Australia removes final Covid-19 travel restrictions

Those flying Down Under no longer need to show proof of vaccination

Australia dropped the last of its Covid-19 rules for visitors, about 27 months after the global pandemic began. Unsplash / Nick Dunn

Two years, three months and 25 days since the World Health Organisation first declared Covid-19 a global pandemic, Australia is removing its final coronavirus-related travel restrictions.

From Wednesday, visitors no longer need to show proof of vaccination when flying Down Under.

The last of the Covid-19 restrictions for inbound visitors have been dropped following Australia's removal of other rules put in place during the pandemic, including PCR tests for holidaymakers and mandatory quarantine periods.

“As more and more of us travel internationally and we get more confident in managing our risk of Covid, our airports are getting busier,” Clare O’Neil, Minister for Home Affairs, said.

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  The new Kalbarri Skywalk hangs over the edge of a ravine, offering startling views of a dramatic landscape. Photo: Ronan O'Connell

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  Crown Towers Sydney is the most luxurious new hotel in Australia’s biggest city. Photo: Crown Resorts

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  The Melbourne Skydeck features a glass box that scarily hangs off the side of the Eureka Tower skyscraper. Photo: Tourism Australia

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  The ultra-modern, steel-and-glass extension at the WA Museum Boola Bardip. Photo: Ronan O'Connell

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  The old colonial structure of WA Museum Boola Bardip, which houses Aboriginal and colonial history of Western Australia. Photo: Ronan O'Connell

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  The WA Museum Boola Bardip features more than 6,000 square metres of gallery space. Photo: Ronan O'Connell

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  Guests admire a koala from their room at the Taronga Wildlife Retreat. Photo: Taronga Zoo

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  The new Kaboom slide at Wet'n'Wild water park on the Gold Coast. Photo: Wet'n'Wild

“Removing these requirements will not only reduce delays in our airports but will encourage more visitors and skilled workers to choose Australia as a destination.”

“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.”

Visitors no longer have to complete a Digital Passenger Declaration or DPD to declare their Covid-19 vaccination status before entering Australia.

Face masks still required on flights to Australia

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  Returning international passengers are greeted on arrival at Perth International Airport. All photos Getty Images unless otherwise specified

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  Travellers arrive in Perth with no need to quarantine for the first time in nearly two years.

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  Western Australia Tourism representatives hand out gift baskets to arriving passengers.

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  Tears and hugs at Perth International Airport as arrivals reunite with loved ones.

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  Hard border closures in Western Australia have meant friends and family have been separated for 700 days.

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  International passengers walk through the arrivals hall at Perth International Airport on March 3 as Western Australia eases border restrictions to vaccinated visitors.

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  A joyful reunion at Perth International Airport. More than 23,000 passengers are expected to fly into Western Australia this week.

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  Tears as passengers are greeted after arriving in Perth.

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  Arriving passengers and Western Australia police officer at Perth Airport.

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  Reunions have been a long time coming for people in Perth, with the state imposing the country's strictest Covid-19 measures.

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  Qantas' first flight landed in Perth just after midnight on Thursday. Photo by Paul Kane / Getty Images

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  A West Australian Tourism representative offers a young passenger a toy Quokka on arrival at Perth International Airport Terminal. Photo by Paul Kane / Getty Images

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  Footballer Bruno Fornaroli of Perth Glory arrives back in Western Australia from Melbourne. Getty Images

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  Passengers arrive at Perth Airport's domestic terminal. AP

Current rules in place mean that tourists and visitors are no longer required to show vaccination status, complete any additional paperwork or apply for a travel exemption if they are coming to Australia and are unvaccinated.

Face masks remain mandatory for all passengers on flights to every destination across the country.

Travellers have waited patiently to return to Australia, which had some of the most stringent entry rules in place at the height of the pandemic.

The majority of the country reopened to fully vaccinated tourists in February, which led to emotional scenes at airports as families and friends were reunited after more than two years apart. A month later, it fully reopened as Western Australia became the last state to welcome tourists again.

Home to some of the world’s best beaches, unique wildlife and oldest cultures, Australia also has a new campaign designed to boost tourism to the country. Titled "Don’t Go Small. Go Australia", the tourism drive reminds visitors of all the experiences that await Down Under.

Australia is one of the largest markets for Emirates A380 superjumbo flights. Unsplash

From Dubai, Emirates has been operating to Australia for more than 25 years and the country was the third-largest destination for the airline’s double-decker A380s.

Flights between the UAE and Australia have ramped up since Covid-19 entry restrictions eased, with Emirates operating more than 40 flights per week to destinations including Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

“The uptake to Australia from the UAE and across our network has been strong, driven by pent-up demand as well as the easing of restrictions, making it easier to travel,” a representative for the Dubai airline told The National in February when borders first eased.

From Abu Dhabi, Etihad also flies to Australia with non-stop services to Melbourne and Sydney.