Australia bars entry to Iranian visitors under rushed new law

The Australian government has banned Iranian citizens from travelling to Australia, saying the move is aimed at protecting the integrity of its immigration system. New laws enabling the ban have come into force.

Under legislation rushed through parliament by the Albanese government, people from specified countries holding temporary visas can be barred from entering the country for up to six months; Iran has been named in the first stage.

The government is concerned that, because of the war and domestic tensions now prevailing in Iran, Iranians entering Australia on temporary visas would be unwilling or unable to leave once their visas expire.

The ban applies to Iranian passport holders outside Australia who hold visitor (subclass 600) visas. Exemptions apply to those already in Australia or in transit, and to the spouses and children of Australian citizens and permanent residents.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said many of the visas issued before the war situation would not have been granted had they been applied for now.