Can I travel when I’m on parole?

A parole order will include general and specific conditions. These include getting approval from the relevant authority for any travel interstate, or overseas.

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Interstate travel

Getting approval to travel to another state or territory in Australia will come from the relevant state or territory agency.

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In Queensland for example, if you wish to travel interstate for fewer than seven days, permission must be first given by your Parole Officer, or by the Parole Board. If you have been granted parole by a Court (‘Court ordered parole’) then the period of leave outside of Queensland may be more than seven days. The Parole Board can also grant permission to travel interstate for more than seven days. An approval granted for travel can be subject to conditions that the Parole Board considers to be appropriate.

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Approval processes are in place in each state and territory. The requirements for obtaining permission to travel, as well as details such as how long you can be away for, are specific to each location. Talk with your Parole Officer about what is required to get interstate travel approval in your state or territory.

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Overseas travel

You will also need approval to travel overseas whilst on parole. In Queensland you have to get permission from the Parole Board, which will only grant permission to travel overseas for compassionate purposes in exceptional circumstances.

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As with interstate travel, the application process for obtaining permission to travel overseas while on parole depends on the rules in your state or territory. In all cases, prior approval is required in order to travel overseas.

Federal parole

If you are on a federal parole order and wish to travel interstate, you should check the interstate travel conditions included in your parole order to confirm which agency you need to get permission from.

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If you wish to travel overseas you must obtain permission from the federal Attorney-General or their delegate. During the first quarter of a federal parole order, overseas travel will only be approved in urgent or exceptional circumstances, and the maximum period of travel permitted during this time is four weeks.

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For the remainder of your federal parole period, travelling overseas is only allowed for a legitimate reason that cannot be delayed until after the parole period has ended. Travelling overseas for a holiday will not normally be approved. The maximum period of travel permitted during this period of parole is six weeks.

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Applications should be made in writing and contain detailed information about why you want to travel overseas. The applications should be made to your Parole Officer at least two months before you plan to travel, unless circumstances do not allow such time.

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The Attorney-General’s office recommends that you do not apply for a passport or make travel arrangements to go overseas until you receive written permission to travel from the delegate of the Attorney-General.