Australian officials had been hoping for most of the year that international Australian travel options in 2022 to the country could begin before the holidays, but that is not going to happen.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Friday, October 1, 2021, that arrivals to the country from non-residents will not begin until sometime in 2022. The decision comes just days after Morrison opened up travel for Australians to leave the country for the first time since March 2020. Many officials had hoped the two decisions would go hand in hand.
Are you thinking about tour the sublime Gulf Savannah region and booked an overseas holiday for 2022? Here’s everything you need to know first.
Everything You Need Know About International Travel
Since last March, it’s been anyone’s guess when Australians would be able to travel overseas again. 18 months have come and gone with no international holidays and no visits to see loved ones, just millions of us waiting to hear when the international borders will open back up. Finally, we have an answer on November 2021.
Confirming the news last Friday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it’s time to give Australians their lives back, after announcing we will move to phase C of the national roadmap next month. But there are a couple of things that need to happen before any of us jet off on a long-awaited trip – including completion of the new seven-day, at-home quarantine program trials, and an increase in vaccination rates to 80 percent in each state and territory.
When Will You Be Able To Travel Overseas?
On Friday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced international travel will resume once states and territories reach the 80 percent vaccination target, starting with New South Wales, followed by Victoria. States and territories will begin this program at different times given their varying vaccination rates but we expect the system to commence in November, Mr. Morrison said.
While other states and territories will reach the target soon after, some of them, particularly Queensland and Western Australia, aren’t as willing to open up when they do. On Friday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she would need to see some paperwork before announcing when Queensland would open up. “It would be irresponsible and I think Queenslanders would expect me to see some paperwork to understand the issues before an announcement is made, she said. While WA Premier Mark McGowan called the international travel announcement a New South Wales thing.”
With NSW having very high levels of infection, the view is if people from NSW want to fly overseas and come back, they are not adding to the risk. We’re not going to do this at this point. He told reporters on Friday. Western Australia will open up internationally at some point in time, it’s probably just a matter of months between us and other states.
Where Can We Travel To
There will be no restrictions on which countries you will be allowed to travel to, with your first two options being the UK and the US. However, that is subject to change if case numbers rise or new variants arise.
Qantas has announced that from 14 November, they will operate three weekly return flights between Sydney and London and between Sydney and Los Angeles.
Both Qantas and Virgin have stated that once the borders open. There will be more international routes to countries including Hong Kong and Singapore. Mr. Morrison also said Australia would be working towards quarantine-free travel for countries such as New Zealand like the travel bubble we had earlier this year. But something to note is that despite us being allowed to travel to these places, the rules in other countries might change. Dental tourism is now often internal such as Queensland so, before departing Australia, make sure you check the rules in your chosen destination.
Do I have to Be Vaccinated to Travel Overseas?
Yes. To travel overseas, Australian citizens and residents need to have both doses of a TGA-approved vaccine. Those who have a medical condition or are under the age of 12 and cannot be vaccinated. Will be treated as vaccinated for their travel. However, unvaccinated Australian citizens and residents will be allowed to return home to Australia.
What do I need to know about Vaccine Passports?
According to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, an internationally recognized proof of vaccination document will be accessible to Australians looking to leave the country. It will have all the information on your passport as well as your QR code that can be scanned by border officials to prove your vaccination status. The documents will be available via the myGov website.
What Will Happen Before & During Flying?
According to Qantas CEO Alan Joyce, you’ll have to take up to four COVID tests before getting on an international flight – one before departure for each flight and two while in-home quarantine – and all must come back negative before you board the plane. It’s also expected that people will have to wear masks for the duration of their flights.
What About Hotel Quarantine?
Depending on where you plan on traveling to, different rules will apply. And the rules that certain countries have in place now might change by the time you want to travel there in 2022. For example, vaccinated travelers entering Bali this year Australians are not allowed just yet will need to show proof of hotel bookings for a mandatory eight-day quarantine – which will need to be paid for by the visitor.
Upon returning to Australia, fully vaccinated citizens and permanent residents will need to quarantine at home for seven days. And those unvaccinated or vaccinated with a vaccine not approved or recognized by the TGA will need to attend a 14-day hotel quarantine.
