The Prime Minister has announced on 7 February 2022 that Australia’s borders will open to all fully vaccinated visa holders from 21 February 2022 onwards without the need to apply for an inward travel exemption.
Currently, holders of eligible visas may enter Australia without applying for a travel exemption, but the rule announced by the PM will extend this benefit to all fully vaccinated visa holders to Australia. Australia’s definition of fully vaccinated does not include a booster-shot at the moment, and still only requires two doses of a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved or recognized COVID-19 vaccination (Moderna, Astra-Zeneca, Pfizer, etc.), or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Visa holders who are not fully vaccinated will still be required to apply for a travel exemption to enter Australia and will be subject to the relevant quarantine guidelines of each state/territory.
The new change in policy marks an important step in the roadmap to the reopening of Australia in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and will aim to boost both Australia’s economic recovery and the tourism industry.
For more information, please refer to the Prime Minister’s press release of the announced policy changes. Additionally, keep up to date with the Government’s website for updates to the definition of fully vaccinated.
