Australia has temporarily banned visitors from Iran over concerns that they may be unable or unlikely to return home once their visas expire.
Australia’s Department of Home Affairs disclosed in a statement that the restrictions on Iranian visitors would be for a period of six months, describing the move as in the “national interest amid rapidly changing global conditions.”
“The conflict in Iran has increased the risk that some temporary visa holders may be unable or unlikely to depart Australia when their visas expire. This measure gives the Government time to assess the situation properly, while still allowing flexibility in limited cases.”
Australia’s Home Affairs Department
The ban applies to Iranian citizens who are currently outside Australia – even if they have an Australian visitor visa for tourism or work.
The move, which comes into force today, Thursday, March 26, 2026, will affect about 6,800 Iranian visa holders. Some exceptions have been made including for the partners and children of Australian citizens.
Exceptions to the ban include Iranian citizens already in Australia, those currently in transit to Australia, spouses, de facto partners, or dependent children of Australian citizens, and those with permanent visas.
The department added that exemptions will also be considered on a case-by-case basis, such as for the parents of Australian citizens.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said that decisions on who can remain permanently in Australia should be made by the government and should not be the “random consequence of who booked a holiday.” “There are many visitor visas which were issued before the conflict in Iran that may not have been issued if they were applied for now,” he said.
Burke added that the government is monitoring developments and “will adjust settings as required to ensure Australia’s migration system remains orderly, fair and sustainable.”
Burke noted that “sympathetic consideration” may be given to the parents of Australian citizens, adding that the decision was taken in consultation with the Australian-Iranian community. The measure does not apply to citizens from any other country.
The Australian government introduced legislation to block visa holders from nominated countries from visiting earlier this month, on the same day it granted humanitarian visas to seven members of the Iranian women’s football delegation.
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump called on Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to give the Iranian women’s football team asylum in Australia amid fears that players may face repercussions at home for failing to sing their national anthem before a Women’s Asian Cup 2026 match in Queensland.
Albanese later told reporters that five team members had sought assistance and “were safely located” by Australian authorities.In total, seven players and officials were granted asylum in Australia, though five team members later reversed their decision to stay in Australia and chose to return home.
The Iranian team had arrived in Australia to participate in the football tournament before the US and Israel launched their attack on Iran on February 28.
Australia’s Decision To Ban Iranian Visitors Criticised
Some MPs and refugee advocates criticised the decision to ban Iranian Visitors, calling the decision a “moral failure” and warning that it sets a “dangerous precedent.”
Jana Favero, Deputy CEO of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, described the move as a “massive betrayal of the Iranian community, and a breathtaking moral failure.”
“In the moment that people need safety the most and their country is being torn apart, the Albanese government is slamming the door closed on people from Iran.”
Jana Favero
The Sydney-based Asylum Seekers Centre said in a post on social media that the ban on Iranian visitors was the result of a “shameful new law” rushed through Australia’s parliament that “threatens the very foundations of Australia’s onshore protection programme” for those seeking safety.
“For years, politicians have been stressing the importance of seeking safety through so-called legal routes. Now, in the face of an international humanitarian crisis, the government is slamming the door shut and blocking a key pathway for people seeking safety today and in the future.”
Asylum Seekers Centre
Independent MP Zali Steggall said that the laws underpinning the ban gave the government “sweeping, unchecked” powers and ought to be amended. “Invalidating lawfully obtained visas undermines confidence in our entire migration system and sets a dangerous precedent,” she said.
The Australian Greens party said that the measure “puts the lie to the pretence that [the] Labor [government] is supporting the illegal US and Israeli war on Iran to help the Iranian people.”
Greens Senator David Shoebridge said, “Today, we see with 100% clarity what the Albanese government thinks of the safety of the Iranian people as they shut the door on protection for people with a visa to come here.”
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