Organisers of international conferences will soon have Australia back in their sights after the country said it planned to reopen its borders to Covid-vaccinated travellers.
From 21 February 2022, vaccinated travellers will be able to enter Australia and won’t have to quarantine upon arrival.
However, a negative rapid antigen test (RAT) or Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Covid‐19 test taken within 24 hours of departure will need to be shown on arrival.
Those who don't have both doses of the Covid vaccine will need a valid travel exemption and will still be subject to state and territory quarantine requirements.
Tourism Australia managing director, Phillipa Harrison said the move to reopen was a 'significant step in rebuilding international visitation from Australia’s key international business events markets across the globe'.
Business Events Australia is looking to resharpen its focus to attract high visitor numbers as it loosens its border rules for fully vaccinated travellers.
“Throughout the pandemic Business Events Australia has maintained an active presence to keep Australia top of mind and maintain engagement with our customers abroad. Now, with the reopening of travel to Australia, Business Events Australia will be working with its trade and distribution partners on a dedicated marketing campaign to make sure our prospective customers know we’re open and ready to welcome delegates back to enjoy our exceptional destinations, world‐class venues and unique experiences.”
A number of territory-wide and nationwide business events initiatives were launched during the pandemic, including the AUD185 million WA (Western Australia) funding package that saw AUD15 million dedicated to business events.
The move follows the gradual quarantine-free reopening of Australia's borders, which came into effect for fully vaccinated travellers from Singapore in November 2021 and those travelling from Japan and South Korea could enter from mid-December 2021.
The following rules will apply to fully vaccinated travellers arriving in Australia:
From 21 February 2022, visa holders who are fully vaccinated with two doses of a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved COVID‐19 vaccine can travel to Australia quarantine‐free, without the need to apply for a travel exemption.
To be eligible to enter Australia, international travellers must:
- Hold a valid Australian visa.
- Be fully vaccinated with two doses of a COVID‐19 vaccine approved by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and provide proof of vaccination status.
- Present a negative rapid antigen test (RAT) or Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Covid‐19 test taken within 24 hours of departure (unless a medical exemption applies).
- As of 7 February 2022, fully vaccinated visa holders can enter all states and territories quarantine‐free from 21 February 2022, except for Western Australia.
- Travellers will need to comply with requirements in the state or territory of their arrival, and any other state or territories that they plan to travel to. Information on entry requirements is updated regularly so it is important to check the latest requirements before travelling. Travellers are also encouraged to check any requirements for stopover destinations that they are transitioning through.
A desire to travel led Holly Patrick to the business meetings and events world and she’s never looked back. Holly takes a particular interest in event sustainability and creating a diverse and inclusive industry. When she’s not working, she can be found rolling skating along Brighton seafront listening to an eclectic playlist, featuring the likes of Patti Smith, Sean Paul, and Arooj Aftab.
