The government of Australia has decided to lift all travel restrictions which were in place for more than two years due to COVID-19.
Minister for Home Affairs, Clare O’Neil said this will give much-needed respite to holidaymakers and business travellers.
“This is great news for families coming home from school holidays who now don’t need to use the DPD,”
Minister for Home Affairs, Clare O’Neil, said.
As per the directive, People travelling to Australia will no longer have to complete a Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status, following changes to the Biosecurity Act, which comes into effect from midnight AEST on Wednesday 6 July 2022.
The Biosecurity Act changes, which were made following health advice from the Chief Medical Officer, also mean that all visa holders can travel to Australia without needing a travel exemption.
“As more and more of us travel internationally and we get more confident in managing our risk of COVID, our airports are getting busier,”
Minister O’Neil said.
“Removing these requirements will not only reduce delays in our airports but will encourage more visitors and skilled workers to choose Australia as a destination. And for Australian citizens, with the removal of these requirements, returning home will be much easier,” she added.
Anyone who has travelled internationally since the borders have opened will find this as one less thing to worry about – especially as more Australians get back to travelling overseas.
Those arriving by sea will also benefit, and no longer need to complete a Maritime Travel Declaration. Airlines, cruise ship operators and other countries may still have specific requirements that travellers need to comply with.
For more information on the changes to international travel requirements visit: www.homeaffairs.gov.au/covid19.
