March 26, 2026 | 11:00 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Australia has temporarily banned visitors from Iran from entering the country as of Thursday, March 26.
The Australian government says that the Iran war "has increased the risk that some temporary visa holders may be unable or unlikely to depart Australia when their visas expire."
For the next six months, people with a certain type of visitors visa linked to an Iranian passport will be barred from entering Australia, the Department of Home Affairs announced on Wednesday.
Some exceptions apply, such as for those married to an Australian or those with a child under 18 who is in Australia.
How did Australia come to this decision?
In a statement on its website, the Home Affairs Department said issued Australian visas "temporarily ceased to be in effect" as of Thursday in case of:
- Australian visitor visa holders who applied with an Iranian passport
- Who are currently outside Australia
"There are many visitor visas which were issued before the conflict in Iran which may not have been issued if they were applied for now," Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said.
"Decisions about permanent stays in Australia should be deliberate decisions of the government, not a random consequence of who booked a holiday."
On Wednesday, the Australian Home Affairs Department said the measure was to protect the integrity of its immigration system, according to the Reuters news agency.
Australia's Asylum Seeker Resource Center condemned the "heartless" move, saying it adds "unnecessary trauma and harm" to Iranians already facing war.
"This is a massive betrayal of the Iranian community. Just when people most need safety, the Albanese Government is slamming the door closed," ASRC said on X.
Politician David Shoebridge said that Iranians had few options to apply.
Australian-Iranian relations under the spotlight
Nearly 86,000 people living in Australia were born in Iran, according to 2023 figures from the Department for Home Affairs. Over the years, they have built lively diaspora communities, with the largest populations in Sydney and Melbourne.
Earlier this month, Australia was at the center of a diplomatic row with Iran, when it granted asylum to seven women's football team players and officials who were visiting for the Asian Cup.
The players faced backlash at home and were labeled as "traitors" for refusing to sing the national anthem before a match. The move was seen widely as an act of quiet defiance against the Islamic Republic.
Five of those seven back-pedaled on their decisions to seek refuge in Australia, prompting concerns about whether their families had come under pressure.
Read: Australia, Japan Reject Trump's Call for Strait of Hormuz Escort Mission
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Australia and EU Strike Free Trade Deal
1 hari lalu
The European Union and Australia have agreed on a sweeping new trade deal, compromising to boost exports in the face of global uncertainty over trade.
PM Albanese Outlines Plan to Protect Economy from Global Shocks
7 hari lalu
Australian PM Anthony Albanese announces emergency measures to shield the economy from global shocks caused by the Middle East conflict.
Australia, Japan Reject Trump's Call for Strait of Hormuz Escort Mission
9 hari lalu
Australia and Japan rejected President Donald Trump's request to send warships to the strategically important Hormuz Strait on Monday, March 16, 2026.
Indonesia Floats International Military Training Facility in Morotai
13 hari lalu
Sjafrie states that the initiative to develop an international war training facility in Morotai comes from the Indonesian government.
Prabowo Meets Australia's Deputy PM for Strategic Talks
13 hari lalu
Prabowo's personal relationship with Marles is said to be a crucial foundation in strengthening Indonesia's strategic partnership with Australia.
Australia Has the World's Most Expensive Passport in 2026
14 hari lalu
The Australian passport is claimed to have a high level of technological sophistication, supported by strict anti-fraud measures.
Marsupials Found Alive in Papua After 6,000-Year Extinction
14 hari lalu
A team of researchers from Australia has found evidence that two marsupial species are still alive in the deep rainforests of Papua, Indonesia.
Australia: 5 Iran National Team Players Granted Asylum
15 hari lalu
The five Iranian women football players will be allowed to stay in Australia due to concerns about their safety if they returned home.
World Cup to Go On as Planned, FIFA Official Says
15 hari lalu
FIFA official confirmed that this summer's World Cup will not be postponed due to the war between Iran, the US and Israel.
Daylight Savings Victoria Ending Soon: All You Need to Know
16 hari lalu
Daylight savings in Victoria ends Sunday, April 5-time to turn clocks back and expect darker evenings.
