PM announces plans to open Australia’s international border

The Australian Government is finalising plans to safely reopen Australia’s international border next month.

As Australia approaches 80 per cent vaccination rate, the government is preparing to remove the current overseas travel restrictions related to COVID-19.

This will allow fully vaccinated Australians to travel overseas, subject to any other travel advice and destination border restrictions. It will also assist Australians overseas to return to Australia.

The new arrangement will follow the completion of home quarantine trials in New South Wales and South Australia. It's anticipated that states and territories that are ready to do so will establish seven-day home quarantine for Australian citizens and permanent residents. This will only be available to those who are fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved for use in Australia or ‘recognised’ by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

The TGA has today announced that two additional vaccines (Coronavac (Sinovac) and Covishield (AstraZeneca/Serum Institute of India) should be considered as ‘recognised vaccines’ for the purpose of determining incoming international travellers as being appropriately vaccinated.

The recognition of these vaccines is a major milestone towards more Australians vaccinated overseas getting home sooner.

To maximise the number of Australians who can return home, the government is also offering facilitated flights into any state or territory that agrees to commence seven-day home quarantine trials for returning Australians.