Planning to travel during COVID-19: step by step

• Read our global COVID-19 health advisory
• Read the travel advice for your destination and all your potential transit locations. Make sure you understand the risks for every place you're planning to visit. Check the entry and exit requirements. 
• Find out whether your destination and all your planned activities are covered by travel insurance. The advice level of your destination can affect whether you can get insurance, and what's covered.
• Find out what state and territory requirements you might need to meet when you return. If you need to quarantine on arrival, take the cost of that into account before you commit to travelling.
• Check with your airline for their vaccination and testing policy before you book any flights. 

If you're not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, understand that the risks might be different for you. Apply for an exemption to travel before you plan any further. You may face more difficulty finding flights. International passenger caps still apply to unvaccinated travellers. Airlines may have a vaccination policy that prevents you from flying with them.

More information:

• International travel (Australian Government)

• Read our general travel advice before you go to help plan to stay safe and healthy. Find out what you need to do if you're travelling with children.
• Get a health check and organise your travel vaccinations. Some vaccinations need to be done well in advance of your trip, particularly those that need several doses.
• Plan contingencies for what you would do if you end up overseas longer than expected due to travel restrictions, flight cancellations or testing positive to COVID-19.
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• Check with your travel provider. They can help you understand rules and requirements specific to your planned trip. 

More information:

• Travel health advice (HealthDirect)

• Check your passport is in date and valid for at least 6 months from when you plan your trip to end. Some destinations won't let you enter if your passport is expiring soon.
• Arrange your visas. Contact the embassy or consulate of your destination if you have questions about their visas or application process. Or any questions about entry and exit requirements.
• If you're travelling to Europe, make sure you understand how Schengen area visa requirements apply to you.

More information:

• Foreign embassies and consulates in Australia (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) 
• Getting or renewing a passport (Australian Passport Office)

• Book your travel insurance. Read the conditions carefully before you buy so you know what's covered.
• Let your bank know where you're going and organise your foreign currency. Check how much cash you can carry into your destination.
• If you're vaccinated, download your International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate.
• Organise any other documentation your destination needs, such as COVID-19 entry declarations or international driving permits.
• If your destination or airline needs evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result, book a COVID-19 PCR test. Make sure to check the timeframes they need the test done within, and plan ahead.

More information: 

• CHOICE travel insurance buying guide

Don’t forget your mask! Masks are mandatory in Australian airports. Many airlines and destinations still have mask mandates in place.

When you check in, have the following ready:

If you're fully vaccinated

• your International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate or foreign vaccination certificate
• your negative COVID-19 test results, if needed by your airline or destination

If you're not fully vaccinated but have an exemption

• your proof of exemption 
• your negative COVID-19 test results, if needed by your airline or destination

More information:

• Masking in airports and on flights (Department of Health)
• Travel for vaccinated Australians (Department of Home Affairs)
• Leaving Australia (Department of Home Affairs)

• Stay up-to-date with any changes to local restrictions.
• Follow the rules for the destination you're in, many places have strict penalties for breaching public health orders.
• Know what to do and who to contact if something happens while you're away. Look in the Local contacts section of your destination's travel advice for contact details of local authorities and the Australian embassy or consulate. 

More information:

• Medical assistance overseas
• What to do when things go wrong or when there's a crisis or emergency

Check the entry and exit requirements for your transit locations and the state/territory you'll be arriving in. They may have changed while you were away.

Before you travel

• Book in to do a COVID-19 PCR test within 3 days of your return flight. A negative test result is mandatory for boarding a flight to Australia. Find out where to get tested from the local health authority, make sure to only use a verified testing centre.
• Complete your Australia Travel Declaration. You should do this within 72 hours of your flight.
• Complete any entry declarations needed by the state or territory you're arriving in.
• If you have to quarantine on arrival, read about how to prepare.

If you or someone in your travelling party test positive for COVID-19 before your flight, you won’t be able to board your plane.

Have the following ready when you check in:

• If you're vaccinated, your International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate or your foreign vaccination certificate
• Your negative COVID-19 test results
• Your Australia Travel Declaration

If you're not fully vaccinated, you may face more difficulty finding a flight returning to Australia. Check with your airline for their vaccination policy. You may have to quarantine on arrival, at your own expense.

More information:

• COVID-19 PCR testing (Department of Health)
• Coming to Australia (Department of Home Affairs)