Originally Posted by
WGTN
Australian citizens and residents can arrive into Australia but definitely not come and go as they please, regardless of where they normally live. Temporary residents (for example student visa holders) can leave anytime but not re-enter. Exemptions apply, but you'll need a very good reason to travel.
I quote:
You will not need to apply for an exemption if you are:
- ordinarily resident in a country other than Australia
So if you are an Australian citizen who is ordinarily resident in another country, then you do not need to apply for an exemption for travel. I assume, before your leave, some form of proof you are not resident in Australia ( I will be using my foreign identity card and apartment lease) will be required, although they could pull your immigration records to look at amount of time spent in Australia. In theory (i.e. the way the requirements are written) , this means Australian citizens who are foreign residents could come and go as they please. In practice though it will not mean that. Apart from being frowned upon (and potential for questioning whether the citizen is really a foreign resident), it is not really practical anyway with isolation requirements and restrictions imposed by many foreign countries on their residents travelling outside the country.