COVID-19 – Entry requirements for temporary visa holders
The following information is correct at time of writing but may change at short notice. Please ensure you check the current vaccination and border requirements before making plans to travel to Australia: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/covid19/
1. Entry requirements
Temporary visa holders that meet Australia’s vaccination requirements can travel to Australia without requiring an individual travel exemption.
To meet Australia’s definition of ‘fully vaccinated for international travel purposes’ you must have completed a primary course of a vaccine approved or recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) at least 7 days before travel. Current approved or recognised vaccines and dosages accepted for the purposes of international travel can be found here.
The fully vaccinated definition also includes:
- Children under the age of 12;
- Children aged 12 to 17 years who will be travelling to Australia with at least one parent or guardian who is fully vaccinated
- Anyone who cannot be vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines for medical reasons (vaccination is medically contraindicated) – evidence is required.
Temporary visa holders that do not meet the fully vaccinated definition or any of the other limited exemptions available will need to apply for and obtain a travel exemption to enter Australia. Approval of a travel exemption is not guaranteed – you will need to provide strong evidence that you meet one of the available travel exemption categories. Further information about exemptions can be found here.
Note that some airlines may also have their own vaccination requirements.
2. Evidence of vaccination
You will need to show airline staff evidence that you meet Australia’s definition of fully vaccinated for international travel purposes. You will also be asked to provide this evidence before you enter Australia by uploading it when you complete the Digital Passenger Declaration (see ‘Pre-departure requirements’).
- If you were vaccinated in Australia, the evidence required is an International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate (ICVC).
- If you were vaccinated overseas and do not have an ICVC, you require a foreign vaccination certificate.
Foreign vaccination certificates need to meet strict criteria, including how the brand name is shown. Please review the link above carefully to ensure that your document meets all requirements.
3. Pre-departure requirements
All passengers arriving by air into Australia must complete a Digital Passenger Declaration (‘DPD’). You can start a DPD seven days before your flight, but you must submit it before you depart for Australia.
You are not required to undertake any pre-departure COVID-19 testing to enter, leave or transit Australia. However, you will need to check testing and vaccination requirements for the airline you travel with and any countries you transit through.
You will also need to check the entry requirements of the Australian state or territory you will arrive in (and any you may transit through).
4. Arrival requirements
Each state and territory in Australia has its own entry arrangements and requirements that you will need to comply with. For example, most states and territories require you to take a COVID-19 test soon after arriving. Requirements vary in each state and territory and may change at short notice. If you do not meet the relevant requirements, you may be prevented from entering, or may need to enter quarantine.
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Western Australia
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Australian Capital Territory