LOOPHOLE > AU-NZ Travel Bubble

89 replies

benjo

Member since 17 Apr 2013

Total posts 63

Hi All


I had posted a few months ago re possible go around - loophole when plans were underway for Kiwi's to enter Australia vv without quarantine... Now seems like a few articles are our regarding a possible loophole.


I have also included a few article quotes that I have found regarding a technical loophole. You can google search au nz travel loophole...


Initial Post >


Now that the NZ/AUS travel bubble has be established (slightly) and be it at a slow pace starting mid this month....


I wanted to know your thoughts on who would consider by passing govt restrictions and say travel to NZ to fly onwards to other countries that allow Australian residents to enter… example Singapore.


As of the moment you wouldn’t be able to travel to say Singapore (DIRECTLY) unless you had a travel exemption. However now that Australian's may soon have the option to travel to NZ, wouldn’t people just fly to NZ and then get a connecting flight to SINGAPORE or any other country that Australians can fly into…


Loophole Article >


"A loophole in Aotearoa's upcoming travel bubble with Australia could open the rest of the world up to Australians who are keen to travel further afield.

All Australians currently require special permission from federal border force authorities to leave the country, but that's not the case in New Zealand where people are free to depart the country should they wish to.

This means that Australians could fly to New Zealand and then on to a third country without needing permission, according to reports in Australia on Friday afternoon.

A spokesperson for Australia's Border Force confirmed to the Sydney Morning Herald that the bubble agreement would not be able to stop Australians from departing to other countries via New Zealand.

"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," the spokesperson told the newspaper.

While the New Zealand Government advises against people travelling overseas, it doesn't stop them from doing so. However, any globetrotting Aussie travellers who do exploit the loophole are likely to end up in isolation upon their return.”


Question > (this is not about a short holiday BUT)


Would you use this loophole if you were to spent months overseas of which was to visit friends or loved ones... It has been more then a year and a lot of people aren't able to get exemptions...

Again not suggesting this for a short holiday. That would a crazy idea but I'm sure some people might do that...

I understand a lot of countries are closed, totally get that... However I do know Singapore is accepting AU/NZ citizens to enter if they have been in either country for more then 14 days... its just that AU govt doesn't allow travel without exception.


Sorry for the long post... Interested in peoples thoughts. :)


Benjie.

jrfsp

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 04 Mar 2014

Total posts 105

I cant imagine the gov havnt thought about this, and will still require Gov Approval for Australians departing NZ

benjo

Member since 17 Apr 2013

Total posts 63

Originally Posted by jrfsp

I cant imagine the gov havnt thought about this, and will still require Gov Approval for Australians departing NZ

How would that even be implemented... Australian Govt doesn't have any jurisdiction for those who are in NZ soil. Sure NZ could stop you from leaving if you were a criminal or some sorts however other then that I don't see how they can deny other nationalities from leaving on their own free will...


And from what I gathered, NZ citizens are free to leave NZ however they "strongly discourage this"... Again I could see people considering this option if they were unable to get an exemption. (and if they were allowed in another country)


This would be a dumb idea if it was for a weeks holiday and then you would have to consider the 14 mandatory quarantine in AU on return. Well each to their own...



Benjie.


GoRobin

Member since 07 May 2020

Total posts 113

Actually I can't see it being a problem and why would the Australian government even care if people in other sovereign countries decided to go onwards to wherever. There are already plenty of Australian citizens in many other countries and they are free to travel around depending upon their local restrictions. The reason why the Australian government should't and don't care about such "loopholes" if that's what you want to call them, is that the mandatory 14 day quarantine on returning is going to be staying in place for quite some time to go. I would guess at least until sometime in 2022.

dm12

Member since 08 Feb 2018

Total posts 211

My concern would be more about people flying somewhere-Auckland-Australia (and doing 14 days upon arrival in Aust) mixing with people just flying Auckland-Australia.

Maybe they've thought of it and blocked booking flights via NZ, I couldn't see any able to be booked over a number of dates in May.

GoRobin

Member since 07 May 2020

Total posts 113

@dm12...I think you missed the simple fact that like Australia, NZ forces everyone arriving from overseas into 14 day mandatory quarantine. There is no transit opportunity.

benjo

Member since 17 Apr 2013

Total posts 63

Originally Posted by GoRobin

@dm12...I think you missed the simple fact that like Australia, NZ forces everyone arriving from overseas into 14 day mandatory quarantine. There is no transit opportunity.

That is correct @GoRobin.

Again I don't see many people doing this if they were to go on a holiday for a week or two... That would be crazy and then to come back with 14 days hotel quarantine... However if it was for an extended time and as I said a country like Singapore which allows AU/NZ residents to enter their country with ease or albeit few requirements. Just got me thinking as all.

aklrunway

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 09 May 2011

Total posts 180

Originally Posted by dm12

My concern would be more about people flying somewhere-Auckland-Australia (and doing 14 days upon arrival in Aust) mixing with people just flying Auckland-Australia.

Maybe they've thought of it and blocked booking flights via NZ, I couldn't see any able to be booked over a number of dates in May.

Quarantine free flights will operate ex NZ seperate from flights where passengers have come in from abroad. There are no chances of these passengers mixing

abudhabi1

Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus

Member since 15 Jan 2013

Total posts 105

i would be happy to go adelaide to auckland air new zealand and avoid the east coast of australia for safety.is a vaccine required or not required is my worry and can i get it done in time(am supposed to be going november on a cruise)but am happy for that part of the world any alternative.


dm12

Member since 08 Feb 2018

Total posts 211

Originally Posted by GoRobin

@dm12...I think you missed the simple fact that like Australia, NZ forces everyone arriving from overseas into 14 day mandatory quarantine. There is no transit opportunity.

Hmmm I didn’t miss that, it’s exactly what I meant by “blocked” lol

AJW

Member since 16 Nov 2011

Total posts 55

Originally Posted by dm12

My concern would be more about people flying somewhere-Auckland-Australia (and doing 14 days upon arrival in Aust) mixing with people just flying Auckland-Australia.

Maybe they've thought of it and blocked booking flights via NZ, I couldn't see any able to be booked over a number of dates in May.

Don't think you would be blocked, but two things would stop, or at the very least make this not a viable option.

Firstly as others have said there is no option to transit, the whole idea of the bubble is flights between the two countries don't carry any transit passengers.

You could of course maybe travel to NZ and do isolation there. But to get into NZ (except from Aus and a couple of pacific islands post 19th April) you need to pre-book a place in managed isolation in NZ which apparently isn't easy as they get snapped up within minutes of being released. It also comes at a cost of over $3000 for one person.

Secondly one of the rules with the bubble is you need to have been in NZ or Australia for at least 14 days and that does not include days in managed isolation. So to do as you suggest you would need to get a slot in NZ isolation (no idea how hard that is or how restrictive they are with who they allow in), do 14 days, then spend 14 days in NZ outside of isolation. So any trip you have added at least 28 days.

So possible, but certainly no COVID risk if you managed to pull this off and I would have no doubt if people started doing this the Kiwi's would work out a way to stop Aussies using isolation slots.


Last editedby AJW at Apr 15, 2021, 10:40 AM.

WD76

Member since 13 Apr 2021

Total posts 4

I'd love to use this option as a way to transit from Australia and then onto my final destination.

Aus government is currently stating on the Department of foreign affairs website that if you intend to transit through New Zealand using the bubble you still need to apply to leave......

At the same time, border force spokespersons are saying the NZ authorities won't stop Australians from leaving NZ to other destinations and also won't say how they define the definition of "transit" to be used.

More research required but if it's a viable way to get me to my family in the next few months ill take it. The bungled vaccine roll out puts me into next year before I will receive it and I'm not waiting another year to be let out.
Returning or not returning doesn't bother me one bit.

WD76

Member since 13 Apr 2021

Total posts 4

I'd love to use this option as a way to transit from Australia and then onto my final destination.

Aus government is currently stating on the Department of foreign affairs website that if you intend to transit through New Zealand using the bubble you still need to apply to leave......

At the same time, border force spokespersons are saying the NZ authorities won't stop Australians from leaving NZ to other destinations and also won't say how they define the definition of "transit" to be used.

More research required but if it's a viable way to get me to my family in the next few months ill take it. The bungled vaccine roll out puts me into next year before I will receive it and I'm not waiting another year to be let out.
Returning or not returning doesn't bother me one bit.

GoRobin

Member since 07 May 2020

Total posts 113

As I understand it and as mentioned by some, you do not need permission to fly out of NZ. So, as I intend to do shortly, is to book a one way ticket to Auckland. I will clear their immigration formalities and enter NZ. I will then go to the check in counter and check into my international flight to Europe. It's one way so I am not concerned as to how long this colony will be closed down for. And it is none of Australia's business that I should do this. And quite honestly, why would Australia even care, and they won't anyway. Andiamo.

Last editedby GoRobin at Apr 15, 2021, 05:22 PM.

WD76

Member since 13 Apr 2021

Total posts 4

Originally Posted by GoRobin

As I understand it and as mentioned by some, you do not need permission to fly out of NZ. So, as I intend to do shortly, is to book a one way ticket to Auckland. I will clear their immigration formalities and enter NZ. I will then go to the check in counter and check into my international flight to Europe. It's one way so I am not concerned as to how long this colony will be closed down for. And it is none of Australia's business that I should do this. And quite honestly, why would Australia even care, and they won't anyway. Andiamo.

Last editedby GoRobin at Apr 15, 2021, 05:22 PM.
I sincerely hope you are correct and would love to know if this works for you.

I agree why should they care but they seem to, according to the border force website anyway.

I also was thinking that what you are proposing to do seems like a logical solution, my only concern would be if they can somehow see the onward flight..

Roughly when are you looking to travel?


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