Australia's international Covid-19 border restrictions have been lifted for international travellers, meaning overseas arrivals no longer have to prove they have been vaccinated against the virus.
After two years of restrictions, tourists travelling to Australia no longer need to prove their vaccination status. Photo: AFP
More than two years after the pandemic began, the change marks the end of significant Covid-based restrictions on travel into Australia.
While Australian citizens were able to arrive unvaccinated, most foreign travellers needed to seek an exemption on limited grounds.
From 12.01am on Wednesday morning, those requirements were scrapped altogether, opening the international border in full to unvaccinated travellers.
Does this mean anyone can visit Australia?
No, because airlines are able to set their own vaccination rules.
Some airlines still require a vaccination certificate and some require passengers to have a negative Covid-19 test before they board.
Which airlines?
Virgin, Qantas and its budget option Jetstar all still require passengers to present a vaccination certificate in order to fly internationally.
Exceptions apply to children under 12 or those who are under 17 and under and flying with a vaccinated parent or guardian.
Some partner airlines such as Air New Zealand, Singapore Air, Emirates and American Airlines do not have the same requirements. Passengers will still be allowed on these flights even if they are booked through the Australian carriers.
What else is changing?
The Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD), which recorded passengers' vaccination status, is also being scrapped - but not forever.
It is expected the DPD system will eventually take the place of the paper international arrival cards which are filled out by anyone landing in Australia.
Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neill said the decision would allow the technology to be worked on before that change was made.
"I know anyone who has travelled internationally since the borders have opened will find this as one less thing to worry about - especially as more Australians get back to travelling overseas," she said.
"We've also listened to feedback about the DPD.
"While in time it will replace the paper-based incoming-passenger card, it needs a lot more work to make it user-friendly."
What isn't changing?
Incoming arrivals still need to comply with other Covid-19 restrictions, like wearing masks on flights bound for Australia.
- ABC
