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International travel requirements

We're preparing for a gradual restart of international services, but travel might look a little different. Learn about the latest airline and government travel requirements, and what you need to do before you get to the airport.

Last updated: 28 November 2021
 

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Many countries are taking precautionary steps in relation to the new COVID-19 variant of concern (Omicron). See Travel Updates for more information.

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

Qantas vaccination requirements

If you're booked to travel to or from Australia on a Qantas aircraft, you'll need to be fully vaccinated at the time of travel. Some exceptions apply, including:

  • Children under 12 years of age. You don’t need to complete the Qantas COVID-19 vaccination exemption form.
  • Australian and Singaporean children (originating in Singapore) aged 12 to 17 years travelling with their fully vaccinated parents or guardians to New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory. You don’t need to complete the Qantas COVID-19 vaccination exemption form. See below for more information on requirements for travelling.
  • If you have a valid medical exemption.
  • If you're travelling on a ticket sold by Qantas for a flight operated by another airline, unless vaccination is a requirement of the operating airline or destination country.

However you should always check the requirements of the country you're travelling to, as you'll need to comply with the most stringent requirements that may apply to your trip.

You’ll need to be fully vaccinated with a TGA-approved or recognised vaccine and be provided a vaccination certificate issued by a verified source. In accordance with Australian Government guidelines, a traveller is not fully vaccinated unless at least seven full calendar days have elapsed since the last dose of vaccine in a course of immunisation. The required timeframe may be greater, depending on the country you are travelling to.

In some circumstances, you may be asked to present proof of vaccination (or exemption).

This requirement relates to flights operated by Qantas on a Qantas aircraft, including those booked via another airline or third-party travel arranger. If you're travelling on a Qantas codeshare flight which is operated by another airline on their aircraft, you'll need to contact them directly to understand and meet their requirements if applicable.

Children aged between 12 and 17

Travel to Australia

Children aged between 12 and 17 years, who aren't vaccinated or have only had one dose of a vaccine, can travel to Australia on a Qantas aircraft where they are:

  • Australian and Singaporean children travelling with their fully vaccinated parents or guardians, and
  • travelling to New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory.

You don’t need to complete the Qantas COVID-19 vaccination exemption form.

On arrival into Australia, you'll need to follow the Australian state or territory government requirements for children considered unvaccinated or partially vaccinated.

Travel from Australia

Children aged between 12 and 17 years can travel from Australia on a Qantas aircraft if they have been fully vaccinated.

  • There are no exceptions for children aged between 12 and 17 years who haven't been vaccinated or have only had one dose of a vaccine.
  • If your child has an exemption due to a medical reason, then you can then you can request a vaccination exemption to travel.

Vaccination exemptions

If you’re unable to be vaccinated for COVID-19 for medical reasons, you must provide us with an Immunisation History Statement issued by the Australian Government which displays medical contraindications to COVID-19 vaccines, or other proof such as official certification from another national government (where you’re not able to provide an Australian Immunisation History Statement which displays medical contraindications to COVID-19 vaccines), to be able to travel with us.

To travel with an approved exemption:

  • You must send the required documentation to us at least seven days before your scheduled departure for verification.
  • You will also be required to return a negative COVID-19 PCR test within three days of your scheduled departure, or as per the government guidelines of the destination country.

We're not able to process any COVID-19 vaccination exemptions or medical clearances at the airport on your day of departure, therefore you'll need to ensure you submit your request at least seven days in advance. Otherwise you may not be able to board your flight.

See more information on COVID-19 vaccination exemptions and medical clearance.

International flights

We’re preparing for a gradual restart of international services, with flights scheduled to resume from 1 November 2021 for eligible passengers including Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate families, in line with Australian Government requirements.

We'll be regularly updating information on the destinations we're flying to. See our current and upcoming routes on our international network page.

See travel requirements for flights between Australia and:

Requirements for international travel

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.

Government travel and quarantine requirements

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

Remember to also check for any other immigration requirements, including if you need to renew your passport or apply for a visa.

Travelling to Australia

You must ensure that you meet the travel requirements for each Australian State or Territory that you intend to travel to or transit through. Each jurisdiction is responsible for their own entry, quarantine and post-arrival arrangements.

You may be eligible for reduced quarantine requirements when you return to Australia depending on the state or territory you're travelling to.

From 28 November 2021, all passengers arriving into New South Wales, Victoria or the Australian Capital Territory on an international flight 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.

If you wish to travel on to another state or territory you may not be allowed to enter, or may be subject to a quarantine period.

NOTE: Australian citizens, permanent residents or their immediate family members entering Australia who have been in South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Seychelles, Mozambique, or Malawi in the last 14 days must enter quarantine for 14 days in line with state and territory requirements irrespective of their vaccination status.

 

Pre-departure COVID-19 testing

You may be required to provide proof a negative COVID-19 test prior to departure and/or pre-book tests to be taken following arrival at your destination, depending on the country you're travelling to.

We recommend you check the requirements of your destination country well before your travel date to ensure you comply with their test requirements (including approved testing providers and documentation) and allow enough time to organise your test.

If you’ve tested positive for COVID-19 within the past three months, and a negative pre-departure test is a requirement for your trip, you’ll need to provide proof of recovery from COVID-19 documentation. This must be submitted to us at least seven days before departure, and you’ll still need to have a pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test. See more information on COVID-19 past positive medical clearances.

Documentation required for travel

When you check in for your flight with us, we’ll ask you to declare that you meet all your requirements for travel, including vaccination and pre-departure testing (if applicable to your destination).

On the day of travel, you may be required to carry and show proof of:

If you're an Australian citizen or resident, you may be eligible to obtain your International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate from the Australian Government.

We're also working with IATA to facilitate use of the IATA Travel Pass for Qantas customers in the coming weeks, which will provide an easy and secure way for you to share this information with us prior to travel. We’ll provide additional information on how to use this app when it becomes available.

Additional information

Inflight and airport services

Find out about any changes to your airport and inflight experience.

Inflight and airport services changes

Booking changes

If we've cancelled your Qantas flight, or your plans have changed.

Booking changes and other options

Frequently asked questions

Find answers to some common questions about COVID-19 travel information.

See our FAQs