Boosting Australia’s Vaccination Rate to Reopen International Travel
On 30 July 2021, Prime Minister, Scott Morrison specified Australia must reach a 70% vaccination rate before it can move to the next phase of reopening international travel.
Building on the National Cabinet’s Four-Stage Plan announced last month, here’s a summary of the ‘Plan to Transition Australia’s National COVID-19 Response’ and vaccination targets:
Phase A – Vaccinate, Prepare and Pilot
Current Stage – As of 3 August 2021, Australia only reached a 15.6% vaccination rate of people over 16 years that have received 2 vaccine doses
Accelerate vaccination rates and booster program
International borders closed
Inbound international arrivals caps temporarily reduced and repatriation flights increased
Lockdowns if outbreaks occur and domestic travel restrictions in response to lockdowns
Trial alternatives for quarantine – eg, home quarantine for returning vaccinated travellers
Expand commercial trials for limited entry of student and economic (skilled) visa holders
Adopt the digital Medicare Vaccination Certificate
Phase B – Vaccination Transition Phase
International arrivals caps to be relaxed once Australia reaches an approximate 70% Vaccination Rate of 2 doses
Maintain high vaccination rates and vaccine booster program
International border caps and low-level international arrivals with quarantine
Restore inbound passenger caps at previous levels for unvaccinated returning travellers and larger caps for vaccinated returning travellers
Lockdowns less likely
Ease restrictions of vaccinated residents (to be determined)
Reduced quarantine for vaccinated residents
Capped entry of student and economic visa holders subject to quarantine/availability
Phase C – Vaccination Consolidation Phase
Gradual reopening of international travel once Australia reaches an 80% Vaccination Rate of 2 doses
Maximise vaccination coverage and continue vaccine booster program
No caps on returning vaccinated Australians
Lift all restrictions on outbound travel for vaccinated Australians
Gradual reopening of inward and outward international travel with safe countries and proportionate quarantine for fully vaccinated inbound travellers
Highly targeted lockdowns only
Vaccinated residents exempt from domestic restrictions
Increased capped entry of student, economic, and humanitarian visa holders
Extend travel bubble for unrestricted travel to new countries (Singapore, Pacific)
Phase D – Final Post-Vaccination Phase
International border to reopen. Target vaccination rate not specified.
Open international border
Allow uncapped inbound arrivals for all vaccinated persons without quarantine
Allow uncapped arrivals of non-vaccinated travellers subject to pre-flight and on arrival testing
Quarantine for high-risk inbound travel
Minimise community cases without ongoing restrictions or lockdowns
Boosters as necessary
Pharmacists added to PMSOL for Priority Skilled Visas
Recently, the occupations Hospital Pharmacists, Retail Pharmacists and Industrial Pharmacists were added to the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) for a priority visa to assist with distributing the vaccine.
This brings the number of occupations on the PMSOL to 44. The PMSOL allows employer-sponsored and independent skilled visa applicants to access fast-tracked visa processing on the basis that their skills are in critical need during the pandemic – read more here.
While Australia’s international border is closed, it may still be possible to enter with a Travel Exemption for critical skills or compassionate or compelling reasons.
Immigracious | Migration Connections made Simple
We hope this was helpful – Australia is clearly working to vaccinate its way out of international travel restrictions.
You may also be interested in our other articles:
More Occupations Eligible for Skilled Migration to WA
Priority Skilled Visas During the Pandemic
Leaving Australia | Outbound Travel Exemptions
Critical Work and Compassionate Travel Exemptions to Come to Australia
Applying for a Partner Visa in the COVID-19 Era
Should you require advice on your Visa or Travel Exemption options, we encourage you to get in touch with Immigracious’ Registered Migration Agents to arrange a consultation so we can consider your circumstances.
You may also wish to connect with us on Facebook to keep up to date.
Source:
Immigracious’ Migration Agents
Migration Institute of Australia
Prime Minister, Scott Morrison – Media Release
Prime Minister, Scott Morrison – Media
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