ABF releases informative FAQ on borders, quarantine and crew visas

Photo credit: Arek Socha from Pixabay

The Australian Border Force has issued an extensive set of Frequently Asked Questions about general border restrictions, quarantine periods, maritime crew visas, other visas, and personal protective equipment.

The contents of the FAQ include:

  • An overview of border restrictions
  • Arrangements for maritime crew
  • Crew entering / departing Australia by air or sea
    • Whether maritime crew need to apply for an exemption
    • Whether maritime crew need to go into quarantine / isolation
    • Processes after arriving in Australia by air
    • What precautions seafarers need to take
    • Visas, work rights and quarantine
    • Maritime crew visas and arrival by air
    • Maritime crew visas and transit rights
    • Maritime crew visas and other visas
    • Maritime crew visas and extending the sign-off period
    • Visa expiry issues
    • Seafarers who need more time in Australia
    • Electronic Travel Authority for travel to Australia
    • Provision of biometrics
    • Changes of travel plans and visa issues
    • Whether maritime crew can leave the vessel within 14-days
    • Seafarers who need help before leaving Australia
  • Where to get further information
  • Rules by local port authorities

Read the full Frequently Asked Questions of 01 July 2020.

Remember to read the appropriate State / Territory rules after you have read the Federal rules! You can access the key rules on our website.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Search

Become a Member

Membership is open to all ship owners, operators and agents both Australian and International providing services to or within Australia.

Upcoming Events

Dec 4
NSW State Committee Christmas Luncheon 2026
NSW State Committee Christmas Luncheon 2026 FRIDAY, 4 DECEMBER 2026  1200hrs for 1230hrs At the “W” HOTEL  in the GREAT ROOM at 31 Wheat Rd, Sydney NSW 2000 SYDNEY DARLING HARBOUR  PROUDLY SPONSORED BY  SUPPORT SPONSORS              
Nov 27
SAL Victorian State Committee – Special End of Year Luncheon
  SAL Victorian State Committee Special End of Year Luncheon FRIDAY, 27 November 2026 1230 to 1500 At the Royal Automobile Club, 501 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000   PROUDLY SPONSORED BY  We would be delighted to have the pleasure of your company at Shipping Australia’s final event of the year. The luncheon features international...
Nov 12
YSA NSW End of Year Celebration 2026 – Sydney Harbour Tug Tour & Drinks
Join YSA for our end of 2026 celebration: a tug tour of Sydney Harbour followed by drinks and nibbles at the pub! Hosted by Svitzer, YSA are lucky to board and learn about some of the hardest working vessels in Sydney Harbour during one of their busiest periods of the year. Learn about the work...

Latest News

Port call optimisation pilot projects reveal emissions savings potential, new report shows
Commercial ships spend between 4% and 6% of their operating year waiting outside ports. That idle time is one of the clearest inefficiencies in shipping, and a combination of slower sailing speeds and port call optimisation can reduce the emissions and fuel currently wasted as ships await an available berth. Instead of sailing fast only...
IMO adopts frameworks to assess marine geoengineering research activities
New guidance will help governments evaluate marine geoengineering research proposals to ensure they are safe for the environment. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted new guidance aimed at ensuring marine geoengineering research avoids unacceptable impacts, amid growing interest in climate change mitigation technologies. Marine geoengineering involves methods to increase the ocean’s capacity to absorb...

Latest Magazine

Shipping Australia Winter 2026
June, 2026

Subscribe to the Signal Newsletter

Be the first to know about releases and industry news and insights or catch up on any editions you missed.

Search