Australia Travel Restrictions
Visiting Australia from overseas and travelling interstate has become much simpler since COVID-19 travel restrictions began to ease in late 2021.
Two years after Australia’s state and national borders first closed restrictions have been lifted so Aussies can venture out, and overseas travellers can venture in.
, As we learn to manage “the new normal”, it’s up to those looking to stretch their travel wings to keep current on Australia’s latest travel restrictions and ensure they have taken the necessary steps to prepare them for a seamless and worry-free holiday on Australian shores.
But that’s not the challenge it was 12 months ago, with plenty of resources and reliable advice available on official government, airline and travel company websites.
Before you book that next trip, here are seven things you need to know about Australia’s border limitations.
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS TO AUSTRALIA
Australia’s international borders reopened to fully-vaccinated visitors coming from abroad on February 21, 2022, with the latest revision taking effect on April 18 stipulating travellers no longer need a negative COVID-19 test to board a flight into the country.
“If you’re double vaccinated we look forward to welcoming you back to Australia,” PM Morrison said on February 7, 2022.
“It will be two (doses). There are various arguments around the world for three doses. Two doses is what the Chief Medical Officer says is sufficient.”
Visitors completing the vaccination process outside Australia must secure a certificate from the government of that country, or the recognised vaccination provider that administered the double dose, and check the type used was an approved maker with four names now on the Department of Health register.
THINK TWICE ABOUT BENDING THE RULES
Those contemplating an arrival cannot become blasé as the penalties for disregarding and disobeying the rules are still enforced when crossing through customs at an Aussie airport or cruise terminal.
“All incoming travellers will need to comply with the testing and quarantine requirements of the state or territory of their arrival, and any other state or territory to which they plan to travel,” the Australia Government website currently states.
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS WITHIN AUSTRALIA
With all states and territories now welcoming Australian citizens and permanent residents and international visitors, there is still some information that you should be aware of when planning your holiday, including details on what you will need to do should you test positive to COVID-19 while travelling.. You can check the websites of each state and territory that detail the latest rules relating to vaccination status or travel declaration before you arrive..
WHAT’S THE GO WITH MASKS?
Australia’s state governments are rolling back mask mandates but the guidelines can change quickly, and there could be new instructions before we have time to press publish, so travellers should keep current with this aspect of the COVID-19 response.
But, in general, masks are no longer required in most social settings, including inside restaurants and shops. But some regions still demand they be worn on public transport, and there’s no imminent chance of them being ruled out for high-risk settings like hospitals and medical practices.
THE WORLD WIDE WEB IS YOUR FRIEND
The world took a significant step up to become seriously tech-savvy during the pandemic, with even the most hesitant travellers managing to master web resources to source information and stay in touch during lockdown.
Now it’s time to those use those skills in the quest to travel, and access the official websites currently kept up to date by government authorities and airlines with the most recent information about Australia’s travel restrictions.
The Australian Government website has a section on international travel that includes answers to all the common questions and well as a checklist of steps to complete before embarking, while the Department of Health page is an equally helpful location for internationals bound for Australia.
When travelling to multiple regions it’s equally important to check the rules in each state and territory as there continue to be slight variations. Each government’s website – Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia, Victoria – is the most reliable location for comprehensive and current information.
THE WORLD HASN’T LOST ITS APPETITE FOR SEEING AUSTRALIA
At the end of March – four weeks after Australia initially rolled out the welcome mat to the vaccinated world – international flight bookings were back to 49 per cent of pre-pandemic levels, with the 500 weekly services coming from overseas expected to double before the new financial year.
Tropical North Queensland was one destination affected by the pandemic, with the region that’s home to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest relying heavily on tourism welcoming fewer visitors from beyond the state borders.
But Cairns Airport welcomed 52,000 passengers across the four days of the Easter long weekend, compared to just 533 flyers during the same period in 2020. The number of direct international services is slated to step up during the next three months and include more flights from Singapore and the introduction of direct hops from Auckland, Tokyo, Osaka and Bali.
BOOK SOON, BECAUSE AUSTRALIA IS GETTING BUSY
You would want to see the best of Australia before it gets too busy. AAT Kings get beneath the skin of the destinations we take you to, offering only-locals-know adventures and insights that most other travellers will never even know existed. We take you places, and our passionate insiders – whether vintners, farmers, astronomers, chefs, historians or First Nations artists – reveal their true beauty. Plus, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that whatever the future may hold, your travel plans can be adapted to suit your needs with our flexible booking promise.
Sit back and dream a little, all the complicated stuff? We’ll take care of it. Find your next holiday to Australia with one of our trips across Australia.
