Travel exemption rule for international flights scrapped after Jetstar launches Bali sale

The PM has moved to scrap the final bit of red tape stopping Aussies from travelling overseas, after Jetstar launched a huge sale.

Australians will be able to fly to Bali from Sydney for as little as $159 one way on some Jetstar routes from February and will no longer be required to seek an exemption to leave the country.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed today that Australia will scrap the final red tape hurdle for the vaccinated.

The change means double vaccinated Australians will be eligible for international travel without seeking a travel exemption.

Speaking on Sunrise, Mr Morrison confirmed the change adding that new travel bubble arrangements with Singapore were imminent.

“Over half a million Australians have already been able to download the international vaccination certificate,” he said. “We are getting very close now to a reciprocal arrangement with Singapore.”

The change has prompted Jetstar and Qantas to offer major discounts to get Australians travelling again with cheap deals to Hawaii, Japan, Singapore, Bali, New Zealand, Fiji and Thailand.

The deals include one way flights from the Gold Coast to Tokyo for $264 in May and one way flights to Queenstown for $180.

Jetstar is also offering one way flights from Brisbane to Bali for $189 in May. Travellers can fly to Phuket from Sydney for as little as $194. Families can fly from Melbourne to Honolulu in July for as little as $398.

Jetstar has launched a huge sale on flights to Bali, with Aussies able to nab a one-way flight from Sydney for just $159. NCA NewsWire / Sarah Matray

Exemption red tape scrapped

While the Prime Minister has previously announced that international border bans will be lifted on November 1, the requirement that Australians need an exemption under biosecurity laws to leave their own country remains in place.

That means travellers rushing to book flights have found they face delays and red tape in securing approval from the Department of Home Affairs to leave the country.

All travel exemption requests currently need to be submitted at least two weeks prior to travel under the rules although exceptions on compassionate grounds are considered.

The controversial ban on Australians leaving their own country came into force on August 11 under an amendment to the Biosecurity Determination 2020.

The rules meant that Australian citizens and permanent residents ordinarily resident in a country outside Australia would not be automatically exempt from Australia’s outward travel restrictions.

On October 1, the Prime Minister announced fully vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents would soon be eligible for international travel without seeking a travel exemption.

”It’s time to give Australians their lives back,” Mr Morrison said.

”We’ve saved lives. We’ve saved livelihoods, but we must work together to ensure that Australians can reclaim the lives that they once had in this country.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has ditched the last bit of red tape stopping Australians from leaving the country, with a travel exemption no longer required. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

How to get your vax passport

But your passport for travel will now include proof that you are double vaccinated. The new rules also apply to any teenagers over the age of 12. However, children under 12 who are not eligible for a vaccine will still be able to fly.

Australians who are fully vaccinated will need to show proof of their vaccination status at airport check-in on departure.

Travellers will need to obtain an International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate.

To apply, you need to register for a MyGov account if you don’t already have one and ensure that your vaccination is registered on the Australian Immunisation Register.

This certificate will be accessible in a PDF format and can also be printed if you wish to carry a hard copy or you can hold it electronically on your phone.

The Morrison Government claims that applying for your International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate “will only take a few minutes”

”If you cannot access the internet, you can call Medicare to apply, and they will send the certificate to you – this may take up to 14 days,’’ the official advice states.

”The International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate relies on ePassport technology and will work in a similar way to passport chips in the form of a QR code. The airline will check your vaccination status at check-in for departure.”