Passenger on first Qantas flight’s message for WA Premier Mark McGowan

He has finally touched down in Australia to see his dying mother but now he’s facing a new battle - getting into WA before it’s too late.

A passenger aboard QF12, the first Qantas flight to land at Sydney Airport this morning, has unleashed on WA Premier Mark McGowan.

Ethan Carter, who arrived from Los Angeles this morning, has been trying to get home for two years to see his sick mother, who is now on the verge of death.

He finally touched down on Australian soil this morning, but said he faces a new battle to get to Western Australia where borders are still closed to NSW.

“I’m really scared and emotional because I want to see my mum as she’s not well,” Mr Carter explained through tears at the airport this morning.

“The doctor says she hasn’t got long, and I just have to do everything I can to get to WA. I love her so much and I just want to get there. I love her heaps and I can’t wait to see her.

When asked if he had a message for WA Premier Mark McGowan, Mr Carter said he just hoped reconsidered the people “suffering”.

“We know we have to protect people’s lives but you have to bring families together. Please, it’s so important.”

Ethan Carter was flying in to see his dying mother, and was hoping to make it back to WA on time. Picture: Vanessa Brown

He now faces a battle to get into WA to see his dying mother. Picture: Vanessa Brown

Premier McGowan has since responded to Mr Carter’s plea - saying the request will be considered if he applies for an exemption to enter the state.

“These situations are very sad and very difficult and we’ve seen much of this over the course over the last two years,” Mr McGowan said.

“The Police and the Chief Health Officer will analyse his case if he makes an application so that a decision can be made.”

It’s been a long 18 months – or 590 days – for anyone hoping to go overseas to see family, friends or simply to take a holiday abroad.

In fact, Australia’s ban on overseas travel has been regarded as one of the strictest in the world.

But now, for the first time since borders closed to overseas travel in March 2020 and a strict 14-day hotel quarantine program was introduced for anyone entering the country — overseas adventures are back on

But the catch is the new rule only applies if you’re vaccinated.

Flight attendant Jodie was on the first flight into Sydney. Picture: Vanessa Brown

Qantas flight attendant Jodie, who was on board the flight from Los Angeles, said emotions were running high.

“Passengers were clapping as we took off and landed,” she said. “There were some good stories and some sad ones.

“It’s so nice to be serving people again. I’m holding back tears.”

Emotions were running high as passengers who hadn’t been back on home soil were finally able to step foot off a plane and bypass all forms of quarantine.

Ryan, Amanda and Claire were three of the first to get to the arrivals gate at Sydney International Airport, eagerly waiting to surprise their sister and friend Carly who was on board QF12 and has been stranded in New York for three years.

“She’s been trying to get home on and off but after a while she just gave up and accepted it,” Ryan explained.“She’s finally now coming home to see the grandparents, our parents don’t know so it will be a lovely surprise”.

Carly, pictured below, was embraced with hugs from family and friends, and explained the situation in the US has been “really stressful”.

“By not having to quarantine is huge,” she explained.

“People are dying and to be able to get off a plane now and see them straight away is really exciting.”

“It’s really hard for expats at the moment.”

Carly was thrilled to be finally back on home soil. Picture: Vanessa Brown

Carly was finally reunited with her friends after three years in new York. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dylan Coker

Aussie pro-surfer Keely Andrew, who had only been abroad three months, had been subjected to multiple rounds of hotel quarantine.

She said the ability to just step off a plane and bypass quarantine is a game changer.

“I’ve been coming back and forth,” she explained.

“It’s a lot different and a lot more freedom today. It’s quite emotional coming in and not having to go through all the logistical stuff.”

Ms Andrew said flying in today felt almost the same as it did two years ago prior to the pandemic.

The new rules

From Monday 1 November, vaccinated Australians will be able to fly in and out of Sydney International Airport without having to undergo any form of hotel or home quarantine.

Australian citizens and permanent residents aged 12 and over who have received two doses of an approved or recognised vaccine — such as Pfizer (Comirnaty), AstraZeneca, (Vaxzevria) or Moderna (Spikevax) — will be able to leave Australia without needing an outwards travel exemption.

Children under 12 and those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons will also be able to travel overseas without an exemption, and return without needing to endure any form of quarantine.

The first Qantas flight to land in Australia, with vaccinated passengers able to freely walk off the plane and into Sydney without needing to quarantine, were those on board QF12 from Los Angeles.

The first flight into Sydney was QF12 which was from Los Angeles to Sydney. Vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents on board no longer need to quarantine. Picture: NCA NewsWire Christian Gilles

Landing at 6am on Monday, passengers were met with the knowledge they would be able to enter society without having to complete the dreaded 14 days in a hotel room first.

The Qantas flight was not the first arrival though, with a Singapore Airlines plane touching down slightly earlier at 5.15am.

The first Qantas flight out of Sydney will be to London via Darwin on QF1, with passengers on board no longer needing an exemption to leave the country.

But while the ban has been lifted, that doesn’t mean travel will be as simple as it was prior to the pandemic.

Do I need a COVID-19 test before flying out of Australia?

While it depends on the country you are travelling to, the general answer is yes.

But be warned – these tests are not the same as the free ones you get around the country.

Each destination has a special requirement for entry, being a COVID-19 PCR tests for travel.

Generally they will cost around $150 each per test — but depending on how quickly you need the results or which private clinic — that cost can increase to $400 per person. — are needed for many places.

These tests provide each person with a certificate with your details, rather than a text message.

Do I need to get a Covid test on arrival to my destination?

Some countries, along with a negative test before departing Australia, will require one on arrival.

In the UK, for example, you don’t need one before flying but you need a $40 rapid flow test two days after arriving, arranged through the UK government.

Fiji, which will open the border to Australians from December 1, requires a negative test before leaving the country and requires all visitors to go to an approved resorts for three nights upon arrival. Then, after doing a rapid test and providing a negative result, vaccinated visitors can roam freely around the islands.

Do I need a COVID-19 test before travelling back to Australia?

To board a plane back to Australia, you will need a negative Covid-19 PCR test.

It has to be done less than three days before your flight and like when you leave Australia, you will have to fork out anywhere between $150 – $400 for a test before boarding the plane.

The test results can be digital — such as in an email, or on paper — but must show your full name, date of birth and passport number as well as the result and testing method and time/date of the collection.

Are exceptions for overseas travel gone for good?

From November 1, fully vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents will no longer need an exemption to leave the country.

You will need to provide proof of vaccination when checking in at the airport.

Australian airline Qantas announced their new app to help travellers navigate the requirements for ease of travel, and have encouraged passengers to arrive at the international terminal 4 hours ahead of your flight to make time for the additional checks.

If you’re not fully vaccinated, you still need to apply for an exemption to leave Australia.

Australians are free to travel wherever they like, however it’s important to check with the destination about whether they are allowing Australian residents in without having to quarantine.

Do I have to quarantine outside of Australia?

This comes down to the destination. Fiji, for example, requires the three nights of quarantine at an allocated resort.

While Bali is not yet open to Australians, is currently letting other countries in — however required visitors to stay at a quarantine hotel for five days upon arrival.

The USA, which hasn’t ever banned Australians from entering throughout the pandemic, is opening to the world on November 8. As a result, visitors will now need proof of vaccination — however no quarantine measures will be required.

Singapore will also allow vaccinated Australians back — and no need to quarantine either.

There are still plenty of rules in place to travel overseas. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

Do I have to quarantine when I return to Australia?

If you’re unvaccinated, the short answer is yes and it will need to be at a hotel.

Otherwise, quarantine rules for returning travellers remain up to individual states and territories. From November 1, only NSW, Victoria and the ACT will not require any quarantine for vaccinated people from. The other states and territories have eased restrictions later in the year and into 2022.

How do I get the International Vaccine Passport?

Getting the passport is relatively simple.

To obtain a certificate, you must first have your Medicare account linked to your MyGov account on your smartphone device. This is already done for those using the digital Vaccination Certificates locally here in Australia.

When you click the “Proof of Vaccinations” page, there is now an option to “Request a Certificate” for International validation of your COVID-19 Jabs.

Obtaining the certificate happens in just four steps, after you check your vaccination data and add in your valid Australian Passport information. The system will validate almost on the spot, and produce a certificate you can print out for your next international trip.

What if I want to travel overseas, but I’m not vaccinated?

While the international travel ban has lifted, only vaccinated citizens and permanent residents and their immediate family — which now includes parents — can come into Australia. Tourists, students and others are still barred. Proof of vaccination must be shown in English.