Exemption for compassionate reasons

[lbw]

Does anyone have experience applying for a travel exemption out of Australia on compassionate grounds? I'm wondering what qualifies.

 

[Happy Dude]

Don't wonder. Just lodge your application and the decision will be made.

 

[Seat0B]

Hello @lbw and welcome to the forum. There is a lot of information here.

Why don't you have a look at this thread which has a fair few people's experiences. Not necessarily compassionate, but might give you some ideas.

Experience with Australian border controls leaving the country

I don't know when that application happened, but around the time of the ban travelling back from India the rules did tighten for travel exemptions to travel to India. There's a higher bar set for travel there considering the scale of the outbreak over there and that the arrivals caps mean that...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

And @Happy Dude is right that you can lodge as many times as needed to keep trying to hit the sweet spot of what they are looking for. Probably you don't feel like playing that game for a compassionate exemption, but ...

Also, I would try to give them a short, but compelling (there's that word again) summary of your need to leave. From what others have said, you will get better results if you are vaccinated, and say that you will be away for 3+ months. Supporting evidence of the compassionate circumstances (eg medical reports, doctor's letter etc) would clearly be needed. Just guessing now, but also if you could show that you can afford to support yourself whilst away and will not be asking for a repatriation flight home, that might also help. I'm sure I also read that someone here thought they got a better result by getting their local member of parliament to support the application.

That said, many on here have not been successful, even in very urgent circumstances. And yet others have. It seems pretty arbitrary, so that's probably why @Happy Dude said just whack it in and if you don't like the answer, try again - pretty standard advice these days.

I'm sorry you have a need for compassionate travel, and I hope you get approved. Post back with your experiences as I am sure it will help others.

Shout out to @mviy, @louie-m, @PineappleSkip, and any others that may have something to add to this.

 

[Pushka]

Does anyone have experience applying for a travel exemption out of Australia on compassionate grounds? I'm wondering what qualifies.

Join a Separated Partners or similar FB group. Applying for an exemption requires a stat Dec (legal document). Evidence why travel is necessary NOW. If you can also be away for more than 3 months that's important. Having good financial resources if you get stuck. If there is serious/grave family illness then that's one reason. But the FB groups are very helpful. Travel Exemption Australia is a good one. They are all private so you must join.

 

[lbw]

Thank you so much everyone, I will check out all the links, but I already feel better armed than when I posted. I really appreciate it. Sounds like a bit of a lottery.

 

[Pushka]

Thank you so much everyone, I will check out all the links, but I already feel better armed than when I posted. I really appreciate it. Sounds like a bit of a lottery.

And if first refused, try try again.

 

[sydunipete]

Read the Operational Directive. This is the document that tells you exactly which boxes your application must tick in order to be successful.

https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/covid-19/Documents/outward-travel-restrictions-operation-directive.pdf

Good luck.

 

[Happy Dude]

Read the Operational Directive. This is the document that tells you exactly which boxes your application must tick in order to be successful.

https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/covid-19/Documents/outward-travel-restrictions-operation-directive.pdf

Good luck.

Except that there are a bazillion examples of those boxes being ticked and travel still denied. As above, it's a lottery.