Experience with Australian border controls leaving the country

[VPS]

Hi dajop - I am interested in your response to davidj . Are you planning to leave soon (or have flow out already)? We are trying to figure out what to do on our side, as much like you we have ID's and our travel records would show we a pattern of travel to Australia of short trips to visit family.

Oh, for immigration records, does anyone know if they could check that still on my old passport? I recently got a new one, so obviously my previous 9+ travel history is on my old one.

There is a way to get all your immigration records - can't remember the details now but if you want to know I can probably dig it out or you can have a google

 

[glasszon]

There is a way to get all your immigration records - can't remember the details now but if you want to know I can probably dig it out or you can have a google

I think you are referring to this, generally it's requested by people who want to check whether they meet the residence requirement to renew PR or applying for citizenships:

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/form-listing/forms/1359.pdf

 

[glasszon]

Just a quick update. I have reapplied with Home Affairs after having been rejected. Provided more documents. Whereas the rejection took 24 hours, it has now been 1 week and no response.

Can you share the rejection message? Do they literally say "no, you can't travel"? Or is it "please reapply with more information"?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I dunno - maybe there is more to this than is reported - but it does seem heavy handed and unfair

'Cruel and unfair': Retired nurse denied COVID-19 travel exemption to care for dying sister

Given only weeks or months to live, Gail Baker's dying wish is for her sister to travel from New Zealand to care for her toward the end of her life. But red tape is preventing her from doing so.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Tusho]

Can you share the rejection message? Do they literally say "no, you can't travel"? Or is it "please reapply with more information"?

Sure, please see the answer below. I reapplied with more information.

Also, I just got off the phone with them in regards to processing time as it's been 1 week now and still no news. They say they process according to fligth date. If I haven't heard from them 48 hours prior to departure, I should contact them again. Upon me asking how she excpects me to cancel my lease here, move all my stuff and do all that within 48 hours, she said she doesn't know (of course, thinking doesn't seem to be encouraged in the Department of Home Affairs).

The lady did confirm that once the confirmation is in, I can delay the outbound flight. Meaning best way to go is to book a flight asap, apply with all docs, then cancel that flight and fly whenever you want.

Below the rejection email:

Thank you for your enquiry.


Unfortunately, you have not provided sufficient information for an assessment of your eligibility for exemption from the current COVID-19 travel restrictions.

I note that you have not provided sufficient documentary evidence supporting your eligibility. Please provide documents (which need to be in English or accompanied by an accredited translation).

Please provide more information to support your request, including:

Any documents, such as

· Cessation of tenancy agreements or rental of own property or own property sold.

· Evidence of personal effects moved/quote by a transport company.

· If family members are travelling with the applicant, evidence of relationships need to be provided, such as: proof of relationship, birth certificates, and marriage certificates.

· Job offer acceptance

You will need to submit a further enquiry at the following link, with supporting documentation: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/departmental-forms/online-forms/covid19-enquiry-form

 

[VPS]

I think you are referring to this, generally it's requested by people who want to check whether they meet the residence requirement to renew PR or applying for citizenships:

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/form-listing/forms/1359.pdf

That's the one

 

[dajop]

Hi dajop - I am interested in your response to davidj . Are you planning to leave soon (or have flow out already)? We are trying to figure out what to do on our side, as much like you we have ID's and our travel records would show we a pattern of travel to Australia of short trips to visit family.

Yes, not planning to leave until start of June, at this stage, that's the earliest we may be allowed to return to office (in Singapore).

 

[N860CR]

It’s all a bit of a joke really... a few months ago, who’d have thought we could be locked in our homes or physically prevented from leaving the country. I really didn’t think the government even had the power to think about stopping you leaving.

 

[jakeseven7]

I read there are a number of people who need to travel to pick up surrogate children in Europe and if they are not there within a certain number of days after the birth to register then they lose access to the child. That would be really tough

No need to worry, people with surrogacy arrangements are being given exemptions

 

[Pushka]

It’s all a bit of a joke really... a few months ago, who’d have thought we could be locked in our homes or physically prevented from leaving the country. I really didn’t think the government even had the power to think about stopping you leaving.

Because we then have to deal with the numpties who just want to go away for a holiday and then want to return.

 

[N860CR]

Because we then have to deal with the numpties who just want to go away for a holiday and then want to return.

True. But just put them into isolation for 2 weeks. I really cannot fathom how a government can stop people from leaving.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Governments have given themselves quarantine powers for donkeys' years. In 1906 the States ceded Quarantine power to the Commonwealth, and the Commonwealth passed its own Quarantine Act in 1908. In 2015 it was replaced by the Biosecurity Act. Under the latter, the Federal government can decide there is a biosecurity emergency and the wikipedia entry for that Act details what has been done this time.

The Biosecurity Act 2015 specifies that the Governor-General may declare such an emergency exists if the Health Minister ... is satisfied that "a listed human disease is posing a severe and immediate threat, or is causing harm, to human health on a nationally significant scale". This gives the Minister sweeping powers, including imposing restrictions or preventing the movement of people and goods between specified places, and evacuations.

There are similar powers in States' health Acts, and some of the measures are directed by the States because of the constitutional limits on Commonwealth power.

Cheers skip

 

[p--and--t]

True. But just put them into isolation for 2 weeks. I really cannot fathom how a government can stop people from leaving.

Been happening for years. Everyone has to go through immigration when leaving, not just returning. They can stop you there. One example is you cannot leave the country if your destination is a banned country i.e. Syria. Another example if you belong to certain organisations, Another, if the arrival country has not pre-cleared you for arrival i.e. USA

Borders are borders, and the gov controls them.

 

[jakeseven7]

Because we then have to deal with the numpties who just want to go away for a holiday and then want to return.

Like Kerry Stokes?

 

[N860CR]

Been happening for years. Everyone has to go through immigration when leaving, not just returning. They can stop you there. One example is you cannot leave the country if your destination is a banned country i.e. Syria. Another example if you belong to certain organisations, Another, if the arrival country has not pre-cleared you for arrival i.e. USA

Borders are borders, and the gov controls them.

True. But there's a big difference between "don't go to Syria" (and I'm not entirely sure they could stop you anyway) and "don't go to nannas funeral in Auckland". It's certainly a step too far.

 

[PineappleSkip]

I'm not entirely sure they could stop you anyway.

What makes you think they can’t? Other stops can be made where there is human trafficking involved, or where there are unpaid taxes or child support liabilities.

cheers skip

 

[p--and--t]

True. But there's a big difference between "don't go to Syria" (and I'm not entirely sure they could stop you anyway) and "don't go to nannas funeral in Auckland". It's certainly a step too far.

You would probably be surprised then to learn before covid it would happen in an airport in Australia on almost a daily basis.

 

[TomVexille]

Been happening for years. Everyone has to go through immigration when leaving, not just returning. They can stop you there. One example is you cannot leave the country if your destination is a banned country i.e. Syria. Another example if you belong to certain organisations, Another, if the arrival country has not pre-cleared you for arrival i.e. USA

Borders are borders, and the gov controls them.

Agreed. We're lucky enough to live in a country where we've forgotten that travel is a privilege and not an automatic right.

 

[Pushka]

True. But there's a big difference between "don't go to Syria" (and I'm not entirely sure they could stop you anyway) and "don't go to nannas funeral in Auckland". It's certainly a step too far.

Sadly though, it is funerals, weddings and big birthday celebrations where much human contact (hugging, kissing, handshaking) where a significant number of outbreaks occur. One death in SA was the result of a man travelling to Victoria for an Italian wedding and he returned and passed away.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Agreed. We're lucky enough to live in a country where we've forgotten that travel is a privilege and not an automatic right.

Yes and no... in Australia we don't have a bill of rights, only some rights and implied rights determined by the High Court in their consideration of the constitution. However I think the notion of overseas travel would be pretty high up on the list of quasi rights.. that the presumption we should be allowed to leave the country in a democracy 'is' automatic and should be up for challenge if taken away from us - save for some very specific circumstances such as the potential to commit a crime. (I disagree that travel is always a privilege, some travel is essential.) Other countries closing borders is another issue.