Experts’ Discussion on Australia International Travel in 2021

Australia international Travel is definitely one of the issues at the front of everyone’s mind in 2021. The Australian Government has been looking for the best answer to reopen international travel without risking the community’s health and safety.

Recently, the Australian Government updated its budget paper for the 2021-22 program year, and experts have been discussing the possibility of Australian international travel reopening since. As Australian migrants, we understand that you must have been waiting for the exact answer for Australian international travel.

Let’s see what experts say about Australian international travel in 2021.

Gradual Return of Temporary and Permanent Visa Holders

The Australian Government predicts Australian international travel will reopen gradually for the temporary and permanent migrants on the budget papers. The gradual return is expected to start from the middle of 2022, with international students expected to return to Australia under what they call “small phased programs” in late 2021.

The budget papers also said state and territorial quarantine caps would limit the rate of international arrivals in 2021 and the first half of 2022, with the exception of passengers from Safe Travel Zones.

Read more: Australian Tourism Minister: Australian International Border may Not Open until Late 2022

How the Lack of Migration Impacted Australia?

The longer the border closures apply, the lower the migration numbers will be. Gabriella D’Souza, a senior economist at the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA), said the lack of migration would impact Australia’s population growth.

Australia is known well as a migration country, with migrants making up the majority of the population. If the number of migrants keeps decreasing, it means Australia will miss out on crucial talent, and businesses will miss out on workers, D’Souza said.

On the other hand, Mohammad Al-Khafaji, chief executive of the Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia (FECCA), stated the Government’s decision to extend the Australian international travel reopening makes sense, as the pandemic is not over yet. However, he added that Australia must be ready for the international travel reopening and welcome the skilled migrants to stimulate the economy.

Learn more why you should migrate to Australia here.

Mandatory vaccination might be the Best Answer in Re-Opening Australia International Travel

Some experts have also discussed how to reopen Australian international travel. Dr Omar Khorshid, the president of the Australian Medical Association, said the Australian Government could open the international borders in the New Year by making vaccines mandatory for international travellers. Dr Khorsid also emphasized the critical component of the strategy would be mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for all travellers, with only limited exemptions for defined medical reasons. The Australian Government would also need dedicated quarantine facilities and rapid screening tests at Australian airports and ports for the strategy.

Prof Catherine Bennet, the chair in epidemiology at Deakin University’s school of health and social development, agreed that the Australian Government can develop a strategy now. She said that the Government could reopen international travel in stages as early as the second half of 2021 by allowing workers and students to enter Australia and expanding travel bubbles with countries that have similar COVID-19 control methods and vaccine uptake.

Read more: Australia Plans to Open Up New Travel Bubbles in Asia by the Winter

What ‘Vaccine Passport’ is and How It Will Impact the Australia International Travel

Preparing for the resume of Australia international travel in 2022, the Australian Government also has been considering a term that they call a ‘vaccine passport’. Travellers who wish to enter Australia could provide a ‘vaccine passport’, a COVID-19 vaccination status through a new pre-check-in digital declaration once the international travel reopen. The new pre-check-in digital declaration will replace the old regime of filling out a form shortly before landing in Australia.

Michael Pezzullo, Home Affairs secretary, expects the Federal Government’s digital passenger declaration can be trialled by early 2022. The new system could recognize both digital or other forms of international vaccination certificates. It will help to mitigate the risks posed by the use of fake vaccination certificates. Pezzullo is also confident that the new system will be ready to operate at scale to coincide with the federal budget’s assumption of international travel returning in the middle of 2022.

So, when will Australia open its international border, you may ask

As explained by Mr Tehan, the Tourism Minister, on 7 May 2021, it is difficult to state the exact date as the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic is still doubting. However, looking at some strategies explained by the experts, the Government can resume international travel by the end of 2021 if the Government would apply the strategy.

Additionally, getting a COVID-19 vaccination might help you, as the Government might apply a system that will check your COVID-19 certificates once you land in Australia.

If you wish to check your eligibility, please contact us via email at [email protected] or via phone on 1300 827 159.

2022 is coming! Let’s prepare for the international travel now!

As the first step to get ready for Australian international travel, let’s prepare for an Australian visa!

We understand that applying for a visa to Australia is certainly very complicated. It is even more challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our visa specialists at ONEderland Consulting will help you assess your visa options. We have a 98% success rate and one of the most highly recommended migration agents in Australia. Read our 4.9* score customer reviews.

We are complex visa specialists. As registered Australian migration agents with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), we are regulated in our professional practice and bound by the profession’s Code of Conduct issued by the Migration Agents Registration Authority.

Take the first step and get in touch with us. Our team members are professional, honest and speak various languages such as Mandarin/ Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia, Arabic, Japanese, Polish, German and Russian. Contact us through email at [email protected] or via phone at 1300 827 159. Alternatively, you may book your consultation online, and it is 100% refundable if you become our client.