Frequently asked questions - International travellers - Australian ...

Coronavirus Disease
                                                                                 (COVID-19)

Frequently asked questions – International
travellers
Leaving Australia
Do I need a pre-departure test before boarding my flight or vessel
when leaving Australia?
People who are travelling overseas are not required to present a negative COVID-19 test at check-in to
meet Australian Government outbound travel requirements. However, some countries, airlines and
vessel operators such as cruise providers require the presentation of a pre-departure test result at
check-in before you will be allowed to board. Travellers should check the entry requirements of the
country to which they will travel as well as requirements of their chosen airline or cruise operator.

Do I need to provide a proof of vaccination document to leave
Australia?
The Australian Government recommends passengers departing Australia be fully vaccinated against
COVID-19 and travel with proof of vaccination status documentation. Unvaccinated Australians are
strongly discouraged from international travel due to the health risks.
People who want to travel overseas must provide proof of their vaccination status if requested by a
relevant official when exiting Australia.
The rules determined by other countries, commercial airlines and cruise operators can be different to
those of the Australian Government. It is recommended that travellers check the requirements of the air
or cruise line they are travelling with, as well as the countries they are transiting through and their final
destination prior to departure.
Australians vaccinated in Australia will have their vaccination status automatically updated in the
Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). They can generate their Australian International COVID-19
Vaccination Certificate to use as proof of vaccination at the Australian border.
Australian citizens and permanent residents who have been vaccinated with a Therapeutic Goods
Administration (TGA) approved or recognised vaccine overseas can visit their general practitioner (GP)
or local pharmacist on arrival in Australia to have their COVID-19 vaccination status updated in the AIR,
to be able to show proof of vaccination in Australia. You can find further information on the Services
Australia website.

What other travel requirements should I consider before departing
Australia?
Aside from routine travel considerations, it is important to understand what is needed to successfully
return to Australia and to make sure you can satisfy these requirements. You should also review any
requirements of the state or territory you will arrive in or travel to.

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If you decide to travel when unvaccinated, you may be required to quarantine on return to Australia at
your own expense and be subject to passenger caps.
More information is available on the Smartraveller website.

Entering Australia
Do I need to complete any documentation before I travel to
Australia?
Digital Passenger Declaration
All passengers arriving by air into Australia should complete the Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD)
unless they are flight crew. The DPD requests details that are considered critical health information.
Passengers who do not make the declaration before they board their flight may be delayed when arriving
in Australia.
See the Department of Home Affairs website for information on the DPD and step by step guides for
vaccinated travellers and unvaccinated travellers.

Maritime Travel Declaration
Travellers arriving by sea into Australia should complete the Maritime Travel Declaration (MTD).
The MTD requests critical health information. You must be able to provide evidence that the critical
information was completed before boarding the vessel.
See the Department of Home Affairs website for further information.

Vaccination
Australia considers you to be fully vaccinated for international travel purposes if you have completed a
primary course, including a mixed dose course, of TGA approved or recognised vaccines.
All inbound travellers must declare their vaccination status to enter Australia and provide appropriate
proof.

Do I need to present my COVID-19 vaccination certificate from a health
authority at check-in?
Yes, you must present your COVID-19 vaccination certificate to the airline or vessel staff when checking-
in for your travel.
Travellers vaccinated in Australia will need to present an Australian International COVID-19 Vaccination
Certificate (ICVC) or other proof of vaccination. Travellers vaccinated in other countries will be able to
present certificates in formats that meet the following criteria:
    • Issued by a national or state/provincial-level authority or an accredited vaccination provider
    • Written in English or accompanied by a certified translation
It must contain at a minimum:
    • name as it appears in the traveller's passport
    • either date of birth, passport number, or national identity number
    • the vaccine brand name, and
    • the date of each dose or the date on which a full course of immunisation was completed.
Paper and digital certificates are equally acceptable.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)                                                                            2

For a traveller to qualify as fully vaccinated, the certificate must show a vaccine approved or recognised
by Australia’s TGA. Current approved and recognised vaccines and dosages can be found at Guidance
on foreign vaccination certificates. You must have had your final dose at least 7 days before travelling.
For more information refer to TGA Advice.

I have not been vaccinated. Can I still travel?
Yes. Australian permanent residents and citizens can travel to Australia regardless of their vaccination
status, subject to passenger caps and state and territory quarantine requirements.
If you do not meet Australia’s definition of vaccinated, border restrictions apply to you, and you must
continue to follow the current border processes when coming to Australia. This may include seeking an
exemption to travel from Home Affairs, travelling within international passenger caps and/or undertaking
mandatory managed quarantine (subject to state and territory requirements).

What travel restrictions apply to children in relation to vaccination?
Children aged under 12 years and 3 months, as demonstrated by their passport, travelling to Australia do
not need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. States and territories may vary in their quarantine
requirements for children. Please check the local health department website of the state or territory of
your first arrival for applicable quarantine requirements.

I or someone I am travelling with is not eligible for vaccination or cannot be
vaccinated for medical reasons. What are the rules for me?
People who cannot be vaccinated need to have a medical certificate which indicates that they have a
medical contraindication to COVID-19 vaccines, that is, they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.
There are specific requirements for travellers coming to Australia. It is important that you follow the
appropriate process, see the details below and online at Vaccination exemptions and medical
contraindications.

Medical contraindications to vaccination
Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents departing Australia
Australians who are departing Australia who have their medical contraindication recorded in
the Australian Immunisation Register can access a COVID-19 Digital Certificate or immunisation history
statement for travel purposes.
Guidance on acute major medical conditions that warrant a temporary medical exemption to vaccination
is at ATAGI Expanded guidance on temporary medical exemptions for COVID-19 vaccines.

Travellers coming to Australia
Travellers who do not have a medical contraindication recorded in the AIR must provide a medical
certificate that indicates they are unable to be vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine because of a medical
condition.
The medical certificate must be provided by a registered medical practitioner (a doctor), should be
written in English or support by a certified translation, and must include the following information:
•   your name (this must match your travel identification documents)
•   date of medical consultation and details of your medical practitioner (that is, your doctor)
•   details that clearly outline that you cannot have a COVID-19 vaccine because of a medical condition
    which means you cannot receive a COVID-19 vaccination (medical contraindication to COVID-19
    vaccine).

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)                                                                            3

Requirements for Medical contraindication
Medical conditions considered to be a contraindication to COVID-19 vaccination and accepted as
reasons that you cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons for the purpose of travel to Australia include:
Permanent
    •   A previous anaphylaxis after a previous dose of a vaccine where no appropriate COVID-19
        vaccine is available
Temporary
• For an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, inflammatory cardiac illness within the past 3 months, e.g.,
   myocarditis or pericarditis; acute rheumatic fever or acute rheumatic heart disease (i.e., with active
   myocardial inflammation); or acute decompensated heart failure.
•   For all COVID-19 vaccines:
             o Acute major medical condition (e.g. undergoing major surgery or hospital admission for a
               serious illness)
             o Treatment with anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody or convalescent plasma therapy
               in the previous 90 days
             o Any serious adverse event attributed to a previous dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, without
               another cause identified, and with no acceptable alternative vaccine available
             o If the vaccinee is a risk to themselves or others during the vaccination process they may
               warrant a temporary vaccine exemption. This may include a range of individuals with
               underlying developmental or mental health disorders.
Conditions NOT considered to be a contraindication for COVID-19 vaccination and NOT accepted for the
purpose of a medical exemption to vaccination for travel to Australia:
• Chronic symptoms following COVID-19 ("Long COVID”).
• Pregnancy
• Previous infection with COVID-19 (confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection).
People who have received non TGA approved or recognised vaccines should not be certified in this
category and cannot be treated as vaccinated for the purposes of their travel. See the ATAGI advice on
the definition of fully vaccinated.
Note that a previous infection with COVID-19 is not a contraindication to vaccination.

Proof of vaccination and Vaccination Certificates
What if I am eligible and don’t have proof of vaccination or a medical
certificate?
You will not meet Australia’s definition of ‘fully vaccinated’ for the purposes of travel. If you do not meet
Australia’s definition of fully vaccinated, current border restrictions may apply to you and you must
continue to follow the current border processes when coming to Australia. This includes seeking an
exemption to travel, travelling within international passenger caps and undertaking quarantine (subject to
state and territory requirements).

If I have a vaccination certificate, does that mean I’m fully vaccinated?
Having a vaccination certificate, including the ICVC, does not necessarily mean that you are fully
vaccinated. For example, your vaccination certificate may show that you have only had one dose of a
two-dose vaccine.
If your vaccination certificate does not demonstrate that you meet Australia’s definition of fully vaccinated
for international travel purposes, you cannot use it to enter Australia. It is your responsibility to know your
vaccination status and ensure your vaccine certificate supports your eligibility to travel to Australia.
For more information, see the Proof of Vaccination page.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)                                                                             4

I am travelling to Australia for a short holiday. How do I register my
international vaccine in Australia?
Australian citizens or permanent residents who have received a vaccination overseas can choose to
have the details reported to the AIR when they are in Australia. The overseas vaccination/s can be
reported to the AIR by a general practitioner or other recognised vaccination provider in Australia, with
the patient present (to confirm/validate vaccination history and revaccinate if required). The records must
be in English (original or translated).

Pre-departure COVID-19 testing requirements for entering Australia
From 18 April 2022, the Australian Government no longer requires people travelling to Australia to
have a COVID-19 test before travel.

Do I need to have evidence of a negative COVID-19 test when checking in for
a domestic flight or a cruise in Australia?
Biosecurity and public health measures help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This includes wearing
face masks in airport and cruise terminals, and on domestic flights or when physical distancing is not
possible on a cruise ship. Some states and territories may require evidence of a negative COVID-19 test
before you can travel domestically. Air and cruise lines may also have additional COVID-19 safety
requirements, including pre-departure testing before you can board. You should check the relevant state
or territory health department and airline or cruise operator websites for the most up to date
requirements and domestic travel advice.

Transit
My final destination is not Australia – I am only transiting through. Am I still
required to have a negative accepted COVID-19 test?
No. Transit passengers who are entering Australian territory are not required to undertake pre-departure
COVID-19 test before arriving in Australia. However, travellers are advised to check the requirements of
the airline or cruise line they are travelling on as well as the countries they are transiting through and the
requirements of the country that is their final destination.

Quarantine
What are the current quarantine arrangements?
State and territory governments manage quarantine for overseas arrivals. You need to comply with the
quarantine requirements of the state or territory you are arriving in, and any other state or territories you
plan to travel on to. Contact the relevant state or territory authority for more information about quarantine
arrangements.
You may be required to quarantine on arrival for up to 14 days unless:
• you have an exemption from quarantine; or
• you are fully vaccinated and arriving in a state or territory that has modified quarantine measures for
   vaccinated travellers.
It is your responsibility to ensure you meet entry and quarantine requirements.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)                                                                             5

Masks
When should I wear a mask?
People travelling to Australia on all flights must wear a mask for the duration of your flight.
You should check state/territory requirements for mask wearing requirements in domestic air and sea
ports.

Do I have to wear a mask on a cruise vessel?
The Australian Government does not require masks to be worn on board cruise vessels but you should
check with your cruise line operator and state/territory requirements.

Can I remove my mask to eat and drink?
Yes, you can remove your mask to eat and drink. You should replace your mask with a fresh one when
you finish. You must also remove your mask if an airline, or government official asks you to, for
identification, emergency, safety or other purposes. You should wash your hands or perform hand
hygiene after removing your mask and again after re-applying your mask.

Is a mask provided when I arrive at the airport or port? If not, where do I get
the recommended cloth or surgical mask?
You should supply your own mask and bring enough masks to last the duration of your journey. You
should change your mask every four hours, or when your mask is wet. A cloth or surgical mask is
acceptable.

Are there any exemptions from mask wearing requirements?
Yes. You do not need to wear a mask if you:
   • are a child aged 11 years and younger at the time of boarding
   • have a medical condition that prevents you from wearing a mask. You will need to give a medical
       certificate as evidence. The medical certificate must include the following information:
           o your name (this must match your travel identification documents)
           o date of medical consultation and details of your medical practitioner (including name,
                address and type of practice)
           o details that clearly acknowledge that you cannot wear a mask due to a medical condition.
    •   are assisting people who are deaf or hard of hearing (and their contacts). Seeing the whole face,
        including the mouth, is essential for communication.

Where can I find advice on appropriate mask use?
You can find a range of resources about wearing a mask on the Department of Health website.

Agency contacts
You can also find more information on the following websites:
        COVID-19 and the border– Department of Home Affairs
        Vaccinated travellers – Department of Home Affairs
        Unvaccinated travellers – Department of Home Affairs
        Foreign vaccination certificates – Australian Passport Office
        Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) – Services Australia
        Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD)

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)                                                                        6

International Travel – Australia.gov.au

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