Sarah Bennett
As of July 2022, Australia has opened its borders to unvaccinated travellers. However, some airlines such as Qantas, Virgin, and Jetstar still require passengers to present a vaccination certificate to fly internationally. Qantas, for example, requires all passengers on international flights to be fully vaccinated, with some exceptions for children and medical exemptions. Emirates and Singapore Airlines have also stated that their services to Sydney are designated for eligible passengers only, implying those who are fully vaccinated. On the other hand, airlines such as Singapore Air, Emirates, American Airlines, and Air New Zealand do not have the same requirements and will allow passengers on board even if they are unvaccinated. Additionally, travellers to Australia are required to submit an Australian Travel Declaration at least 72 hours before departure, which collects contact details, flight information, quarantine requirements, and health status.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Qantas Requirement | Qantas requires all passengers to be fully vaccinated to travel on their flights. There are medical exemptions available. |
| Sydney Airport Requirement | The Sydney Airport does not require passengers to be vaccinated. |
| Other Airlines | Virgin, Jetstar, Singapore Air, Emirates, American Airlines, and Air New Zealand do not require vaccination for international flights. |
| Domestic Flights | Qantas does not require vaccination for domestic flights. |
| International Arrivals | Quarantine requirements are scrapped for fully vaccinated international arrivals. |
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What You'll Learn
Qantas requires vaccination for international flights
As of July 19, 2022, Qantas no longer requires passengers flying on international flights to have a valid COVID-19 vaccination. This change was made following the Australian government's decision to remove the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for visitors arriving in the country. Qantas had previously stated that it intended to keep a passenger vaccination mandate for international flights, even if the Australian government dropped its vaccine rules.
Qantas had announced that, starting from November 15, 2021, it would require all its frontline employees, including cabin crew and airport workers, to be fully vaccinated. All other employees were required to be fully vaccinated by March 31, 2022.
Prior to the Australian government's decision to remove the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for visitors, Qantas required all passengers on international flights to be fully vaccinated. This included both foreign passport holders and Australian citizens. There were some exceptions for children and medical exemptions. Passengers who were not vaccinated by choice were advised to choose another airline.
It is important to note that while Qantas has removed the vaccination requirement for passengers on international flights, the airline still has other COVID-19 related requirements in place. For example, masks are still required on all flights to Australia, and passengers are advised to familiarize themselves with the specific regulations before flying. Additionally, Qantas continues to offer incentives for fully vaccinated frequent flyers, such as discounts or extra frequent flyer points.
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Sydney Airport doesn't require vaccination
As of July 2022, some airlines still require vaccination certificates for passengers. Qantas, Virgin, and Jetstar are some of the airlines that require passengers to present a vaccination certificate to fly internationally. However, it is important to note that these requirements are specific to each airline and do not reflect the rules of Sydney Airport itself.
Sydney Airport, located in New South Wales (NSW), does not require incoming passengers to be vaccinated. Unvaccinated travellers are treated the same as vaccinated passengers upon arrival at the airport. However, this does not exempt unvaccinated individuals from following other COVID-19 protocols, such as providing a negative COVID-19 test result or adhering to quarantine requirements.
While Sydney Airport itself does not mandate vaccination, specific airlines operating within the airport may have their own policies. For example, Qantas initially required passengers on both domestic and international flights to be vaccinated. However, as of May 2022, there were reports that Qantas no longer had a vaccination mandate for domestic flights within Australia. It is always advisable to check the latest information and requirements directly with the airline you plan to travel with.
Additionally, while Sydney Airport doesn't require vaccination, local regulations and restrictions within Sydney and NSW may vary based on vaccination status. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, certain freedoms and easing of restrictions were granted to fully vaccinated individuals in NSW, such as regional travel and access to various venues and services. Therefore, while the airport itself doesn't require vaccination, your overall experience in Sydney and NSW may be impacted by your vaccination status.
In summary, Sydney Airport does not require incoming passengers to be vaccinated. However, specific airlines operating within the airport may have their own vaccination requirements for international or even domestic flights. Additionally, local regulations and restrictions within Sydney and NSW may grant certain freedoms to fully vaccinated individuals. Therefore, it is important to stay informed about both airline policies and local guidelines when planning your travel to Sydney.
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Exemptions for children and medical reasons
Exemptions from mandatory vaccination in Australia are available for children and medical reasons.
Children
Children under 12 are considered fully vaccinated for the purposes of travel. Children under 12 travelling unaccompanied will be permitted to travel if unvaccinated. Children under 6 are exempt from the mask-wearing requirement, although that age limit may be raised to 12 on flights to and from the US.
Medical Exemptions
An authorised medical exemption is required to be exempt from mandatory vaccination. This must be certified by an authorised medical practitioner and may be permanent or temporary. Temporary exemptions can be granted in circumstances such as acute major medical illness, significant immunocompromise of short duration, receipt of blood products, or pregnancy.
Leaving Australia
Unvaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents wishing to travel overseas must apply for an exemption unless they are children under 12 or cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. They must meet at least one of the following criteria: their travel is part of the response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including the provision of aid; they are moving to another country long-term; or they have a letter from a doctor or hospital about any medical treatment/condition with statements on why travel is necessary.
Returning to Australia
Australian citizens and permanent residents do not need an exemption to return to Australia.
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Virgin allows unvaccinated travellers
As of July 2022, Australia has opened its borders to unvaccinated travellers. However, specific requirements may be set by airlines, vessel operators, and other countries. Qantas, for example, requires travellers to be fully vaccinated to fly with them. They offer medical exemptions for those who are unable to be vaccinated.
Virgin Australia, on the other hand, allows unvaccinated travellers. However, passengers booked through Australian carriers like Virgin may still be allowed on flights operated by partner airlines that do not require vaccination certificates, such as Singapore Air, Emirates, American Airlines, and Air New Zealand.
It is important to note that individual Australian states may have their own regulations regarding unvaccinated travellers. For example, the state of New South Wales requires unvaccinated flight crew arriving from overseas to self-isolate for 14 days or until they depart Australia. Thus, it is crucial to check the specific rules and regulations of your chosen airline, as well as the state you are travelling to, before planning your trip to Sydney.
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PCR tests required for some flights
While the Australian government does not require a negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR test result to enter the country, airlines, transit countries, and your destination country may. These requirements are subject to change, so it is essential to check the latest information before your trip.
For example, Qantas requires all passengers on international flights to be fully vaccinated, with some exceptions for children and medical exemptions. However, Qantas does not require vaccination for domestic flights within Australia. On the other hand, Virgin Australia allows unvaccinated passengers on both domestic and international flights.
The cost of PCR tests can vary depending on the clinic and the country in which the test is administered. In Australia, PCR tests for travel are typically conducted at pathology clinics and can range from $140 to $300. In some cases, the cost of PCR tests can add a significant expense to family travel plans.
It is important to note that even if you are vaccinated, you may still be required to take a PCR test before your flight. This is because vaccinated individuals can still contract and spread COVID-19, albeit with milder symptoms. Additionally, false positives are possible, which could prevent you from boarding your flight even if you have followed all the necessary procedures.
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Frequently asked questions
Qantas requires all passengers to be fully vaccinated to travel on their aircraft. However, there are medical exemptions available. If you are unvaccinated, you will have to choose another airline, such as Virgin or Japanese Airlines.
Yes, you will need to show proof of double vaccination and a negative PCR test before boarding your flight.
Yes, there are some restrictions in place for unvaccinated people in Sydney. For example, only vaccinated people are allowed to access non-critical retail and hospitality venues.
