On July 6, 2022, Australia becomes the latest country to remove all COVID-19 entry restrictions. The country previously ended its COVID testing and quarantine requirements, and is now removing its COVID-19 vaccination requirement as well. Essentially, Australia is now open to all travelers – regardless of vaccination status – for the first time in several years.
Australia had previously retained some of the strictest COVID-19 entry requirements in the world. It was only on February, 21, 2022 that the country began allowing fully vaccinated visitors to enter. With the vaccination, testing, and quarantine requirements now over, visiting Australia is now much the same as it was prior to the pandemic. Even the much-maligned Digital Passenger Declaration Form requirement is ending, to the relief of many inbound travelers.
However, not all remnants of Australia COVID restrictions are gone completely. There are still state-specific rules you must follow. Other than in the Northern Territory and Tasmania, facemasks are still required on public transport, including on both international and domestic flights. However, visitors are now allowed to visit public places and restaurants, bars, and clubs without wearing a mask.
Travel Health Insurance for Australia
Australia shares a “Reciprocal Health Care Agreement” (RHCA) with many countries, such as the UK, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, and the Netherlands, to name a few. If you are from one of these countries and require medically necessary emergency treatment, the RHCA may be able to cover you. However, this coverage is only for residents of certain countries (American and Indian residents do not qualify), and only provides “medically necessary” treatment at public hospitals. In other words, it doesn’t cover everything, and may leave you financially responsible for much of your actual treatment costs.
Therefore, regardless of where you’re from, it is highly recommended that you purchase Overseas Visitors Health Cover (OVHC) if you are traveling to Australia. OVHC provides much wider-ranging coverage, and can save you a significant amount of money if you need to seek treatment for an illness or injury during your trip.
After what has been several years of waiting to visit Australia, now is the time. Get proper health insurance coverage, and explore the Land Down Under.