COVID-19 vaccinations

Being vaccinated when you travel is important to keep you healthy. Many destinations are also putting different entry and exit rules in place for vaccinated travellers. Read this page to learn about:

• Proof of vaccination including foreign vaccination certificates
• Registering a vaccination received overseas
• Getting vaccinated overseas
• ATAGI advice on the use of a different COVID-19 vaccine as the second dose

If you’re looking for information on using vaccination certificates for travel, see our advice on

• International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificates
• leaving Australia
• re-entry and quarantine

Proof of vaccination at the Australian border

Vaccination requirements at the border are changing from 11:59pm AEST on 17 April 2022.

When leaving Australia, you must provide proof of your vaccination status if requested by a Government official, and when boarding your flight if requested by airline staff.

When returning to Australia, you must declare your vaccination status in the Digital Passenger Declaration, or Maritime Travel Declaration (if arriving by boat), and provide proof of vaccination to airline/cruise staff at check-in.

• If you were vaccinated in Australia, use your International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate (ICVC).
• If you were vaccinated overseas and can’t get an ICVC yet, you can use your foreign vaccination certificate​​​​​.
• If you can’t be vaccinated for medical reasons you’ll need to provide proof of medical contraindication.

More information:

• Information for vaccinated travellers (Department of Home Affairs)
• Information for unvaccinated travellers (Department of Home Affairs)

What does fully vaccinated mean?

To be considered fully vaccinated for travel to and from Australia you must have completed a course of a vaccine approved or recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). This includes mixed doses.

Vaccination requirements for travellers to Australia are separate from the ATAGI advice on domestic vaccination for Australians. A COVID-19 booster dose isn’t required to leave or return to Australia. But be aware that many destinations now require you to be boosted to access services and venues.

Approved and recognised COVID-19 vaccinations

COVID-19 vaccines are approved for use in Australia by the TGA after a rigorous assessment and approval process. This includes assessment of its safety, quality and effectiveness. The TGA has also recognised vaccines for the purposes of travel to Australia. 

For the full list COVID-19 vaccines approved and recognised by the TGA, visit the TGA website.

More information:

• COVID-19 vaccines approved and recognised by the TGA for the purpose of travel to Australia (Therapeutic Goods Administration)
• Accepted Sinopharm and Sputnik brands (Australian Passports Office)

Foreign COVID-19 vaccination certificates

You can use a foreign certificate as evidence you were vaccinated overseas. Most foreign vaccination certificates will be accepted, both digital and paper.

If your vaccination certificate doesn't meet specific criteria, you won’t qualify as fully vaccinated.

More information:

• Learn more about how to use your foreign vaccination certificate as proof of vaccination

Other vaccination policies

Airlines, cruise liners and foreign governments are imposing their own vaccination policies. While your proof of vaccination and vaccine types may meet Australian requirements, that’s no guarantee they’ll be accepted everywhere.

It’s your responsibility to check vaccination requirements with your travel agent, airline, cruise liner, accommodation, transit locations and destinations.

Registering a vaccination received overseas

If you receive an approved COVID-19 vaccine while overseas, you can register your vaccination on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) when you return to Australia. Only TGA approved vaccines can be registered in the AIR.

To register your vaccination in the AIR:

• get proof of vaccination from your provider when you receive the vaccine
• bring the proof of vaccination to Australia when you return. The proof must be translated to English if it’s in another language.
• make sure your Medicare online account is up to date (if applicable).
• give the proof of vaccination to a recognised vaccination provider in Australia. They’ll verify your vaccination status and add the record of vaccination to the AIR.

Once your vaccination is registered on the AIR, you can apply for an International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate for the next time you go overseas.

More information:

• For more on registering an overseas COVID-19 vaccination (Services Australia)

Getting vaccinated overseas

The Australian Government can’t provide advice on the safety, quality and efficacy of vaccines that have been approved for use outside of Australia’s regulatory process. You should consult your local health professional for advice on vaccine options, including assistance that may be available locally.

Australia’s global network is working with foreign governments to allow Australians in country to access vaccines through their local vaccination programs. This is consistent with the approach in Australia that vaccines are available to all people living in Australia.

If available, a link to information on your location's vaccination program is in our travel advice. Refer to the 'Health Risks' heading in the 'Health' section.

If you choose to get vaccinated locally, make sure to only go through the official vaccination program for the destination you’re in. Ignore offers of vaccines from unverified sources. Scammers are selling products claiming to prevent or treat COVID-19 without proof of what they contain or whether they work.

ATAGI advice on the use of a different COVID-19 vaccine as the second dose

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has provided advice about receiving two different COVID-19 vaccines.

You can receive an alternative vaccine brand for your second dose to complete your primary course, if

• you’ve received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine overseas that’s not available in Australia, and
• you’re due for a second dose in Australia.

Visit the Department of Health website for more information.

Read more

• Read our advice on vaccinations and preventative health
• Learn about how to get medical assistance overseas
• See our information on reciprocal health care agreements
• Read more about International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificates

See also

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines (Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet)
• COVID-19 vaccines (Department of Health)
• COVID-19 vaccines (Therapeutic Goods Administration)
• The Australian Immunisation Register (Services Australia)
• How to add immunisations you’ve had overseas to the Australian Immunisation Register (Services Australia)