COVID-19 vaccination exemptions and COVID-19 past positive medical clearances
What you need to know before you arrive at the airport.
Last updated: 21 August 2023
This information is subject to change. Check government websites frequently for the latest travel updates.
Many countries have introduced entry requirements in relation to COVID-19, which may include being fully vaccinated and/or providing proof of a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test result prior to travel.
If you're unable to meet these requirements, you may still be able to travel with us under certain circumstances.
We no longer require customers to submit their vaccination exemption and past positive medical clearance requests via email in advance. Just present your certificates with your other travel documents to the airport team at check-in.
What you need to do before you fly
Make sure you have all the required forms and supporting documents
Present your documents to the airport team at check-in
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If your itinerary includes travel with another airline, or Qantas codeshare flights which are operated by another airline on their aircraft, you'll need to contact them directly to understand and meet their requirements.
As per government guidelines, you may be required to wear a mask in the airport or for the duration of your flight. If you're unable to wear a mask, ensure you present a signed medical certificate at check-in, when boarding and on request by airport or airline staff.
Before booking and before departure, check the government requirements for all countries that you're travelling to, and transiting through, to ensure you meet their conditions of entry, including any vaccination and pre-departure COVID-19 testing requirements. You must comply with the most stringent requirements.
Remember to also check your departure country's requirements for return travel.
When exemptions or past positive medical clearances aren't permitted due to government restrictions or when government approval is required
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. Present this approval with the rest of your travel documents at check-in.
Travel requirements by country
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, and may not be up-to-date. Check government websites frequently for the latest travel updates and requirements.
This information is based on an Australian citizen or permanent resident travelling to or from Australia. If you're a citizen or resident of another country, check the government requirements as they may be different.
Travel within Australia
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.
Travel to other countries
Check the relevant government websites for more information.
1. Check which documents are required
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.
Australian citizens and permanent residents
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 provided for those flights.
Note: Australian State Government forms eg the NSW Government COVID-19 Vaccine Medical Contraindication form, aren’t accepted.
Non-Australian citizens or permanent residents
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.
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 provided for those flights.
2. Pre-departure COVID-19 test
Even with a vaccination exemption, 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.
3. At the airport
When you arrive at the airport on your day of departure, you'll need to show your
- proof of vaccination exemption document,
- a copy of any government approvals received, if applicable, and
- negative COVID-19 test result and any supporting documentation, if applicable.
If you only have electronic copies of your documents, we recommend you carry a printed copy with you to use throughout your trip.
If you're previously had COVID-19, you may need a past positive medical clearance to fly, depending in the relevant government requirements.
If you've previously had a COVID-19 infection and:
- If you're not required to have a pre-departure COVID-19 test due to having had COVID-19 in the past, you need to provide evidence that you're no longer infectious to be approved for travel.
- If you're required to have a pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test even though you've had COVID-19 in the past, your result may show positive even if you're not currently infected. To be approved for travel, you need to provide evidence that you're no longer infectious.
If you have a pre-departure Rapid Antigen test (RAT), and you test positive, you won't be able to travel. Note: not all countries will accept a pre-departure RAT; check the relevant government guidelines for pre-departure testing requirements.
1. Check which documents are required
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.
You need to provide:
- 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 - a copy of any government approvals received, if required.
Your documents must be in English, or accompanied by a certified translation if they are 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 completed and provided for those flights.
2. At the airport
When you arrive at the airport on your day of departure, present your COVID-19 medical certificate to the airport team when checking in for your flight along with your other travel documents.
If you only have electronic copies of your documents, we recommend you carry a printed copy with you to use throughout your trip.