Australian Government reform
On 19 March 2015, the Australian Government announced comprehensive reforms for Norfolk Island.
From 1 July 2016, the Australian Government will integrate Norfolk Island with mainland Australia tax, health and social security systems. The Australian Government will commence delivering essential national functions such as immigration, customs and biosecurity.
The Department of Immigration and Border Protection is part of the joint agency taskforce coordinating the Norfolk Island reform process, led by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development.
Arrangements for Norfolk Island from 1 July 2016
From 1 July 2016, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection will be responsible for delivering immigration and customs functions on Norfolk Island. The Australian Border Force (ABF) will have a permanent presence on Norfolk Island.
For immigration purposes, Norfolk Island will be integrated into the Australian migration zone. This means that passenger movements between the Australian mainland and Norfolk Island will be considered domestic travel. All foreign nationals, as well as Australian citizens, travelling between Norfolk Island and an overseas destination will be subject to Australian immigration requirements in accordance with the Migration Act 1958 (Commonwealth) and the Migration Regulations 1994. For foreign nationals, this will include being required to hold an appropriate Australian visa to enter, visit or reside on Norfolk Island. With the introduction of new immigration arrangements, the existing Norfolk Island Immigration Act 1980 will be repealed.
For customs purposes, people and goods arriving in and leaving from Norfolk Island will continue to cross a customs border, so these will remain international movements. The Norfolk Island Customs Ordinance 2016 applies a modified version of the Customs Act 1901, the Customs Regulation 2015 and the Customs (International Obligations) Regulation 2015 to Norfolk Island. The Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 and the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958 also apply.
There will be no customs duties, GST or other indirect taxes (for example, Luxury Car Tax) on goods arriving in Norfolk Island. With the introduction of new customs arrangements, the existing Norfolk Island Customs Act 1913 and Customs Regulations 1986 will be repealed.
More information on the following new arrangements for Norfolk Island will be available soon:
- Information for travellers
- Importing and exporting goods clearance
- Importing and exporting firearms and weapons
- Information for airlines
- Arriving aircraft, air cargo, passenger and crew reporting requirements
- Departing aircraft, air cargo, passenger and crew reporting requirements
- Arriving vessel, sea cargo, passenger and crew reporting requirements
- Departing vessel, sea cargo, passenger and crew reporting requirements
- Visa arrangements for Norfolk Island:
- The Norfolk Island Immigration Act 1980 will be repealed and current Australian visa arrangements will apply.
- Foreign nationals who want to enter and remain on Norfolk Island will be subject to normal Australian migration arrangements.
- Permits issued under Norfolk Island immigration arrangements will cease on 30 June 2016, and foreign nationals on Norfolk Island will instead be required to hold an Australian visa.
- Existing foreign national Norfolk Island temporary permit holders, and those with a permanent status on Norfolk Island, will be transitioned to an Australian visa.