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  1. Home
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  3. Easing restrictions for Australians travelling overseas

Easing restrictions for Australians travelling overseas

Last updated
Tuesday, 19/04/2022

 

Changes to the requirements for travel into and out of Australia came into effect on 18 April 2022. So what does that mean for your overseas trip?

Pre-departure testing is no longer required

When travelling to Australia, you no longer need to provide a negative COVID-19 test result to board your plane.

It’s important to remember that transport providers, transit locations and the state or territory you arrive in may still have testing requirements. Always check the requirements before you travel.

You still need to complete the Digital Passenger Declaration when travelling to Australia. And you must still wear a mask at all times if you’re travelling to Australia by air.

Cruise travel into and out of Australia has resumed

Cruise vessels can once again travel into and out of Australian waters.

COVID-19 remains a global health risk, and infectious diseases such as COVID-19 can spread quickly onboard cruises. Carefully consider the risks of international travel before you book.

The Department of Health recommends that you avoid cruise ship travel if

  • your routine COVID-19 and travel vaccinations aren’t fully up to date
  • you’re in a vulnerable group that puts you at greater risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

If you’re travelling to Australia on a cruise, you must complete a Maritime Travel Declaration before you board your vessel.

Read our advice on cruising overseas for more information.

Exemptions are no longer required to leave Australia

Unvaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents can now leave Australia without an individual travel exemption. But you may still be asked about your vaccination status. You’re required to show proof of your vaccination status if you’re asked by an Australian official or your transport provider.

The Australian Government recommends passengers leaving Australia be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and travel with proof of vaccination status documentation. If you’re unvaccinated, you’re strongly discouraged from international travel due to the health risks.

Airlines, cruise lines and other destinations can still have their own vaccination policies. You may face difficulty finding transport options if you’re unvaccinated.

Before you decide to travel

Remember

Only the Australian federal border restrictions have changed. Foreign governments, transport providers and Australian states and territories can have their own requirements for COVID-19 testing and vaccination.

Your transport provider can refuse to allow you on board if

  • you’re showing symptoms of COVID-19
  • you don’t meet their vaccination or testing requirements
  • you don’t meet the requirements of your destination
  • you refuse to wear a mask when required.

To understand all the rules and requirements before committing to an overseas trip:

  • Read our Global COVID-19 Health Advisory and our step-by-step guide to travel during COVID-19.
  • Read and subscribe to the travel advice for your destination, as well as all your transit locations. Make sure you understand their entry and exit requirements, and their vaccination requirements beyond the border.
  • Contact your transport providers to confirm their vaccination and testing requirements.

 

Read more

  • See our information on leaving Australia
  • Learn about Australia’s re-entry and biosecurity measures
  • Read about COVID-19 vaccinations and travel
  • See our COVID-19 FAQs

See also

  • COVID-19 and the border (Department of Home Affairs)
  • Advice for Australian travellers (Department of Health)

Emergency consular assistance

The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance.

+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas

1300 555 135 from within Australia

For how we can help you overseas see the Consular Services Charter.

Enquiries and feedback

For non-urgent enquiries, or to provide feedback on consular services that you've recently received, contact us online.

For information on notarial services, email legalisations.australia@dfat.gov.au

For information about Australian visas, contact the Department of Home Affairs.

About us

Smartraveller is provided by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

For more information go to about us.

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Main navigation

  • HomeHome
  • Before you go
    • The basics
      • Planning to travel during COVID-19: step by step
      • Destinations
      • Passport services
      • Visas
      • Insurance
      • Schengen
      • Travel advice explained
    • Who you are
      • Children
      • Dual nationals
      • LGBTI++
      • Mature
      • School leavers
      • Women
    • Activities
      • Adoption
      • Adventure
      • Backpacking
      • Business
      • Living and working overseas
      • Marriage
      • Studying
      • Surrogacy
      • Volunteering
    • Major events
      • Cultural events
      • Religious events
      • Sporting events
    • Health
      • Mental health
      • Disability
      • Infectious diseases
      • Medical assistance overseas
      • Medical tourism
      • Medication
      • Pregnancy
      • Reciprocal health
      • Vaccinations
      • Death
    • Staying safe
      • Armed conflict
      • Assault
      • Cyber security
      • Demonstrations
      • Earthquakes and tsunamis
      • Kidnapping
      • Natural disasters
      • Partying safely
      • Piracy
      • Scams
      • Severe weather
      • Sexual assault
      • Terrorism
      • Theft and robbery
    • Laws
      • Carrying or using drugs
      • Child sex offences
      • Female genital mutilation
      • Forced marriage
    • Getting around
      • Air travel
      • Boat travel
      • Cruising
      • Public transport
      • Road safety
  • Destinations
    • View all destinations
    • AfricaBrowse destinations in Africa.
    • AmericasBrowse all destinations in the Americas.
    • AsiaBrowse all destinations in Asia.
    • EuropeBrowse all destinations in Europe.
    • Middle EastBrowse all destinations in the Middle East.
    • PacificBrowse all destinations in the Pacific.
  • While you're away
    • When things go wrong
      • Arrested or jailed
      • Lost property
      • Medical assistance
      • Money problems
      • Someone is missing
      • Someone died
    • Crime overseas
      • Assaulted
      • Kidnapped
      • Robbed or mugged
      • Scammed
      • Sexually assaulted
    • Crisis or emergency
      • Demonstration
      • Armed conflict
      • Earthquake
      • Severe weather
      • Terrorist situation
      • Volcanic eruption
      • Bushfire
      • Nuclear incident
    • Australia's biosecurity and border controls
  • Urgent helpLinks to help
  • Our servicesLinks to services
    • Consular Services Charter
      • Arabic
      • Chinese Simplified
      • Chinese Traditional
      • Indonesian
      • Thai
      • Vietnamese
    • Travel advice explained
    • Subscription
    • Crises
    • Passport services
    • Notarial services
      • Documents
      • Documents in Australia
      • Documents overseas
      • Certificate of No Impediment
      • Notarial forms
    • Voting overseas
    • Communities
      • العربية (Arabic)
      • Bahasa Indonesia
      • 中文 简体 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 中文繁體 (Chinese Traditional)
      • 日本語 (Japanese)
      • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
      • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
      • Filipino community
      • Indian community
    • Resources
      • Consular State of Play
      • CHOICE travel insurance guide
      • Fact sheet: Travel Smart
      • Fact sheet: Missing overseas
      • Fact sheet: Arrested or jailed overseas
      • Fact sheet: Sexual assault overseas
      • Fact sheet: Death overseas
      • Consular Privacy Collection Statement