COVID-19 :: Border Restrictions
Last Update 19/2/21
We are aware that the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures to contain it have the potential to significantly impact your business, particularly where the movement of goods and workers are concerned. This page is dedicated to providing the latest information on border restrictions for interstate travel.
Although we are endeavouring to ensure this is kept fully up-to-date, with the rapidly changing situation, we recommend that you always review the state information direct on the relevant state website prior to making business decisions.
There is now a useful online tool from Healthdirect.gov.au that allows you to select the state you are interested in and it provides all the latest information about where you can and cannot travel domestically.
For the Agriculture sector, the Government has agreed with the States & territories via National Cabinet an Agriculture Workers’ Code for cross-state border movement. Download a copy HERE.
Latest summary by State/Territory
BORDER STATUS |
PRE-ENTRY PASS? |
|
| QLD | Queensland borders are currently open to all except Hot Spots
Parts of VIC & NSW declared HotSpots |
YES – but only if you are attempting to enter from a declared Hot Spot or Overseas |
| NSW | Open to all | No permit required |
| VIC | Open to all except travellers from Red Zones | YES – for all entries including returning residents – now using a traffic light system |
| ACT | Open to all except travellers from Hot Spots | YES – Self-declaration form |
| SA | Open to all except travellers from current Hot Spots | YES – All travellers need to complete |
| TAS | Entry managed by current risk category
View HERE |
YES
Everyone is required to complete prior to arrival APPLY HERE |
| NT | Open to all, if coming from a declared Hot Spot then must Quarantine | YES
Everyone is required to complete prior to arrival |
| WA | Entry managed by current risk category:
View HERE |
YES
Everyone is required to complete prior to arrival |
QUEENSLAND
Queensland – Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) | Queensland Government
Updated at 19 February 2021
Victoria
From 1am AEST Saturday 13 February 2021 there are changes to border restrictions for anyone traveling from Victoria to Queensland.
Western Australia
From 1am AEST Monday 15 February 2021 there are no hotspots in Western Australia.
You do not have to complete a border declaration pass to enter Queensland if you have been in Western Australia in the last 14 days.
Border restriction updates
Stay up-to-date with the requirements for entering Queensland – if you’re planning on travelling, or have already arrived, use the self checker and read about the requirements for entry and testing.
You can:
Travelling to Queensland
Most people can travel freely to Queensland unless they have been in a COVID-19 hotspot.
There are restrictions and requirement for anyone who has been in a hotspot or overseas that wants to travel to Queensland.
Find out more about changes to border restrictions and requirements for travelling.
Travelling from or through a COVID-19 hotspot
Anyone can enter Queensland without a border pass, unless they have been in a COVID-19 hotspot or overseas in the last 14 days.
If you have been in a hotspot within the last 14 days or since the hotspot was declared (whichever is shorter), you are no longer able to quarantine in Queensland and will be turned away at our border—unless you are exempt under the definitions within the Border Direction, which include:
- you’re a Queensland resident or are moving to Queensland
- to fulfil shared parenting and child contact arrangements
- obtain essential health care, or as a support person to a person obtaining essential health care.
You can find out more about:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Queensland border restrictions for agribusiness, food manufacturing and commercial fishing workers
Travelling from interstate
If you’re travelling from another state or territory you can enter Queensland, unless you’ve been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the past 14 days. Anyone who has been in a hotspot in the last 14 days will not be able to enter Queensland, unless an exception or an exemption applies (following Border Direction 21 from 22 December 2020).
Anyone coming from a hotspot area may apply for an exemption and they are required to have a valid border pass to enter Queensland, and be prepared to quarantine for 14 days in government accommodation at their own expense.
Further changes to Queensland’s border restrictions come into effect on 1 February 2021.
General declaration pass (G Pass)
Complete the general declaration pass if you are requesting entry to Queensland from New South Wales, and do not meet criteria for the freight and logistics, health, or essential activity declaration passes.
If you have been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days, you will not be able to enter Queensland without hotel quarantine unless an exemption applies.Specialist or essential workers travelling from a COVID hotspot
Specialist or essential worker (S Pass)
A specialist or essential worker is a person who is endorsed as a specialist or essential worker by a relevant Queensland Government agency and provides services that:
- are needed in Queensland
- cannot be obtained in Queensland
- must be provided without delay
- the person must be physically present in Queensland to provide the service
- the person’s employer or business has a quarantine management plan.
Endorsements are considered on a case-by-case basis against strict criteria. We are unable to discuss individual circumstances and applications.
Employers are strongly encouraged to have resourcing and workforce plans in place and not just rely on specialist worker or essential worker endorsements being granted.
You should allow at least 7 working days for your specialist or essential application to be assessed and a further 3 days once notified of the outcome for processing of your electronic border pass.
Before applying for a specialist or essential worker border pass (S Pass) you must first apply for and receive an endorsement as a specialist or essential worker.
You only need to apply for a specialist or essential worker exemption if you are a farmer or agribusiness worker who is coming from a COVID-19 hotspot.
The status of the person as a specialist or essential worker must be endorsed by the relevant Queensland Government agency before they may enter Queensland.
Specialist or essential worker endorsement applications may be submitted either by the employer, government agency or entity that the specialist worker is working or contracting for or by the worker who is seeking the endorsement with their employer’s support.
If a worker is self-employed, they may apply themselves, with details of their business.
An application for a specialist-worker endorsement should be made via the COVID-19 services portal with the following evidence:
- A written explanation of the essential activity the specialist worker will be undertaking in Queensland
- Documentation that demonstrates why this service is critical to Queensland. It must detail why:
- these services are needed in Queensland
- these services cannot be obtained in Queensland
- these services must be provided without delay
- the specialist worker must be physically present in Queensland to provide the service or perform the duty.
- The application must include as attachments:
- a copy of the quarantine management plan (DOCX, 546KB) held by the person’s employer or business describing how the worker(s) will minimise contact with others
If an endorsement is granted, the specialist worker will need to provide the following information on arrival in Queensland:
- their border declaration pass (essential activity)
- evidence of their status as an approved specialist worker (the letter of endorsement from a Queensland Government agency)
- the quarantine management plan.
The specialist or essential worker must carry the letter of endorsement and quarantine management plan at all times, while in Queensland.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Updated: 19 February 2021
Victoria COVID-19 traveller Information
In effect from 12:01 am 18 February 2021.
Travel from Greater Melbourne is still prohibited.
People are permitted to travel from Victoria including regional (other than Greater Melbourne) to South Australia providing they have not been in Greater Melbourne on or after 12.01 am on 4 February 2021.
Transiting through Melbourne Airport is now permitted providing the person has been in a Low Community Transmission Zone for the previous 14 days, are only in the airport for two hours or less and are wearing a mask the entire time they are in transit.
Transiting through Greater Melbourne is permitted providing the person has been in a Low Community Transmission Zone for the past 14 days, travels via the most direct route, wears a mask when coming into contact with members of the public and stops only for emergencies or essentials including fuel and respite.
People who have entered South Australia having been in Greater Melbourne, Melbourne Airport or Terminal 4 of Melbourne Airport who entered under a previous Direction must continue to adhere to the COVID-19 testing and self-quarantine requirements as directed.
Cross Border Travel Registration
All travellers coming to South Australia are required to complete a Cross Border Travel Registration.
Cross-Border Travel Registration – SAPOL website
For families, each individual must complete a separate cross-border travel registration form.
Notification
You will be notified by email of your status within 72 hours and given a unique number. You will need to produce this number when crossing the border.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Western Australia – COVID-19 Hub
Updated at 19 February 2021
Travellers from Victoria will not be permitted to enter WA without an exemption until at least 12.01am, Saturday 20 February 2021, following the latest health advice.
For more information see the Controlled interstate border page.
G2G NOW
If you are entering WA and required to self-quarantine, you can download the G2G NOW app which enables WA Police to conduct quarantine compliance checks using facial recognition and mobile location data. Police can send remote check-in requests through the app.
Police will conduct in-person visits for people who do not download and use the G2G NOW app.
Find out more about G2G NOW.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Northern Territory – COVID Hub
Updated: 19 February 2021
Interstate Hotspots – Pre-Travel requirements for travellers
All people travelling to the Northern Territory must complete the border entry form.
If you are intending to travel to the Northern Territory from an identified active coronavirus hotspot you are advised to cancel your plans. Likewise if you are a Territorian intending to travel to an active hotspot you are advised to cancel your plans.
Any exemption granted before the 17 July 2020 are invalid if the person travelling has been in an identified hotspot.
See Google map with current hotspots.
Anyone arriving into the Northern Territory from or through a declared hotspot in the last 14 days must undertake 14 days mandatory supervised quarantine. If travelling to or from an airport within a declared hotspot, point 4 from the ‘Directions for COVID-19 Hotspots’ below provides advice.
This will be at your own cost. The cost per person for supervised quarantine is $2500.
Mandatory supervised quarantine will be at the Howard Springs quarantine facility or another approved facility elsewhere in the Northern Territory. All quarantine facilities are alcohol-free.
Western Australia hotspot requirements
In accordance with direction 35 and with reference to direction 35A of the Directions for Territory Border Restrictions (No. 49) PDF (188.5 KB), the CHO requires any person who has arrived in the Northern Territory who has been in a Western Australian Hotspot since 25 January to be tested for COVID 19.
A person who is required to be tested must travel directly to a suitable place of quarantine and remain in that place, except to submit to testing for COVID-19 (or in an emergency). Once tested, the person must remain isolated in the suitable place of quarantine until notified of the results of the test.
What should I do if an area is declared a hotspot after I have travelled through it?
Travellers need to keep up-to-date with where they can travel and which areas have been declared COVID-19 hotspots, as the COVID-19 situation in Australia is continually evolving. If an area is declared a hotspot after you have departed but before you arrive in the Territory you will be placed in mandatory supervised quarantine.
If an area you have been in is declared a COVID-19 hotspot within 14 days of your arrival in the NT, you must:
- Contact the COVID-19 hotline 1800 008 002 and identify yourself as a person who has been in an area that has been declared a hotspot since you arrived in the NT
- If directed, you must submit to a test or assessment for COVID-19 infection
- Practice physical distancing (e.g. keep 1.5 metres away from others, if unwell stay home, sleep in a separate bedroom away from others, minimise contact with people) until 14 days has elapsed since your arrival in the NT.
Travellers must be aware of their responsibilities as per NT Chief Health Officer COVID-19 Direction (No. 49) PDF (476.0 KB)
Don’t put the community at risk.
Other important information
- People in supervised quarantine will be subject to testing before exiting quarantine. If you refuse a test, there will be 10 days added to your quarantine time.
- If you’re found to have provided misleading information on your arrival form you could face a fine of $5,056 for an individual, $25,280 for a business and a possible prison term of up to 3 years.
- There are very limited reasons by which an exemption will be considered.
Download the COVIDSafe app, it helps to support and protect you, your friends and family.
NEW SOUTH WALES
New South Wales – COVID-19 advice
Updated 19 February 2021
VICTORIA
Victoria – Department of Health and Human Services Victoria | Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Updated: 19 February 2021
From 11:59pm 17 February 2021 Victoria returns to COVIDSafe Summer restrictions – with some revised conditions.
These restrictions are designed to balance allowing Victorians to get back to doing the things they love while also putting in place measures to protect all that Victorians have worked so hard for.
A permit system has been established for all domestic travel into Victoria.
From 5:59pm on 11 January 2021, you will need to apply for a permit to enter Victoria from anywhere in Australia. Apply for a permit at the Service Victoria .
The permit system is based on a traffic light system which allows for areas across Australia to be designated as green, orange or red according to their risk. Find more information about red, orange and green permit zones.
The permit system is for both travellers to Victoria and residents of Victoria returning home from interstate travel.
You will need to apply for a permit to enter Victoria from anywhere in Australia.
This helps protect Victoria from the spread of coronavirus and manage any outbreaks.
Each adult needs their own permit.
The type of permit you need will depend on where you have been in the past two weeks. Click here for the zones
The permit system is based on a traffic light system which allows for areas across Australia to be designated as green, orange or red according to their risk. The permit system is for both travellers to Victoria and residents of Victoria returning home from interstate travel.
Travellers from ‘green zones’ can enter Victoria with a permit if they have not been in an orange or red zone within the last 14 days.
Travellers from ‘orange zones’ can enter Victoria with a permit but must have a COVID-19 test within 72 hours and self-isolate before and after the test, until they receive a negative result.
Travellers from a ‘red zone’ are not allowed to enter Victoria unless they have an exemption, exception, or a worker’s permit.
For more information and to see the designated ‘zones’, or to apply for a permit, go to https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/victorian-travel-permit-system
There is a separate Freight worker permit for commercial freight workers. A commercial freight worker means a person who is subject to the Freight Code and includes:
- a heavy vehicle driver
- rail crew or
- a support worker
Residents of the NSW-Victoria cross border communities do not need a permit to cross the border, only their driver’s licence to prove their residential address.
Communities on the border of South Australia and Victoria will need to use the permit system https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/victorian-travel-permit-system
Travellers eligible to apply for a Specified Worker Permit
Workers undertaking the following activities are eligible under this category:
- Farming activities and other operations relating to agriculture including, horticulture, viticulture, irrigation, permaculture, apiculture – including the movement of beehives, grains, fibre production, dairy, flower industry, commercial fishing, aquaculture, livestock and forestry. This also includes farm equipment, tools and their maintenance.
