International arrivals to Australia must now declare Covid vaccination
The new Australia Travel Declaration form shows how post-pandemic travel is taking shape.
By David Flynn, July 16 2021
Travellers entering Australia from overseas will now find a set of Covid-related questions on the Australia Travel Declaration form.
The online questionnaire, which should be completed at least 72 hours before departure to Australia, is another sign of how the 'new normal' of post-pandemic travel will look, along with vaccination passport apps and pre-departure or on-arrival Covid tests.
As arrivals to Australia remain under strict limits and conditions to prevent the further spread of Covid-19, including worrying new variants, the Australia Travel Declaration currently outlines the need for travellers to undergo a Covid-19 test before boarding their flight.
Additional questions include details of any previous Covid-19 diagnoses and, for those who have already been vaccinated, the brand used and the dates of your jabs – although proof of vaccination is also required.
At a later date, this could be used to determine if a passenger arriving from a low-risk country is permitted to spend seven days in home isolation rather than 14 days in hotel quarantine.
The federal government plans to trial home isolation for fully-vaccinated Australians returning to the country in the second half of this year.
The Home Affairs Department advises that after completing the Australia Travel Declaration, "you will receive an email confirmation with details you can show (either electronically or printed) before you board your flight and on arrival in Australia."
This email will include colour-coded indicators:
- a green response (with a tick) means you don't need to quarantine on arrival, "based on your declaration that you are travelling to Australia from a country in Australia’s safe travel zone"
- a blue response (with an hourglass) means you need to quarantine on arrival
- a red response (with a cross) means "your airline will decide if you can travel. If you are allowed to travel to Australia, you will need to quarantine on arrival."
Read more: Australian Government plans ‘vaccination passport’ app
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
03 May 2013
Total posts 683
About time.
05 May 2016
Total posts 616
About time. Hopefully once the home quarantine trial switches they move quickly to implement it properly. We can't stay closed off from the world forever.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Jan 2018
Total posts 129
It’s insane that Europe and the US are learning to live with the virus and are opening up parts in a staggered phase. We are never going to be rid of this virus, nor any variant or virus that succeeds it. We just need to start thinking smarter and getting the country moving again. It seems like the slowest return to normal that there could be. Between state border closures, citywide lockdowns, and other restrictions, this is definitely a step in the right direction.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1430
SYDINI You forgot to mention Europe is still closed to the US. Not quite opening up.
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1242
Yes, we should take a leaf out of the playbook of the US and Europe and just let the virus run loose and ravage the population.
Etihad
07 Jan 2016
Total posts 17
It would be great to see some exact dates for when this will actually be implemented. A great step forward towards reopening Australia to the World .....and the World to us.
14 May 2011
Total posts 5
Bewildering why a similar system isn't already in place for domestic travel. to ensure those vaccinated and/or tested can travel when lockdowns happen.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 467
The PM suggested that to National Cabinet about two weeks ago - and the Premiers said "no". It seems they have become addicted to the electoral popularity that having the ability to close borders on a whim has given them.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 467
The PM put that very concept to National Cabinet a couple of weeks ago. The Premiers said "no" - they have become addicted to retaining the ability to close state borders whenever the fancy takes them, given that this has proven to be an electoral winner for them.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1430
John not quite a ‘ fancy takes them’ see the chaos two removalist trucks have caused across three states. Seems fairly wise in my view. Not quite an addiction as sensible public policy that electorates notice. Note the open borders let it rip policy of Florida ( similar population to Australia) lead to 200 deaths a day over their last winter and thousands of cases and as we are seeing in NSW around one quarter of these end up in hospital. Be careful for what you wish for.
25 Aug 2017
Total posts 20
my thoughts exactly eq-syd. if other countries are opening to vaccinated passengers, and Australia says it will too, it is absurd that those vaccinated can't travel to other states. It should also help the states economies.
Qantas
19 Apr 2012
Total posts 1430
Cow the problem is vaccinated people are still infectious that is while their symptoms may be not much more than a common cold the people they give it to May be much worse if un vaccinated. That is why we debate what a reasonable figure is. Boris in the UK thinks half which most think is a little low. Better 2/3rds at least
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
12 Apr 2017
Total posts 207
I cannot wait for fully vaccinated travellers to be given improved status in all ways. Leaving, returning, quarantine.
It has to happen at some time so get some trials started now.
Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus
15 Jan 2013
Total posts 457
so what if one is coming from new zealand but is lucky to not have to transit sydney or melbourne(queensland,adelaide and perth all have direct from auckland with connections from domestics available from rest of NZ)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Mar 2016
Total posts 54
I have had my first vaccination in early June and am due for my second at the end of August and once I am as fully protected as what seems to be the accepted level of full vaccination I want to be able to travel without having to pay around $2500 to stay 2 weeks in a hotel in Australia. I am lucky and can isolate at home for whatever time is required upon my return and am willing to do so.
Optimistically I booked a flights way back in July 2020 to travel in May 2021 which I had to cancel and luckily everything was refunded in full and only this week I booked again to travel in April 2022 to travel to the UK and Europe and am hopeful I will be able to travel then.
I would assume that when the federal government allows travel it will also remove countries from its level 4 do not travel list which every country I want to visit next year is on and are only on it for Covid reasons so that travel insurance will be available which is always a good idea.
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