Original Publication Date - 09/03/2022
By - Chani Fletcher
Australia fully re-opened
Fire up the barbie and chill the drinks, with the re-opening of WA’s borders on 3 March 2022, Australia is now fully re-opened for travellers. This is a welcome news after years of recurring COVID-19 lockdowns, however the new ‘normal’ for entry into Australia has meant some long-term changes.
Here is a handy guide for on the new requirements for entry into Australia:
- There are requirements set at the national level and the state/territory level – travellers must be aware of both
- For the most part, travellers only require to be double vaccinated but there are exceptions (for example, interstate travellers into WA must be triple vaccinated)
- Plan ahead – as well as your visa, you need to ensure you allow time to undertake the necessary COVID vaccinations, COVID testing and completing entry forms. Most states/territories also require COVID-19 testing within 24 hours of your arrival
National requirements to enter Australia
- Valid visa for entry and to permit your intended activities in Australia
- You no longer need a travel exemption to enter Australia if you are fully vaccinated – if you are not are not fully vaccinated or otherwise exempt, you will need an approved travel exemption before you can enter Australia, even with an approved visa
- “Fully vaccinated” means two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine (unless medically exempt or a child under 12) – further information be found here
- All travellers must have an international COVID-19 vaccination certificate to evidence their vaccinated status
- Within 7 days – 72 hours before departure to Australia: you must complete a Digital Passenger Declaration form
- Within 72 of departure to Australia: have a negative COVID-19 test – this can either be a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test taken within 72 hours prior to departure or a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) taken within 24 hrs prior to departure
State/territory requirements to enter Australia
Queensland
- International – double vaccinated travellers: COVID-19 test (PCR/RAT depending on your circumstance) within 24 hrs of arrival in Queensland and self-isolate until negative results are received
- International – unvaccinated travellers: mandatory 14-day quarantine in Queensland government-nominated accommodation
- Domestic travellers: no requirements, unless you have been overseas within the last 14 days
- Further information can be found here.
New South Wales
- International – double vaccinated travellers: PCR or RAT within 24 hrs of arrival in NSW and self-isolate until negative results are received
- International – unvaccinated travellers: mandatory 7-day hotel quarantine
- Domestic travellers: no requirements
- Further information can be found here.
Victoria
- International – double vaccinated travellers: RAT within 24 hrs of arrival in Victoria and self-isolate until negative results are received
- International – unvaccinated travellers: mandatory 7-day hotel quarantine
- Domestic travellers: no requirements, unless you have been overseas within the last 14 days
- Further information can be found here.
Western Australia
- International travellers: double vaccinated, take RAT within 12 hrs of arrival in WA and have registered G2G Pass
- Domestic travellers: triple vaccinated, take RAT within 12 hrs of arrival in WA and have registered G2G Pass
- Further information can be found here.
Southern Australia
- International travellers: double vaccinated
- Domestic travellers: have mySA GOV app prior to travel and QR code check-in upon arrival – see here
- Further information can be found here.
Tasmania
- International and domestic travellers: no requirements
- Further information can be found here.
Northern Territory
- International and domestic travellers: no requirements
- Further information can be found here.
