Departure Prohibition Orders: Can the ATO Stop You at the Airport?

MELBOURNE, Australia - April 16, 2026 - PRLog -- Nanak Accountants & Associates has released a new guide explaining how the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) can stop individuals from leaving the country due to unpaid tax debts using a legal tool known as a Departure Prohibition Order (DPO).

The guide highlights that under Australian law, the ATO can issue a DPO to prevent individuals with significant tax liabilities from departing Australia if they are considered a flight risk. Once issued, the individual may be stopped at the airport by Australian Border Force until the debt is resolved.

The article outlines key risk factors, including large unpaid tax debts, repeated non-compliance, and failure to engage with the ATO. Company directors with outstanding obligations such as GST, PAYG withholding, or superannuation liabilities are particularly at risk.

"A DPO is one of the ATO's most serious enforcement actions, and many taxpayers don't realise how quickly it can escalate," said Puneet Singh, Principal Accountant at Nanak Accountants & Associates. "Ignoring ATO notices or delaying action can result in being stopped at the airport, often without warning."

The guide also provides practical solutions, including paying the debt in full, entering into a formal payment arrangement, or offering security to the ATO. In urgent cases, individuals may apply for a Departure Authorisation Certificate (DAC) to travel temporarily.

Additionally, the article includes a step-by-step resolution process, real-world examples, and a checklist to help taxpayers avoid travel disruptions.

About Nanak Accountants & Associates
Nanak Accountants & Associates is a Melbourne-based accounting firm specialising in tax compliance, debt management, and business advisory services for individuals and companies across Australia.

Read the full guide at:
https://nanakaccountants.com.au/blog/departure-prohibitio...