Covid-19: Useful Information

COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions

Returning to Australia

What are the current International Passenger Arrival Caps?

On 02 July 2021, National Cabinet agreed to temporarily reduce the current international passenger arrival caps by 50 per cent to manage the pressure on quarantine facilities due to the increased risks posed by the Delta strain of the virus. Commencing 0001 hrs 14 July 2021, the current caps on international arrivals are as follows:

o Sydney – limit of 1,505 passenger arrivals per week, which will be reduced to 750 per week from 9 September 2021

o Perth – limit of 265 passenger arrivals per week;

o Brisbane – limit of 650 passenger arrivals per week;

o Melbourne – limit of 500 passenger arrivals per week;

o Adelaide – limit of 265 passenger arrivals per week

As an Australian citizen or Australian Permanent Resident, what do I need to do to travel to Australia?

At the moment there are caps on the number of passengers permitted to arrive each day/week into each of the capital cities in Australia due to the limited number of quarantine spaces. This restricts the number of flights and seats available on those flights.

First step in returning to Australia is to secure an airline ticket. Your airline ticket reserves a quarantine space. Nothing more needs to be done to reserve a quarantine place.

You are required to complete the Australian Travel Declaration at least 72 hours before your departure for Australia.

You will also be required to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test to your airline. For more information please see the Department of Home Affairs website here.

Some State and Territory Governments may also have specific entry requirements. You should check these specific requirements with the State and Territory Governments directly.

Do I have to undergo quarantine on my return to Australia?

All incoming travellers from abroad are required to be quarantined in a hotel or other designated accommodation as determined by state and territory governments, at their port of arrival for 14 days. Travellers from abroad will not be permitted to travel domestically until they have completed their quarantine at their port of arrival.

I am now vaccinated! - Do I have to undergo quarantine on my return to Australia?

At this time vaccination does not provide an exemption to quarantine.

Vaccinated travellers must also complete quarantine in a hotel or other designated accommodation as determined by state and territory governments, at their port of arrival for 14 days.

How can I apply for an exemption from Quarantine in Australia?

Each state and territory’s department of health are managing quarantine for that state/territory. Each have their own quarantine exemption process. If you wish to undertake quarantine outside of the government designated facilities, go to the relevant state or territory Department of Health website and navigate to the COVID-19 quarantine page. A link to each of the state's exemption processes can be found here.

Further useful state and territory websites are listed at the bottom of this webpage.

Do I need to have a COVID-19 test before travelling to Australia?

Following the decision by National Cabinet (8 January 2021) and announcement from the Prime Minister, if you’re travelling to Australia you must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test to your airline when checking in for your flight at the departure point.

This applies to all travellers five years of age or older departing on flights on or after 22 January 2021.
You must be tested 72 hours or less prior to departure and present a negative result when checking in prior to boarding your flight.
If you transit through a third country on your return journey to Australia, you should check on any local requirements at your transit destination and follow the advice of local authorities on social distancing and mask wearing while in transit.
If you or a member of your travelling group tests positive, you won’t be allowed to travel to Australia.
Exemptions to the COVID-19 (PCR) testing requirements will only be applied in extenuating circumstances such as where there is no access to testing.
Anyone who has a negative test result and enters Australia must still complete mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated facilities in your port of arrival.

Masks must also be worn on all international flights, including at airports.

For a list of clinics in Singapore that can provide a COVID-19 (PCR) pre-departure test, please click here

For more information, including FAQs on these new measures, please click here.

Australia Travel Declaration

If you are able to travel to Australia under the current travel restrictions, you should complete an Australia Travel Declaration at least 72 hours before boarding your flight. You will need to provide your contact details in Australia, flight information, health status and requirements during quarantine. This information helps the Australian Government determine your quarantine arrangements and enables health authorities to contact you if someone you travelled with tests positive for COVID-19. For more information, visit https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/australia-travel-declaration

I am not an Australian citizen or Australian Permanent Resident. Can I travel to Australia?

From 20 March 2020, all foreign nationals who do not meet the travel exemptions are not allowed to enter Australia. For further information on Australian travel restrictions, including applying for an exemption, please refer to the Department of Home Affairs website here.

I am an Australian Citizen, but my partner is not. Will we be allowed to travel to Australia?

Immediate family members of Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents can travel to Australia. You will need to complete a form first and provide evidence of your relationship.

The Australian Government has announced travel restrictions to Australia to help stem the spread of COVID-19.

Immediate family members of Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents will be exempted from the travel restriction. Immediate family means spouses (including de-facto relationships), dependents and legal guardians.

Prior to travel you will need to submit this form and they should not travel until they receive advice that they can. You will need to provide evidence of your relationship.

Please note that all international travellers arriving in Australia regardless of nationality or point of departure must undertake a mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated facilities (e.g hotels), in their city of arrival before they can go home. See https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/travel-restrictions for more information.

I am studying in Australia, but I am currently in Singapore. When can I travel to Australia for my studies?

The Australian Government has announced a range of measures to support students. For further information please click here

My flight ticket to Australia keeps getting cancelled or postponed. What can I do?

If your flight ticket to Australia keeps getting cancelled or postponed, you should contact your airline or travel agent in order to book a new ticket. You should also register with DFAT on the smartraveller website here

Coming to Singapore

Singapore long term pass holders in Australia returning to Singapore. What do I need to do before I leave Australia?

Singapore Long-Term Pass holders, Employment pass, S pass and dependant pass holders wishing to return to Singapore must apply to the Singapore Ministry of Manpower and receive approval to re-enter Singapore prior to departure from Australia. This can be done here. Please refer to https://www.ica.gov.sg/covid-19/arrivalsg for the prevailing health measures applicable to you upon entry into Singapore.

See Travelling to Singapore (ica.gov.sg) for further information.

All other pass holders wishing to return to Singapore must apply to the Singapore Immigration and Checkpoints Authority and receive approval to re-enter Singapore prior to departure from Australia. This can be done here.

All travellers entering Singapore from Australia will also need to take a On-Arrival PCR test and serve a 7 day Stay Home Notice at your place of residence.

To depart Australia an exemption from the Australia Border Force is required. You can apply for a travel exemption through the Travel Exemption Portal.

This needs to be done at least two weeks prior to your intended departure.

Changes to Travel Exemptions for Australians who normally live overseas

On 1 August 2021 the Minister for Health and Aged Care amended the Biosecurity Determination 2020. From 11 August 2021 Australian citizens and permanent residents ordinarily resident in a country outside Australia will not be automatically exempt from Australia’s outward travel restrictions. From this date, you must apply for a travel exemption through the Travel Exemption Portal. A transitional period applies until 7 September.

Supporting evidence must be provided and may include:

foreign government issued documentation, for example
- foreign drivers licence
- foreign government issued residency card
evidence you have an established and settled home overseas, for example
- tenancy/residential agreement
- utility bills, rate notices
evidence you are employed or have ongoing business interests overseas
- letter from your employer/employment contract in a foreign country
- business tenancy agreement

For further information on these changes, please click here

What happens when I get to Singapore?

Once you return to Singapore you will need to undertake a Stay Home Notice (SHN = quarantine). Travellers from Australia will be tested on arrival and must complete a 7-day SHN at a hotel or serviced apartment or at your place of residence. If you decide to serve your SHN at your place of residence, you must inform the Singapore authorities of this before you arrive in Singapore. You must not have been to any other places other than Australia in the past 21 days, and you must occupy your place of residence alone, or with family members only.

Visitors travelling to Singapore

Foreigners who are short-term visitors travelling from Australia are currently unable to enter Singapore. You can only apply to enter Singapore as a short term visitor on an Air Travel Pass (ATP) if you’ve been in Brunei, Hong Kong, Macao, Mainland China, Taiwan (and Germany from 8 September) in the 21 days before you arrive in Singapore. From 31 January 2021 all visitors applying to enter Singapore under the Air Travel Pass (ATP) and Regional Green Lanes (RGLs) will need to have travel insurance to meet any COVID-19 medical treatment and hospitalisation costs in Singapore, with a minimum coverage of SGD$30,000. From 23:59 hours on 24 January 2021, all travellers to Singapore (including Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents) will need to take a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival in Singapore.

Singapore Citizens, Singapore Permanent Residents, and Singapore Long-Term Pass holders are not required to apply for an Air Travel Pass to travel to Singapore from Australia. However Long-term Pass holders must still seek permission to enter Singapore from the Singapore Authorities.

COVID-19 test before travelling to Singapore

From 9 September 2021, 2359 hours, all travellers to Singapore from Australia, including those transiting Singapore, will need to produce a negative pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test result taken within 48 hours before departure to Singapore. Travellers entering Singapore will also be required to have a COVID-19 PCR test on arrival at Singapore Airport. You must register and pay for the test before you arrive in Singapore. Please click here for further information.

COVID-19 test on arrival in Singapore

From 23:59 hours on 24 January 2021 all travellers to Singapore (including Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents) will need to take a COVID-19 PCR test upon arrival in Singapore.

Travellers from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar

You can't travel to Singapore if you've been in Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka in the past 21 days. This applies even if you have prior approval.

Transiting Singapore

Can I transit through Singapore?

You can transit Singapore only if you travel with or between specific airlines. Confirm arrangements with your airline or travel provider before purchasing your flight tickets. See the Changi Airport’s website for more information on transiting.

Do I need to take a COVID-19 test before I transit Singapore?

All travellers transiting through Singapore, with the exception of those who have a travel history in the past 21 days to Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan will need to present a valid negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours before departure to Singapore.

Travellers from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Myanmar

Travellers with travel history within the past 21 days to India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Myanmar are not permitted to transit through Singapore.

Staying in Singapore

COVID-19: Overseas financial assistance

If you’ve been unable to return to Australia due to COVID-19 restrictions and are experiencing financial distress, you may be eligible to access financial support from the government.

There are two types of interest-free loans available:

Living costs: a one-off loan to cover emergency living costs until a commercial flight becomes available
Flight back to Australia: a one-off loan to help cover the costs of a flight to return to Australia
The loans are only available as a last resort. You’ll need to meet strict eligibility criteria. Only those in genuine need will be provided financial support. You’ll need to demonstrate that you’re planning to return to Australia as soon as flights become available. All loans must be repaid.

Eligibility

You can apply if you:

are an Australian citizen
- Australian permanent residents are not eligible to receive funding unless they are travelling with an immediate family member who is an Australian citizen, and that Australian family member includes the permanent resident in their own application for financial assistance.
- If the only Australian citizen in the family travelling with the permanent resident is a child, other links to Australia will need to be considered before approval of a loan (e.g., Australian residential property).
are at least 18 years of age
have made all reasonable efforts to seek financial assistance through other means. You’ll need to provide evidence of this. See examples of documentation under ‘The application process’ section.
In addition, you need to meet one or more of the following criteria. You:

are overseas temporarily and want to return to Australia urgently for medical or other reasons
are in financial distress as a result of the travel disruptions caused by COVID-19
require financial assistance to shelter in place until you can secure a seat, or purchase a ticket to return to Australia
are in a location with restricted or no available commercial airlines operating.
Further information on overseas financial assistance can be found here

My visa is expiring. What should I do?

If your employment pass, dependant pass or other work visa is expiring, please speak to your employer who will be required to renew your visa through the Ministry of Manpower. For all other visas, please contact ICA here.

If you have had your extension to your pass denied, we recommend that you attend the MOM or ICA office and speak to someone in person. The Australian High Commission is unable to intervene in Singapore immigration matters.

COVID-19 measures in Singapore

Heightened alert measures are in place to contain growing COVID-19 cases. You must wear a facemask when outside of the home, except when eating or engaged in strenuous exercise. Children under six years old are exempt. Social distancing measures are in place.

There are significant penalties for breaching the Ministry of Health’s SHN or social distancing measures. If authorities suspect you're infected, you may need to stay in hospital or quarantine. See Singapore Ministry of Health website for the latest update.

COVID-19 Vaccinations

Australia's COVID-19 Vaccinations

Australia’s COVID-19 vaccinations will be rolled out domestically to people in Australia. The vaccinations will only be available in Australia.

Up to date information about Australia’s national roll-out of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program is available at the Department of Health’s website.

COVID-19 vaccines are approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s (TGA) rigorous assessment and approval processes. This includes assessment of its safety, quality, and effectiveness. Information on vaccines approved for use in Australia can be found on the TGA website.

For information on Singapore's COVID-19 vaccination program, refer to https://www.vaccine.gov.sg/. You should consult your local health professional for advice on vaccine options, including assistance that may be available locally. The Australian Government cannot provide advice on the safety, quality and efficacy of vaccines that have been approved for use outside of Australia’s regulatory process

Singapore's COVID-19 Vaccinations

Singapore’s COVID-19 vaccinations will be rolled out domestically to people in Singapore including Singapore citizens, Permanent Residents and Long Term Pass holders. The vaccinations will only be available in Singapore.

Up to date information about Singapore’s national roll-out of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program is available at the Ministry of Health's website. You can also call the COVID-19 Vaccination Enquiry line on 1800 333 9999.

Vaccination Records for Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents or Long-Term Pass Holders Vaccinated Overseas

From 14 July 2021, individuals who have received COVID-19 vaccinations overseas with COVID-19 vaccines authorised by the Heath Sciences Authority under the Pandemic Special Access Route (PSAR) or listed on the World Health Organisation’s Emergency Use Listing (WHO EUL) can have their vaccination records updated in the National Immunisation Registry when they return to Singapore. To do so, they should have documentation to show proof of their overseas vaccination and a positive serology test result in Singapore

To update your vaccination records in Singapore, you can visit a specific private healthcare provider with your overseas COVID-19 vaccination documentation. For further information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions on the Ministry of Health website.