Australia International Border Reopening Update: It’s Opened for Australians, but Not International Tourists
October 2021 began with great news by the Australian Government, who officially announced the steps for a safe Australia International border reopening. The Australian Government has been finalizing plans to let Australian families reunite, let Australian workers travel, and eventually welcome the tourists back.
The plans go in line with the Covid-19 vaccination rollout, which is getting higher each week. As per the announcement in September 2021, the Australian Government will fully lift the travel restrictions on Australian citizens and PRs in November once the country hit an 80% rate of Covid-19 vaccination rollout.
Find more details below.
National Plan for Australia International Border Reopening
As a response to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Australian Government put forward a National Plan to transition Australia’s National Covid-19 Response. The National Plan focuses on community transmission suppression and post-vaccination settings aimed at preventing major illness, hospitalisation, and fatality, as well as public health management of other infectious illnesses. Additionally, the Australian Government uses the National Plan as a measurement in planning the Australia International border reopening. There are four phases in the National Plan, namely:
- Phase A – Current Phase: Vaccinate, Prepare and Pilot;
- Phase B – Vaccination Transition Phase;
- Phase C – Vaccination Consolidation Phase;
- Phase D – Final Post-Vaccination Phase.
If the Covid-19 Vaccination rollout in Australia reaches 70% for two doses, the country can move from Phase A to Phase B. Then, if the Covid-19 Vaccination rollout in Australia reaches 80% and more, the country can move from Phase B to Phase C.
Read more: Australians Might Be Able To Travel Outbound In November, UK Will Be The First Route
Who can Travel In and Out Australia?
Referring to the update in September 2021, the Australian Government will let Australian citizens and PRs access the Australia International Border reopening first. The Australian citizens and PR are expected to fly in and out of the country in November 2021 or at the end of 2021.
Then, on 5 October 2021, the Australian Government updated that they will prioritise the return of skilled workers and the international students stranded overseas.
On 11 October 2021, the Prime Minister mentioned that the international travel will be opened on 01 November 2021 for the New South Wales citizens who already completed their Covid-19 vaccination, because as per 10 October 2021, 82.2 per cent of Australian citizens and PRs have received their first dose, and 61.9 per cent of Australian citizens and PRs have fully vaccinated.
The Australian Government did not give an exact date of when they will let international tourists enter the country, but they expect in 2022, they can welcome the tourists.
Read more: Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) holders will be eligible for Travel Exemptions
Proposed Quarantine Procedure for Australia International Border Reopening
Regarding the preparation of Australia International border reopening, two Australian states, New South Wales and South Australia, are running home quarantine pilots. Once the home quarantine pilots are completed, it is expected that other states and territories who are ready to roll out:
- Seven-day home quarantine for fully vaccinated Australian citizens and PRs, with vaccine approved or recognized by the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration);
- Fourteen days managed quarantine for those not vaccinated or vaccinated with the non-approved or non-recognized vaccine by the TGA.
Currently, there are four vaccines are approved and recognised by the TGA, namely:
- Pfizer (Comirnaty),
- AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria),
- Moderna (Spikevax), and
- COVID‐19 Vaccine Janssen.
The TGA will continue reviewing other vaccines used worldwide, aiming to determine wider ‘recognized vaccines’.
Read more: New Face For Australia International Border: DPD (Digital Passenger Declaration) Will Come In Effect
What does it mean to you?
People around the world have been waiting for the Australia international border reopening. With the updated announcement, it is possible for you to travel in and out of Australia soon in November 2021, which means you might be able to reunite with your family before Christmas this year.
However, remember that we need to work together to get into the 80% rate of Covid-19 vaccination rollout to make this step come true.
Excited about the Australia International Border Reopening?
We are sure the Australia international border reopening must be exciting for everyone around the world now! After being stuck onshore or offshore, now we can see a bright step to have an international trip.
We fully understand that applying for a visa to Australia is certainly very complicated. It is even more challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our visa specialists at ONEderland Consulting will help you assess your visa options. We have a 98% success rate and are one of Australia’s most highly recommended migration agents. Read our 4.9* score customer reviews.
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Take the first step and get in touch with us. Our team members are professional, honest and speak various languages such as Mandarin/ Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia, Arabic, Japanese, Polish, German and Russian. Contact us through email at visa@onederland.com.au or via phone on 1300 827 159. Alternatively, you may book your consultation online, and it is 100% refundable if you become our client.
