What to do if you haven’t been back to Australia for two years? A comprehensive analysis of visas, entry and living arrangements

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As the global epidemic is gradually under control, many Australian immigrants, international students and workers who were stranded overseas due to the epidemic have begun to plan to return to Australia. However, for those who have not returned to Australia for two years, they may face a series of problems, including visa status, entry policy, living arrangements, etc. This article will answer these questions in detail and help you return to Australia smoothly.

Questions related to not returning to Australia for two years

1. Is the visa status still valid?

First, you need to confirm whether your visa is still valid. Australian visas usually have a clear validity period. If you do not enter the country within the validity period, the visa may automatically expire. Especially for temporary visas (such as student visas, work visas, etc.), the holder is usually required to enter the country within the validity period of the visa and meet certain residency requirements.

If you are unsure about your visa status, you can check it through the Australian Immigration Department's online system (VEVO). If your visa has expired, you will need to reapply for a visa. It should be noted that reapplying for a visa may face a stricter review, especially if you have violated any visa conditions in the past two years.

2. What are the changes in immigration policies?

Due to the impact of the epidemic, Australia's entry policy has changed many times in the past two years. At present, Australia has fully opened its borders and allows fully vaccinated travelers to enter without quarantine. However, the following conditions must still be met before entry:

• Hold a valid Australian visa;
• Provide proof of vaccination (requires vaccination approved in Australia);
• Complete a nucleic acid test within 72 hours before departure and obtain a negative certificate;
• Complete the Australia Travel Declaration.

For travelers who are not vaccinated or have received vaccines that are not recognized by Australia, they may need to apply for exemptions and undergo quarantine. Therefore, it is recommended that you read the latest entry policies carefully before departure and make corresponding preparations.

3. How to rearrange life in Australia?

If you haven’t been back to Australia for two years, life may be challenging. Here are some things to think about in advance:

3.1 Housing Arrangements

If you own a property in Australia, you need to confirm that the property is in good condition. If the property has been vacant for a long time, you may need to arrange cleaning and maintenance work. If you previously rented a property, you may need to find a suitable property again. The rental market in Australia is highly competitive, so it is recommended to contact a real estate agent in advance or search through rental platforms (such as Realestate, Domain).

3.2 Banking and Taxation

If you have a bank account in Australia, it is recommended to confirm that the account is still active. An account that has not been used for a long time may be frozen or closed by the bank. In addition, if you have income while overseas, you may need to declare your tax situation to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) to ensure that you meet Australian tax requirements.

3.3 Medical Insurance

Australia's Medicare usually requires you to live in Australia for a certain period of time before you can receive benefits. If you have been away from Australia for two years, you may need to reactivate or apply for Medicare. In addition, private health insurance is also an option worth considering, especially if you need additional medical services.

4. What should international students pay attention to when returning to Australia?

For international students, not returning to Australia for two years may affect their academic progress and visa status. The following are some things that international students need to pay special attention to when returning to Australia:

• Confirm whether the school still retains your student status and understand the latest course arrangements;
• If your visa has expired, you need to reapply for a student visa and provide the latest Letter of Acceptance (CoE);
• Understand the school’s vaccination requirements. Some schools may require students to have specific vaccinations before returning to school.
• Arranging accommodation in advance, especially applying for on-campus housing, may need to be done several months in advance.

5. Will immigration and permanent residency status be affected?

For those who hold Australian permanent resident (PR) status, not returning to Australia for two years may affect your permanent residency status. Australia's permanent visa usually requires the holder to live in Australia for at least two years within five years, otherwise you may not meet the renewal conditions.

If you are unable to meet the residency requirements due to special reasons (such as the epidemic), you can apply for an exemption from the Immigration Department. The exemption application requires sufficient supporting materials, such as medical certificates, work contracts, etc. It is recommended that you consult an immigration lawyer or professional consultant before returning to Australia to ensure that your permanent residency status is not affected.

This is a summary based on not returning to Australia for two years.

Not returning to Australia for two years may bring a series of challenges, but as long as you prepare in advance, you can still return to Australia smoothly. First, confirm your visa status and understand the latest entry policies; second, arrange living matters such as housing, banking, taxation and medical insurance in advance; finally, international students and permanent residents need to pay special attention to academic and identity issues. If you have any questions, it is recommended to consult professionals or contact the Australian Immigration Department for official guidance.

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