Who can travel overseas?
Only fully vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents can travel overseas. Unvaccinated Australians, with the exception of children under 12 and those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, need to apply for a to leave Australia.
Health Minister Greg Hunt says Australians will not be required to get a COVID-19 booster shot before travelling at this stage.
Which vaccines are recognised?
To come back, the Australian government only considers you to be vaccinated if you have been inoculated by one of the vaccines approved or recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). These include AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, Sinovac, Covaxin and BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm). At least seven days must have passed since the final dose. The TGA is constantly evaluating other COVID-19 vaccines. For the latest updates, visit the .
Where can you go?
The situation is constantly evolving but the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Thailand, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Singapore, Argentina and Chile are some of the international destinations where Australians can already travel to. Fiji, Indonesia and South Korea are on the cards for later this year, and early next year, international travel to destinations such as Japan and India is expected to open. For the latest updates, visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s .
What do you need to leave Australia?
“If you’re travelling overseas in the next two months, you’re definitely going to need some additional paperwork,” says CEO of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents, Dean Long.
In addition to a valid passport, airline ticket and the passport or visa of the country you’re visiting, you’ll need to show the following documents on your way out of Australia.
1. Proof of vaccination: You will need to show an International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate (ICVC) to the check-in staff at the airport to prove you’re fully vaccinated. You can get an ICVC by either using your (via the portal) or by using the app. Detailed instructions on how to get an ICVC using these platforms can be found on this .
“Make sure your passport is up to date and if you have dual passports make sure that both your passports have the immunisation records attached to them,” says Mr Long. “And make sure that you allow extra time at airports and ports where you’re transiting.”
2. Proof of travel exemption: You'll require this if you’re not vaccinated.
3. A negative COVID-19 PCR test result: While the Australian government does not require you to produce a negative COVID-19 PCR test when you’re leaving Australia, some major airlines, such as Qantas, may have this requirement. If that’s the case, you’ll be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test at check-in.
Thailand has recently reopened its doors to tourists from 63 countries, including Australia. Source: AAP
What do you require to enter other countries?
Different countries have different requirements when it comes to letting in foreign travellers in the post-lockdown era. For example, the UK currently requires travellers to have a PCR test booked in the UK before being able to leave Australia.
The best place to start is the where you can enter the name of your destination and find COVID-19-related travel advice specifically for the country you’re heading to. Countries and regions around the world, however, are constantly changing their COVID-19 rules around travel, so it’s best to check each country’s requirements before booking your trip.
What is PCR testing?
PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction and a PCR test is widely considered one of the most reliable ways to determine whether you’re COVID-19 positive or negative.
Australian citizens and permanent residents who are going overseas are not required by the Australian Government to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test at check-in unless required by their airline or destination country.
While Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) and serology tests can also be conducted to determine COVID-19 status, they’re not as accurate and, therefore, not accepted at international airports in Australia.
When should you go for a PCR test?
A COVID-19 PCR test can be conducted up to three days before the scheduled departure of the flight. On most occasions, test results are available within 24 hours.
To minimise your chance of getting infected after taking your COVID-19 PCR test, the Australian Government recommends minimising contact with other people as much as possible after you have taken the test and before you board the flight.
Where can you get a COVID-19 PCR test?
While COVID-19 PCR tests are free and widely available in different parts of Australia, for travel purposes, travellers need to obtain a Travel Clearance Certificate from the testing facility. There’s generally a fee to obtain this certificate and it varies from one facility to another.
It’s best to call up the testing facility ahead to time to get more details. Visit the following links to find the closest COVID-19 testing sites near you: , , , , , , and .
A PCR test result must include the following four pieces of information:
1. Name and date of birth of the traveller (or age at time of the test or passport number)
2. The test result
3. The test method used
4. The date of the test
One company, Histopath also offers what it calls the “world’s fastest PCR testing” at Sydney International Airport and Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, but the service, which guarantees a result within 60 minutes, comes at a cost of $150 per person.
While the government recommends travellers carry paper-based records of the test to the airport, electronic records such as text messages that contain the required information can be used.
What if you’re COVID-19 positive?
The Australian Government strongly recommends that anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 – and their close contacts – must not go to the airport. Instead, call up your airline and reschedule the trip.
Whether the airline reschedules your trip or offers a refund “is going to be completely determined on the product you’ve purchased. There’s no one size fits all and this is a risk of travelling at the moment,” says Mr Long. So it’s important to read the airline’s and hotel accommodation’s fine print when planning an overseas trip.
On your way back to Australia
There are also a couple of important things to bear in mind when you’re on your way back to Australia.
1. Australia Travel Declaration: You are required to complete the form at least 72 hours before departure.
2. A negative COVID-19 PCR test result: Go for a COVID-19 PCR test up to three days before departure, making sure you only use a verified testing centre overseas. It is mandatory to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test before boarding a flight to Australia.
How the aircraft seats are spaced out varies from one airline to another, but it is mandatory to wear face masks at Australian airports and on most major airlines when inside the aircraft. For more information regarding face masks and seating, contact your airline.
What if you get COVID-19 overseas?
As per the Australian Government requirements, you will need to wait until you get a negative COVID-19 PCR test overseas before you can board a flight to Australia.
“If you get COVID while you’re overseas, you have to abide by their health orders, so it’s going to vary on what you can do. The good news is if you use an agent or a travel business, they’ll be able to assist you in navigating that process,” says Mr Long.
A passenger arrives at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago this month. Source: EPA
What about travel insurance?
The strongly recommends all Australians travelling overseas should get comprehensive travel insurance to cover them in case of emergencies, particularly as international travel reopens. Some companies are providing limited COVID-19 cover, meaning while they may cover medical costs and other costs associated with quarantining and travel cancellations, they may not cover costs associated with cancellations due to government policies and travel bans in Australia or beyond.
Make sure you check the travel insurer’s product disclosure statement before signing up.
As Mr Long says: “There are coverages out there which do provide support for disruption due to COVID, but travellers need to speak to the insurance companies and read the Ts and Cs.”
Correction: This article originally incorrectly stated PCR testing for the purposes of travel was free. It has since been updated.
