Where Australian travellers are welcome across the world and Covid-19 rules that apply
Fully vaccinated Aussies are allowed to travel out of the country — but our most popular destinations have their own Covid-19 rules. See the list.
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Australia’s border is open and fully vaccinated travellers no longer need an exemption to travel out of the country.
But, with Omicron sweeping the globe and case numbers shattering pandemic records, there are still several hurdles international travellers need to jump through before and after takeoff. Some countries and airlines require a negative pre-departure test result.
Many nations also require travellers to isolate or quarantine upon arrival. Departing Australian travellers must show proof of vaccination – unless medically exempt or a child aged under 11 – and wear a mask at airport terminals and for the duration of their flight. Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders.
Being allowed to exit Australia won’t guarantee you entry at your destination.
Using Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) information — and country-specific equivalents — we look at the requirements for travel to some of our favourite overseas destinations.
UNITED KINGDOM
Travellers must self-isolate for two days upon arrival in the UK, be it at home or in a hotel, even if fully vaccinated. They need to pre-book a Covid PCR test to be performed at the end of the second day. If it comes back negative, they can then leave self-isolation. If it is positive, they usually have to self-isolate for 10 full days.
Everyone aged 12 and over must also complete a passenger locator form 48 hours before arriving in England, so authorities know where they intend to isolate.
The UK has a new international travel system which sets out entry requirements, depending on where a traveller has been, including transits, in the 10 days before arrival. The list of “red” and “rest of the world” countries can change.
NATIONAL VACCINATION RATE: 71 per cent fully vaccinated, 50 per cent boosted
NATIONAL AVERAGE DAILY CASES: 105,000 new cases reported daily
USA
All passengers, regardless of citizenship or vaccination status, need to show a negative Covid test result taken no more than one day before travel, to gain entry into the US. The US has suspended entry and transit of travellers who have recently spent time in certain Covid affected countries, including South Africa and Zimbabwe. Travellers aged 18 and over must be fully vaccinated against Covid and provide proof of vaccination to travel to the US by air. The only exemption is for US citizens and US permanent residents. US authorities may stop any US-bound traveller showing signs of illness from boarding. Quarantine is not required for arrivals from Australia who are fully vaccinated and Covid free. Testing after arrival is recommended but not mandatory.
NATIONAL VACCINATION RATE: 62 per cent fully vaccinated, 20 per cent boosted
NATIONAL AVERAGE DAILY CASES: 266,430
CANADA
With the exception of those emigrating from the USA, fully-vaccinated travellers are being randomly selected at Canadian airports for PCR tests on arrival. Those passengers are allowed to leave the airport while they await their results. They are allowed to board connecting flights and take transfer shuttles to their accommodation. But this is contingent upon them having a suitable quarantine plan. Arrivals must be able to prove they have a place to stay for 14 days or possibly longer; have access to life necessities, including water, food, medication and heat without leaving quarantine; can avoid contact with others who did not travel with them; and have no visits from family or guests.
NATIONAL VACCINATION RATE: 78 per cent fully vaccinated, 17 per cent boosted
NATIONAL AVERAGE DAILY CASES: 16,207
FIJI
Fully-vaccinated travellers from Travel Partner Countries (including Australia) may enter Fiji without prior approval or quarantine. At check-in they must present evidence of a negative Covid (PCR) test, taken no more than two days prior to the scheduled day of departure, and proof of full vaccination. They must also show proof they’ve booked and paid for a minimum of three nights’ accommodation at a Care Fiji Commitment (CFC) certified property (hotel or resort). This must include CFC-certified transport from the airport. They may take part in CFC-approved excursions and activities within the Safe Travel Area during the first 24 hours. After that first full day, travellers must take an approved rapid antigen test (RAT). If they test negative, they can either continue exploring the Safe Travel Area or enter the broader community. It is a requirement the traveller has travel insurance with international coverage for Covid.
NATIONAL VACCINATION RATE: 68 per cent fully vaccinated
NATIONAL AVERAGE OF NEW CASES REPORTED DAILY: 53
SINGAPORE
Fully-vaccinated travellers could enjoy quarantine-free entry to Singapore via airport vaccinated travel lanes (VTL) if they met all requirements but it has been frozen for one month due to Omicron. Existing bookings on VTL flights will be honoured, so those with a seat booked need not worry. From January 21, VTL flights will resume at a reduced capacity. Australians need to take a Covid test three days prior to departure. Travellers (excluding Singaporean citizens and permanent residents) who have spent time in the past 14 days in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe are not permitted to enter or transit Singapore. Those entering through a VTL will undergo PCR testing three days after arriving in Singapore, then again on day seven.
NATIONAL VACCINATION RATE: 83 per cent fully vaccinated, 11 per cent boosted
NATIONAL AVERAGE OF NEW CASES REPORTED DAILY: 289
INDIA
Passengers are required to undertake a PCR test within 72 hours of arriving in India. Negative test results must then be uploaded to the Air Suvidha website.Travellers from “at risk” countries, including South Africa, Brazil, Botswana and China are required to undertake additional Covid screening measures at the first port of arrival and await results before leaving the airport or taking a connecting flight. Passengers found to be symptomatic during screening are immediately isolated and taken to a medical facility. Travellers from countries not deemed at risk can leave the airport and self-monitor their health for 14 days’ post arrival. Due to Covid, some domestic travel restrictions have been put in place across India. Lockdowns and curfews may be imposed in some areas and some states and territories have limits to retail and public transport capacity.
NATIONAL VACCINATION RATE: 43 per cent fully vaccinated
NATIONAL AVERAGE OF NEW CASES REPORTED DAILY: 7201
FRANCE
France has introduced a traffic light-based border control system. Countries are categorised as green, amber red or scarlet red, according to Covid-related health indicators. Australia is currently on the green list for countries with “low virus circulation”. This information may change at short notice. Entry and departure from France is permitted for countries on the green list but proof of full vaccination is required. All non-EU travellers aged 12 and older, regardless of vaccination status, will require a negative Covid PCR test within 48 hours of departure. A ban is in place on all non-essential travel to and from the UK. A compelling reason is required to travel to or from the UK, regardless of a traveller’s nationality. All travellers arriving from a green list country must complete a sworn statement certifying the absence of Covid symptoms, no recent contact with a confirmed case, and that they agree to take a virological or biological screening test upon arrival. Children under 12 years of age are exempt from testing.
NATIONAL VACCINATION RATE: 73 per cent fully vaccinated, 31 per cent boosted
NATIONAL AVERAGE OF NEW CASES REPORTED DAILY: 87,525
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