Free Call (Within Australia) 1800 449 858
[email protected]
Interstaff MigrationInterstaff MigrationInterstaff MigrationInterstaff Migration
Menu
  • Home
  • About
      • About Us
      • Why Interstaff?
      • Company History
      • Staff Profiles
      • Visa Agents
      • Immigration Agents
      • Visa Refusals and Appeals
    • Close
  • Businesses
      • Sponsorship
      • Temporary Work Visas
      • Permanent Work Visas
      • Complex Migration Issues
      • DAMA – Designated Area Migration Agreements
      • Supported Industry Sectors
    • Close
  • Individuals
      • Visa Extensions
      • Skilled Work Visas
      • Working Holiday Visas
      • Family & Partner Visas
      • Student Visas
      • Visitor Visas
      • Medical Treatment Visas
      • Complex Migration Issues
      • Visa Refusals and Appeals
      • Case Studies
    • Close
  • News and Info
      • Immigration News
      • Case Studies
      • Why Use a Migration Agent?
      • Visa Extensions
      • Australian Migration Services
    • Close
  • Contact Us
NextPrevious
india australia travel ban

India Australia Travel Ban | Jail Penalties Scrutinised

Australia, COVID-19, Engineering & Construction Migration, Immigration Articles, Immigration News, Interstaff News, Resource Industry, Uncategorized | 5 May, 2021 |

India Australia Travel Ban | Jail Penalties Scrutinised

 

Update as of 7 May 2021: Prime Minister, Scott Morrison today confirmed the India-Australia travel ban would end on 15 May and repatriation flights would follow. Urgent cases will be prioritised and arrivals will need to undergo rapid antigen testing before they return.

 

After suspending all flights to and from India from 27 April until 15 May 2021, the Government has confirmed that penalties under the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Biosecurity Act) would apply to people who breach the temporary travel ban.

This includes up to 5 years in jail or a fine of up to $66,000 or both. It is reportedly the first time Australia has enforced criminal sanctions for its own citizens to return home.

 

India Australia Travel Ban Restrictions

While flights to and from India are suspended, the media has reported of people using ‘loopholes’ to circumvent the travel ban.

To mitigate this risk, Health Minister, Greg Hunt has confirmed criminal sanctions may be enforced under the Biosecurity Act, which have been scrutinised by the media.

However, this week Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it was unlikely anyone would be jailed for breaching the ban and that penalties would be implemented ‘proportionately’.

Under the Biosecurity Act, an Emergency Determination was made whereby a person must not enter Australia if they have been in India in the 14 days before flying to Australia.

This Emergency Determination commenced on 3 May 2021 and at this stage it will be repealed on 15 May 2021. It does not include Australian Government facilitated flights and emergency medical evacuation flights.

The travel restrictions are being legally challenged in the Federal Court.

 

India Australia Travel Ban Exemptions

The above restrictions apply to all Australian Citizens, Permanent Residents and Visa Holders with limited exemptions available.

Exemptions may apply for the below:

  • Crew of an aircraft or vessel;
  • Safety and maintenance workers for an aircraft or vessel;
  • Persons engaged in the day‑to‑day conduct of inbound and outbound freight;
  • Persons travelling on official government business on an Australian official or diplomatic passport;
  • Diplomats, consular or other foreign officials accredited to Australia;
  • Members of an Australian Medical Assistance Team (AUSMAT).

Exemptions may also be available for immediate family members of diplomats – conditions apply.

 

What is The Biosecurity Act?

The Biosecurity Act allows the Minister for Health to determine any emergency requirement that he or she is satisfied is necessary to prevent the entry, emergence or spread of a listed human disease (such as COVID-19) in Australia or to other countries.

The Biosecurity Act says there must be a ‘severe and immediate threat’ to the nation before these powers can be exercised.

The powers allow for restrictions to prevent the movement of people between specified places.

On 18 March 2020, an emergency period was initiated under the Biosecurity Act to manage the COVID-19 pandemic.

Throughout the emergency period, the Health Minister can make Emergency Determinations to ensure the Commonwealth can take urgent action to manage a threat to health on a national scale.

However, Emergency Determinations must abide by certain criteria, including that they should be ‘no more restrictive or obtrusive’ than necessary and that they should only be in place for as long as needed.

The India-Australia travel restrictions have been made under these provisions.

 

Interstaff | Migration in the COVID-19 Era

Unfortunately, around 9,000 Australians are unable to return home from India and flights are unavailable for visa holders to see their families at their time of need. Meanwhile, the situation in India is devastating.

Read about the flight suspension here and implications for other countries that may be deemed ‘high-risk’.

We are yet to see if travel bans and penalties will be initiated for other high-risk COVID-19 countries.

You may also be interested in our other immigration news articles:

The Australia-New Zealand Travel Bubble
The 408 Pandemic Visa | What you need to know
Applying for a Partner Visa in the COVID-19 Era

Should you require advice on your visa or travel exemption circumstances, we encourage you to contact Interstaff’s Registered Migration Agents.

 

Source:

Interstaff’s Registered Migration Agents

The Migration Institute of Australia

The Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements—High Risk Country Travel Pause) Determination 2021

ABC News

ABC News

No tags.

Related Post

  • Interstaff workers within the migration agency HQ in perth

    Support for women seeking to migrate

    Today women around the world are celebrating International Women’s Day. It’s a day where the world recognises improvements in women’s rights, while also acknowledging that unfortunately in many parts of the world, there are still many women experiencing violence or inequality. The Australian Department of Immigration and Border Protection recognises… Read More »

  • 2016 Migration Professional Seminar poster countdown

    See Us at the Skilled Migrant Professionals Seminar

    Interstaff International are proud to be Perth’s official migration agency sponsoring the Skilled Migrant Professionals Seminar held at Kim Beazley Theatre, Murdoch University on Friday 18 March from 5pm to 8.30pm. The Skilled Migrant Professionals Seminar is designed to provide networking opportunities between skilled migrants and employers, recruitment agencies, career… Read More »

  • Celebrating Australia’s Irish Past

    Did you know up to one third of Australians are of Irish heritage? Irish settlement played a formative part in Australia’s social, political and cultural background. At Interstaff, several of our team members are of Irish descent, including our Managing Director, Sheila Woods and Registered Migration Agent, Elain Flynn. On… Read More »

  • Exploitation problem facing Australian immigration authorities

    Australia has a large number of undocumented workers – some estimates suggest that the number may exceed 100,000 people. Add to this the massive international student population and temporary work visa holders and you have a big problem. Sadly this leads to exploitation by unscrupulous employers. These sentiments were published… Read More »

  • IT Professionals in High Demand in Australia

    More than 85 percent of new jobs for information and computer technology (ICT) were occupied by international workers for the year 2015, according to a report made by the Australian Computer Society. It is stated in the report that hiring overseas workers is now made a top priority in order to… Read More »

  • Visa-free ‘migration bloc’ supported by most Australia, Canada, NZ, & UK citizens

    Nearly 4,000 individuals from these 4 Commonwealth countries — Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom – have taken part in a survey and the results show that most of them strongly agree to have a Union-style system (that is similar to Europe) which would enable free movement among… Read More »

  • Interstaff stall at the 2016 Skilled Migrants Professionals Seminar

    Networking is Key for Skilled Migrants

    Over 150 people attended the Skilled Migrants Professionals Seminar on Friday 18 March at Murdoch University to access valuable networking opportunities designed to help skilled migrants compete in the Australian job market. Interstaff Visa Coordinator, Allieu Sesay said, “Seminars like the Skilled Migrant Professionals Seminar are great because they provide… Read More »

  • Woman holding her mobile phone and coffee cup with Interstaff International logo

    Exclusive offer for our Facebook fans

    Interstaff International are offering 30% off their Initial Consultation Fee to its Facebook fans for a limited time only. Simply access our digital coupon and then follow the prompts to share our offer on Facebook in order to redeem 30% off your Initial Consultation Fee. We will then validate your coupon at… Read More »

NextPrevious

Get In Touch

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Why Interstaff?
    • Company History
    • Staff Profiles
    • Visa Agents
    • Immigration Agents
    • Visa Refusals and Appeals
  • Businesses
    • Sponsorship
    • Temporary Work Visas
    • Permanent Work Visas
    • Complex Migration Issues
    • DAMA – Designated Area Migration Agreements
    • Supported Industry Sectors
  • Individuals
    • Visa Extensions
    • Skilled Work Visas
    • Working Holiday Visas
    • Family & Partner Visas
    • Student Visas
    • Visitor Visas
    • Medical Treatment Visas
    • Complex Migration Issues
    • Visa Refusals and Appeals
    • Case Studies
  • News and Info
    • Immigration News
    • Case Studies
    • Why Use a Migration Agent?
    • Visa Extensions
    • Australian Migration Services
  • Contact Us
Interstaff Migration

Free Call (within Australia): 1800 449 858
Email: [email protected]

Head Office: Level 1, 384 Rokeby Road, Subiaco W.A. 6008
Office Hours:
Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm (AWST).

Business Migration | Strategic Thinking.
© 2023 Interstaff.

Business Visas

  • Sponsorship
    • Standard Business Sponsorship
    • Labour Agreements
    • Training and Research Sponsor
    • Professional Development Sponsor
    • Entertainment Sponsor
    • Sponsorship Management Services
  • Temporary Work Visas
    • Employer Sponsored Work Visas
    • Short Stay Work Visas
    • Working Holiday Visas
  • Business Owner & Investor Visas
    • Business Owner Visa Stream
    • Investor Visa Stream
    • Significant Investor Visa Stream
    • Premium Investor Visa Stream
    • Permanent Residency As a Business Owner Or Investor
  • Complex Migration Issues
  • Permanent Work Visas
    • Employer Nomination Scheme
    • Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme
    • General Skilled Migration 
  • Supported Industry Sectors
    • Resources
    • Agriculture
    • Information Technology
    • Engineering & Construction
    • Trades
    • Health & Aged/Social Care
    • Restaurants & Hospitality
    • Education & Training
  • Business Migration FAQ's

Individual Visas

  • Skilled Work Visas
  • Working Holiday Visas
  • Family & Partner Visas
    • Partner Visas
    • Parent Visas
    • Child Visas
    • New Zealand Citizen Family Visa
    • Carer Visa Options
    • Remaining Relative Visa
  • Student Visas
  • Visitor Visas
  • Medical Treatment Visas
  • Complex Migration Issues
  • Individual Migration FAQ's
    • Boost Your IELTS Score
    • Settling In As A Skilled Migrant
    • Ask A Migration Agent 

Get in touch today

Contact Us

This content is not advice. It serves as a general overview of topics of interest. It is not exhaustive, and its accuracy is subject to change, therefore Interstaff is not responsible for the accuracy or timeliness of the information or any actions taken based on it. We recommend that you seek professional advice before making decisions or relying on the information provided – please enquire with our team of Registered Migration Agents for specialist advice so that your specific circumstances can be considered. 

Interstaff acknowledges that it is situated on Boorloo (Perth) - Whadjuk Noongar Country, and that Whadjuk Noongar people remain the spiritual and cultural custodians of their land, continuing to practise their values, languages, beliefs and knowledge. We pay our respects to Elders, past, present and emerging.

Copyright 2024 | Website & SEO by Start Digital