Inbound and Outbound Travellers No Longer Required to Show COVID–19 Vaccination Status to Enter Australia
Unvaccinated Australians along with certain visa holders have had the privilege to travel to Australia for some time now without any restrictions.
However, starting from 12.01 am, 6 July 2022, the Australian Government has decided that all travellers to and from Australia are no longer required to show proof of vaccination. This means that travellers arriving in Australia do not need to use the digital passenger declaration to show vaccination status (though the declaration will need to be completed as part of the standard incoming passenger requirements to Australia).
This marks a continued paring down of the international border restrictions that have been implemented since the pandemic began. The government announced on 18 April 2022, that unvaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents (PR) could leave Australia without having to apply for a travel exemption before departure. Travellers entering or leaving Australia were also exempt from showing a negative pre-departure PCR test.
Why is the Australian Government making these changes?
The relaxation of the rules has been reflected in the latest numbers of travel exemptions being received by the Australian Border Force Commissioner. The number of cases on hand for May 2022 was 52, which was down from 44 the previous month. This is a stark contrast to the numbers at the height of the border closures, which saw thousands of individuals awaiting permission to enter or depart Australia.
The new changes will continue to encourage international travel to Australia for tourism and skilled migration. Though the government is always endeavouring to strike a balance between health and the economy, the changes are a reflection of the latest health advice and take account of the transmission rates in Australia.
The Minister for Health and Aged Care, The Honorary Mark Butler MP, said that “the Australian Government makes decisions on COVID-related issues after considering the latest medical advice”. The Minister also reserved that these changes are subject to medical advice from the chief medical officer, Paul Kelly.
Additional restrictions lifted
The announcement also lifts restrictions for those who arrive by sea, with the passengers not required to present maritime travel declarations upon arrival.
Despite the new changes, the travellers are still required to comply with any remaining Covid requirements of airlines and shipping operators. Travellers are to note that mask-wearing is still required on inbound international flights, as well as on domestic flights within Australia.
The above changes mark a continued return to life as we all knew it before the onset of the pandemic. Given the entry requirements for unvaccinated travellers is now less onerous, it is hoped that visitors and skilled migrants will continue returning to Australia.
How can Agape Henry Crux Help You?
In addition to what the law does and doesn’t allow you to do, there are also practical considerations that may mean that travelling overseas jeopardises your visa application. If you want to find out more about the risks of travelling overseas, do not hesitate to contact us. You can book a Migration Planning Session with one of our immigration lawyers to seek professional advice by calling 02 8310 5230 or emailing us to book a time at info@ahclawyers.com.
We speak fluent English, Korean, Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Indonesian, Burmese and Malay. If these aren’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.
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