In July 2021, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced National Cabinet had agreed to a program to reopen borders. Indeed, National Cabinet agreed in-principle that the plan consists of four phases, each triggered by the achievement of vaccination thresholds expressed as a percentage of the eligible population (16+).

For now, Australia has extended its international travel ban until 17 December 2021. Until then borders will remain closed, and it does not mean that borders will reopen after this date. Currently, only citizens and returning permanent residents, their immediate family, and travellers with exemptions are permitted to enter the country. Since 14 July, the government will temporarily reduce commercial inbound passenger arrivals to all major airports by 50 percent, to reduce the pressure on quarantine facilities. However, the government will facilitate increased commercial flights in order to bring Australians home. They will be taken to Darwin for quarantine at the Howard Springs facility.

Four Phases Plan to reopen borders

National Cabinet had agreed to a four-phase plan that would end with coronavirus being treated “like any other infectious disease”.

Phase 1 – Current phase (Vaccinate, prepare, pilot)

This is the phase the country is currently in. The key of it is the national vaccination plan, and every Australian becoming fully vaccinated. It is forecast all Australians would have a chance to be vaccinated by the end of 2021.

The aim here is to accelerate vaccine rates. Early, stringent and short lockdowns will be put in place if outbreaks occur during this phase.

The federal government will trial and pilot the introduction of alternative quarantine options, including home quarantine for returning vaccinated travellers. Vaccinated people could also only be required to quarantine for 7 days instead of 14. There will be trials for the entry of student and economic visa holders.

What will it take to get to phase B?

70 per cent of the eligible population will need to have received both doses of a vaccine before Australia moves to the next phase. Morrison said he believed the country could reach this target before the end of the year.

Phase 2 – Vaccine transition phase

Phase 2 will begin when 70% of the eligible population will be fully vaccinated.

International arrivals will still be restricted and caps on arrivals will remain. Inbound passenger caps will return at previous levels for unvaccinated returning travellers and larger caps of vaccinated returning travellers will be allowed int he country.

Australia will allow a capped entry of student and economic visa holders, subject to quarantine arrangements and availability.

Following the results of the trials in phase 1, new quarantine arrangements will be introduced for vaccinated travellers.

Phase 3 – Consolidation

The next phase will come into force once the country hits 80 per cent of the population being fully vaccinated. This will involve the management of COVID-19 in the same way as other infectious diseases.

There will be no caps on returning vaccinated Australians and all restrictions on outbound travel for vaccinated Australians will be lifted.

Travel bubbles should be extended for unrestricted travel to new candidate countries.

A gradual reopening of international travel will be put in place with safe countries.

Phase Four – Back To Normal

The final phase of the plan is the “back to normal” one with international borders finally set to open back up. Vaccinated people will be allowed to enter Australia without quarantining, while the caps will also be removed for unvaccinated arrivals. The latter will be tested for COVID-19 pre-flight and on arrival. Quarantine for high-risk inbound travellers will remain in place.

When will we be able to travel to Australia?

Australia’s borders are currently closed to anyone travelling from outside of Australia aside from those coming from New Zealand (see below).

There is no definitive date on when Australia’s borders will open to international travel worldwide. Federal budget 2021 seems to suggest international borders won’t reopen until next year (2022). For sure, Australia will not fully open its borders to international travellers until the vaccine has been widely rolled out in the country. For now we are in Phase 1 of the above plan, which is Vaccinate, prepare and pilot. It is hoped that the country will enter in Phase 2 at the beginning of 2022. However, after reaching a new deal to get more Pfizer vaccines, Prime Minister has announced that states that hit the vaccine targets (80%) will be able to reopen their borders.

International border to open for states hitting vaccine targets

States that fully vaccinate 80% of eligible people (16 and older) will be able to resume international travel, as the Prime Minister said a new deal will double Australia’s vaccine supplies for September will speed up reopening.

If you are planning to study in Australia, it is possible (pending on trials) that you will be allowed to enter the country by the end of 2021 or early 2022.

If you intend to come to Australia with a WHV, it seems that you will have to wait for Phase 3, potentially 4. It is important to note that you are still able to apply for a WHV in Australia. Once granted, you will be able to enter Australia as soon as the travel ban is lifted. If you are currently in New Zealand, you are now able to enter and travel to Australia (without having to undertake a quarantine).

What to do if my visa expires before the opening of borders?

WHV makers who were not able to enter Australia because of the closed borders will be able to lodge a new application free of charge. They will be able to have a new visa for free if they still under the age limit or will get a refund if they are over it. Please also note that the age limit will be increased to 35 years old for UK passport holders.

Travellers on working holiday visas who had to leave Australia early due to the pandemic will be eligible for a waiver, or a refund depending on their situation.

Refunds and waivers are available for current or expired WHV holders who are not able to travel to Australia because of travel restrictions.

For those who have passed the relevant age limit, you cannot be able to apply for a new visa. However, you can now apply for a refund.

Both Refunds and Waivers applications are available through the immigration website.

For more information, check out : WORKING HOLIDAY AUSTRALIA: Visa Waiver or refund announced by the government

‘Travel Safe Zone’ between Australia and New Zealand

All quarantine-free flights to New Zealand are paused. More information is available on New Zealand’s COVID-19 website.

The “Safe Travel Zone” between New Zealand and Australia is effective since April 19, 2021. It is possible to travel from New Zealand to Australia and from Australia to NZ. Travellers who have been in New Zealand territory (New Zealand and Tokelau) for the previous 14 days coming to Australia will not be required to quarantine upon arrival. Likewise, those in Australia traveling to New Zealand will not have to quarantine. The airlines operating flights between the two countries are Qantas and Air New Zealand. If you are currently in NZ, you can apply for a WHV in Australia and those in Australia can apply for a WHV in New Zealand.

This “Bubble” applies to everyone currently in NZ and Australia. Whether you are NZ or Australian citizens, on a WHV, a Student or tourist visa in NZ or Australia, you can enter and travel between those two countries.

It is likely that more ‘bubbles’ will emerge in the coming months between Australia and parts of Asia (Japan, Singapore or South Korea).