High Risk Countries – Outbound Travel Exemption Changes for Australia

As of 23 April 2021, India and Papua New Guinea are now listed as high-risk countries and travel is soon to be only on ‘exceptional circumstances’.

INDIA

New restrictions which will be coming into place for India:

Only 3 reasons to be travelling to India under an ‘exceptional circumstance’ travel exemption:

1. Critical workers providing assistance to covid response; or
2. Person travelling in Australia’s national interest; or
3. Persons seeking urgent medical treatment for a critical illness not available in Australia.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

New restrictions which will be coming into place for Papua New Guinea:

Only 2 reasons to be travelling to PNG under an ‘exceptional circumstance’ travel exemption:

1. Critical workers providing assistance to the COVID-19 response; or
2. People undertaking critical safety roles.

There are no longer options for compelling, compassionate, or humanitarian exemptions.

Ethos Migration Lawyers will continue to provide updates as they become available.