Australia has for the first time used its recently-introduced “arrival control determination” powers to temporarily prohibit nearly 6,800 Iranian nationals, who hold valid Visitor (subclass 600) visas from entering the country.
The six-month order signed by Tony Burke on March 25, 2026, comes as there have been concerns that the instability in Iran could see visitors stuck in Australia, as well as straining the migration system.
The measure is made possible under Section 84B of the Migration Act 1958 that was fast-tracked through Parliament earlier this month with bipartisan support.
This measure enables the authorities to suspend the arrivals of persons who have specific types of visas without cancelling the visas themselves.
Under the determination, those affected by the condition are banned from participating in flights into Australia without obtaining a specific exemption.
Those that fail to comply with this may face significant penalties from Airlines. While the framework is similar to the border controls used during the pandemic, it is now being applied based on national interest and public order rather than public health.
Read more: Germany announces special visa for freelancers, apply here
Officials revealed in a Senate hearing that around 7,200 Iranian nationals were holding temporary Australian visas, the majority of them, or about 6,800, in countries overseas on tourist visas.
Burke said exemptions would be on compassionate grounds particularly those that involved close family links, such as parents of Australian citizens.
But advocacy groups complain that the process of exemption is stringent and subject to a lot of documentation.
The restrictions do not apply to Iranian nationals already in Australia and do not apply now to student, work or humanitarian visa holders.
Also read: Saudi Arabia announces to extend validity of visas
