After what has seemed an eternity, the borders are about to open up for Australian citizens and permanent residents. Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, said today that the borders will be open “within weeks”.
Here are the important points from today’s announcement:
- Seven-day home quarantine for Australian citizens and permanent residents fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved for use in Australia or recognised by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
- 14-day managed quarantine for anyone not vaccinated or vaccinated with a vaccine not approved or recognised by the TGA.
- Travel caps increased and removed for vaccinated Australians.
- States and territories to begin the program at different times given their varying vaccination rates, but are expected to commence in November
It is not clear when temporary visa holders such as student or visitor visa holders will be permitted to travel in and out of Australia.
Qantas has released its international flight schedule (below) however issued a caveat that things could change if vaccination rates rose.
- Sydney – London on November 14
- Sydney – Los Angeles on November 14
- Melbourne – London on December 18
- Melbourne – Los Angeles on December 19
- Brisbane – Los Angeles on December 19
- Sydney – Honolulu on December 20
- Sydney – Vancouver on December 18
- Sydney – Singapore on December 18
- Melbourne – Singapore on December 18
- Brisbane – Singapore on December 19
- Sydney – Tokyo on December 19
- Sydney – Fiji on December 19
An update on Monday issued by Qantas also reroutes its Melbourne to London flights through either Darwin or Singapore, due to border closures in Western Australia.
Other global airlines, including Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways have bookings for all major destinations in Europe and the US from November.
To learn more about your visa options, or to speak with one of our migration consultants, contact us today.
