With about 147,000 recorded Covid-19 cases and 1,558 deaths (as of 10 October 2021), interstate travel in Australia has been clamped down due to a series of lockdowns in response to the fast-spreading Delta variant. However, as of 21 October 2021, after taking the toll from a third wave of infections, Australia’s Covid-19 cases is now slowly subduing due to a mass effort in ramping up vaccination rates in large cities like Sydney and Melbourne.
However, states and territories are still largely restricted within Australia due to Covid-19. It’s also important to know that each state or territory has its own entry requirements, and this may change in short notice depending on the situation.
Now, interstate travel is still possible. However, it is highly restrictive due to efforts to control mass infection. Read on to learn all about who, where and how you can travel around Australia during Covid-19.
States and territories of Australia
- Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
- New South Wales (NSW)
- Northern Territory (NT)
- Queensland (QLD)
- South Australia (SA)
- Western Australia (WA)
- Victoria (VIC)
What you need to know about domestic travel in Australia
1. Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Restricts entry from: Victoria and much of New South Wales
The ACT has closed its borders to individuals coming from Victoria and a large part of NSW (except exempted areas).
Non-residents arriving from Victoria and non-exempted areas of New South Wales will need to complete an exemption form and adhere to strict quarantine protocols upon arrival.
Visit here for more information on the latest border restrictions and quarantine requirements set by the Australian Capital Territory government.
2. New South Wales (NSW)
Restricts entry from: Victoria
Most individuals can travel to New South Wales without restrictions. However, if you’re from the state of Victoria, you are currently allowed restricted as it is listed as a high-risk area.
All individuals entering New South Wales from Victoria will be required to submit a health declaration and following stay-home quarantine rules for 14 days upon arrival. When in quarantine, individuals are only allowed to leave home for food, essential services, work or school (if there are no work from home arrangements), medical care, vaccination appointments and exercising.
Visit here for more information on the latest border restrictions and quarantine requirements set by the New South Wales state government.
3. Northern Territory (NT)
Restricts entry from: Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory
Individuals coming from hotspot areas Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory are restricted entry into the Northern Territory. Only returning residents from these areas are allowed into the Northern Territory .
Travellers from everywhere else like Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia are allowed into the Northern Territory. Similarly, together with exceptional cases, all individuals allowed into the Northern Territory will have to undergo supervised quarantine programmes for 14 days (at their own expense).
Visit here for more information on the latest border restrictions and quarantine requirements set by the Northern Territory government.
4. Queensland (QLD)
Restricts entry from: New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory
Queensland closes its borders to New South Wales, Victoria and Australian Capital Territory as these three states have been identified a Covid-19 hotspots. Individuals from these states are not allowed into Queensland unless they’re a resident, moving into the state or possess an exemption.
Individuals from everywhere else are allowed to enter Queensland, however they will be required to quarantine for 14-days and complete a border entry pass.
According to ABC News, the state government has plans to allow unrestricted entry (without quarantine) to all fully vaccinated domestic travellers by 17 December.
Visit here for more information on the latest border restrictions and quarantine requirements set by the Queensland state government.
5. South Australia (SA)
Restricts entry from: Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory
Entry into South Australia from Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory is prohibited. Exemptions are given to essential travellers, South Australian residents returning home and individuals feeling domestic violence. These travellers must quarantine as directed and submit a Covid-19 test on days 1, 5 and 13 of quarantine.
On the other hand, individuals from the Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia are allowed entry to SA without quarantine.
Visit here for more information on the latest border restrictions and quarantine requirements set by the South Australian state government.
6. Tasmania (TAS)
Restricts entry from: Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory
Individuals from high-risk areas like Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory have restricted entry into Tasmania. They are not allowed into Tasmania if they have been in these areas in the last 14 days. However, exceptions are given to essential travellers.
Those coming from the Northern Territory, South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia are allowed into Tasmania. Together with exceptional cases, individuals allowed into Tasmania will have to undergo hotel or home quarantine, depending on their eligibility.
Visit here for more information on the latest border restrictions and quarantine requirements set by the Tasmanian state government.
7. Western Australia (WA)
Restricts entry from: Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory
Victoria and New South Wales are identified as “extreme risk”, and exemptions are only restricted to “Commonwealth, State and specialist functions only,” according to ABC News. Anyone allowed into Western Australia from these two extreme risk areas must undergo hotel quarantine.
Meanwhile, medium risk areas include the Australian Capital Territory and individuals from here are only allowed entry upon approval and must quarantine for 14 days.
Individuals from Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory are allowed into Western Australia with a G2G Pass without having to quarantine. The G2G Pass is an initiative by the Western Australia Police Force to manage the Covid-19 state of emergency status declared by the state government.
Visit here for more information on the latest border restrictions and quarantine requirements set by the Western Australian government.
8. Victoria (VIC)
Restricts entry from: Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and the Greater Sydney area of New South Wales
Individuals from Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory are all allowed entry to Victoria.
However, if you are coming from the Australian Capital Territory and the Greater Sydney area of New South Wales, you will need to be fully vaccinated to be allowed entry without having to undergo tests or quarantine. Individuals with border passes that are from these two abovementioned places are also allowed entry to Victoria.
For non-vaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals, a negative Covid-19 test result followed by a 14-day quarantine will entail upon successful entry.
Visit here for more information on the latest border restrictions and quarantine requirements set by the Victorian state government.
Depending on where you intend to travel to, testing and following quarantine orders are still necessary for precautionary measures and also to curb the spread of Covid-19 to vulnerable individuals. It is advisable to heed the advise of the respective state and territory government to ensure a safe journey.
Information taken from ABC News and the Australian Interstate Quarantine.
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