COVID-19: Re-entry and quarantine measures

A COVID-19 test result QR code on a mobile phone screen held in a hand

Australia has strict border measures in place to protect the health of the Australian community.

Read this page to learn about:

For general information about arriving in Australia, see our page on Australia's bio security and border controls.

Who can travel to Australia?

You can travel to Australia if you’re

  • an Australian citizen
  • an Australian permanent resident or
  • in an exempt category

Temporary visa holders need to apply for an exemption to enter the country.

The Department of Home Affairs look after entry to Australia.

More information:

Proof of vaccination

We’re planning for changes at the border from November 1 if you’re fully vaccinated against COVID-19. But you need to provide evidence of your vaccination status for these changes to apply to you.

If you got vaccinated in Australia, you can use your International COVID-19 vaccination certificate.

If you got vaccinated overseas and haven’t registered your vaccinations in the Australian Vaccination Register (AIR), you can use a foreign vaccination certificate. The certificate must meet certain requirements to be accepted. To use your foreign certificate at the Australian border, you must complete the Australia Travel Declaration with your vaccination status before you check in at the airport.

More information:

Pre-departure COVID-19 testing

You must show evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR or RT-PCR test when checking in for your flight to Australia (exemptions apply). Rapid antigen tests won’t be accepted.

Get tested at an accredited testing facility. A self-administered COVID-19 test taken at home without supervision is not acceptable. If you or a primary close contact of your travelling group tests positive, you won't be allowed to travel to Australia.

  • You must get tested 72 hours or less before the scheduled departure of your first international flight.
  • You don’t need to be re-tested at transit points unless your airline or transit point requires it.
  • If you’re travelling from an exempt destination, different rules may apply.

Only get tested through verified official testing centres. Scammers are taking advantage of travellers by charging for fake tests. If you're unsure where to get tested, contact the local health authority for advice.

Local authorities and airlines may have more rules in place for departures. We recommend you check these before arriving at the airport. If you're transiting during your trip, check the local requirements at each transit destination. Confirm any specific rules for onward travel with your airline.

Vaccinated travellers

You'll still need to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR test if you’re vaccinated.

Carry your vaccination certificate with your COVID-19 test results while travelling to Australia. Especially if you have one or more transit stops. Some destinations may ask for proof of testing and vaccination before allowing you to transit through.

More information:

Exemptions to testing requirements

Children 4 years old and younger are exempt from the pre-departure testing requirement. Children 5 years or older must provide a negative test result.

Some destinations are exempt. In places where the testing capacity may be limited, a PCR / RT-PCR test done 96 hours or less before flight departure may be accepted.

A full list of destinations that are exempt or have an extended testing time frame is on the Department of Health website.

More information:

Australia Travel Declaration

You should complete the Australia Travel Declaration at least 72 hours before you depart for Australia.

The Declaration collects

  • Your contact details in Australia
  • Your flight details
  • Your vaccination information
  • Your quarantine requirements
  • Your health status

You must complete the Australia travel declaration if you’re planning to use a foreign vaccination certificate to prove your vaccination status.

More information:

Quarantine after arrival

State and territory governments manage quarantine for overseas arrivals, with Australian Government support.

When you arrive in Australia you must quarantine for 14 days on arrival – unless you have an exemption. You’ll quarantine at a designated facility in the city you first arrive in. A negative COVID-19 test before boarding your flight doesn’t change this quarantine requirement.

  • You don't need to book your place in quarantine. You'll be allocated a place when you arrive in Australia. 
  • You may have to pay for your place in quarantine.
  • You can't travel domestically until you’ve completed the 14-day mandatory quarantine period.
  • You may be tested for COVID-19 during your quarantine period. If you don’t agree to be tested, you may have to quarantine for longer.

Quarantine is an unfamiliar experience for most people and can be challenging. The Department of Health website provides a guide on getting ready for quarantine, including what to expect, what to do before you depart and how to manage your time in quarantine.

As Australia’s border progressively reopens from 1 November 2021, if you’re fully vaccinated against COVID-19 you may be able to access modified quarantine arrangements when entering Australia. This may include home quarantine.

Contact the relevant State or Territory authority for more information about modified quarantine arrangements.

Travel zone with New Zealand

You can travel from New Zealand to Australia quarantine-free, if:

  • you have been in New Zealand for 14 days or more and not been in a designated COVID-19 outbreak location, and
  • you are travelling to Australia on a quarantine-free flight.

Check the New Zealand travel zone status page for up-to-date information on the status of quarantine-free travel.

More information:

State and territory COVID-19 information

Each state and territory manage their own borders, flight caps and hotel quarantine programs. Before you return to Australia, read about the COVID-19 restrictions in place for the state or territory you'll be flying in to.

Read more:

See also:

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