Ruqayyah Snyder
As of February 2022, all passengers arriving in Australia are required to submit a Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) online form. This replaced the Australia Travel Declaration (ATD) form, which was previously mandatory for all overseas visitors to the country. The DPD must be submitted within 72 hours before travelling. The Australian government uses the DPD to monitor and control the spread of COVID-19. Each traveller must declare their personal contact details, travel information, current health status, and COVID-19 restrictions. In addition, travellers must provide evidence of full vaccination and a negative PCR test result taken no more than three days before departure. Australian citizens and permanent residents are currently banned from overseas travel unless they obtain an exemption.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who needs to apply? | All passengers arriving in Australia, including children. |
| Age requirements | Anyone over the age of 15 must complete the form themselves. |
| Application method | Online or via the Australia Travel Declaration mobile app. |
| Time requirements | Must be completed between 7 days and 72 hours before departure. |
| Contents | Personal contact details, travel information, current health status, and COVID-19 restrictions. |
| Supporting documents | Evidence of vaccination, negative PCR test result, and doctor's certificate (if applicable). |
| Other requirements | Must declare freedom from tuberculosis. |
| Exemptions | Foreign citizens can depart Australia at any time. |
| Consequences of non-compliance | Refused entry, criminal conviction, or criminal charges. |
| Additional notes | Australia's border is open to vaccinated tourists as of February 21, 2022. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD)
The DPD requires travellers to provide critical health information, including their vaccination status and a negative COVID-19 test result. This can be either a negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test or another nucleic acid amplification test taken within three days of the scheduled departure to Australia. Alternatively, a medical certificate can be provided as evidence of a negative Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) taken under medical supervision within 24 hours before departure.
Additionally, travellers must declare their recent travel history, specifically where they have been in the past 14 days. They also need to be aware of and commit to complying with the quarantine and testing requirements of the state or territory they are entering in Australia. These requirements vary across different parts of the country, so it is essential to check the specific arrangements for the place of arrival and the final destination.
The DPD must be completed and submitted online before boarding the aircraft. Travellers are advised to create an account to manage their current and future declarations efficiently. Non-compliance with the DPD requirements can result in heavy penalties.
Virgin Atlantic and Australia: Shared Frequent Flier Miles?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Exemptions for Australian citizens and permanent residents
As of February 21, 2022, fully vaccinated Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible visa holders can travel to and from Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption. However, if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident and you are unvaccinated, you will need a valid travel exemption to depart Australia. To obtain this exemption, you must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Your travel is part of the response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including the provision of aid.
- You are a critical worker providing assistance to a country's COVID-19 response.
- You are undertaking travel in Australia's national interest.
- You are seeking urgent medical treatment for a critical illness that cannot be treated in Australia.
If you are seeking to leave Australia for three months or longer, you must provide evidence to support your claims in the form of a Commonwealth Statutory Declaration. This declaration must state that you are applying for a travel exemption and that you intend to be absent from Australia for more than three months. Any claims must be supported by evidence, such as a doctor's certificate. Note that requests without sufficient evidence may be refused, and making false statements in a statutory declaration is an offence.
If you usually live in another country, you may be automatically exempt if you are considered an ordinary resident of a country other than Australia. This is determined by demonstrating that you have spent more time outside of Australia than inside the country in the last 12 to 24 months.
Honey Badger Habitat: Exploring Australia's Wild Regions
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The ETA (Electronic Travel Authority)
European passport holders may be eligible for an eVisitor (subclass 651) instead. With an ETA, you can visit Australia as often as you like in a 12-month period, staying for up to 3 months each time you enter the country.
Be aware of scams! Only deal with reputable travel agents or official Australian Government channels via the Department of Home Affairs website. You can also report scams to Australia's Border Watch. Some signs that you are being scammed include: being asked to apply for your ETA via a website (you should only use the official ETA app), or being asked to pay extra fees for premium service or expedited visa processing.
To apply for an ETA, you must have a valid passport, a credit or debit card, and an email address. You will also need to answer a few questions as part of the online application.
Converting Australian Dollars to US Dollars: A Quick Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The eVisitor visa
The Australian eVisitor Visa is a multiple-entry visa, allowing you to visit Australia as often as you wish within a 12-month period, staying for up to 3 months each time. It is valid for 1 year after it is issued, and you can leave and re-enter Australia multiple times during that year. This visa is essential for those visiting Australia for leisure, business, or to see friends and family members.
With the eVisitor Visa, you can engage in a range of activities, such as tourism, visiting family and friends, and conducting business, including negotiating contracts, participating in conferences or trade fairs, and activities related to an official government visit. You can also study or train for up to 3 months under certain circumstances. However, it is important to note that you cannot work or provide paid services with this visa.
To apply for the eVisitor Visa, you must have a passport that is valid for at least six months after your planned arrival in Australia. You will need to scan your passport pages, including any relevant stamps, and provide supporting documents that prove your travel purposes, such as hotel reservations or tour bookings. Additionally, you will require a credit or debit card to pay the government visa fee and any applicable service fees. An email address is also necessary to receive the eVisitor Visa confirmation.
It is important to note that certain character requirements must be met to be eligible for the eVisitor Visa. Applicants with a substantial criminal record or specific types of convictions may not be approved for this visa.
Applying for Refugee Status in Australia: A Guide
You may want to see also
COVID-19 restrictions and requirements
Australia has had strict rules in place since the beginning of the pandemic to limit the spread of COVID-19. In March 2020, Australia closed its borders, and since then, Australian citizens and residents have been allowed to enter as long as they follow COVID-19 protocols.
On 21 January 2020, the Australian Government declared COVID-19 a human biosecurity emergency. On 1 February 2020, the Australian Government implemented a 14-day ban on foreign nationals entering Australia from China and required Australian citizens, permanent residents, and their immediate families returning from China to self-isolate for 14 days. These were Australia's first international travel restrictions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Australian Government subsequently extended the China travel restrictions and implemented additional restrictions for Iran, South Korea, and Italy.
On 15 March 2020, the Australian Government decided to implement a cruise ship requirement, banning cruise ships from disembarking passengers at Australian ports. On the same day, Australia banned all travellers from entering its territory, with only people in exempt categories allowed to enter. Foreign nationals who had a compassionate or compelling reason to travel could apply for an exemption on a case-by-case basis.
From November 1st, 2021, Australia started to open its borders and ease travel restrictions. Fully vaccinated Australians no longer needed to quarantine, and citizens and residents could travel once their state reached an 80% vaccination rate. However, there is still a ban on overseas travel from Australia, and citizens and permanent residents cannot leave the country without obtaining an exemption.
To enter Australia, travellers must have evidence of a negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test taken within 72 hours before departure or a RAT taken within 24 hours. A medical certificate with a negative test result is required to enter the country. Additionally, travellers must not have been in a designated COVID-19 outbreak location, and those arriving from certain countries may not need to quarantine upon arrival. Australia closely monitors COVID-19 cases in other countries and may restrict travel if infections rise.
Australian citizens intending to travel overseas should refer to Smartraveller for advice on the risks associated with their destination.
The Diverse Flora of Australia: A Countless Beauty
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Australia Travel Declaration (ATD) is a type of Travel Health Certificate for all overseas visitors. It is a mandatory document for any passenger wishing to enter Australia. It must be completed by all passengers, including children, either on the Department of Home Affairs website or the Australia Travel Declaration mobile app.
The information requested includes personal contact details, travel information, current health status, and COVID-19 vaccination and restriction information. Visitors must state if they are experiencing any coronavirus symptoms and inform authorities of what requirements they are obliged to follow.
The Australia Travel Declaration must be submitted between 7 days and 72 hours before departure.
