Australia is a major global aviation hub, connecting passengers travelling between countries across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. However, the current requirement for certain nationalities to obtain an Australian Transit Visa (Subclass 771) even when they are only changing flights and remaining inside the airport transit area creates unnecessary stress, cost, and uncertainty for genuine travellers.

This petition requests the Australian Government and Department of Home Affairs to review and reform the current transit visa policy and remove the requirement for passengers who are only transiting through Australia, not entering the country, not passing through immigration, and not leaving the airport.

The purpose of a transit visa should be to manage passengers who intend to enter Australia temporarily during their connection period. However, requiring the same process for passengers who remain airside throughout their journey serves little practical purpose and creates a significant burden for travellers.

Many passengers travelling to and from countries such as New Zealand rely on Australian airports as important connecting points due to limited direct flight options and more affordable international routes. A large number of these travellers are genuine visitors or residents of New Zealand who hold confirmed onward and return tickets, yet they are still required to complete a lengthy transit visa process simply because of their passport nationality.

The current Subclass 771 Transit Visa process creates several unnecessary challenges:

Passengers must apply for a visa even though they are not entering Australia.
Travellers often need to arrange biometrics appointments, which can be extremely difficult for people living outside major cities such as Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch.
The process requires additional time, travel, and financial costs.
Passengers are forced to purchase confirmed flight tickets while waiting for visa decisions, creating financial risk.
Applications can be refused without clear reasons provided, leaving passengers distressed and facing major financial losses from non-refundable travel arrangements.
A transit visa application may be free in terms of government fees, but the real cost is carried by passengers through stress, uncertainty, lost time, travel expenses, and potential loss of thousands of dollars in confirmed airline bookings.

Australia’s neighbouring aviation markets already demonstrate a more practical approach. Millions of passengers transit through major hubs such as Singapore, Malaysia, and other countries without needing a transit visa when they remain within the airport. These passengers do not leave the airport, do not enter the country, and simply continue their journey to their final destination.

A similar approach should be considered for Australia.

We fully understand that immigration controls are important and that there may be concerns about passengers attempting to enter or remain in Australia unlawfully. However, the solution should be targeted and practical.

A reasonable policy would be:

Transit visa requirements should only apply to passengers who intend to leave the airport, pass through immigration, change airports, or stay in Australia during their connection.
Passengers who remain in the international transit area and continue to their next flight should not require a transit visa.
If necessary, a maximum transit period (for example, 72 hours) can be applied for passengers requiring airport exit privileges.
This reform would support genuine travellers, reduce unnecessary administrative pressure, improve Australia’s position as an international aviation hub, and remove barriers that do not provide meaningful security benefits for airside passengers.

Many New Zealand residents, international visitors, and families travelling between countries are affected by this issue. They are not seeking entry into Australia — they are simply trying to change flights and continue their journey.

We respectfully request Australian immigration authorities to reconsider the current Subclass 771 transit visa requirement and introduce a fairer, more practical system that protects Australia’s borders while supporting genuine international travellers.