New international travel rules for Australians explained

​One of the biggest hurdles for travellers entering and leaving Australia has been scrapped. This is what you need to know.

Some major changes are coming to the way we travel starting Monday.

As Australia’s border continues to reopen, the rules for travel in and out of Australia are easing.

And we are in for some big surprises.

Australian Border Force (ABF) Assistant Commissioner Erin Dale explains.

Australian Border Force Assistant Commissioner Erin Dale. Picture: NCA NewsWire / James Gourley

WHAT MUST AUSTRALIAN TRAVELLERS NOW DO TO GET BACK INTO AUSTRALIA? AND DOES IT VARY DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE TRAVELLING FROM?

We are delighted that Australia is open to the world again and it has been really exciting to see so many fully vaccinated travellers reuniting with family and friends, getting back to their studies, or visiting for the first time after going through so much with the pandemic.

To get back into the country, all travellers, no matter where you’re travelling from will need is a valid passport, a valid visa if not an Australian citizen, evidence they meet Australia’s definition of fully vaccinated for international travel purposes and a completed Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD).

It is really important that incoming travellers complete the DPD in full and submit it before they check-in for their flight to Australia. This will give you the best chance to save significant time upon arrival.

This means uploading your vaccination information and providing your contact details. You need to make a declaration on your recent travel history and that you are aware of the quarantine requirements that apply when coming into the relevant Australian state or territory.

All incoming travellers will need to comply with the testing and quarantine requirements of the state or territory of their arrival, and any other state or territory to which they plan to travel.

We also recommend you prepare your documents before you head to the airport for your flight. And be ready to show them at check-in and on arrival in Australia. There is a lot of information on the Home Affairs website that steps passengers through the process.

Emotional scenes as a passenger is greeted after arriving on a flight from Sydney at Wellington International Airport on April 13. Picture: Getty Images

IS A PCR OR RAPID ANTIGEN TEST NEEDED BEFORE A FLIGHT HOME?

From Monday, April 18, all travellers to Australia will no longer need to provide a negative Covid-19 pre-departure test.

This change has been reflected in an update to the DPD app, so please manually update the app or double check you have automatic updates enabled on your smartphone to make your travel experience as smooth as possible.

WHAT EXACTLY IS THE DIGITAL PASSENGER DECLARATION?

The DPD collects critical health information and helps us in managing Covid-19 – keeping both international travellers and our community safe.

When Australia reopened to all fully vaccinated international arrivals in February, we saw a significant increase in international passenger volumes, almost overnight.

We launched the DPD to help accommodate and enable the safe and timely facilitation of large numbers of travellers into Australia. So far, it has helped hundreds of thousands of passengers through the Australian border seamlessly and that’s why it’s so critical that inbound passengers complete the online form before travelling. It will save you time at check-in and when you land.

There is no requirement for those travelling within Australia to complete a DPD. However, if you’re an Australian heading overseas for a holiday or business trip then you will be required to complete your DPD when you return home.

It is available as a web form on the Home Affairs website and also as free mobile apps for both Apple and Android.

You can save time at the airport by filling in the Digital Declaration Pass up to seven days before departure. Picture: Gaye Gerard / NCA NewsWire

ARE THERE THINGS TRAVELLERS CAN DO TO SPEED UP THE LANDING PROCESS?

There are simple steps that international travellers, and Australians heading overseas for a holiday, can take to minimise or indeed eliminate the need to queue on arrival at the Australian border.

To ensure a smooth travel experience, passengers should make sure they have completed their DPD to avoid long queues during processing at major Australian international airports. You can start the DPD up to seven days before your departure, but you must submit before checking in to your flight to Australia. We recommend completing the DPD well before you head off to the airport to commence your trip.

The majority of international passengers arriving are completing their DPD and moving through our border processing quickly. Those who aren’t completing or are only partially completing a DPD will have to be manually processed by an ABF officer – meaning there are likely to be delays, which is the last thing anyone wants after a long flight.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR UNVACCINATED TRAVELLERS?

All international arrivals, including Australian citizens and permanent residents who do not meet Australia’s vaccination requirements must either be in an exempt category or must apply for a travel exemption.

They may also be subject to international flight passenger caps and quarantine, which could affect the timeliness of their planned travel or return to Australia and incur further costs.

From Monday, April 18, unvaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents will be able to leave Australia without an individual travel exemption, but may still be asked by an official about their vaccination status.

The Australian Government recommends passengers departing Australia be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and travel with proof of vaccination status documentation. Unvaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents are strongly discouraged from international travel due to the health risks.

Masks stay on at most international airports.

ARE FACE MASKS MANDATORY ON BOARD PLANES AND IN AIRPORTS?

Travellers must wear masks while on international flights, and at most international airports. These requirements are determined by state and territory governments so travellers should double check before departure.

HAVE THE CUSTOMS ARRANGEMENTS AND CHECKS CHANGED AT AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL CITY AIRPORTS?

Customs arrangements haven’t changed. The ABF takes seriously our responsibility to protect the Australian community. All incoming passengers will need to meet the entry requirements, including immigration, customs and biosecurity clearance.

Arriving passengers will need to complete an Incoming Passenger Card. If you are not an Australian citizen you must hold a valid visa when entering Australia.

AFTER PASSENGERS LEAVE THE AIRPORT, IS THERE A REQUIREMENT TO TEST FOR COVID-19?

There is no Australian Government requirement for Covid-19 testing after you land in Australia, however most states and territories require you to take a Covid-19 test soon after you arrive.

Travellers need to adhere to the health requirements of the Australian state or territory they’re landing in. There is more information for international arrivals, including unvaccinated travellers on the respective state and territory Covid websites.

---

Over the last two years we have seen how quickly the situation can change. Our message to travellers coming to Australia is to please check the Home Affairs website, complete your DPD on time, check the health requirements in the state or territory you’re arriving in, and ensure you have done everything to ensure a smooth journey to Australia.

Originally published as New international travel rules for Australians explained