Australia announces easing of travel restrictions from Dec 1; move will help thousands of Indian students return to that country

New Delhi, November 22

Australia on Monday announced easing of its stringent pandemic-related travel restrictions from next month, a decision that is expected to help thousands of Indian students return to that country.

From December 1, fully vaccinated eligible visa holders, including students and skilled workers, can come to Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption, a statement by the Australian government said.

It said the visitor would have to be fully vaccinated with a "completed dosage" of a vaccine approved or recognised by Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and hold a valid visa for one of the eligible visa subclasses.

The travellers will also have to provide proof of their vaccination status and present a negative Covid Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test taken within three days of departure for Australia.

The statement said travellers to Australia must comply with the quarantine requirements in the territory of their arrival.

According to the announcement, citizens of Japan and the Republic of Korea, who hold a valid Australian visa, will be able to travel from their home country quarantine-free to Australia without needing to seek a travel exemption.

"Australia continues to take further steps to safely reopen to the world, with additional changes to our international border arrangements coming into effect on December 1," the statement said.

It said consistent with the national plan to safely reopen Australia, the changes will ensure that it continues to protect the health of Australians, while reuniting families and securing its economic recovery by opening the border to skilled and student visa holders. PTI