Visiting Australia for tourism or business

Visiting Australia during the coronavirus pandemic

Due to the coronavirus pandemic the Australian government has introduced caps on international passenger flows to protect the health of the Australian community. This includes a travel ban for all non-residents and non-Australian citizens coming to Australia including people planning to visit Australia for Tourism or to see their family.

Exemptions from this travel ban are in place for Australian citizens, permanent residents, and their immediate family members (spouses, dependent children, and legal guardians) plus New Zealand citizens who usually reside in Australia.

Applying for an exemption

If you who have a compassionate or compelling reason to travel to Australia, you will need to have an exemption from the Australian Border Force Commissioner. Before you apply for permission to travel, you must either hold a valid visa or have applied for a visa. It is recommended you apply at least 4 weeks, but not more than 3 months, before your planned travel. If you are travelling due to death or critical illness of a close family member, you can apply inside this time-frame and the Department of Home Affairs will prioritise your application. If you are not granted an exemption, you should not continue with your travel plans. If you are granted an exemption, you must take evidence of the exemption decision to the airport.

Caps on international arrivals

All international passenger flight arrivals are subject to caps agreed between federal and all state and territory governments which has resulted in many flights being cancelled with limited passenger seats at premium prices. These temporary measures have been introduced in response to new variants of the coronavirus and to ensure that quarantine arrangements in Australia could continue to provide important front-line defence against the virus.

At present flight arrivals are as follows:

•    New South Wales - weekly cap of 1,505 arrivals.
•    Victoria – weekly cap of 1,120 arrivals.
•    Western Australia - weekly cap of 512 arrivals.
•    Queensland - weekly cap of 650 arrivals.
•    South Australia – weekly cap of 490 arrivals.
•    Arrangements for arrivals to the ACT and Tasmania will be announced shortly.

Covid-19 PCR test

All passengers travelling to Australia must undergo a PCR COVID-19 test 72 hours or less prior to departure, and evidence a negative test result.

Quarantine is mandatory

All travellers arriving in Australia are subject to mandatory quarantine for 14 days at a designated facility, such as a hotel at their place of arrival. Incoming passengers will be liable for the cost of their quarantine which will vary depending on the state or territory.

•   What type of visitor visa for Australia should I apply for?
•   What are the most Frequently Asked Questions we receive from applicants?
•   How long will it take for my visitor visa application to be decided?
•   Why should I use a professional MARA registered migration agent?
•   How can Concept Australia help me apply for a visitor visa for Australia?    

What type of visitor visa for Australia should I apply for?

Generally, a visitor visa will enable you to enjoy a holiday, visit family or friends or attend business meetings and conferences in Australia.

The type of visa you apply for will depend on your personal circumstances such as pre-existing medical conditions or if you have any criminal convictions, the type of passport you hold, the reason for your visit and the duration of your visit. Note: If you have been offered temporary work in Australia you should consider the Short Stay Specialist 400 visa or the Temporary Skilled Shortage 482 visa.

eVisitor - subclass 651
This visa enables passport holders from the European Economic Area to travel to Australia for stays of up to 3 months during each visit in the 12 months from the date the eVisitor is granted. Eligible passport holders also include Monaco, Republic of San Marino, Switzerland and the Vatican City. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) do not charge a charge a fee for this visa. 

Visitor e600 visa online application
This visa is for applicants from non-European countries or passport holders from the European Economic Area who are seeking to stay longer than 3 months in Australia. This visa is also appropriate for applicants who have a criminal conviction as it will enable the DHA to assess your eligibility prior to travelling to Australia.

Applying for this visa will require you to provide significantly more information and depending on your circumstances, you may be asked to:
•    Produce evidence of sufficient funds for your visit to Australia
•    Outline the reasons for your visit to Australia
•    Give details of personal or business contacts in Australia
•    Provide documents showing your incentive to depart Australia
•    Show that you have ties such as a job and home in your usual place of residence
•    Undergo health checks
•    Provide a police report if you have any criminal convictions

What are the most Frequently Asked Questions we receive from applicants?

•    How much funds do I need for visiting Australia?
•    Do I need to purchase a return ticket to Australia
•    Do I need a visa to visit Australia if I have a British passport?
•    Can I extend my tourism visa for Australia?
•    Can I visit Australia if I have a criminal conviction?
•    Should I take out travel insurance for my visit to Australia?
•    Will I have access to Medicare in Australia?
•    Can I undertake voluntary work whilst visiting Australia?
•    What type of business activities can I undertake whilst visiting Australia?

How long will it take for my visa to be granted?

Currently, the average processing timetable for an e651 visa is 1 to 2 days and for e600 visas up to 1 month or much longer if you have a criminal record that needs to be investigated by the Visa Assessment Character Consideration Unit in Australia.  

Why should I only use an agent registered with MARA?

The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) is managed by the DHA who is responsible for monitoring the conduct of registered migration agents both in and outside Australia. MARA approves continuing professional development activities of all registered agents to ensure they maintain up-to-date knowledge of migration law and procedure so that only the highest level of advice and assistance is provided to prospective applicants.

The DHA strongly advise that if you need assistance with the visa process that you should only appoint an agent who is registered with the MARA. A person who is not registered cannot offer you legal protection and you run the risk of being exposed to migration fraud by someone who has limited knowledge on immigration procedures and who is not accountable for his/her actions.

How can Concept Australia help me apply for a visitor visa for Australia?

We will assess your circumstances and advise which visitor visa best suits your needs and take responsibility for submitting your application to the DHA. Our services include:

•    A preliminary assessment to discuss your visa options
•    Electronic completion of your application form
•    Overview of evidence needed to support your visa application
•    Advice on how to address your conviction history (if applicable)
•    Management of your case until your application is decided

Further information

If you would like to know how we can assist you in obtaining a visitor visa, please telephone Concept Australia on 020 8315 6700.