Unions
Travel exemptions for family members of nurses and midwives
Josh from the Immigration Advice and Rights Centre shares with The Lamp some information around getting travel exemptions for family members of nurses and midwives.
Immediate family members of temporary visa holders in Australia will need a travel exemption from the Australian Government before travelling to Australia.
To be eligible for a travel exemption, immediate family members of temporary visa holders should generally:
- Hold a valid visa for Australia; and
- Have compelling and compassionate reasons for coming to Australia.
Compelling and compassionate reasons may include that the family member in Australia is providing critical skills (e.g. a nurse) and there is a high risk they will depart Australia if the overseas family member cannot come to Australia.
The family member should provide documentary evidence to support their travel exemption request, including evidence of the ongoing criticality of the skill of the family member in Australia. Evidence from a state or territory government is preferable.
Travel exemption requests can be lodged here.
If a travel exemption is granted, people travelling to Australia are also required to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test taken no later than 72 hours before their scheduled departure.
If a person travels to Australia without a travel exemption their visa can be cancelled at the border and they can be detained and removed from Australia. Visa cancellation and deportation can also affect any future visa applications to come to Australia.
The above is not intended to be relied on as legal advice. Before planning for family members to travel to Australia you should contact NSW Nurses and Midwives Association for a referral to Visa Assist, the free and confidential immigration advice service for union members.