Sarah Bennett
As of 27 October 2023, Australian citizens and permanent residents under 50 years of age who have an approved outwards travel exemption in an eligible category can access COVID-19 vaccinations. It is recommended that Australians are vaccinated before travelling overseas. However, this is not a requirement, and there is no single vaccination requirement to leave Australia. Nevertheless, certain countries may have specific vaccination requirements for entry, and it is important to plan ahead and consult with a doctor or travel clinic for advice on travel vaccines. Additionally, passengers travelling to Australia must provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure and may have to comply with other state and territory travel restrictions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vaccination requirements for leaving Australia | No mandatory vaccination requirements for leaving Australia |
| Vaccination requirements for entering Australia | Vaccination requirements vary depending on the country of origin. However, passengers travelling to Australia must provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure and may have to comply with other state and territory travel restrictions. |
| Australian citizens and permanent residents | Under 50 years of age and with an approved outwards travel exemption in an eligible category can access COVID-19 vaccinations. |
| Australian citizens and permanent residents under 50 without an approved exemption | Cannot leave Australia due to COVID-19 restrictions unless they have an exemption for specific reasons, such as responding to the COVID-19 outbreak or providing aid. |
| Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) | Australians must report their vaccination status to AIR, and those with medical contraindications must provide proof to be exempted from vaccination requirements when travelling. |
| Travel vaccinations | Travellers are recommended to consult with their doctors or travel medicine specialists to determine the necessary vaccinations for their destination, including Hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera, and more. |
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What You'll Learn
Leaving Australia: COVID-19 vaccination requirements
As of 27 October 2023, Australian citizens and permanent residents under 50 years of age who have an approved outwards travel exemption in an eligible category can access COVID-19 vaccinations. The Australian government strongly prefers that its citizens are vaccinated before travelling overseas. The eligible categories for outward travel exemption include reasons such as travel being a part of the response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including the provision of aid.
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you cannot leave Australia due to COVID-19 restrictions unless you have an exemption. You can apply for an exemption online, but you must meet at least one of the eligible categories. You must provide evidence to support your claims.
To be considered fully vaccinated for travel to and from Australia, you must have completed a course of a vaccine approved or recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). This includes mixed doses, as long as all vaccines are approved or recognised by the TGA. At least seven days must have passed since the final dose of the vaccine for you to be considered fully vaccinated.
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident departing Australia, you need to show evidence of a medical contraindication reported to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) for all COVID-19 vaccines available in Australia. As proof, you can provide your Australian COVID-19 digital certificate or your immunisation history statement. If you cannot provide evidence of a medical contraindication, you will need to apply for an exemption to leave Australia.
In addition to vaccination requirements, passengers travelling from Australia must be tested for COVID-19 72 hours or less before their scheduled flight departure and display evidence of a negative test result at check-in.
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Travel exemptions for Australian citizens
As of 27 October 2023, Australian citizens and permanent residents under 50 years of age who have an approved outwards travel exemption in an eligible category can access COVID-19 vaccinations. The Australian government strongly prefers that its citizens are vaccinated before travelling abroad. Travel exemptions must be granted on or after 20 May 2021 for reasons such as travel being part of the response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including the provision of aid. If you have a travel exemption granted for eligible reasons before 20 May 2021 and have not left Australia, you can submit a new travel exemption request.
To be eligible for a vaccination before travelling, you must upload all relevant documents and state your wish to be vaccinated before travelling. You must also provide evidence to support your claims. Requests may be finalised without further consideration if insufficient evidence is provided.
Passengers travelling to Australia must be tested for COVID-19 within 72 hours before their scheduled flight departure and display evidence of a negative test result at check-in. Vaccination against COVID-19 does not change the requirement for mandatory quarantine for 14 days at the port of arrival. Travellers may also have to comply with other state and territory travel restrictions.
From 1 November 2021, the parents of adult Australian citizens, permanent residents, or New Zealand citizens usually resident in Australia are considered immediate family members and qualify for a travel exemption from the current travel restrictions. However, the vaccination restriction still applies, and parents must prove they have been fully vaccinated.
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Vaccination costs
Vaccinations are an important part of protecting your health when travelling overseas. While some countries require proof of immunisation for certain infectious diseases before entry, other countries may require you to be vaccinated upon arrival if you do not have the required vaccinations. It is important to plan ahead and check whether you need any vaccinations before travelling internationally.
The cost of vaccinations in Australia depends on the vaccination and where you buy them. Many vaccines are free under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) if you have Medicare. However, some travel vaccines may not be covered by the NIP, and you will need to purchase them. The vaccine information found online should be used as a guide only, and it is recommended that you consult your doctor or travel health clinic for advice on travel vaccines and costs.
Some common vaccine-preventable diseases caught by travellers include cholera, hepatitis A, influenza, Japanese encephalitis, and typhoid. Hepatitis A is common in parts of India, Africa, Asia, South and Central America, and the Middle East, where there is poor sanitation and limited access to clean water. Cholera is also found in similar areas with poor water and waste facilities. Influenza is the most common vaccine-preventable disease caught by travellers. Japanese encephalitis is a serious disease spread by mosquitoes in Asia and the Torres Strait region of Australia. Typhoid is common in parts of India, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, where sanitation and access to clean water are limited.
It is recommended that you get travel vaccinations 4-6 weeks before your trip to give them time to take effect and provide you with the required protection. You can check the costs of vaccinations with your doctor, as some clinics may charge a fee for the consultation and vaccination service. Additionally, only authorised yellow fever vaccination centres can give yellow fever vaccinations and certification.
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Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations
Australia has implemented various measures to control the COVID-19 outbreak, including restricting the movement of its citizens and permanent residents. Australian citizens and permanent residents under 50 years of age who have an approved outwards travel exemption in an eligible category are now able to access COVID-19 vaccinations. However, it is not mandatory to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to leave Australia. Instead, the Australian government strongly prefers that its citizens are vaccinated before travelling abroad.
To be eligible for vaccination before travelling, your exemption must be granted on or after the specified dates (8 June 2021 or 20 May 2021, depending on the source). If your exemption was granted before these dates and you have not left Australia, you can submit a new travel exemption request, stating your wish to be vaccinated before travelling.
While COVID-19 vaccination is not mandatory for leaving Australia, certain countries may require proof of immunisation for specific diseases, such as cholera, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever, before granting entry. Hepatitis A is a common vaccine-preventable disease contracted by travellers. It is a liver disease spread by contaminated food and water, prevalent in regions with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water. The Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends that travellers receive the hepatitis A vaccine, especially if travelling to areas where hepatitis A is common. This vaccine can be administered at any time before, after, or simultaneously with other vaccines relevant to international travel.
The combination hepatitis A/typhoid vaccine was previously available for individuals aged 16 years and older travelling to regions with a high risk of both diseases. However, this combination vaccine has been discontinued. Now, travellers can receive separate hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines. The typhoid vaccine is recommended for children aged 2 years and older and adults travelling to typhoid-endemic regions, where food hygiene and drinking water treatment may be suboptimal.
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Cholera vaccination
Australia has implemented various requirements for travellers entering and leaving the country, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While there are no specific cholera vaccination requirements for leaving Australia, the country maintains a strong preference for citizens to be vaccinated before travelling overseas. This is primarily to protect the health of travellers and prevent the spread of diseases like cholera upon their return.
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, which is usually transmitted through contaminated food and water. It has an incubation period of 12 hours to 5 days, during which individuals may unknowingly spread the bacteria in their faeces. While most cases of cholera are mild or moderate, severe dehydration can occur in some instances and even lead to death if untreated. As such, cholera vaccination is recommended for individuals at higher risk of infection, including humanitarian disaster workers and travellers with certain medical conditions.
The cholera vaccine is an oral formulation that provides protection against severe cholera for up to 2 years. It is recommended for children aged 2 years and above, with specific dosage instructions depending on age. For children aged 2 to 6 years, the recommended dosage is 3 doses of the inactivated oral vaccine or a single dose of the live attenuated oral vaccine. For adults and children over 6 years, a booster dose is suggested 6 months to 2 years after the primary course. It is important to note that the cholera vaccines available in Australia do not protect against the Vibrio cholerae serogroup O139.
The cholera vaccine is not funded under Australia's National Immunisation Program or by state and territory governments. Individuals seeking the vaccine can obtain it from travel clinics or consult their GP. It is advised to consult a healthcare professional 6 to 12 weeks before travelling to determine the necessary vaccinations and ensure adequate protection against cholera and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
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Frequently asked questions
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you must be vaccinated to leave Australia. However, there are some exemptions, such as if you are under 50 years of age and have an approved outwards travel exemption in an eligible category.
You are considered fully vaccinated for leaving Australia if you have completed a course of a vaccine approved or recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). This includes mixed doses of approved vaccines. At least 7 days must have passed since the final dose.
If you cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, you will need to apply for an exemption to leave Australia. You will need to provide proof that you meet Australia's definition of having a valid reason not to be vaccinated.
You will need to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of your departure. You may also need to comply with other state and territory travel restrictions, such as mandatory quarantine upon arrival.
