COVID-19 vaccination exemptions and COVID-19 past positive medical clearances

In some circumstances, government restrictions may mean that we're unable to review requests for vaccination exemptions, even for passengers who are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, or medical clearances for passengers who are unable to provide a negative COVID-19 test result on departure due to a past positive infection.

Other countries may require prior government approval before you're permitted to enter. Once you've received their approval, send this to us along with the rest of your documents for review.

Check the following tables for more information on government requirements for travel for the countries you're travelling to or through. This information is subject to change. Check government websites frequently for the latest travel updates and requirements.

If your itinerary is for travel wholly within Australia, you don't need to submit your request for a vaccination exemption or past positive medical clearance.

Before booking and before travel, check with the relevant Australian state or territory government for their vaccination and pre-departure COVID-19 testing requirements, including any exemptions. This information may change and we recommend you check the websites regularly for any updates.

Check the relevant government websites for more information.

After you've reviewed the government requirements and confirmed that you're eligible to request a past positive medical clearance due to a past COVID-19 infection, you'll need to check you have the correct documents for travel.

1. A completed Qantas COVID-19 Past Positive Medical Clearance form [PDF], which is signed by a qualified medical practitioner and dated within 30 days of your day of departure,
   or
   a signed medical certificate that includes:
   - the day the certificate is provided (must be within 30 days of your flight departure),
   - a statement to the effect that the person has had the coronavirus known as COVID-19 but is now recovered and is not considered to be infectious,
   - the day when there was first a positive result of an accepted COVID-19 test for the coronavirus known as COVID-19 for the person,
   - a statement to the effect that, on the day the certificate is provided:
    (a) it has been at least 7 days since there was a first positive result of an accepted COVID-19 test and
    (b) if the person had symptoms of the coronavirus known as COVID-19
   the person has not had a fever, or respiratory symptoms of the coronavirus known as COVID-19, in the last 72 hours,
   
   and
2. a copy of any government approvals received, if required.

Ensure you submit the correct documentation as soon as possible before your flight, but no later than (3) business days before departure. We're prioritising requests for clearance by date of travel. 

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When you arrive at the airport on your day of departure:

• For flights to Australia, the Australian GovernmentOpens external site in a new window has advised that pre-departure tests are no longer required. 
• For flights departing Australia, we're not able to process any COVID-19 past positive medical clearances at the airport on your day of departure. Therefore, you'll need to ensure you submit all relevant documentation in advance, otherwise your request will not be considered, and you may not be able to board your flight.

After you've reviewed the government requirements and confirmed that you're eligible to request a vaccination exemption due to medical reasons, you'll need to check you have the correct documents for travel.

If you're an Australian citizen or permanent resident residing in Australia who is unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons, you'll need to provide one of the following documents:

• Immunisation History StatementOpens external site in a new window, 
• COVID-19 Digital Certificate, 
• International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate, or
• completed Qantas COVID-19 Vaccination Exemption form [PDF].

The document must be dated within four weeks of your day of departure, and clearly display your medical contraindications to COVID-19 vaccines as reported to the Australian Immunisation Register.  

If any flights in your itinerary are outside of the document validity dates, we require a new form to be submitted for those flights.

Note: Australian State Government forms eg the NSW Government COVID-19 Vaccine Medical Contraindication form, aren’t accepted.

If you're not an Australian citizen or permanent resident residing in Australia, you'll need to provide one of the following documents:

• an official government COVID-19 vaccination exemption certificate,
• a completed Qantas COVID-19 Vaccination Exemption form [PDF], or
  
• a completed medical certificate that:
  - includes your name (this must match your travel identification documents),
  - states the date of the medical consultation and is signed by a qualified medical practitioner, and
  - clearly outlines that you have a medical condition which means you cannot receive a COVID-19 vaccination (vaccination is contraindicated) and any expiry dates.

The document must be dated within four weeks of your day of departure, and clearly display your medical contraindications to COVID-19 vaccines as reported to the Australian Immunisation Register.  

Your document must be in English, or accompanied by a certified translation if it is in a language other than English. Ensure your certified translation includes the stamp or membership number of a professional translation association, and that the entire certificate is translated, not just part of it.

If any flights in your itinerary are outside of the document validity dates, we require a new form to be submitted for those flights.

If your vaccination exemption is granted, you may need to provide a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test result notification when you check in for your flight. 

Refer to the government requirements for the country you're travelling to or transiting through to see which types of pre-departure COVID-19 tests are accepted.

If you've previously had a COVID-19 infection, your pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test can show a positive result, even if you're not currently infected. If this is the case, to be approved for travel, you're required to provide evidence that you're no longer infectious. See COVID-19 past positive medical clearance.

You'll need to submit the required documentation as soon as possible but no later than (3) business days before departure.

We recommend you protect your personal information while sharing online.

1. Your proof of vaccination exemption document, and
2. a copy of any government approvals received, if applicable.

When you arrive at the airport on your day of departure, you'll need to show your negative COVID-19 test result and any supporting documentation.

We're not able to process any COVID-19 vaccination exemptions at the airport on your day of departure, therefore you'll need to ensure you submit your request in advance as per the above information. Otherwise you will not be considered exempt from the vaccination requirement and may not be able to board your flight.

Once you've submitted your documents, your request will be assessed in accordance with the relevant government COVID-19 vaccination exemption and past positive medical clearance guidelines and requirements. 

We'll then contact you to advise:

• if your request for a COVID-19 vaccination exemption or COVID-19 past positive medical clearance is accepted (pending test results if applicable), or 
• if your request isn't accepted and advise you of your options.

If your request is accepted, you may need to comply with additional government requirements and regulations both before departure and on arrival, which may include quarantine and/or COVID-19 testing. Check the relevant government websites for more information.

If you change your flights, you'll need to submit a new COVID-19 vaccination exemption or COVID-19 past positive medical clearance request.