What I need to do before I travel

What I need to do before I travel

If you are a fully vaccinated traveller exempt from travel restrictions, follow the steps in the traveller checklist when you are preparing to travel to Australia. 

Proof of vaccination

You will need to prove your vaccination status when you check-in for your flight.

Australia Travel Declaration

Complete an Australia Travel Declaration (ATD) at least 72 hours before departure. The ATD requests details that are considered to be critical health information. You must be able to show evidence that the critical information was completed before boarding the aircraft.

This is an enforceable requirement. A person who fails to comply with the requirement may be liable to a civil penalty (fine) of 30 penalty units (currently $6,660 AUD). This is set out in section 46 of the Biosecurity Act 2015. Travellers who do not make the declaration before they board their flight will be delayed when arriving in Australia.

When filling out the ATD you will need to:

• provide your contact details, including a contact phone number in Australia
• make a legally binding declaration in relation to your vaccination status
• make a declaration regarding your last 14 days travel history
• acknowledge that when you check-in for your flight, you must present evidence of a negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test taken within 3 days of your flight’s scheduled departure to Australia (unless you are medically exempt)
• make a declaration that you are aware of the quarantine and testing requirements that apply in the state or territory you are landing, and the penalties for non-compliance.

Penalties will apply for giving false and misleading information, including potential criminal prosecution for providing false or misleading information.  This is set out in section 137.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995. Travellers may also have to undergo hotel quarantine at their own expense.

Pre-departure COVID-19 test

A negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test result is required for travelling to or transiting through Australia. Evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 3 days before your flight’s scheduled departure must be provided to your airline when you check in.

If your flight is delayed, you will still be considered to have met the pre-departure testing requirements. You will not need a new test.

However, if your flight is re-scheduled or cancelled, you will need to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 3 days before the re-scheduled flight.

See the Department of Health website for information about:

• PCR test requirements
• what to do if your PCR test result is positive when you have had and recovered from COVID-19
• medical exemptions for pre-departure testing
• countries and jurisdictions exempt from pre-departure testing.

If transiting, you are responsible for checking airline, departure, testing and proof of vaccination requirements for any countries you transit.

Additional requirements

If you are not a fully vaccinated Australian you may also require:

• a valid visa to enter Australia
• a Commissioner’s travel exemption to Australia’s travel restrictions (if applicable)
• authority to enter Australian states or territories.

Some of these documents must be presented at the airport when you check-in and when you arrive in Australia.

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, see State and Territory Information for travellers.