Everything You Need to Know About Vaccinated Travel to Australia

Gearing up to travel to Australia for the upcoming university semester? With all the various rules and regulations to abide by, getting to the land down under might seem like a massive headache. If you’re feeling nervous about travelling, hey, that’s perfectly normal too. 

The key here is to keep your eye on the prize — your vibrant life as an international student in Australia awaits! 

Vaccinated Travel to Australia For International Students 

As of 15 December 2021, fully vaccinated international students (with the eligible student visa) are allowed to travel to and from Australia without applying for a travel exemption. That means you won’t need to serve a quarantine upon arrival, though each state and territory has their own entry requirements. For instance, if you’re studying in Melbourne, you’ll need to immediately quarantine at your hotel or student apartment and take a rapid antigen test within 24 hours of arrival. Once you’ve tested negative, you’re free to leave.

However, travel requirements are always changing based on the COVID-19 situation. We recommend checking the Australian Department of Home Affairs website along with the State and Territory Information page for the latest updates.

Booking Your Flight Tickets

Too long since you last travelled? Or flying to Australia for the first time? Don’t worry, here are a couple of tips.  

If you’re searching for flights to Australia, you can use websites like Skyscanner to search and compare flights. Qantas is a popular choice for Australian flights, though you can opt for your country’s airlines (e.g. Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines). For more affordable flight options, you could also take a look at budget airlines such as Scoot and Jetstar. 

These days, airlines are extremely strict about their hygiene standards, so try not to stress too much about being cooped up in a steel box amidst a pandemic. Chances are, you’ll be fine, as everyone else on board with you is also fully vaccinated and has tested negative. Just remember to wear a mask at all times, and bring along hand sanitiser, disinfectant wipes and extra face masks with you in your cabin bag. 

Before You Fly 

Gone are the days where we could stroll freely on board an airplane, with just our passport and boarding ticket in hand. Before your flight to Australia, you will need to settle a couple of important things first. This includes getting your foreign vaccinated certificate, submitting an Australia Travel Declaration form online, and undergoing a pre-departure COVID test. 

As of 23 January 2022, in addition to PCR tests, Australia is now accepting negative rapid antigen tests done within 24 hours of your flight as the entry requirement. However, do double check the Department of Health website for the latest information before you fly. For more tips on preparing for your journey, check out our handy guide on things to do before flying to Australia for university!

Wishing You Safe Travels to the Land Down Under! 

By preparing ahead of time and obtaining all the necessary documents and tests, rest assured that your travels to Australia will be smooth, safe, and most of all, exciting. 

If you’ve yet to secure a place to call home in Australia, why not explore our fantastic university student accommodation in Adelaide and Melbourne? Located a stone’s throw away from the top educational institutions such as RMIT University of Melbourne, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Adelaide, Flinders University, University of South Australia, –  Y Suites on Waymouth and Y Suites on A’Beckett offers the best of city living with top-notch convenience and comfort. Visit our website to learn more, or feel free to contact us with any questions!