and Territory is also said to be required to individually hit that 70% goal which is likely to mean that Australia’s overall vaccination rate will be higher than 70% before we move into Phase B.
Phase B will see increased inbound arrivals, especially for vaccinated Australians.
Phase B makes no mention of increased outbound travel.
Phase C is set to commence once at least 80% of people aged 16+ are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In achieving that target, each State and Territory is also said to be required to individually hit that 80% target.
Phase C will see a lifting of inbound & outbound travel restrictions for vaccinated Australians as well as an increase in (vaccinated) international students, work and humanitarian visa holders being able to enter Australia.
Phase D at this stage has no vaccination percentage target specified.
Phase D will see Australia’s international borders reopen with quarantine for ‘high risk travellers only’.
What are people’s thoughts on the timeline of when Australia will move through the 4 phases?
Written by Adam Byrnes (Principal Immigration Lawyer)
a week ago
