International Travel - When Are Australian Borders Opening?
Earlier this month in Australia, New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria (VIC) opened their international borders with no quarantine requirements to fully vaccinated Australians, permanent residents, their immediate family members and some exempt foreign visa holders. aside from Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests and other local requirements.
This is one of the first "tangible" steps coming into Christmas, to resume international travel for Australians since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
There is so much information out there in relation to Australian travel right now, so here's everything you need to know on a page. Read on or skip to your preferred section:
International travel for Australians - Outbound
International travel - Inbound. What are the quarantine requirements?
International travel for Australians - Outbound
In the last National Cabinet meeting, Scott Morrison confirmed the removal of restrictions on outbound travel for fully vaccinated Australians from 1 November 2021. We can also see international flights resuming as demand grows.
Travel requirements into most countries have changed since COVID-19 and many require proof of COVID-19 vaccination on arrival. Services Australia states if you have received at least one dose of a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved vaccine, AND have an Australian passport or a foreign passport with an Australian visa, then you can obtain your proof of COVID-19 vaccination international certificate through MyGov (Medicare online) or the Express Plus Medicare mobile app.
The COVID-19 vaccination international certificate provides a QR code which is what you need to show at your international arrival destination. It is recommended you secure a soft copy of the certificate on your phone.
It should be noted although you can get the international certificate with at least one dose of the TGA approved vaccine, many countries require travellers to be fully vaccinated. Australia has differing rules for those who are fully vaccinated and those tho aren't. Please ensure you check withe the correct authorities at the time of travel given the evolving changes.
Travel bubble - New Zealand
A one-way travel bubble from New Zealand to Australia has commenced. This luxury of course, comes with negative pre-departure PRC requirements, proof of vaccination and a travel declaration. Please refer to the Department of Home Affairs for the latest details. It appears we're still waiting for New Zealand to reopen their borders to us Aussies.
Travel bubble - International
Prime Minister Scott Morrison further announced from 21 November 2021, a travel bubble with Singapore will be established, however, it appears this will only benefit our quarantine-free southern states for now, being NSW and VIC.
There are otherwise no other confirmed international travel bubbles with Australia at this stage but as of 1 November, Qantas have recommenced international flight schedules to destinations such as:
London; and
Los Angeles.
Qantas have indicated the following flight schedules on their website, in line with the Australian Government vaccination targets:
Trans-Tasman - Sydney: Mid December 2021/early January 2021
Trans-Tasman - Melbourne: Mid December 2021/early January 2021
Sydney - Auckland: From 6 December 2021
Trans-Tasman - Brisbane: 31 January 2022
Brisbane - Los Angeles: 2 February 2022
Brisbane - Singapore: 2 February 2022
Sydney - Noumea: 27 March 2022
Brisbane - Noumea: 2 April 2022
Jetstar have scheduled the following flights on their website. Here are a few examples:
Sydney - Nadi: 17 December 2022
Brisbane - Tokyo: 31 January 2022
Brisbane - Osaka: 1 February 2022
Brisbane - Denpasar: 2 January 2022
Sydney - Denpasar: 27 March 2022
Sydney - Osaka: 28 March 2022
Virgin Australia have scheduled the following flights on their website. Here are a few examples:
Sydney - Nadi: 16 December 2021
Brisbane - Nadi: 23 December 2021
Brisbane/Melbourne - Denpasar: 27 March 2022
International Travel - Inbound. What are the quarantine requirements?
Most states have provided an indication for when their international borders will be opening. These are of course indicators and may change depending on a range of factors. Here are the propose dates and requirements specific to vaccinated travellers as we know it:
State | 80% Vaccination rate | 90% Vaccination rate |
No proposed date No restrictions on entry to Queensland and no quarantine required. | ||
No proposed date Borders open to fully vaccinated international arrivals. | ||
Proposed date: Early November 2021 Direct flights from the South Island of New Zealand or approved Australian Antarctic Division travellers exempt. | Proposed date: 15 December 2021 No quarantine for fully vaccinated travellers with a negative PCR test within 72hrs before departure. | |
Nil information available | ||
Proposed date: November 2021 As of today, there does not appear to be any solid state government plans released in relation to international travel. | Nil information available at the time of this blogpost. |
There are currently no international flights entering the Australian Capital Territory, however fully vaccinated travellers must undergo a PRC test within prescribed timeframes.
Resources
Planning to Travel During COVD-19: Step by Step Guide - Smart Traveller
Travel advice - Smart Traveller
COVID-19 and the Border (Australia) - Department of Home Affairs
Happy travels and keep wandering.
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Wandonist
Note: The above has been interpreted and written based on open source information and observations available as of 7 November 2021. Should you or someone else intend on travelling overseas, please ensure you seek updated information relevant to your situation via the appropriate authorities and/or seek independent advice.