Travel Exemptions for Skilled TSS (Subclass 482) Visa Holders

Overview of travel exemptions

Australia has strict border measures in place to protect the health of the Australian community. Under exempt category, you have been granted an individual exemption to the current travel restrictions.

If you are not in an exempt category, you can request travel exemption to the Australian Border Force (ABF).  The majority of travel exemption requests to come to Australia are finalised within 7 days, but some complex requests may take longer.

Who doesn’t need exemptions (Exempt Categories)

You are automatically exempt from the travel restrictions and can enter Australia (without obtaining an individual exemption) if you are:

• an Australian citizen
• a permanent resident of Australia
• an immediate family member of an Australian citizen or permanent resident*
• a New Zealand citizen usually resident in Australia and their immediate family members
• a diplomat accredited to Australia (holding a subclass 995 visa)
• a traveller transiting Australia for 72 hours or less
• airline crew
• a maritime crew including marine pilots
• recruited under the Government approved Seasonal Worker Program or Pacific Labour Scheme
• holder of a Business Innovation and Investment (subclass 188) visa
• travelling from New Zealand by air and have been in New Zealand 14 days before travel

Note: Relevant Federal/State quarantine requirements are still in place, so check before arrival. Refer below.

Travel exemptions are possible for certain critical industries and roles

Travel exemptions may be granted to the Temporary Skill Shortage (Subclass 482) visa or other visa holders/applicants if they are:

• travelling at the invitation of the Australian Government or a state or territory government authority to assist in the COVID-19 response
• providing critical or specialist medical services, including air ambulance, medical evacuations and delivering critical medical supplies
• with critical skills required to maintain the supply of essential goods and services (such as in medical technology, critical infrastructure, telecommunications, engineering and mining, supply chain logistics, aged care, agriculture, primary industry, food production, and the maritime industry)
• delivering services in sectors critical to Australia’s economic recovery (such as financial technology, large scale manufacturing, film, media and television production and emerging technology), where no Australian worker is available
• providing critical skills in religiious or theology fields 
• sponsored by your employer to work in Australia in an occupation on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL)
• whose entry would otherwise be in Australia’s national interest, supported by the Australian Government or a state or territory government authority.

The exemption also for 494

Travel exemptions are required for TSS subclass 482 visa holders and Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (SESR Subclass 494) visa holders.

How and when to apply (pre visa lodgement, or post visa lodgement etc)

An exemption should generally be applied for at least two weeks, but not more than three months, before planned travel. Urgent business travel will be considered inside this timeframe.

An individual making a request does not need to hold a visa at the time of applying for an exemption from Australia’s travel restrictions. If the travel exemption is approved you need to have a valid visa to travel. All requirements must be met to be granted a visa.

Mandatory hotel quarantine

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, travellers arriving in Australia by air or sea may need to go into government-approved mandatory quarantine for 14 days from arrival. Exceptions include travellers who are: 

• travelling from a green safe travel zone, or
• in an exemption category.

State and territory governments, with support from the Australian Government, manage quarantine arrangements including:

• transport for travellers from their arrival point to their quarantine accommodation
• quarantine arrangements at the accommodation facility

You must quarantine in the city you arrive in for 14 days, even if you plan to travel elsewhere in Australia.

Once you have completed quarantine, you can travel within Australia in line with state and territory domestic travel restrictions. This may include further quarantine requirements.

You may be tested for COVID-19 in the first 48 hours and then between days 10 to 12 of quarantine. If you refuse to test, you may have to quarantine for a longer period. Exact testing arrangements depend on states and territories.

In some states and territories, you may also have to contribute to the cost of quarantine.

To learn more or to ask about someone you know who is quarantined, contact your state or territory government health department.

Updates:

The Australian Government are constantly updating travel exemptions in line with health advice.  
More details on travel restrictions here

Examples of some successful travel exemption requests:

• Welder/Fabricator sponsored by/working for an employer with projects in Sydney’s Infrastructure Projects
• Diesel technician/mechanic sponsored by/working for an employer in mining support businesses in Western Australia
• Bio-medical engineer sponsored by/working for an employer in Covid-related pharmaceutical business
• Registered Nurses on the front line

Occupations on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL)

Including the 17 occupations (ANZSCO code) which are given priority in visa process and travel exemption request.

• Chief Executive or Managing Director (111111)
• Construction Project Manager (133111)
• Mechanical Engineer (233512)
• General Practitioner (253111)
• Resident Medical Officer (253112)
• Psychiatrist (253411)
• Medical Practitioner nec (253999)
• Midwife (254111)
• Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (254412)
• Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) (254415)
• Registered Nurse (Medical) (254418)
• Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (254422)
• Registered Nurse (Perioperative) (254423)
• Registered Nurses nec (254499)
• Developer Programmer (261312)
• Software Engineer (261313)
• Maintenance Planner (312911)

More Information:

Feel free to contact our Registered Migration Agents for more information.