Travel updates

New pre-departute testing requirements

All passengers travelling to the United Kingdom arriving after 4:00am (GMT) Tuesday 7 December must now take a pre-departure COVID-19 testOpens external site in a new window no more than 2 days before departure. You must show evidence of a negative result when you check in for your flight.

This applies to all passengers aged 12 years and over, regardless of vaccination status, unless you are exempt from taking the testOpens external site in a new window.

Update to red list

Nigeria will be added to the red list of countries at 4:00am (GMT) Monday 6 December. If you arrive in England after then and have been in Nigeria in the prior 10 days, you must follow red list travel requirements.

All passengers aged 2 years or older with a flight departing to the US after 12.01am (EST)  6 December (4:01pm Sydney time) are now required show a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 1 day before departure.

You'll need to ensure your testing provider can return your COVID-19 test result prior to check-in. Both PCR and Rapid Antigen Tests will be accepted, as long as your testing provider and documentation meet the requirements of the CDCOpens external site in a new window (self-administered tests may not be accepted).

See more information on flights to the United States.Opens external site in a new window

All Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) travellersOpens external site in a new window entering Singapore from 11:59pm (SGT) 6 December will be required to undergo self-administered COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Tests (ARTs) using self-procured ART kits on Days 2, 4, 5 and 6 of their arrival in Singapore. This is in addition to the supervised ARTs on Days 3 and 7.

See more information on flights to Singapore.

The Australian Government has announcedOpens external site in a new window their decision to pause the easing of travel restrictions for fully vaccinated eligible visa holders (including skilled and student cohorts, as well as humanitarian, working holiday makers and provisional family visa holders) from 1 December until 15 December 2021.

The reopening to travellers from Japan and the Republic of Korea will also be paused until 15 December.

Many countries, including Australia, are taking precautionary steps in relation to international travel until the risks of the new Omicron variant can be determined.

This is an evolving situation. Travel rules and restrictions are changing at short notice, so it’s important you stay informed before you travel and check government websites for the latest information and advice. We also recommend you check your contact details are up to date in your booking and on any government travel declarations so that health authorities can follow up with you quickly if necessary.

If you need to change your travel plans, see more information on booking changes and other options.

Travelling to Australia

If you have been in South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, or Malawi in the prior 14 days:

• Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members entering Australia must enter supervised hotel quarantine (at your own cost) for 14 days, irrespective of vaccination status. You should refer to the state or territory you're travelling to for information on managed quarantine.
• Any other travellers who have been in a country of risk in the last 14 days are not permitted to enter Australia. This includes travellers with a travel exemption or seeking to enter under a Safe Travel Zone arrangement.

From 28 November 2021, all international arrivals into New South WalesOpens external site in a new window or VictoriaOpens external site in a new window from any other country must:

• Self-isolate at their place of residence or accommodation for at least 72 hours, pending further health advice.
• Complete a COVID-19 PCR test within 24 hours of arrival, and
• Take a second COVID-19 test between the fifth and seventh day of arrival, as required by the state you are travelling to.

International arrivals into other states require 14 days of managed quarantine, and traveller cap arrangements are in place.

You may need to complete a period of self-isolation or mandatory quarantine before you can travel on to other states and territories. Check the relevant interstate requirementsOpens external site in a new window before travelling to ensure you meet any entry and quarantine requirements for your destination.

See more information from the Australian GovernmentOpens external site in a new window and State and Territory governmentsOpens external site in a new window.

Travel to the United Kingdom

Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia have been added to the UK red list. Only British or Irish nationals or those with resident rights in the UK will be permitted to enter.

For passengers who have visited any of these countries in the 10 days prior to arrival, you must:

• Take a COVID-19 test in the 3 days before you travel
• Quarantine in a managed hotel for 10 days, and take two COVID-19 tests after arrival. You must book and pay for your quarantine package before you arrive in the UK.
• Complete a passenger locator form.

For all other arrivals into the UK, before departure you must pre-book your PCR test to take on day 2 (lateral tests are no longer accepted), and isolate until you receive a negative result.

See more information on the United Kingdom Government websiteOpens external site in a new window.

Travel to other countries

Please check the government website for the country you’re travelling to or transiting through for the latest advisories and restrictions.

While flying might look a little different, particularly in the short term, we'll be helping you get travel ready through each part of your journey. Start planning your next trip with our COVID-19 travel information. 

If there are any changes to your flight as a result of border changes, we'll be in contact. We're also offering flexible options to customers affected by travel restrictions. Find out more information on options for changing your flights.

While many aspects of international travel will be the same as they were pre-COVID, some things will look a little different, particularly in the short-term.

Before booking and before you travel, ensure you check the latest airline and government travel requirements, which may include mandatory health declarations, vaccinations, pre-departure COVID-19 tests, use of face masks, entry permits, pre-approval and quarantine (possibly at your own expense), or you could be denied entry.

For more information on COVID-19 travel information, see international travel requirements.

For more information on where we're flying, see our international flight network.

Some Australian states and territories have implemented measures, including additional health and safety protocols, in response to Coronavirus that may impact your travel.

Before booking and before you travel, ensure you check the latest government travel requirements, which may include mandatory health declarations, vaccinations, use of face masks, entry permits, pre-approval and quarantine (possibly at your own expense), or you could be denied entry.

Check the latest Australian State Government travel restrictions and requirements.

Lord Howe Island is home to many unique and endemic species, some of which are found nowhere else in the world.

To ensure this unique ecosystem remains protected, if you're travelling to Lord Howe Island, you're required to complete a biosecurity pre-departure formOpens external site in a new window, and remove or declare any animal or plant matter.

For further information about Lord Howe Island, including COVID-19 requirements, visit the Lord Howe Island BoardOpens external site in a new window website.

You must have approval to enter Timor-Leste. Email the Consulate-General of Timor-Leste in Darwin or visit their Facebook page for more information. 

Before you're accepted for travel to Dili, you'll be required to undergo a COVID-19 PCR test.

• Your COVID-19 PCR test must be completed within five days of departure.
• You must have a negative result.
• You must carry a copy of your test results, either a paper copy or a digital copy (text message or email), as you may be asked to provide proof of your negative test result on departure and on arrival in Dili.

Ensure you check any entry requirements, which may include renewing your passport or applying for a visa.

Read more on the Australian Government's SmartravellerOpens external site in a new window website.

This information is subject to change and we recommend you check the website regularly for any updates.

Refer to the Government of SamoaOpens external site in a new window and Ministry of HealthOpens external site in a new window website for the latest entry requirements for Samoa, which may include renewing your passport or applying for a visa.

These requirements are subject to change and we recommend you check these sites frequently for any updates.

Requirements include:

• emailing the Samoa Health Authorities at least 21 days before travel for updated travel advice, 
  
• being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 2 weeks before your flight, 
  - if you're unable to be vaccinated due to a medical condition, email the Samoa Health Authorities with a written report from a registered medical officer stating the reason for your exemption.
• having a COVID-19 Blood Serology Antibody test within 7 days of departure (note: rapid serology tests for IgM and IgG aren’t accepted), 
• completing a Ministry of Health medical clearanceOpens external site in a new window form within 120 hours of departure,
• having a COVID-19 RT-PCR test within 72 hours of your departure with a negative result, and
• quarantining on arrival in Apia.

You'll need to present a paper copy of your COVID-19 test result, Blood Serology Antibody test, vaccination certificate and signed medical clearance on departure and on arrival in Samoa.

All international arrival and transit passengers, regardless of nationality or visa status, will need to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR-test result issued within three business days before boarding their flight to Taiwan. 

For more information check the latest travel alerts when travelling from Australia.Opens external site in a new window This information is subject to change and we recommend you check the website regularly for any updates.

• Only Tongan citizens, permanent residents and international travellers as approved by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can travel to Tonga, and you must register your interest on the Government of Tonga Repatriation RegistryOpens external site in a new window. Ensure you bring either a paper or digital copy of the approval with you to show at the airport on departure.
• To travel on a flight from Australia to Tonga, you mustn't have visited a state with any confirmed COVID-19 cases in the 14 days before your flight, and not have been in an area designated as a COVID-19 hotspot. Connections from other countries are not permitted.
• You must complete a Traveler’s Arrival Health Declaration Card and provide it to the Ministry of Health Border Control Team upon request.
• On arrival in Tonga, you’ll be required to quarantine for 21 days.

Before you're accepted for travel, you’ll be required to undergo a COVID-19 PCR test.

• Your COVID-19 PCR test must be completed within 72 hours of departure.
• You must have a negative result.
• You must carry a copy of your test results, either a paper copy or a digital copy (email or pdf), as you may be asked to provide proof of your negative test result on departure and on arrival in Nukuʻalofa.

For more information, visit the

• Government of the Kingdom of Tonga'sOpens external site in a new window website.
  
• Australian Government's SmartravellerOpens external site in a new window website.

This information is subject to change and we recommend you check the websites regularly for any updates.

Travel requirements to the European Union and other European nations will change from 1 January 2021. To prepare for your travel to Europe, visit the official UK government site Brexit TransitionOpens external site in a new window.  

Following outbreaks of measles in the region, the Solomon Islands Government has issued a Travel Advisory, requiring visitors from countries including Australia, and Solomon Islands residents travelling to Australia and other destinations, to show proof of vaccination.

To enter the Solomon Islands, you'll need to show proof you have been vaccinated against measles at least 15 days before your arrival. Bring your official vaccination record with you in your carry-on bag. Travellers without evidence of vaccination may need to undergo a medical examination.

Read more on the Australian Government's SmartravellerOpens external site website.