International travel and Australia: What’s changed

Last updated
Monday, 21/02/2022

 

Travel can be confusing right now. Rules and requirements change frequently. It can be hard to keep up with what’s changed, and what still applies.

We’ve put together a run-down of what’s changed recently, and what remains the same.

Incoming travel zone arrangements come to an end

From 21 Feb, fully vaccinated visa holders can travel to Australia without needing a travel exemption. This is part of our step-by-step and safe re-opening to the world.

This means that the incoming travel zone arrangements for Singapore, Japan, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand have ceased.

The outgoing travel zone arrangement with New Zealand is still suspended until July 2022.

Read the announcement about the re-opening of Australia’s borders.

Pre-departure testing

On 23 January, rules for pre-departure COVID-19 testing changed to allow more test types.  

You can now use

  • A nucleic acid amplification (NAA) test - such as a PCR test - done within 3 days before the day of the flight’s scheduled departure, or
  • A rapid antigen test (RAT), taken under the supervision of a medical practitioner, within 24 hours of the flight’s scheduled departure time.

For more information about which COVID-19 tests can now be used for inbound travel, visit the Department of Health.

Vaccination requirements

On 11 February, the domestic definition of ‘up-to-date’ with your COVID-19 vaccinations changed to include booster doses.

However, the definition of fully vaccinated for the purposes of travel has not changed. You’re still considered fully vaccinated at the Australian international border if you’ve received a primary course of a TGA approved or recognised COVID-19 vaccine.

A booster dose before travel is recommended. COVID-19 is still a health risk when travelling overseas. 

To read about COVID-19 vaccination requirements for travel to and from Australia, visit the Department of Home Affairs.

It’s important to remember that your destination, airline and transit locations may have different vaccination rules to Australia. Read the travel advice for your destination. Confirm rules with your airline or travel agent before you book.

Digital Passenger Declaration

On 15 February, the Australia Travel Declaration was replaced by the Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD).

The DPD will allow you to quickly and securely supply the information needed to meet health requirements for entry into Australia. This includes your:

  • travel history
  • most recent COVID-19 test result
  • COVID-19 vaccination status.

When checking in to your flight to Australia, you’ll need to show evidence that you’ve completed the DPD.

To learn more or to complete the DPD, go to the Department of Home Affairs website.

So what hasn’t changed?

Testing and quarantine requirements for vaccinated travellers vary depending on where you arrive in Australia. Read about state and territory requirements before you travel.

Know exactly what to plan for when thinking about overseas travel by using our step-by-step guide to travel during COVID-19. And read our Global COVID-19 Health Advisory to understand the risks. 

 

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