Gail Baker's dying wish is to have her sister travel from New Zealand to care for her at home toward the end of her life.

But the 65-year-old faces the prospect of dying in a hospital without her sister, retired nurse Christine Archer, by her side after the Department of Home Affairs denied her four applications for a COVID-19 travel exemption on compassionate grounds.

"[The Australian Government] just won't let me go, it's quite upsetting."

The latest response from the department said Ms Archer did not "meet the criteria" for an exemption, according to emails between her and the department provided to the ABC.

"I understand this may be difficult to accept, but further claims based on these circumstances will not result in your request for an exemption being reconsidered," an email from the department dated April 22 read.

The Department of Home Affairs is authorised to grant an exemption to "those who have a compelling and compassionate reason to travel to Australia urgently".

The rejections have added to Ms Baker's distress since her sudden advanced ovarian cancer diagnosis on March 10.

"I'm not saying I'm any more special than those poor elderly people in aged care homes where they haven't seen their families in weeks."

Mission to fulfil mum's dying wish

The retired nurse and midwife's cancer was discovered during a doctor's visit after a fall at her home in Bowraville on the NSW Mid North Coast.

She spent time in Coffs Harbour Hospital where doctors issued the grim prognosis that she had weeks or months to live.

Ms Archer was on the Vasco da Gama cruise ship returning to New Zealand when she got the call about her sister's cancer.

She tried to disembark at a stop in Western Australia and self-isolate there for two weeks before travelling to assist Ms Baker, but her request was denied.

Ms Archer has since finished her mandatory self-isolation in New Zealand and has worked tirelessly to be with her sister.

Back in Australia, Ms Baker's only daughter Erica Peterson had regularly travelled hundreds of kilometres between her home in Uralla in the New England region to assist her mother at the Bellingen palliative care unit.

While Ms Baker is home for now, Ms Peterson said it was uncertain how long she would be able to remain there.

Ms Peterson said it was vital her aunt came to Australia because the mother of three would be unable to afford round-the-clock care for her mother to see out her days at home.

"I'm a bit split between caring for Mum and caring for my kids," Ms Peterson said.

'No compassion from the Government'

After her first three applications Ms Archer was asked to provide further supporting documentation, which she did in her fourth application on April 22.

In her latest application to the Department of Home Affairs, Ms Archer provided a letter from health authorities outlining her sister's condition, as well as birth certificates, a receipt of flexible return plane tickets, and Ms Archer's nursing qualifications.

But it was rejected again, and Ms Peterson said she could not understand why.

She said the thought of her mother being denied her dying wish, surrounded with her grandkids, sister and family, was heartbreaking and cruel.

"Mum has been this positive person in so many people's lives," she said.

"To see her treated in this way with absolutely no compassion from the Government is just not right."

Ms Peterson and her husband, Matt, also appealed to the Federal member for Cowper, Pat Conaghan, for assistance.

In a statement, Mr Conaghan said he had referred the matter to the parliamentary liaison office for Home Affairs.

"While I sympathise with the family, travel restrictions are in place on the guidance of the Chief Medical Officer in order to stop the spread of coronavirus to Australia and help save lives," Mr Conaghan said.

Desperate plea

Ms Archer has pinned her hopes on a fifth travel exemption application.

"I'm trying to be optimistic, but it's hard being rejected so many times," she said.

The family are also optimistic about talks between the Australian and New Zealand Governments to lift the travel ban between the two nations.

As she makes the most of her time back at home in Bowraville, Ms Baker remained hopeful her sister could care for her as the pair did when their mother died.

"It was a really lovely thing for Mum to be able to do before she died. I'd like to think that I could do something similar," Ms Baker said.

Meanwhile, Ms Archer had a strong message for the Federal Government.

The Department of Home Affairs has been contacted for comment.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.

Watch

Duration: 6 minutes 53 seconds6m