COVID-19 travel restrictions: Australia

This article was published on March 7, 2022, and all the information in the article is correct as of this time. Before you book your trip, we highly recommend that you also check official sources for the most up-to-date travel requirements, as they are subject to constant change.

Can I enter Australia?

As of April 2022, Australia is open to tourists from all countries. Nevertheless, several COVID-19 restrictions are in place.

Please note that all international travelers have to complete a common Digital Passenger Locator to enter Australia. Then, completing the forms of certain territories of Australia depends on where you are heading to.

Be aware that the rules concerning completing different forms depending on the Australian state and territory have changed

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) — complete the Declaration Form. You have to complete the form only if you live with someone who is infected by COVID-19. In other cases, fully vaccinated travelers do no longer have to complete the form.
New South Wales — register at the MyServiceNSW
Northern Territory (NT) —. You no longer need to fill in the Entry Form.
Queensland — use the Home Quarantine Check-In Service. You no longer have to complete any forms.
Tasmania — Tas-e Travel Service. You no longer need to register.
Victoria — International Passenger Arrival Form (or Victorian Quarantine Arrival Form). You no longer need to fill in the forms.
Western Australia — install and complete the G2G Pass

Can I enter Australia if I am vaccinated?

You can enter Australia if you are vaccinated. Furthermore, only vaccinated travelers are permitted to enter Australia for tourism. You are considered fully vaccinated if you have received a full course of your vaccine(s) at least seven days before entering.

As of January 2022, there are eight vaccines approved in Australia:

Sinovac Coronavac
AstraZeneca Vaxzevria
Bharat Biotech Covaxin
AstraZeneca Covishield
Pfizer/BioNTech Comirnaty
Moderna Spikevax or Takeda
Johnson & Johnson/ Janssen
Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV (for people under 60 years of age on arrival in Australia)

Travel documents if I am vaccinated

If you are vaccinated, present both documents:

A document confirming vaccination status
A negative PCR test result taken no more than 72 hours before entering Australia or a negative result of a rapid antigen test taken no more than 24 hours before entering Australia

However, it has been stated on the official website that starting from April 17, 2022, Australia is to remove the requirements to present tests.

A vaccination certificate must contain at a minimum:

A passenger’s name
Date of birth or passport number
The vaccine brand name
The date of each dose or the date on which a full course of immunization was completed

Can I enter Australia if I am unvaccinated?

Please note that as of April 2022, unvaccinated travelers can enter Australia only if they have compelling reasons to travel or meet the requirements of travel exceptions.

However, you can arrive in the country if you have:

An appropriate document confirming that you can not get the vaccination for medical reasons. Then, the requirements for fully vaccinated visitors apply to you.
A document showing recovery from COVID-19

Travel documents if I am unvaccinated and recovered from covid

You have to present both documents:

Proof of recovery from COVID-19 dated no less than six months
A negative PCR test no older than 72 hours or rapid antigen test no older than 24 hours

Can I leave Australia?

As of January 2022, only fully vaccinated citizens can leave Australia for tourism. Unvaccinated Australians can only travel for essential purposes. Citizens of other countries can leave Australia.

Travel documents if I am vaccinated

A certificate of full vaccination against COVID-19 in paper or electronic format

Please make sure to learn the requirements about showing a negative test result of your destination country in advance.

Traveling from Australia to “high-risk” countries

Presently, there is no strict ban on traveling to any country of the world. The Australian government divides countries into “high degree of caution,” “reconsider your need to travel,” and “Do not travel” categories. The list of countries is updated frequently; make sure to check it at the relevant time.

COVID-19 situation in Australia currently

After a 20-month closure, the COVID-19 situation has become much safer in Australia.

FAQs

Is it safe to travel to Australia right now?

International travel to Australia is safe provided you follow the main current COVID-19 requirements:

Wearing masks indoors
Presenting your vaccination certificate or negative COVID-19 test when it is demanded in recreation areas

Is Sydney open for travel?

Presently, Sydney is open for travelers. COVID-19 restrictions here are the same as countrywide.

Do I have to be quarantined if I go to Australia?

Please note that quarantine requirements vary depending on what Australian state and territory you are heading for.

The requirements listed below refer to fully vaccinated travelers since only these foreigners can enter Australia for tourism.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Fully vaccinated travelers have to:

Have a mandatory rapid antigen test within 24 hours of arrival
Get self-isolated until a test result is received

Please note that if you have recently recovered from COVID-19, you do not need to take an arrival test.

Unvaccinated travers have to:

Complete a mandatory quarantine period at port of entry (since there are no direct international flights to ACT currently)

In addition, unvaccinated travelers can apply for quarantine on ATC.They have to:

Apply via email to [email protected]

New South Wales

Fully vaccinated travelers have to:

Upload and register at the MyServiceNSW
Have a mandatory rapid antigen test within 24 hours of arrival
Get self-isolated until a test result is received
Restrain from visiting high-risk crowded places for the first seven days
Undergo one more test on day six (not obligatory, but strongly recommended)

Unvaccinated travelers have to:

Undergo a mandatory seven-day quarantine in a special quarantine hotel

Northern Territory (NT)

Currently, international travelers must follow the pre-arrival advice on the Smartraveller website.

Queensland

Fully vaccinated travelers are exempt from quarantine in Queensland. They only have to take a rapid antigen test within 24 hours of their arrival and isolate until the negative result is received.

Unvaccinated travelers have to quarantine for 14 days in government-nominated accommodation.

South Australia

Fully vaccinated travelers have to take a rapid antigen test within 24 hours of their arrival and isolate until the negative result is received.

Unvaccinated travelers have to:

Undergo a self-isolation for 14 days
Take a PCR test within 24 hours of arrival, as well as on day six and 13

Tasmania

As of April 2022, there are no COVID-19-related restrictions to enter Tasmania.

Victoria

Fully vaccinated travelers and those who have medical exemptions have to:

Self-isolate at home or a quarantine hotel
Have a rapid antigen test within 24 hours of arrival
Self-isolate until a test result is received

Unvaccinated visitors without medical exemptions have to:

Self-isolate at home or a quarantine hotel for seven days
Have a rapid antigen test within 24 hours of arrival
Continue to self-isolate until day seven

Western Australia

Fully vaccinated travelers do not have to undergo self-isolation. They have to:

Complete the G2G Pass
Take a COVID-19 test within 12 hours upon arrival

Unvaccinated foreign travelers are prohibited to enter Western Australia. Returning from overseas Australian residents have to undergo a mandatory seven-day isolation.

How do I get a health pass to travel to Australia?