Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

As the Prime Minister said today, we're making significant progress on delivery of the national reopening plan, underpinned by that safe, sound scientific advice that the Prime Minister has relied upon and has taken through national cabinet. It's another win for Australians that we're seeing today with the nation in excess of 85 per cent double dose vaccination around the country. From 1 December this year we can move to enable fully vaccinated eligible visa holders to be able to come to Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption. This includes skilled and student cohorts as well as humanitarian, working holiday maker and provisional visa holders.

The closure of Australia's borders was one of the most important decisions taken to keep our nation safe. But this reopening, including reopening for fully vaccinated citizens from Japan and the Republic of Korea, shows that we are now back on the path of welcoming visitors back to our country and making steady progress on the implementation of that national plan.