Even as pandemics spread around the world, not every Australian overseas wants to go home.

It is estimated that more than 350,000 Australians and permanent residents have returned since 2008 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a suggestion recommend people abroad who want to go home in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic to do it as soon as possible.

While some have fought canceled flights, closing borders and limiting the number of travelers to return, others must remain on the plane.

There are many reasons why many people choose to continue their lives in other countries: work, family, commitment.

But for many Australian expatriates, the news that it will be increasingly difficult to go home feels like the removal of a safety net.

Six Australians told their story to ABC.

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‘I have financial and contractual obligations’

Tyson Waterman, an Australian teacher who lives in London, said he was forced to stay because of financial and contractual obligations.

“Many other Australian expatriates are in a position where they can pack and leave – whether it’s because they are in their early 20s working in hospitality or work they can do at home – but my job requires me to be with me. Students and give notice the term before resigning, “he said.

“I wish I could ride in London with income and a roof over my head – something that many other Australians don’t have when we are locked up.”

Originally from Perth, Mr Waterman, 28, said he always planned to return to Australia after two years, but felt the entry restrictions and quarantine fees he would now face were “very unfair”.

The mandatory hotel quarantine fee in Western Australia is $ 2,520 for one adult, $ 3,360 for two people and $ 5,040 for a family of four.

“Financially, this is a big problem – I can’t afford to move house, organize myself and pay quarantine,” he said.

“Some media comments claim that returning Australians have received ‘free holidays’ and ‘taxpayed holidays’, he added,” ridiculous “and painful. I am truly disgusted [by some of the commentary]”I said,” I never thought I’d find myself in a situation where I didn’t feel welcome to go home. “

“To be separated from my new husband will be very heartbreaking ‘

Thoughts separated from her new husband convinced Manasi Kogekar, 32, to step out of the pandemic in Kathmandu.

Originally from Sydney, Kogekar has been in Nepal working in the development sector for the past three years.

“It will be heartbreaking for us to be separated for an unlimited period of time, especially since we just got married a few weeks ago,” he said.

“We both will feel anxious and stressed because we don’t know when we will meet next and this will be a very difficult situation for us to enter.”

The newlyweds are planning to move back to Australia next year.

“Although it is easy to say from the point of view of someone who lives in Australia that we have plenty of time to return, this oversimplifies the situation of many expatriates living abroad,” he said.

“A lot of complicated people situations … make it difficult for us to go back to Australia.

Returning will mean ‘throwing away everything we work for’

For Luke Anderson, 32, going home means leaving the dormitory he founded together in Guatemala – and local staff whose livelihoods depend on him.

“I live to help keep the hostel alive – not only for us, but also for our local workers who depend on income from our hostel,” he said.

“I just hope the government has some kind of support for us here. Fortunately, I can access the pension fund to survive, but I’m quite angry I have to use that.”

Many Australians who remain overseas have done part of this to avoid going home just to access welfare payments and “burden” the government, Anderson said.

“They should thank us, not make it harder if we are forced to go home.”

‘I went up and out for my family’

Kate Miller, a high school English teacher from Warrnambool, was in a teaching contract in Oman when the coronavirus triggered extensive locking in the Middle East.

The 41-year-old man was initially worried that if he returned to Australia, a ban on international travel would prevent him from going to China for the next teaching contract. So when a repatriation flight to England was available in mid-May, he took it.

Miller knew he could ask for travel exemption – Australians could leave the country under certain conditions, such as if they usually lived elsewhere – if he wanted to return home. But he felt treated like an “irresponsible backpacker”.

“I feel very upset with the current discourse around people like me who still live abroad – I don’t like to be portrayed as irresponsible when my choices and actions now are the opposite,” he said.

“I am not complacent all over the world having fun, I go above and beyond for my family – don’t stop and say ‘It’s too difficult, I’ll just go home and go on roles and the Government can support us on’ change ‘ taxpayer.

“How about changing the subject to recognize the difficulties we face while we make the best choices for our families?”

‘Locking my toddler in quarantine is unfair’

Evie, who was heavily pregnant and living in England, was reluctant to enter her baby through a hotel quarantine ordeal for 14 days after returning to Australia.

“My daughter is two and a half years old – I find it unfair to let a child be locked in a hotel for two weeks without fresh air and outside games,” he said.

“I’m also 28 weeks pregnant. Some international airlines don’t allow women at 28 weeks to fly.”

Evie asked for her identity to be kept secret because she and her young family would be framed or bullied on social media for not returning to Australia sooner.

“Not all Australians have the freedom to package everything and go home in a matter of weeks or months,” he said, “especially if you have children.”

‘A once in a lifetime opportunity’

Brodie Pledge embraces the “once in a lifetime” opportunity in London when the coronavirus crisis hit.

The 26-year-old from Melbourne was reluctant to leave a job which he said would begin his career in international development and provide income, housing security, and access to health care. So he decided to stay.

“At home I offer myself with various charities, but never get paid, so I have to work on weekends to pay bills. My goal is always to move. [to London] and breaking the charity sector, “said Ms Pledge.

“I also can only hold this visa once in a lifetime – I want to take advantage of these two years.”

With her visa ending in September, Ms Pledge said that although she had booked flights to return on September 3, she was increasingly worried about flight cancellations and what she described as “ridiculous” mandatory hotel quarantine fees.

“I feel like I’m being punished for trying to go home when I have no choice but to do it,” Pledge said.

“Not once did the communication I received from the Australian Government through the High Commission in the UK say ‘you must go home’. That is:” if you want / need, go home “, he said. “Now that my visa is over, what should I do?”

Stephanie Capper is a freelance journalist from the Gold Coast, currently based in Europe. He has previously reported from Central America, Asia and Africa.