Travel updates

Effective from 1:00am (AEDT) Sunday 23 January 2022, the Australian GovernmentOpens external site in a new window will accept proof of a negative pre-departure test through a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) taken within 24 hours before your flight’s departure time. The test must be carried out by or under the supervision of a medical practitioner who can issue you with approved test result documentation. PCR and other NAAT tests taken within 3 days of your departure will also be accepted.

In addition, the time between receiving a positive COVID-19 test result and being able to be cleared for travel to Australia will be reduced from 14 to 7 days. This will reduce wait times for travellers who contract COVID-19 overseas to return to Australia in line with the new domestic isolation requirements.

See more information on travelling to Australia and applying for past-positive medical clearance.

In light of the sudden growth of COVID-19 cases, we’ve made some adjustments to our flying levels to better match travel demand. The schedule changes are focused on reducing frequency of services and size of aircraft to minimise inconvenience for passengers as much as possible.

• You'll be contacted directly by us or your Travel Agent from late January if your booking has been impacted by a flight cancellation.
• Please wait to hear from us or your Travel Agent before taking any action, including cancelling your flight. This will help avoid long wait times.
• When we cancel a flight, we rebook you on the next available flight to your destination (if possible), at no additional cost. Alternatively, you can choose a flight credit or a refund. You won’t be charged any change or cancellation fees.
• You should ensure your contact details are up to date in your Qantas booking or with your Travel Agent.

Read more about the announcementOpens external site.

As a result of the ongoing Omicron situation, the Indian Government has placed capacity limits on flights to and from India. Due to these requirements, we're currently reviewing our network and there may be limited or no availability at this time. 

See information on COVID-19 travel requirements for India.

Many countries 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.

India

From 11 January, the Indian Government Opens external sitewill require all passengers to undergo home quarantine for 7 days, and take a COVID-19 PCR test on day 8 of arrival into India. Some passengers may also be selected for random testing at their arrival airport.

See more information on travelling to India.

Hong Kong

The Hong Kong GovernmentOpens external site in a new window has announced tightened border control measures. Effective 8 January 2022, passenger flights from Australia, UK, US, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, and the Philippines will be banned for two weeks. 

Travellers who were recently in those countries or had transited through them will also be barred from returning to the city for two weeks.

Fiji

Effective 1 January 2022, the Fiji Government will require eligible passengers aged 12 years and above to show evidence of a negative PCR test taken no more than 2 calendar days (reduced from 3 days) prior to the scheduled day of departure. This applies to all travellers disembarking in and transiting through Fiji. In addition, all eligible travellers will now be required to take an approved Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) after 24 hours of their arrival into Fiji. See more information on travelling to Fiji.

Singapore

All Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) travellersOpens external site entering Singapore are 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.

Other countries

Check the government website for the country you're travelling to or transiting through for the latest advisories and restrictions.

Fully vaccinated passengers arriving in England after 4:00am (GMT) Friday 7 January will no longer be required to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test, or quarantine while waiting for the results of your arrival test.

For arrivals after 4:00am (GMT) Sunday 9 January, you will be able to choose to take a lateral flow test instead of a PCR test after you arrive in England. You must still book the test before you travel and complete your Passenger Locator Form. You can book lateral flow tests from 4am Friday 7 January, however you must only use a PCR test if you arrive before 9 January.

See more information on travelling to the United Kingdom.

Effective from Thursday 6 January, Norfolk Island will pause visitor arrivals to the island until Wednesday 26 January.  Only residents and essential workers will be able to obtain entry permits, and testing requirements remain in place.

This pause is to allow NIHRACS to manage the current level of COVID-19 cases in the community.

See more information on travelling to Norfolk IslandOpens external site.

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.

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 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 (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.

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 changed on 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.