Australia will once again welcome tourists to its shores from February 21, 2022. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the country's strict travel regulations would be lowered to fully vaccinated visitors. Australia's borders have been closed for nearly 2 years as part of the country's COVID-19 travel restrictions. Morrison emphasized the importance of this move, stating that it would contribute to driving Australia back to a position of as much normality as possible.

Australia Reopens Borders to Vaccinated Visitors

• The reopening of Australia's borders comes after nearly 2 years of strict travel restrictions due to COVID-19.
• Starting from February 21, 2022, fully vaccinated tourists, business travelers, and other visitors will be able to enter Australia without needing an exemption from the travel ban.
• Prime Minister Scott Morrison sees this step as a sensible and important move towards restoring normalcy in the country.

This announcement brings hope for the tourism industry and signals a positive step forward in the nation's recovery from the pandemic. Australia, known for its stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife, has been eagerly awaiting the return of international visitors. With the relaxation of travel regulations for vaccinated individuals, the country aims to strike a balance between safeguarding public health and revitalizing its tourism sector.

Entry Requirements for Australia's Reopened Borders: What Visitors Must Know

When Australia opens its borders to tourists on February 21, visitors will need to have certain important items to be able to enter.

The key item is a vaccination certificate. All travelers entering Australia must be fully vaccinated.

Exceptions to Vaccination Requirement

There are exceptions for the following:

• Children under 12
• Children aged 12-17 traveling with a vaccinated adult (certain states only)
• People who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons and have a medical certificate to prove it

Some Australian states and territories may have additional entry requirements related to COVID-19.

Entry Requirements for International Travelers

As with pre-pandemic travel, the majority of international travelers need one of the following to authorize their trip to Australia:

• Australia ETA
• Australia eVisitor Visa
• Embassy-issued Australian visa

The type that is required depends on the passenger’s nationality. For example, EU and UK citizens must apply online for the handy eVisitor Visa, while Americans, Canadians, and various others have to register via the internet for an ETA.

On the other hand, nationals of various other countries are not eligible to use these convenient online services and must instead go to an Australian diplomatic mission.

Understanding the Definition of "Fully Vaccinated" in Australia

According to Australia's Department for Home Affairs, travelers planning to enter the country must meet specific vaccination requirements. To be considered fully vaccinated, individuals must have completed a full course of one of the approved vaccines recognized by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

The approved vaccines are as follows:

1. AstraZeneca
2. Bharat
3. Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) - single dose
4. Moderna
5. Novavax
6. Pfizer/BioNTech
7. Sinovac
8. Sinopharm (for individuals under 60 years of age upon arrival in Australia)
9. Sputnik

Except for the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine, which only requires a single dose, all the approved vaccines are administered in two doses. Children under the age of 12 are considered fully vaccinated for travel purposes.

The Department for Home Affairs has made provisions for individuals who are unable to receive vaccinations due to medical reasons. Such individuals will be granted access to the same travel arrangements as fully vaccinated individuals.

It's important to note that each state and territory within Australia has the authority to implement their own additional restrictions. For example, in Victoria, Premier Daniel Andrews has stated that international visitors must have received three doses of an approved vaccine.

Australia's Border Closure: Is the End in Sight?

Throughout the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Australia has implemented some of the strictest border control measures in the world. With the primary objective of slowing the spread of the virus and saving lives, the Australian government took decisive actions to restrict travel to and from the country.

Stringent Border Closure

On March 20, 2020, Australia closed its borders to non-citizens and non-residents, effectively sealing off the country from international travelers. The Prime Minister emphasized that the top priority was to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

Travel Bans for Australians

In addition to the closure of international borders, Australian citizens were also prohibited from traveling abroad. To leave the country, they had to seek an exemption from the government.

Gradual Reopening

Towards the end of 2021, Australia embarked on a phased approach to reopen its borders. The initial step involved allowing immediate family members of Australian citizens and permanent residents to apply for exemptions to enter the country. However, these travelers were still subject to quarantine rules set by each state and territory. This change came into effect in October 2021.

Partial Opening for Visa Holders

By December 15, 2021, Australia partially opened its borders to several categories of visa holders, which included international students and temporary graduate visa holders.

Complete Border Reopening

Finally, on February 7, 2022, the Australian government announced the full reopening of its borders. Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews stated that the decision aimed to protect the health of Australians while simultaneously working towards economic recovery.

Conclusion

The decision to reopen Australia's borders marks a significant milestone in the country's response to the pandemic. It signifies a move towards normality, allowing for increased travel and economic activity, while still prioritizing the health and safety of its citizens.