‘Free to fly’: Smartraveller winds back blanket ‘do not travel’ warning as Aussies prepare to overseas

A strict travel warning put in place 18 months ago has finally been revoked as Australians prepare to head abroad from next week.

With just days to go before Australians can start travelling overseas again, DFAT has removed a broad “do not travel” global advisory that was put in place in March 2020.

Going forward, Smartraveller’s country-specific advice will be reinstated, but no country will be lower than a category 2 – “exercise a high degree of caution” – due to the ongoing risk of Covid-19.

The change comes as NSW, Victoria and the ACT prepare to allow fully vaccinated Australians and their families coming from overseas to bypass quarantine from Monday, and as Australia and Singapore finalise a quarantine-free travel bubble.

Fully vaccinated Australians will also no longer need an exemption to leave the country from November 1.

Smartraveller’s blanket ‘do not travel’ advisory has been revoked. Picture: NCA NewsWire /Brenton Edwards

Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne said moving forward, Australians would need to closely monitor what’s required of them when they travel overseas.

“We know it has been a difficult 18 months for Australians overseas trying to return, and for Australians with friends and family overseas,” Ms Payne said.

“The changes announced today are a vital next step in re-uniting Australian families and safely reopening Australia to the world.”

Tourism Minister Dan Tehan said the government was working to get international travel “back to normal as soon as we possibly can”.

“You have got to be fully vaccinated with your two doses to get out of Australia, otherwise you need to ask for an exemption,” he told Sunrise.

“For all those who are fully vaccinated, as of Monday you are free to fly and leave the country and go wherever you want to go.”

Australians will be able to fly overseas again from November 1 without needing an exemption to leave the country. Picture: NCA NewsWire Christian Gilles

Ms Payne said despite the changes on Australia’s end, border settings and quarantine requirements in other countries would continue to change.

“We strongly encourage Australians to closely monitor the Australian Government’s travel advice available on smartraveller.gov.au,” Ms Payne said.

“Australians will also need to consider the requirements of airlines, transit and destination countries, as well as return arrangements to Australia in making decisions on when and where to travel aboard. Many of these requirements are subject to change at short notice given Covid-19 situations.

“Fully vaccinated Australians who want to travel overseas can download the international Covid vaccine certificate via MyGov to provide internationally recognised proof of their Covid-19 vaccinations.”