After shutting its international borders for nearly 600 days since March 2020 due to the pandemic, Australia finally announced opening its borders to fully vaccinated skilled workers, overseas students, and eligible visa holders from 1 Dec 2021.
"Australia is re-opening to the world," said Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews as she announced the news, adding it was "yet another step forward for Australia."
Australian education minister Alan Tudge said the decision is good for international students, the universities in his country, and their economy.
Who will be able to come to Australia?
Overseas students and skilled workers will be able to enter Australia from 1 December provided they’re fully vaccinated and present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within three days of departure. The prime minister, Scott Morrison, said it would be a “major milestone” for the nation’s economic recovery.
Eligible visa holders who hold the following visas are allowed to enter Australia:
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
Additional visa subclasses may be added over time.
At Ascend Migration, we pride ourselves in going above and beyond, as your appointed representative, we will act in your best interests at all times, even after you have obtained your Visa.
Contact us for further enquiries now.