Experience with Australian border controls leaving the country

[tbwake90]

Hi guys,

just wondering if anyone can share experiences with getting the travel exemption? Website says to apply 48 hours in advance, but I’ve been waiting over a week to hear back from them.

 

[Himeno]

Would help if you said which travel exemption.

Entry into an Australian state with closed internal borders?
Departure from Australia under level 5/Bio Security Act Travel Ban?
Entry into/departure from some other country with closed borders?

 

[p--and--t]

Would help if you said which travel exemption.

Entry into an Australian state with closed internal borders?
Departure from Australia under level 5/Bio Security Act Travel Ban?
Entry into/departure from some other country with closed borders?

Yep. From and To and Via mandatory in order to get a sensible answer.

 

[drron]

For Tasmania it is 24-72 hours before you arrive that you have to apply.If you apply more than 72 hours the application will not be considered.
Have you applied to whichever state more than 48 hours before you arrive?Maybe they have a similiar policy.

 

[tbwake90]

Yep. From and To and Via mandatory in order to get a sensible answer.

Sorry for the confusion. I’m flying SYD-FRA via DOH. I have filled out this form as “I am an Australian citizen or permanent resident and need to travel outside of Australia”.

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/departmental-forms/online-forms/covid19-enquiry-form

 

[p--and--t]

Sorry for the confusion. I’m flying SYD-FRA via DOH. I have filled out this form as “I am an Australian citizen or permanent resident and need to travel outside of Australia”.

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/departmental-forms/online-forms/covid19-enquiry-form

Ok.

Well you look to have the AU application covered. I too would be concerned if it's been a week because they are supposed to be able to be sent 48hrs before departure. Looking at the site I haven't been able to see if there is some formal response process or methodology to inform you yay or nay. Would be wise to follow up the department to request a response.

As far as I am aware (could be wrong) you will be fine transiting in DOH as long as it is short and you don't leave the airport ( entry to Qatar itself is currently basically banned)

Someone else may be able to update on what issues might arise on arrival in FRA. The situation there has been changing in the last 24 48hrs (loosening up some domestic restrictions).

 

[sydunipete]

Does anybody have experience as an Australian citizen requesting permission to leave the country under either of (but probably the latter):

• you are travelling on urgent and unavoidable personal business
• compassionate or humanitarian grounds

Please share your experience.

(Who could have imagined even just a few weeks back that we would have to apply for permission to leave our country? I'm a citizen with family in the EU and my wife is an EU citizen who's family need her / our help from time to time.)

 

[Pushka]

Does anybody have experience as an Australian citizen requesting permission to leave the country under either of (but probably the latter):

• you are travelling on urgent and unavoidable personal business
• compassionate or humanitarian grounds

Please share your experience.

(Who could have imagined even just a few weeks back that we would have to apply for permission to leave our country? I'm a citizen with family in the EU and my wife is an EU citizen who's family need her / our help from time to time.)

I can't help but I'm keen to hear experiences too. From your family history as long as you had insurances covered and had no restrictions entering that country then I can't see an issue.

 

[sydunipete]

I'd rather get the exemption before buying the ticket. I don't want more money wasted with airlines and hotels than I already have. My need isn't urgent but it is important.

Good luck all.

 

[Tusho]

Hi all,

Same here. I'm moving to Germany next month. No way I wait until 48 hours prior to departure in order to get approval to leave. I applied yesterday, no news. Will keep you all updated. Good luck!

 

[Tusho]

Ok, so I applied for exemption to leave the country in May given that I'm a german citizen also, I am moving to germany with my family, and have already signed a lease agreement in germany for an apartment. I attached passports and signed lease agreement. I was rejected:
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

Meaning, they want me first to move all my stuff, cancel my lease and then let them either approve or reject. Logic doesn't seem to be their strong suit.

 

[Pushka]

Ok, so I applied for exemption to leave the country in May given that I'm a german citizen also, I am moving to germany with my family, and have already signed a lease agreement in germany for an apartment. I attached passports and signed lease agreement. I was rejected:
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

Meaning, they want me first to move all my stuff, cancel my lease and then let them either approve or reject. Logic doesn't seem to be their strong suit.

That does seem very wrong. I'd be following up with my Fed MP as it's a legitimate move and not intending to return in the next few months.

 

[Tusho]

Will do, thanks a lot.

 

[sydunipete]

Ok, so I applied for exemption to leave the country in May given that I'm a german citizen also, I am moving to germany with my family, and have already signed a lease agreement in germany for an apartment. I attached passports and signed lease agreement. I was rejected:
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

Meaning, they want me first to move all my stuff, cancel my lease and then let them either approve or reject. Logic doesn't seem to be their strong suit.

Wow! Surely by leaving the country you are not posing any risk to the Australian population. I would have thought managing / reducing the returning passengers should be their focus. Good luck.

 

[Tusho]

Completely agree. I messaged the federal MP, seeing what can be done. Thank you

 

[VPS]

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

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Ok, so I applied for exemption to leave the country in May given that I'm a german citizen also, I am moving to germany with my family, and have already signed a lease agreement in germany for an apartment. I attached passports and signed lease agreement. I was rejected:
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

Meaning, they want me first to move all my stuff, cancel my lease and then let them either approve or reject. Logic doesn't seem to be their strong suit.

It seems hard to understand. But I guess what they are looking for is evidence (proof?) that you will not be returning. Something such as a cessation of tenancy agreement and moving personal effects is supporting material. A lease in another country which could be broken - and you return - may not be enough in their eyes.

 

[Tusho]

I understand but why not sign a declaration or something more binding. My lease has a cancellation notice of 1 year. That’s Germany. I do get the point of more info but in some instances One can’t take all those steps until granted a decision, even if conditional.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I understand but why not sign a declaration or something more binding. My lease has a cancellation notice of 1 year. That’s Germany. I do get the point of more info but in some instances One can’t take all those steps until granted a decision, even if conditional.

Because they can't stop you coming back, so a declaration wouldn't be worth much. While you are genuine, there'll be plenty of other folk who will be looking for loopholes so they can travel

 

[Tusho]

Yeah fair enough. Signing a lease just to travel is a bit extreme though haha