Australia - Quarantine requirements
July 2020 - Australia has strict quarantine rules for local travellers as well as international arrivals.
With each state having their own regulations for international travellers arriving to Australia, we thought it useful to remind those coming to Australia of what to expect upon arrival.
Who has to go in to quarantine ?
You will need to go into quarantine if you:
- have returned home/entering from overseas
- have been in contact with someone who has confirmed or is likely to have COVID-19
- are entering certain remote areas in Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Northern Territory (unless exempt)
- are entering a state that has a required quarantine period
What will happen when you arrive at the airport ?
It’s mandatory to undertake 14 days quarantine at designated facilities in your port of arrival in Australia. You may also have to undergo testing for COVID-19.
You won't be permitted to travel domestically (including to your home and/or place of work) or continue on any domestic connections, until you have completed the 14-day mandatory quarantine period.
- You will be required to fill out a form confirming you understand you have to complete the mandatory quarantine period of 14 days.
- You will collect your luggage and go through the normal border clearance processes (customs, immigration and biosecurity).
- Following border clearance, government officials will direct you to buses that will take you to your accommodation.
Arrangements for your 14-day quarantine period
The quarantine requirements are managed and enforced by state and territory governments with Australian Government support.
- You will be accommodated in a hotel for this mandatory quarantine period.
- You will have to remain in the allocated accommodation until you are medically cleared to enter the Australian community. You may have to be tested for COVID-19 during your quarantine period. If you don’t agree to be tested, you may have to quarantine for longer.
- In some states and territories, you may also have to contribute to the cost of quarantine – see below*.
- To find out more about detailed quarantine testing requirements, contact your state or territory government health department.
If your initial entry point is Sydney/New South Wales.
The NSW Government will begin to charge international travellers who arrive in Sydney from 12.01 am Saturday 18 July 2020 onwards for their hotel quarantine accommodation.
Travellers who purchased their flights before 11.59 pm 12 July 2020 AEST will not be charged quarantine fees. Conditions apply and evidence will need to be supplied. These travellers will still be required to quarantine in government-arranged accommodation.
The NSW Government will invoice travellers a fixed fee at the end of their stay.
The hotel quarantine fee is a fixed cost which includes meals and hotel room costs.
- The NSW Government will continue to fund security, transport and logistics.
- Travellers will be charged $3000 for one adult. Additional occupants can be added as follows:
- additional adults: $1000 each
- additional children: $500 each
- child under 3: no additional cost.
For example: a family of 2 adults and 2 children over the age of 3 in one room would pay $5000.
For example: a family of 2 adults and 4 children over the age of 3 would pay $6000.
- At the end of quarantine, travellers will receive an invoice to pay the NSW Government within 30 days.
- People already in hotel quarantine will not be charged. The change is not retrospective.
If your initial entry point is Darwin/Northern Territory
All international arrivals must complete 14 days of mandatory self-quarantine at a place directed by the NT Government.
- You are required to cover the expense of your own quarantine fee.
- The quarantine fee for an individual is $2,500 for the full 14 day period.
A family rate of $5,000 applies for family groups of two or more people in shared accommodation.
If your initial arrival point is Brisbane/Queensland.
- You will need to stay at a government arranged hotel for 14 days unless you have received an exemption, which is rare.
- If you arrive in Queensland by air you will be transported to your arranged hotel
- For your own safety you will get tested for COVID-19 during quarantine. If you refuse, you will need to stay for longer at your own expense.
- At the end of your quarantine, you will have to pay the cost. Payment plans are available. You may also be eligible to apply to have the quarantine fee waived.
- The quarantine fee includes your accommodation and daily meals. It costs $2,800 for 1 adult, $3,710 for 2 adults, and $4,620 for 2 adults and 2 children.
- At the end of your quarantine, you will get an invoice to pay within 30 days.
If your initial arrival point is Adelaide/South Australia.
The direction stipulates that all passengers arriving after 12.01 am on 18 July 2020 will be directed to accommodation nominated by South Australia Health and remain in quarantine at that location or 14 days from the date of arrival in Australia.
Each state and territory is implementing similar directions and any South Australian coming into another state or territory from overseas will be required to remain in quarantine in that state or territory before returning to South Australia. Upon returning to South Australia, following a period of quarantine in another State or Territory, a further 14 days of self-quarantine will apply in South Australia.
- An individual adult will be charged $3,000, with an extra $1,000 for another adult from the same family, plus $500 per child.
If your initial arrival point is Melbourne/Victoria.
There are currently no international flights arriving to Melbourne.
If your initial arrival point in Perth/Western Australia.
As of 18 July 2020 there have been no further announcements regards possible charges to international travellers arriving to Western Australia.
