Currently the return of international travel has been expected to return for Australian citizens and permanent residents, but not yet to temporary residents. When outlining the return of international travel in Australia, PLEASE extend international travel in/out of Australia to temporary residents (international student visa holders, skilled workers). Just like permanent residents and Australian citizens, we have been separated from our families, confined by lockdowns, and experienced the same challenging restrictions. Even more so, we as temporary residents have no family in Australia, and have felt very isolated during these trying times. We also pay taxes, contribute to the economy, and play our part in the vaccination program. Why should we not have the same rights as other residents to leave, visit our families, and return home? We, as residents of Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic, have been through these times together in solidarity, respected the government and its decisions, and now when there is light at the end of the tunnel we are sidelined, our lives and well-being are somehow less important. We are meant to stay in Australia and just wait until the new rules apply to us... as other residents are permitted to travel for holidays overseas?  How absurd is it that my neighbor who is a permanent resident, can go for a holiday to California and come back, while myself, a temporary visa holder, cannot visit my parents and siblings in California, who I have not seen for 2.5 years, who have had babies that I have never even been able to meet?

We understand and agree that Australians stranded overseas should have priority to return, but any resident wishing to travel from Australia overseas should have the SAME rights to return regardless of their status. Please understand the heartbreaking plights we have also experienced: missing funerals, weddings, and births. Please have empathy for us as well. We came here to obtain doctorate degrees, contribute to the Australian community, work in highly-skilled jobs, and we have been fortunate to experience all that Australia has to offer. However, like the rest of the Australian residents, now that international borders are finally reopening, we would also like to see our loved ones, as this has truly been the toughest time in ALL of our lives.

We ask that when Australian citizens and permanent residents are allowed to travel overseas and return to Australia, we temporary residents are also included in this new scheme. Thank you.