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  • Australian borders open from 21 February 2022

Australian borders open


Update (October 2026)

All COVID-19 border and vaccination requirements for travel to and from Australia have been removed, so this article is kept as a historical record. For current options, see our Visitor visa (subclass 600) page and Upcoming Immigration Changes 2026.

Further updates have been provided by the Australian Government regarding the opening of Australia’s international borders to all fully vaccinated travellers.

Related: Australian borders opening for workers, students and graduates

From July 6 2022, the way you ​travel to and from Australia has changed. All travellers should be aware that:

  • People entering Australia do not need to provide evidence of vaccination status
  • People entering Australia do not need to complete the Digital Passenger Declaration or Maritime Travel Declaration
  • People leaving Australia will not be asked to provide evidence of their vaccination status
  • Unvaccinated visa holders do not​ need a travel exemption to travel to Australia
  • Masks are still required on flights travelling to Australia.

It is important to remember that airlines, vessel operators and other countries may have specific requirements that travellers need to comply with.

​Entering and leaving Australia

​

The Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force provide advice for people seeking to enter or leave Australia.

For more information see:

  • Entering Australia​
  • Before and after you leave Australia​
  • Crossing the border​
  • Travel documents​.

People who require a visa should ensure their visa is granted before travelling to Australia. To check Australia’s visa requirements, see: Explore visa options​

The Australian Border Force provides further advice for people entering or leaving Australia by sea​.

Australian citizens planning to travel overseas are encouraged to check current travel advice by visiting Smartraveller​.

The Department of Health provides health advice on international travel and COVID-19​.

State and t​erritory information

Each state and territory in Australia has its own requirements that you will need to comply with. If you are planning to travel to Australia, you should check the requirements of the state or territory you are travelling to. Requirements could include COVID-19 testing after you arrive in Australia or vaccination requirements to visit certain venues or work in certain occupations.

For more information see State and territory information.

Australia’s vaccination program

Everyone in Australia can get a COVID-19 vaccine free of charge. International travellers who arrive into Australia are encouraged to access Australia’s COVID-19 vaccination program.

For more information see COVID-19 vaccines.

Visa concessions and refunds

Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic period, a range of changes were made to some visa categories, including the introduction of concession periods, fee waivers and visa refunds.

Previous update: Australia’s four-phase plan to open its border

International students can come back to Australia

International Students are permitted to travel to Australia and participating states and territories without obtaining a travel exemption. The requirements and eligibility of international students returning to Australia is dependent on the state or territory. The participating states and territories have been working closely with the Department of Home Affairs to develop international student arrival plans to facilitate the gradual re-opening of Australian borders.

New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia have opened their borders to international students and arrivals form 15 December 2021 in line with the Federal Government’s border announcements. The below information provides a brief overview of each state and territories requirements.

Western Australia and the Northern Territory have remained cautious throughout the COVID-19 pandemic due to the vulnerable communities that live in these states. This is reflected in their conservative approach to opening state borders as both Western Australia and the Northern Territory remain closed to international and domestic travelers.

NSW Government Website

Returning international student travelers and international arrivals are required to:

  1. Have received a full dose of a COVID-19 vaccine approved or recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA);
  2. Provide evidence of vaccination status; and
  3. Present a negative COVID-19 PCR Test that was taken three (3) days prior to travelling to NSW
  4. Once arriving, international students must isolate for 72 hours AND receive a negative COVID-19 PCR Test that was taken within 24 hours of arrival

Please note this information is accurate at time of writing this article. Please see each government’s relevant website for the most current information on border restrictions and requirements.

From 6 July 2022 Australian entry/exit requirements have changed:

  • People entering Australia do not need to provide evidence of vaccination status
  • People entering Australia do not need to complete the Digital Passenger Declaration or Maritime Travel Declaration
  • People leaving Australia will not be asked to provide evidence of their vaccination status
  • Unvaccinated visa holders do not​ need a travel exemption to travel to Australia

Masks are still required on flights travelling to Australia.

It is important to remember that airlines, vessel operators and other countries may have specific requirements that travellers need to comply with.

Related:

Consultations can be made via Video Google Meet, Skype or Phone.

If you would like a comprehensive consultation which includes assessing you for other temporary and permanent visa options (Skilled visas, Employer Sponsored, Partner, etc.) as well, we recommend our standard 45 minute to 1 hour consultation which can be scheduled here:

https://visaenvoy.as.me/video (45 min- $160)

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