Full reopening of Australian borders
The Prime Minister has announced today that Australia's borders will be fully reopened on 21 February 2022 to all double vaccinated travellers, business people and visitors.
What does double vaccinated mean ?
You are considered to be fully vaccinated for travel to and from Australia if you have completed a course of a vaccine approved or recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). This includes mixed doses. Current approved or recognised vaccines and dosages accepted for travel are:
Two doses at least 14 days apart of:
- AstraZeneca Vaxzevria
- AstraZeneca Covishield
- Pfizer/Biontech Comirnaty
- Moderna Spikevax or Takeda
- Sinovac Coronavac
- Bharat Biotech Covaxin
- Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV (for people under 60 years of age on arrival in Australia)
- Gamaleya Research Institute Sputnik V
- Novavax/Biocelect Nuvaxovid.
Or one dose of:
- Johnson & Johnson/ Janssen-Cilag COVID Vaccine.
The TGA is evaluating other COVID-19 vaccines that may be recognised for inbound travel to Australia in future.
At least 7 days must have passed since the final dose of vaccine in a course of immunisation for you to be considered fully vaccinated. Mixed doses count towards being fully vaccinated as long as all vaccines are approved or recognised by the TGA.
If you have not been vaccinated with the above doses or schedule, you do not meet Australia’s definition of ‘fully vaccinated.’ This includes instances where the dosing schedule or vaccine eligibility differs in your country of origin.
What if the foreign national is not double vaccinated ?
For those wishing to enter Australia who have not been double vaccinated, they will have to apply for a travel exemption and have it approved before travelling to Australia
What does this mean for foreign nationals who want to travel to Australia ?
This is final stage in Australia’s reopening which means that tourists, business travellers and family members can now enter Australia from 21 February.
For business people who need to attend meetings, for loved ones who have missed their family over the last 2 years and split family members, as long as they have been double vaccinated and have the appropriate visa, they will be able to enter Australia from 21 February.
Quarantine and local requirements
Travellers to Australia need to comply with requirements in the state or territory of their arrival, and any other state or territories that you plan to travel to. This includes quarantine and post-arrival testing requirements. Restrictions may change at short notice.
Quarantine requirements in Australia are determined by State and Territory governments.
If you wish to travel on to another state or territory you may not be allowed to enter or may be subject to a quarantine period.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet entry, quarantine and post-arrival testing arrangements for each state or territory that you intend to travel to. You may be responsible for costs of quarantine if you arrive in a state or territory without meeting entry requirements.
To check requirements, it is very important that you stay up to date with this website - see State and Territory Information for travellers.
Source:
Migration Institute of Australia
Department of Home Affairs
Office of the Prime Minister
