Australia Opening Border to Foreign Students and Skilled Workers From Dec 1, Bring Smiles for Many

Since the Wuhan Virus Pandemic has begun in the early 2020s, Australia has lockdown their borders on the world. Australia is among those few countries that have been affected less as compared to other countries of the world. Imposing lockdown and following strict COVID 19 guidelines is one of the reasons for a less number of COVID 19 cases in Australia.

Now as the Wuhan COVID 19 virus pandemic effects are reducing around the world, Australian Immigration swings into action. The recent frequent announcements and travelling ease by the Australia Immigration have proved that. In the hierarchy, on 22 December 2021, the Australian government has declared one of the best news of the year. As per the statement of Prime Minister Scott Morrison from 1 DECEMBER 2021, fully vaccinated Australian citizens, permanent residency holders, and some of the eligible visa holders can travel from and to Australia without applying for a travel exemption. The significant move has brought relaxation among, international students, who wish to fly in summer, skilled migrants and tourists/travellers.

Check criteria to Abroad TravelHere is the guideline that you should check while planning to travel to Australia.

Fully Vaccination Criteria Set by Australia Immigration

If you are fully vaccinated and have the relevant documents then Australia Immigration won’t be a hassle for you. The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) department has published the approved or recognized vaccine list for travellers.

• Additionally, it is also legitimate if any candidate may have mixed doses of two vaccines.
• However, the doses at least have a gap of 14 days, as well as the full vaccination, has been completed at least 7 days before travelling. Here is the list of the approved vaccination to travel to Australia.
  • AstraZeneca Vaxzevria
  • AstraZeneca Covishield
  • Bharat Biotech Covaxin
  • Moderna Spikevax
  • Pfizer/Biontech Comirnaty
  • Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV (for 18-60-year-olds).
  • Sinovac Coronavac
  • OR one dose of:
    • Johnson & Johnson (Janssen-Cilag COVID Vaccine)

Country-wise the vaccination schedule may differ. If any candidates have not been vaccinated as per the Australian government’s schedule then they do not meet the Australia Immigration and TGA definition of full vaccination. However, some exceptions have been declared by the department, which is as per below.

Exceptions for the Vaccination Declared by the Australia Immigration and TGA

• If any travellers may not be vaccinated due to medical reasons then they must need to prove themselves with valid documents. However, the travellers may have to be quarantined after reaching Australia. Each state has their criteria of quarantine so check the criteria before travel.
• Children under the age of 12 have also been considered under the same travel arrangement category
• Not vaccinated or partially vaccinated children between the ages of 12 to 17 years can travel with fully vaccinated parents or guardians.
• If children are travelling with unvaccinated parents or guardians then the whole family will also need to be quarantined.

Proof of Vaccination

As per the guideline of Australia Immigration and TGA, these proofs are mandatory to show the airline staff while travelling to Australia or from Australia.

• Travellers who have been vaccinated from overseas, need to have the vaccination certification as per these criteria.
  • The vaccination certificate must be issued by the national or state/provincial authorities
  • Must be written in English or must have a certified translation copy
  • The certificate must have
    • Name as per the passport or
    • Date of birth as per the passport
    • Vaccination brand name
    • The date of each dose
  • The certificate will be valid in both forms – paper printout or digital copy
• The traveller who have been vaccinated from Australia
  • They need to show the international COVID – 19 Vaccination Certificate (ICVC).
  • The certificate will be valid in both forms – paper printout or digital copy

Travel Australia with Fullfill All criteria

Eligible Visa Subclasses

With the announcement, the Australia immigration department has also declared the eligible visa subclass list. Only those candidates, who are holding this visa can only travel to Australia without applying for a travel exemption.

SR. NO	SUBCLASS	VISA TYPE
1	Subclass 200	Refugee visa
2	Subclass 201	In-country Special Humanitarian visa
3	Subclass 202	Global Special Humanitarian visa
4	Subclass 203	Emergency Rescue visa
5	Subclass 204	Woman at Risk visa
6	Subclass 300	Prospective Marriage visa
7	Subclass 400	Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa
8	Subclass 403	Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (other streams, including Australian Agriculture Visa stream)
9	Subclass 407	Training visa
10	Subclass 408	Temporary Activity visa
11	Subclass 417	Working Holiday visa
12	Subclass 449	Humanitarian Stay (Temporary) visa
13	Subclass 457	Temporary Work (Skilled) visa
14	Subclass 461	New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa
15	Subclass 462	Work and Holiday visa
16	Subclass 476	Skilled – Recognized Graduate visa
17	Subclass 482	Temporary Skill Shortage visa
18	Subclass 485	Temporary Graduate visa
19	Subclass 489	Skilled – Regional (Provisional) visa
20	Subclass 491	Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
21	Subclass 494	Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa
22	Subclass 500	Student visa
23	Subclass 580	Student Guardian visa (closed to new applicants)
24	Subclass 590	Student Guardian visa
25	Subclass 785	Temporary Protection visa
26	Subclass 790	Safe Haven Enterprise visa
27	Subclass 870	Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa
28	Subclass 988	Maritime Crew visa
29	Subclass 201	In-country Special Humanitarian visa
30	Subclass 202	Global Special Humanitarian visa
31	Subclass 203	Emergency Rescue visa

Know More About Eligible Visa Subclasses**In future Australia immigration may add some more subclasses in the list.

Conclusion

In the nutshell, the Australian government and Australia Immigration has speculated that the target of 90% population (over 16 years) will be fully vaccinated before the end of the year. Whereas, with the support of the health department and the health workers until now, almost 85% of the population has been vaccinated. As a result, the announcement of opening the borders have come into the picture. On the other end, as per the Federal Treasurer and deputy leader of the Liberal Party Mr. Josh Frydenberg, reopening the borders for nearly 200,000 visa holders would be proven the booster dose for the Australian economy.