Great news for travelers heading to Australia! The Australian government has announced simpler COVID-19 testing requirements for incoming passengers while maintaining safety measures. Here’s what you need to know before your trip.
Travelers must still provide a negative COVID-19 test before boarding their flight to Australia, but the rules are now more flexible. Passengers can choose between two testing options. The first is a PCR or other nucleic acid amplification (NAA) test taken within three days before departure. The second option is a rapid antigen test (RAT) administered under medical supervision within 24 hours of the flight’s scheduled departure time. Unlike before, blood tests (serology tests) remain unacceptable for travel clearance.
For those who recently recovered from COVID-19, the waiting period to travel has been cut in half. Instead of waiting 14 days after a positive test result, travelers can now fly to Australia just seven days after testing positive, provided they meet all other entry requirements.
These updated rules take effect at 1:00 AM Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) on January 23, 2022. However, some existing travel measures remain unchanged. Masks are still mandatory on flights to Australia, and arriving passengers must comply with state and territory quarantine and testing rules, which may vary across different regions.
When preparing for your trip, ensure your test result—whether in paper or electronic form—includes key details such as your full name, date of birth, test type, date and time of testing, and the test result. If using a supervised RAT, the document must also include the medical provider’s name and signature.
For the latest travel advisories and additional details on acceptable COVID-19 tests, visit the Australian Department of Health’s official website. Travelers who test positive before departure should check the guidelines for further instructions.
These adjustments are designed to streamline international travel to Australia while keeping health precautions in place. By staying informed and planning ahead, passengers can enjoy a smoother journey to their destination. Safe travels!
Related topics:
Tourism Boom: Australia Sees 84% Surge in Bookings as Travel Rebounds
COVID-19 Cases Rise as Summer Travel Increases
BCD Travel Expands Nordic Presence with New Booking Tool and Rail Content
