re-opening the international border

Department of Home Affairs - Website Update

16 March 2022

The Department of Home Affairs has advised that they have made changes to their website to make it easier to find information on COVID-19 travel and immigration topics, including the link to complete the Digital Passenger Declaration on-line.

To access the updated website visit www.homeaffairs.gov.au/COVID19

Australian Border Force have announced the release of a mobile app version of the Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD).

Passengers are now able to download the app via the App Store (Apple) or Google Play store (Android). The app uses the camera on a mobile device to ‘read’ the biodata page of a passport and populate it directly into the personal details of their declaration.
It also allows passengers to scan the QR code on their vaccination certificate to populate details of vaccinations received and take photos as evidence of the COVID test results.

The Digital Passenger Declaration FAQs have now been updated to include troubleshooting and usability questions on the mobile app.

The Australian Government is updating the forms that must be completed by Australians and visitors to Australia. The most recent change is the introduction of the Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) which will replace the Australia Travel Declaration (ATD). While we transition from ATD to DPD, your clients will be impacted by this change on specific dates:

• If your client is arriving in Australia before 18 February 2022, they should continue to submit an Australia Travel Declaration.
• If your client is arriving in Australia on, or after 18 February 2022, the will need to submit a DPD.

AFTA has been working closely with Australian Border Force on this matter and provides the below information:

THE QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE

Quarantine-free travel is on offer to fully vaccinated tourists from Travel Partner countries. Currently these are Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, New Zealand, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, French Polynesia, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

TRAVELLING TO FIJI - PRE DEPARTURE CHECK LIST

THE CARE FIJI COMMITMENT

Full information can be found on the Fiji Travel website

Australia's Borders Open
1 November 2021

From 00:01 AEST on 1 November 2021, subject to the requirements of the relevant state or territory of arrival, ‘fully vaccinated’ Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members can arrive in New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory without being included in international passenger caps which remain in place for other jurisdictions.

Click the link below for full information from Australian Border Force

ADVICE TO INDUSTRY - 1 NOVEMBER 2021

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) today reminded Australians to make sure they have travel insurance if they are planning to go overseas. Travel insurance is available for international travel, and some insurers have introduced cover for various COVID-related travel situations to destinations other than those few that continue to carry a Level 4 ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory.

Click the link below for an update from the Insurance Council of Australia

TRAVEL INSURANCE IS AS ESSENTIAL AS A PASSPORT FOR OS TRIPS