International Travel Ban Change to Purpose for Travel

[retrospectator]

I have noticed that the application for travel ban exemption has added a new selectable purpose for travel: "Travelling for Business". Has anyone have any experience with an application where they selected this purpose? It seems like there has been a relaxation in restrictions and/or someone has realised that people do have legitimate reasons to travel abroad that are not personal/urgent or medical in nature.

 

[Ade]

I have not used the exception thingy so far. But I know someone who travels often o/s for work/business, even during the pandemic. He says that for genuine business needs, the department has been granting exceptions.

Also, welcome to AFF, @retrospectator

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF. Like Ade, I'm aware that 'travel for business' has always been an avenue for getting a 'permit' to travel o/s and very many have done it. Might be just a streamlining of process?

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Welcome to AFF. Like Ade, I'm aware that 'travel for business' has always been an avenue for getting a 'permit' to travel o/s and very many have done it. Might be just a streamlining of process?

Very many business people getting permits up for debate. Per the Department of Home Affairs report earlier this year, between the shuttering of the border on the 25th of Marth to the 31st of December last year, there were a total of 105,028 permits exemptions issued to leave the country. The largest category by far were Aussies seeking to leave the country for at least 3 months (e.g. students). In terms of critical industries and businesses that only accounts for about 8% of the permits issued thus far and that category includes FIFO workers which hardly come to mind as the international business traveller.


My guess now that the returning travel caps have been slashed in half, the commonwealth would be less pleased by someone popping out of Australia for a week to conduct business, especially when there are many thousands of stranded Aussies banging on the door to be let back in for many months. Anyway, those are just my two pennies worth!

The One and Only,

KangarooFlyer88