Australia also joined the same race, starting at 9:00 pm on March 20, 2020, granting travel exemptions only to citizens and permanent residents, and if necessary to their close relatives.

But until November 1, the federal government recognised only a spouse, de facto partner, dependent child or legal guardian as “immediate family” for the purposes of granting travel exemptions.

Parents and grandparents did not qualify, as it was “a necessary restriction to ease pressure on quarantine systems”, according to a spokesman from the Australian Border Force.

Over the last two years, travel exemptions have been granted on a case by case basis where reasons were compassionate and compelling”.

Earlier this year, a petition with 70,000 signatures was tabled in parliament by independent MP Zali Steggall calling for these exemptions to be changed to allow parents of Australians to enter the country and reunite with their children and grandchildren.

Last weekend, the federal government finally changed its definition to include parents of adult Australian citizens and permanent residents for the purpose of assessing exemptions to travel restrictions only.

However, it is not clear how long it will take to process visas, with the Department of Home Affairs website advising that most tourist (subclass 600) visas are taking eight months to process. 

As many members of the community are confirming, it seems the process takes at least 10 days.

Once the visa application has been made, which allows a ‘TER code’ to be obtained, it is then possible to proceed with the request for a travel permit.

It is important to submit some personal data and provide proof of the family relationship, for example by attaching a birth certificate, translated in English, which also includes the names of the parents.

“I immediately bought a ticket for my mother to leave Italy on 8 December, even if it is better to apply for the tourist visa and the travel exemption first,” said Elena Maggi, who arrived in Australia 13 years ago.

“Luckily, I received the travel permit after only 10 days”.

Married to an Australian citizen and a mother of three, Maggi says she has felt “extremely frustrated” over the past two years.

“We live in a privileged country; however, our vaccination campaign started really late compared to the rest of the world,” she said.

“It has been very hard to stay calm thinking that I wouldn’t be able to see my family in Italy in case of emergency.

“I am now looking forward to the future.

“My mum will spend Christmas with us here in Australia and maybe we will go back to Italy in May 2022.

“Our children are extremely happy – they are already writing some letters to welcome their nonna.”

Claudia Severini, originally from the Marche region, is a mother who works at an Italian bakery whilst managing an online skincare business.

In February 2020, her mother arrived in Melbourne to see the birth of her granddaughter, Isabel.

She will finally return to Australia to see her again after nearly two years.

Claudia Severini (left) with her mother and her newborn daughter

“The process for obtaining a visa and a travel exemption is very simple – I really appreciated the transparency of information on the Department’s website,” Severini said.

“My mum will arrive on December 16 and will stay with us until March next year.

 “It has been tough not to see each other for such a long time, sometimes disheartening.”

Marta Salvadori (second from the left) with her family

Marta Salvadori, originally from Varese in Lombardy, arrived in Australia eight years ago and decided to stay in Melbourne after meeting her Australian partner.

During the past 19 months, she found great support in the ‘Parents Are Immediate Family’ Facebook group, which also gave rise to the national petition.

“It has been a great support, especially the information provided, in a time when we are all in limbo,” she said.

“I will see my parents in January 2022.

“We have already received the visas and the travel permits.

“It has been really hard to stay away from each other, put our lives on hold, postpone plans and projects, but finally we will start living again”.