COVID-19 vaccinations and overseas travel

31 March, 2022   By: Susan Gough Henly

Note: Details correct as at 25 April 2022. Please check with your travel provider for the latest updates.

The rules and regulations relating to international travel are constantly changing. And while many rules have been loosened recently, there are still COVID-19-related protocols in place around the world.

It is essential to constantly check the latest requirements for travel to your chosen destination and your return to Australia. Using a registered travel agent will make this easier as they deal with travel’s changing requirements on a daily basis.

Here’s what you need to know.

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Proof of vaccination and exemptions

To travel internationally without needing an exemption you must show your International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate (ICVC) at airline check-in when departing Australia and before you board your return flight to Australia. You can create your ICVC on your myGov account. It will be provided in PDF format for electronic storage on your phone and for printing.

Children 12 and over must be vaccinated while those under 12 travelling with vaccinated family members will be treated as vaccinated. Children’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements are still evolving and vary between countries so do your research or ask your travel agent before you book your flights.

Travellers are advised to get vaccine booster shots to strengthen their immunity, however this is not currently mandatory.

Testing requirements

From 17 April 2022, a negative pre-departure test to enter Australia was no longer required by the Federal Government. Currently, many flights out of Australia require proof of a negative COVID-19 test provided by a laboratory for everyone including children five years of age and older. The timing requirements for this test depend on the requirements of your destination.

Safe2Travel offers standard PCR tests (with results at 9am the next day) as well as rapid LAMP PCR tests and certified RAT tests (both with results in 90 minutes) on the ground floor of the T1 terminal at Perth Airport.

A negative PCR test result certificate will still be valid if your flight is delayed, however if the flight is re-scheduled or cancelled, you’ll need to take a new test within the required timeframe before the new flight. 

If you’ve recovered from COVID, your PCR test may still detect fragments of the virus so, if you’ve had COVID recently you will also need to get a fit-to-fly certificate from a medical practitioner.

Carry several printed copies (they do not need to be notarised) of both your ICVC and negative PCR test results, since you can’t always rely on digital technology while you’re on the road.

If you're not fully vaccinated against COVID-19, understand that the risks might be different for you. Apply for an exemption to travel before you plan any further. You may face more difficulty finding flights. International passenger caps still apply to unvaccinated travellers. Airlines may have a vaccination policy that prevents you from flying with them.

The requirements of some of the most popular destinations for Western Australians vary widely. Here are some guidelines.

Singapore

All fully vaccinated travellers (and accompanying unvaccinated children aged 12 and below) will be able to enter the Singapore quarantine-free via any flight from 1 April 2022. Up to 72 hours before arrival in Singapore, complete the electronic SG Arrival Card (SGAC) by submitting your pre-trip health and travel history details and Digitally verifiable vaccination certificate (DVC), i.e. vaccination certificate with a QR code. All travellers above the age of two must show a negative result from a PCR test or professionally administered RAT test taken within two days before departure. Install and activate the TraceTogether mobile app upon arrival. If you had tested positive for COVID-19 between 7 and 90 days before your date of departure for Singapore, you must produce a valid COVID-19 positive certificate and proof of recovery to qualify for the Vaccinated-Recovered Traveller Protocol (refer to the VR Protocol Checklist). All travellers must have travel insurance that has a minimum coverage of S$30,000 for any COVID-19 medical costs. Travellers do not need a pre-departure test to transit through Singapore.

More information on vaccination requirements for Singapore.

Bali (Indonesia)

You must be vaccinated with a minimum of two COVID-19 vaccine doses. Partially vaccinated 12-17-year-olds may be required to complete vaccinations by local authorities while in quarantine. Children under 12 travelling with their vaccinated parents do not need to be vaccinated. Travellers must have a printed negative result from a PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure from Australia and then take a PCR test on arrival at the airport and await test results in your hotel room. You must have proof of a three-consecutive-night booking at certified hotel accommodation. You may have to take another COVID test on day three at the hotel if you got a positive test result on arrival. To enter Bali, you must have travel insurance with COVID medical coverage of at least US$25,000. If you test positive for COVID-19, you’ll be taken to a central isolation quarantine facility or hospital for treatment at your own expense. You may be unable to leave Indonesia until you’re cleared or have recovered.

Latest travel regulations for Bali.

New Zealand

As part of its five-phase border re-opening plan, fully vaccinated Australians will be able to enter New Zealand without the need to quarantine starting on 13 April. Children 16 years and younger and those with medical exemptions do not need to have proof of vaccination. All Australians travelling to New Zealand must complete a Traveller Declaration and be issued with a Traveller Pass which you must show at check-in and on arrival in New Zealand. It declares positive vaccination status (required for all non-New Zealand citizens), pre-departure testing undertaken and willingness to undergo required testing after arrival. Travellers must have a negative result from a standard PCR test taken no more than 48 hours before departure or from supervised RAT or rapid (LAMP) PCR test taken no more than 24 hours before departure. All travellers are required to take a RAT test on day 0/1 and day 5/6. These are provided on arrival at the airport with information on what to do and how to report results. The New Zealand Government is moving away from using the My Vaccine Passport and, from 5 April 2022, it will no longer be required.

More information on vaccination  and testing requirements for New Zealand.

UK

The United Kingdom is one of the first major economies to remove all COVID-19 restrictions as part of a Living with COVID Plan. On 18 March, the UK government removed all restrictions on international travellers entering the United Kingdom. There is now no requirement to be vaccinated, no requirement to complete a passenger locator form and no requirement to take any COVID tests before or after arrival. If you get COVID, there is also no self-isolation requirement.

More information on travel to the UK.

Italy

Australians may now enter Italy without the need to quarantine. Fill out a digital Passenger Locator Form before departure from Australia. On arrival show your ICVC (which is accepted as an equivalent vaccination certification to the EU digital certification and must be issued less than nine months prior), or a document that certifies full recovery from COVID-19, or a certified negative PCR or RAT test. Travellers without this documentation will have to undergo five days’ quarantine at the address specified in the Passenger Locator Form after which you will be required to undertake additional PCR or RAT testing. From 1 April 2022, the government will be relaxing requirements to present a Green Pass at outdoor public places such as restaurants and cafes, accommodation facilities and museums. Mask wearing is still required indoors.

More information on the requirements for travel to Italy.

Canada

Fully vaccinated travellers can enter Canada without quarantine. Prior to travel, all travellers to Canada must set up a free ArriveCAN account on a mobile app or sign in on a computer to enter and save your proof of vaccination, travel documents, and quarantine plans, should this be necessary, in your traveller profile. If a printed receipt is necessary (for those without smart phones) travel and quarantine plan information must be submitted within 72 hours before arrival into Canada. From 1 April, no COVID testing will be required prior to entry into Canada. However, testing will be conducted randomly at airports so all travellers need to have a quarantine plan in place in case you test positive.

Testing and vaccination requirements for travel to Canada.

USA

All non-US citizens, aged 18 years and above, coming into the US by air must be fully vaccinated. All inbound air travellers, aged two years and older, regardless of citizenship, must show a negative COVID-19 (PCR or RAT) test result taken within one day of departure for the USA or documentation from a licensed health care provider showing recovery from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel. All travellers, aged two years and older, must wear masks over their noses and faces in airplanes to and from the United States and in all airports.

More information on testing and vaccination requirements for travel to the USA.

Thailand

There are three different programs through which Australians can enter Thailand: TEST and GO (for fully vaccinated travellers visiting Bangkok and elsewhere), Sandbox (for fully vaccinated travellers flying directly to Chon Buri (Bang Lamung, Pattaya, Si Racha, and Sattahip), Krabi, Phang-nga, Phuket, Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao) and Trat (Ko Chang), and Happy Quarantine (for unvaccinated travellers). From 1 April 2022, travellers are not required to get a negative COVID-19 PCR test result before entering Thailand. All travellers must register for the Thailand Pass online. The processing time for Thailand Pass is three to seven days. Plan ahead and submit the registration for the Thailand Pass at least seven days prior to departure and download the MorChana app and set the app on at all times for the duration of your stay in Thailand. All travellers must have travel insurance that has a minimum coverage of US$20,000 for any COVID-19 medical costs.

Under the TEST & GO scheme, travellers arriving by air must (pre-departure) submit proof of prepayment during your Thailand Pass application for accommodation at a certified hotel for day one of your arrival which must include pre-arranged hotel transfer, proof of prepayment for a PCR test to be taken on arrival (await results at your hotel) and a self-administered RAT test to be taken on day five (report the test results in your MorChana app profile). Under the Sandbox Scheme, travellers arriving by air must (pre-departure) submit proof of prepayment during your Thailand Pass application for accommodation at certified hotels for the first five days of your stay in Thailand which must include pre-arranged hotel transfer, proof of prepayment for a PCR test to be taken on arrival (await results at your hotel) and a self-administered RAT test to be taken on day five (report the test results in the MorChana app profile). After completing five days within the Sandbox destinations, travellers can travel domestically within Thailand. Travellers who receive a positive COVID result will be referred for appropriate medical treatment pending their condition.

Visit these links for information related to a Thailand Pass, updates to situations in Thailand and any updates on entry schemes and visa requirements.