Travel restrictions to Australia

From 20 March 2020 at 9 pm AEDST, only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can travel to Australia. All travellers to Australia are required to self-isolate for 14 days either at home or in a hotel.

Travel restrictions from Australia

From 25 March, 2020 at 12:00 pm AEDST an Australian citizen or permanent resident must not travel outside of Australia unless an exemption is granted to them.

You can travel to Australia if you are:

  • an Australian citizen
  • a permanent resident
  • a New Zealand citizen usually resident in Australia

Citizens and Permanent Residents

There are no restrictions on Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents (PR) to enter Australia. They are however subject to a 14 day self-isolation period.

New Zealand Citizens

New Zealand citizens who are ordinarily residents in Australia are not restricted from entering, but they will need to show proof of residency such as a drivers licence or other documents showing an Australian address. They are however subject to a 14 day self-isolation period.

Temporary Residents/Visitors

  • You may be able to travel to Australia with specific permission only if you are:
  • an immediate family member of an Australian citizen or permanent resident or are a New Zealand citizen usually resident in Australia. Partner and Child visa holders do not need to apply for permission.
  • Foreign nationals travelling at the invitation of the Australian Commonwealth Government for the purpose of assisting in the COVID-19 response or whose entry would be in the national interest
  • Critical medical services, including air ambulance and delivery of supplies, that regularly arrive into Australia from international ports
  • Persons with critical skills (for example, medical specialists, engineers, marine pilots and crews) by exception
  • Diplomats accredited to Australia and currently resident in Australia, and their immediate family
  • ​Case-by-case exceptions may also be granted for humanitarian or compassionate reasons.

You cannot travel until you have been granted permission.

Exemptions to travel restrictions from Australia

  • people ordinarily resident in a country other than Australia
  • airline and maritime crew and associated safety workers
  • people engaged in the day to day conduct of outbound and inbound freight
  • people whose travel is associated with essential work at offshore facilities and
  • people travelling on official government business, including members of the Australian Defence Force.

Travellers who believe they meet a travel restriction exemption can apply online to the Commissioner of the ABF.​​

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.