Skilled migrants can now apply for a Travel Exemption to work in Australia under an expanded scope of Critical Skills and Sectors. Here’s what you need to know.
The Australian Border Force (ABF) Commissioner has added several new categories of Travel Exemptions for critical work – including services for mining, supply chain logistics and food production.
Critical Skills for a Travel Exemption
Exemption categories for individuals with Critical Skills to support the supply of essential goods and services:
- Medical technology
- Critical infrastructure
- Telecommunications
- Engineering and mining
- Supply chain logistics
- Aged care
- Primary industry
- Agriculture
- Food production
- Maritime industry
Last updated: 20 October 2020
Critical Sectors for a Travel Exemption
Exemption categories for individuals delivering services in Critical Sectors for Australia’s economic recovery, in cases where no Australian worker is available:
- Financial technology
- Large scale manufacturing
- Film, media and television production
- Emerging technology
Last updated: 20 October 2020
Other Travel Exemption Categories for Critical Work
- A non-citizen invited by the Government to assist in the COVID-19 response;
- A non-citizen providing critical or specialist medical services, including air ambulance, medical evacuations and delivering critical medical supplies;
- A non-citizen providing critical skills in religious or theology fields
- A non-citizen sponsored by an employer to work in Australia in an occupation on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) – Read more here.
- A non-citizen whose entry would otherwise be in the national interest, supported by the Government;
- Military personnel;
- A student completing year 11 and 12, with relevant Government support;
- Persons travelling for compassionate and compelling reasons
Last updated: 20 October 2020
Do I need to hold a visa before requesting a Travel Exemption for critical work?
No – a person that meets the Critical Skills criteria can apply for a Travel Exemption first. A valid visa will however be required to travel to Australia.
Applying for a Travel Exemption | Critical Skills Australia
Unfortunately, a significant number of Travel Exemption Applications are being refused for insufficient evidence in meeting the exemption criteria. Applicants must present a well-documented case with sufficient evidence for meeting the exemption criteria.
Read more about how Travel Exemptions work or view Interstaff’s FAQs on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Australian immigration.
Are you eligible? | Interstaff Migration Agents
The Government has recommenced visa processing for temporary and permanent migration, however delays are being experienced across the migration program.
We encourage you to get in touch if you have any queries about visa and exemption requirements for critical work. Our team of Registered Migration Agents can advise on your eligibility and guide you through the process of preparing your evidence requirements. Simply contact us at visas@interstaff.com or +61 8 9221 3388 (or National Free Call 1800 449 858).
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