From 1 November 2021, the definition of ‘immediate family member’ will extended to include parents of adult Australian citizens and permanent residents. Previously, parents were not recognized as immediate family members permitted to enter Australia under exemptions to the COVID-19 travel rules.
The definition of parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents includes:
- biological parents
- legal (including adoptive) parents
- step-parents
- parents in-law.
Under the new rule, parents will have to be fully vaccinated but will not have to undergo hotel quarantine. Before you can travel, you will need to have your relationship with your adult Australian child confirmed by submitting a travel exemption request. You must submit your request through the Travel Exemption Portal.
You will need to provide evidence of:
- your adult child’s Australian citizenship or permanent residency; and
- your parental relationship to the Australian citizen or permanent resident.
You can only travel to Australia if you are exempt, or you have been granted an individual exemption as an immediate family member of an adult Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Immediate family members include:
- a spouse or a de facto partner
- a dependent child or a parent/legal guardian of a dependent child
- a parent of an adult Australian citizen or permanent resident (from 1 November 2021).
Please note that before you travel, you must apply for a travel exemption if you:
- do not hold a visa
- hold a temporary visa, other than a temporary Partner (subclass 820 or 309) visa or a temporary Child (subclass 445) visa
- hold a Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa.
The Department of Home Affairs considers each exemption request on a case-by-case basis.
