Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt says the government hasn't forgotten the thousands of Australians still waiting to get home.
Yesterday the government announced Australia will temporarily reduce commercial inbound passenger international arrivals by 50 per cent to ease the pressure on quarantine facilities due to the increased risks of the Delta strain of COVID-19.
Mr Hunt today said there will be an increase in facilitated arrivals via the Howard Springs location.
READ MORE: International passenger arrivals to be reduced by half to ease pressure on quarantine facilities
"In terms of arrivals we know well over 500,000 people have returned home since changes were made in March 2020," Mr Hunt said.
"In terms of arrivals we know well over 500,000 people have returned home since changes were made in March 2020," Mr Hunt said.
"We will continue to bring people home. There will be a decrease in the commercial arrivals but an increase in what I called the facilitated arrivals to Howard Springs in the Northern Territory.
"We know that some of those flights have in fact been under-subscribed in recent weeks and so there is the capacity to bring additional Australians home via Howard Springs.
"We know the Delta strain is new – we can manage it, but we have to take precautions - We have to keep Australians safe."
READ MORE: Top doctor says full Australian vaccinations by year's end 'very realistic'
READ MORE: Aussies stuck overseas 'heartbroken' by flight cuts
Mr Hunt couldn't provide information on the number of flights currently scheduled or the destinations flights would be coming from, but said the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is working on a case by case basis.
"We are looking at the particular needs and particular numbers, looking at where the demand is, noting that many of these flights had in fact been under-subscribed in recent weeks," he said.
"DFAT will complete that work and then make the details available."
