Australia Opens International Borders

On February 21, Australia’s international borders opened after two years of the world’s strictest COVID-19 travel restrictions.

However, Western Australia will not re-open to international visitors until March 3.

Vaccinated travels will need to hold a visa, a pre-arrival PCR test, and must also complete an Australia Travel Declaration (ATD) at least 72 hours before departure.

Unvaccinated travelers may also enter Australia if they apply for a travel exemption and serve time in quarantine for a period of seven days and may face post-arrival testing requirements.

Meanwhile, close neighbors New Zealand is set to re-open its borders in five stages with fully vaccinated New Zealanders from Australia allowed to return from February 27.

Then, fully vaccinated international citizens allowed to return from March 13, visitors that would normally be allowed to travel visa-free to New Zealand will be granted entry before July, and finally, in October, other visitors and students who require a visa will be allowed to enter.

Travel requirements for Australia

Passengers

• To enter, all foreigners must request a travel exemption – it can take a week or more to process an exemption so plan in advance
• Citizens of New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea are exempt
• Passengers must hold a negative PCR or rapid antigen test result done within 72 hours

Please note that each Australian state will have differences in post-arrival testing and quarantine rules.

Crew

• All crew are exempt from pre-travel testing but will be screened and given a COVID test on arrival
• Vaccinated crew will only need to self-isolate until the result (approx. 24 hours) and then will be free to enjoy the layover
• Unvaccinated crew will need to remain at their hotel until their departure

For all the details and to apply for a travel exemption, please click here.

For support with your flight operations to Australia, contact UAS