The trans-Tasman travel bubble loophole that could see Australians defy overseas travel ban


The possible loophole that could allow Australians to defy the overseas holiday travel ban when the bubble with New Zealand opens on April 19

  • Australians will be allowed to travel to New Zealand from April 19 in new bubble
  • Home Affairs admitted Kiwi authorities unlikely to stop Australians flying further
  • A new permit will be required if Australians want to travel beyond New Zealand 

Australians could potentially skirt around the banning on globetrotting the world for a holiday when the travel bubble with New Zealand begins in less than a fortnight.

Since March 2020, Australian citizens and permanent residents have been prohibited from leaving the country for a short break.

But from April 19 when the trans-Tasman travel bubble begins, Australians will be allowed to travel to New Zealand, which unlike Australia allows its citizens to travel overseas for leisure.

Australian Border Force, an agency of the Department of Home Affairs, admitted New Zealand Customs authorities would be unlikely to stop Australians travelling to another country beyond the trans-Tasman travel bubble.

Australians could potentially skirt around the banning on globetrotting the world for a holiday when the travel bubble with New Zealand begins in less than a fortnight. Pictured is Raglan Beach on New Zealand's North Island

Australians could potentially skirt around the banning on globetrotting the world for a holiday when the travel bubble with New Zealand begins in less than a fortnight. Pictured is Raglan Beach on New Zealand’s North Island

‘Currently, New Zealand does not prevent Australian citizens leaving New Zealand and travelling onwards overseas, however anyone arriving into Australia or New Zealand from any other country must enter into quarantine or mandatory isolation as directed by the relevant Government departments and Health authorities,’ a spokesman told Daily Mail Australia.

Home Affairs on Thursday morning updated their website to advise Australians they would need to special permit to travel beyond New Zealand to another country.

‘If you are transiting through New Zealand to another destination you must apply for an outward travel exemption,’ it said.

Daily Mail Australia contacted New Zealand Customs to ask if their officials would be asking Australians to produce a permit granting them permission to travel outside the trans-Tasman travel bubble. 

Australian Border Force, an agency of the Department of Home Affairs, admitted New Zealand Customs authorities would be unlikely to stop Australians travelling to another country beyond the trans-Tasman travel bubble

Australian Border Force, an agency of the Department of Home Affairs, admitted New Zealand Customs authorities would be unlikely to stop Australians travelling to another country beyond the trans-Tasman travel bubble

Under existing Covid rules, Australians can only leave if they get an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs for reasons including work visa purposes requiring a longer stay abroad. 

The ban on Australians going overseas was introduced a year ago as non-citizens and non-residents were also stopped from entering the country in a bid to slow the spread of Covid-19.

Former home affairs minister Peter Dutton introduced that travel ban policy, which his successor Karen Andrews is now in charge of. 

A human biosecurity emergency was also declared giving federal Health Minister Greg Hunt the power to issue orders to combat the outbreak of COVID-19.

Home Affairs on Thursday morning updated their website to advise Australians they would need to special permit to travel beyond New Zealand to another country. Pictured is the new Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews

Home Affairs on Thursday morning updated their website to advise Australians they would need to special permit to travel beyond New Zealand to another country. Pictured is the new Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews

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