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Travelers with eyes on visiting Australia rejoice, as the country has just removed all of its strict Covid-19 related entry requirements. The Land Down Under has made headlines throughout the pandemic for its strict, no-nonsense approach to dealing with the spread of the virus. From all but closing its borders to international travelers to implementing city wide lockdowns over a handful of cases, the country took extreme measures with the aim of keeping its people safe – but it looks like, at long last, its days of arbitrary entry restrictions have finally come to an end.
For the first time in years, it means that all visa-holding travelers will now be able to visit Australia and sample all the sunny, culture-filled country has to offer – and it comes just in time for summer. Here's a look at the changes Australia has made to its Covid-19 related entry restrictions, including which entry requirements are on their way out, which other restrictions travelers should be aware of plus a look at the current Covid-19 situation in the country.
Australia Removes Entry Barriers – What Travelers Should Know
Up until recently, Australia boasted some of the strictest entry requirements in the world. On February 21st – when other countries were beginning to drop their entry requirements completely – Australia only made it possible for fully vaccinated travelers to enter, making entry to the country impossible for millions of unvaccinated or only partially vaccinated travelers. However, as of Wednesday, these strict entry requirements are set to be a thing of the past.
On Sunday Australia’s home affairs minister, Clare O’Neil, announced that the country would be removing all of its Covid-19 related entry requirements, making visiting the country not only much easier, but much more of an attractive proposition for millions of potential arrivals. In doing so, Australia has joined the likes of popular destinations such as Portugal, Thailand and several other countries who have also made changes to their entry requirements over the past few days.
That means that from Wednesday July 6th, travelers will no longer need to show proof of vaccination in order to be able to enter the country, allowing all visa-holding or visa exempt travelers to be able to enter for the first time since the pandemic took hold. With the country already having removed the requirement to take a Covid-19 test, it makes entry into the country just as easy as it was prior to the pandemic.
That’s not the only entry requirements change that Australia is set to make. Also from Wednesday, the country will be removing the requirement for inbound travelers to complete the Digital Passenger Declaration, or DPD. The DPD has long since come under fire ever since it was rolled out for being not very user friendly. However, the Minister Clare O’Neill stated that the system will likely make a comeback in the future to replace the paper-based incoming passenger card.
Travelers should be aware that state specific rules also apply in Australia and could be subject to change. Whilst there are no longer any rules in place regarding cafes, bars and restaurants, face masks must be worn when on public transport in each of Australia’s states, apart from the Northern Territory and Tasmania. Travelers will also have to wear masks when flying on both international flights to Australia and domestic flights within the country. More information on specific requirements for each state can be found here.
The number of Covid-19 cases in Australia has remained high yet steady for several weeks, with the country reporting an average of just below 33,000 positive cases of the virus per day. According to the US Travel Advisory system, Australia is a Level 1 country, meaning it is amongst the safest destinations to visit in the world.
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Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Jake
Saturday 9th of July 2022
Apparently Qantas is refusing to allow unvaccinated passengers regardless of Australian requirements. So if you’re planning on flying Qantas or anyone they codeshare with you might want to be wary of that.
Jonas
Tuesday 12th of July 2022
@Matthew E, As a rule they require that passengers be vaccinated...exceptions are obviously exceptions, but not the rule.
And obviously airline policies apply to the airline, but if you book a codeshare via ie emirates on a qantas operated flight, your gonna be stuck with qantas vax poicies..
Matthew E
Monday 11th of July 2022
@Jake,
This is what the Qantas website Covid-19 landing page says as of today:
"Before booking and before you travel, ensure you check the latest Government travel requirements, which may include mandatory health declarations, vaccinations, COVID-19 tests, use of face masks, entry permits, pre-approval and quarantine (possibly at your own expense), or you could be denied entry."
I can't think of a better way to say, "Welcome back."
And yes, it does require international passengers to be vaccinated, but there are some exceptions, including one that states:
"If you're traveling on a ticket sold by Qantas for a flight operated by another airline, unless vaccination is a requirement of the operating airline or destination country."
So it appears if you're on a codeshare flight you follow that airline's rules or the rules of the country you're headed to.
Szoszko
Wednesday 6th of July 2022
FU Australia FU and FU again!!!
Arigato Gozaimasu
Wednesday 6th of July 2022
If I was an Australian or a Canadian these days, I'd pack up my things, sell whats not needed and get out. Claim asylum in Sweden or some other country, a country that isn't %100 totalitarian.
Tom P.
Tuesday 5th of July 2022
I live in Canada. Oh well. Yes... I know, I know. I accept everyone's pity. I have visited Australia on three separate occassions for lengthy periods of time, pre-Covid. I used to sincerely love Australia. No more. No more. Absolutely no more. What they instituted during the Covid Cult Twilight Zone Apocalypse, was utterly hypocritical, cowardly, and totalitarian of the highest order. Shame on them. Shame. I would rather continue travelling to Mexico and a select few other countries, until my last days, than give Australia even one penny of my money. Again... Shame. Australia is the blueprint for the future Orwellian dystopia. Shame.
covidvaxinfo
Monday 4th of July 2022
mask on the airplane is a deal breaker unless I'm in business class. who wants to wear a mask for a super long flight (from most places)
Travellux
Wednesday 6th of July 2022
@covidvaxinfo, yeah. But worth it. Would be if it were effective though