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Australians will soon be allowed to travel abroad freely if they are fully vaccinated.

The eased restrictions will be the first stage in the country’s plan to reopen its borders since slamming them shut in 2020, separating families and leaving thousands stranded overseas.

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By Livia Albeck-Ripka

• Oct. 27, 2021

The health minister of Australia announced on Wednesday that fully vaccinated residents would finally be allowed to travel abroad starting on Nov. 1, a year and a half after borders were closed to most ingoing and outgoing travel.

“Fully vaccinated Australians will not require an exemption to depart Australia,” Greg Hunt, the country’s health minister, told reporters in Canberra. He added that they would also be able to return without restrictions.

The eased restrictions will be the first stage in Australia’s plan to reopen its international borders since slamming them shut on March 20, 2020, separating families and leaving thousands of Australians stranded overseas .

The second stage, Mr. Hunt said, will allow students and critical workers to enter the country and, eventually, see borders fully reopened to tourists and other visitors.

“It’s exciting,” said Kelsey May, 25, an Australian who returned home from Britain in March of 2020, and has been separated from her partner since. But, Ms. May added: “We’ve been told so many things over the past 18 months that haven’t come to fruition. We just want to see what happens.”

On Monday, the health authorities also approved Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine booster shots for those 18 and older. They said the decision would make the country among the most highly vaccinated places in the world.

Nationwide, 62 percent of eligible Australians have had two doses of the vaccine, and 74 percent have had one dose.

But Canberra, the capital, announced it had become the first jurisdiction in the country to fully vaccinate more than 90 percent of eligible residents age 12 and older.

Livia Albeck-Ripka is a reporter for The New York Times, currently based in California. She was previously a reporter for The Times's Australia bureau. More about Livia Albeck-Ripka

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International covid-19 vaccination certificates.

Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. Foreign governments may need evidence of the COVID-19 vaccinations and tests you’ve had before they let you enter.

The Australian-issued International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate (ICVC) is a free and secure way to prove your COVID-19 vaccination history when you travel across borders overseas.

Read this page to learn about:

How to get your ICVC

How to use your icvc.

This page provides general information about the ICVC. It’s your responsibility to be informed about the destinations you’re visiting. Including understanding entry requirements, risks and planning for your safety. Read the travel advice for your destination for details.

The easiest way to get a certificate is by using your Medicare account through myGov , or the Express Plus Medicare mobile app . If you can’t use these options

• visit a Services Australia services centre or
• contact the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) on 1800 653 809 (in Australia) or +61 2 8633 3284 (from overseas).

To get a certificate, you’ll need to have your valid passport with you. Your COVID-19 vaccinations will need to be registered on the AIR before you can apply.

• If you got your vaccinations in Australia, the details are added to the AIR for you.
• If you got your vaccinations overseas, you’ll need to get them recoded on the AIR before you can get a certificate. Only an Australian medical professional in Australia can add records to the AIR. Ask your GP or other medical practitioner for help.

Your international certificate features a secure QR code. It includes all the information you need to prove to airlines and authorities that you’ve had your COVID-19 vaccinations.

Some authorities may accept the QR code on its own, but some may not. Carry a printout of the PDF version in case you need it.

You’ll need to show your international certificate and passport when you check in at the airport in Australia. Depending on your destination, you may need to show your certificate to local authorities when you arrive.

Check the local requirements

The destination you’re going to determines their public health requirements.  Some destinations:

• don’t exempt vaccinated travellers from quarantine
• have different policies to Australia about the vaccines they accept and the length of time between doses, and/or
• need evidence of a negative COVID-19 test in addition to a vaccination certificate

Some destinations will only accept certificates that show your COVID-19 vaccination batch numbers. If the destination you’re visiting needs these details and your certificate is missing it, go to the Services Australia website .

You may also need a local ‘vaccine passport’ to access certain services and venues at your destination.

To find out more about these requirements, read the travel advice for your destination . Or check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering.

More information on the international certificate is available from the Australian Passports Office , including:

• How the international certificate works
• Eligibility
• How to get an international certificate
• Using your international certificate overseas
• Find more on COVID-19 vaccinations
• Learn about Australia's biosecurity and border controls
• Learn about the best proof of vaccination for your situation (Services Australia)

• About the Handbook

Vaccination for international travellers

Ensure that travellers are up to date with routine vaccines. Also consider other vaccines based on travel itinerary, activities and risk of disease exposure.

Recently added

This page was added on  09 June 2018 .

Updates made

This page was updated on 23 October 2023 .  View history of updates

Millions of Australians travel overseas every year. More than half of these trips are to destinations other than New Zealand, North America and Europe. 1

This page helps with making decisions about travel vaccines. Also check the disease-specific chapters in this Handbook for details about specific vaccines.

See also Infographic. Vaccination for international travellers .

Health risks of overseas travel

Health risks associated with international travel include exposure to:

• infective agents
• altitude and temperature extremes
• other physical, psychological and environmental hazards
• poor-quality or limited access to clean water, shelter, hygiene and sanitation facilities, and health and medical care

The level of health risks depends on factors such as:

• the traveller’s underlying physical and mental health and physiological state
• the itinerary and activities undertaken
• the duration of exposure to various hazards during travel

Travellers at increased risk of serious travel-associated infections include:

• young children and infants
• pregnant women
• people with underlying medical conditions, especially immunocompromising conditions due to disease or medical treatment
• people spending extended periods in multiple regions with poor resources or in remote areas
• people participating in events where large numbers of people will gather, such as major sporting, cultural, social or religious events
• migrant families travelling back to their region of origin to visit friends and relatives

Those travelling to visit friends and relatives are more likely to: 2

• have closer contact with local populations
• stay in remote or rural areas
• consume higher-risk food and beverages

Those travelling to visit friends and relatives are less likely to: 2,3

• recognise the health risks associated with travelling
• seek pre-travel health advice
• obtain the recommended vaccines or prophylaxis

Common infections acquired by travellers

Exposure to infectious diseases is one of the many health hazards of international travel. Some of these diseases are vaccine preventable. Although some of these diseases are present in Australia, the risk of acquiring them overseas may be higher because of:

• higher disease incidence in other countries
• increased risk of exposure from participating in certain activities while travelling

Foodborne and waterborne infections

It is common for travellers to ingest contaminated food or beverages, resulting in an illness. 4-6  Practicing safe eating and drinking habits is essential to minimise the risk of contracting food and waterborne diseases while travelling. These include treating water or only drinking bottled water, avoiding undercooked meat, and avoiding raw fruit and vegetables (unless they can be peeled or washed in safe water prior to eating). Most infections are diarrhoeal diseases due to enteric pathogens, but some are due to extra-intestinal microorganisms, such as hepatitis A virus and Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi (causing typhoid).

Vaccines are available against hepatitis A, typhoid and cholera.

Vector-borne infections

Insect-borne — especially mosquito-borne — infections, such as malaria and dengue, are important causes of fever in Australian travellers returning from endemic areas, particularly Southeast Asia and Oceania. 4,6

A dengue vaccine (Dengvaxia) is available for the prevention of secondary dengue infections (not primary prevention of initial dengue infection ) in select individuals. See Clinical advice: ATAGI statement on use of Dengvaxia® for Australians .

Japanese encephalitis occurs throughout much of Asia and the Western Pacific region, including eastern Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. 7 Yellow fever occurs only in parts of Africa and South America, 8 and tick-borne encephalitis occurs in parts of Europe and Asia. 9

Vaccines are available against Japanese encephalitis , yellow fever and tick-borne encephalitis .

Some other vector-borne diseases and parasitic (including protozoal and helminthic) diseases are also important for international travellers. Some are preventable through appropriate barrier precautions and chemoprophylaxis (for example, malaria). 9

Aerosol-borne infections

Vaccine-preventable infections transmitted by aerosols and/or droplets include: 9

• influenza (the most common vaccine-preventable infection among travellers) 10
• meningococcal disease
• varicella (chickenpox)

The incidence of measles and mumps is higher in many overseas countries, including some developed countries, than in Australia.

Tuberculosis is a rare infection in travellers. 11 Expatriates who live in endemic areas for a long time are more likely to acquire tuberculosis than short-term visitors. 12

Vaccines are available against all of these diseases.

Bloodborne and sexually transmitted infections

Some Australian travellers may be at risk from bloodborne and sexually transmissible infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. In some areas, healthcare workers using non-sterile medical equipment or other poor infection control practices may transmit these viruses and other bloodborne agents.

Vaccines are available against hepatitis B.

Exotic infectious agents

Travellers may be exposed to a variety of other exotic infections, such as:

• rabies from bites or scratches from rabid dogs, bats and other mammals in many countries
• schistosomiasis from exposure to water infested with the parasites, especially in Africa
• leptospirosis through activities such as rafting or wading in contaminated streams

Of these diseases, vaccines are available only against rabies.

Recommending travel vaccines

Although recommending appropriate vaccines is important, it is not the only part of a pre-travel medical consultation. Travel vaccines — those relevant for travelling — include all relevant vaccines, not just the ones that prevent diseases that most commonly occur overseas.

Do not recommend a vaccine based only on the destination country, because there is no single ‘correct’ list of vaccines for travel to any particular country.

There are 3 categories of travel vaccines:

• routinely recommended vaccines (not specific to travelling overseas)
• selected vaccines based on travel itinerary, activities and likely risk of disease exposure
• vaccines required by the International Health Regulations 2005 (IHR) or for entry into specific countries

Questions for a pre-travel medical consultation

During a pre-travel medical consultation, ask questions about the traveller’s:

• personal information, including age and whether they are pregnant or planning pregnancy
• underlying medical conditions, particularly immunocompromising conditions, and current medicines
• vaccination history (including adverse events following immunisation) and allergy history
• purpose of travel and intended activities, especially those associated with various environmental risks and hazards
• plans for travel insurance

Also ask about their itinerary in detail, including:

• date of departure and time available for vaccinations
• specific localities and routes
• rural versus urban stay
• duration of stay
• likely access to health care and other services
• likelihood of changing the planned itinerary

This information helps to tailor recommendations about preventive vaccination or chemoprophylaxis for exposure risks during the proposed trip. It also allows the clinician to advise about other appropriate preventive health measures (for example, food and water precautions, avoiding bites from mosquitoes or other arthropods) and about managing possible health conditions during travel.

Organisational requirements for vaccination

Some overseas organisations, such as schools, colleges and universities, require evidence of vaccination or immunity against some vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles and meningococcal disease. Consider these requirements when planning and scheduling vaccines before departure.

Routinely recommended vaccines (not specific to travelling overseas)

Vaccinate all prospective travellers according to the recommended vaccination schedule appropriate for their age, underlying health conditions, occupation and lifestyle. Vaccines might include, for example, pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine for an older person, or hepatitis B vaccine for a first aid officer. 

Also ensure that all children are vaccinated according to the National Immunisation Program schedule. In exceptional circumstances, give the National Immunisation Program vaccines at the minimum age rather than the recommended age (see Table. Minimum acceptable age for the 1st dose of scheduled vaccines in infants in special circumstances ). Children vaccinated using the minimum age rather than the recommended age may need extra vaccine doses to ensure adequate protection. Observe the minimum interval requirements between doses (see Table. Minimum acceptable dose intervals for children <10 years of age ). The chances of being exposed to some diseases, such as measles and mumps, may be greater during overseas travel, even to other developed countries.

For some itineraries, it may be appropriate for the traveller to receive some booster doses earlier than the routine recommended time. An example may be diphtheria-tetanus booster.

Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis

Vaccinate adult travellers against tetanus before departure, particularly if:

• their risk of sustaining a tetanus-prone wound is high
• there could be delays in accessing health services where they can receive tetanus toxoid boosters safely, if required

Offer dTpa vaccine during a pre-travel consultation if the traveller has never received a dose of dTpa . This provides protection against pertussis (see Pertussis ). 

For high-risk travel, consider giving a booster dose of either dTpa or dT vaccine if more than 5 years have passed (see Tetanus ).

Hepatitis B

Most Australian children born since 2000 have been vaccinated against hepatitis B under the National Immunisation Program or state and territory school-based vaccination programs.

Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for long-term or frequent travellers to regions of intermediate or high endemicity of hepatitis B, including:

• Central and South America

This is because travellers may be exposed to hepatitis B virus through bloodborne routes (including during emergency medical or dental procedures) or sexual routes. According to 1 survey, about half of Australian travellers who spent at least 3 nights in Southeast or East Asia participated in at least 1 activity that had a risk of hepatitis B transmission. 13

See also Hepatitis B .

Influenza and pneumococcal disease

Older travellers and those with any relevant underlying medical or behavioural risk factors should receive pneumococcal vaccine. See Pneumococcal disease for more details.

Consider influenza vaccine for all travellers, especially if they are travelling to a region during its influenza season. Influenza vaccine is particularly relevant if:

• there is an influenza epidemic at the traveller’s destination
• the person is travelling in a large tourist group, especially one that includes older people
• the person is travelling on cruises, where people are relatively confined for days to weeks

See also Influenza. 

Measles, mumps and rubella

Inadequately vaccinated young adult travellers are responsible for most current measles outbreaks in Australia. This occurs when they acquire the infection overseas and bring it back to Australia. Some countries, regions or communities — including developed countries — have a higher incidence of measles and mumps than Australia. 9

Australians born during or since 1966 who have not received the recommended 2 doses of MMR (measles-mumps-rubella)–containing vaccines are recommended to receive MMR vaccine before travelling. This also applies to infants 6–12 months old travelling to areas with measles outbreaks or where measles is endemic . The exception is for pregnant women, because MMR is a live vaccine and is contraindicated in pregnancy. 

People born before 1966 do not need to receive measles-containing vaccine (unless serological evidence indicates that they are not immune). This is because circulating measles virus and disease were prevalent before 1966, so most people would have acquired immunity from natural infection .

However, confirmed cases of measles have occurred in people born before 1966. 14 If in doubt about a person’s immunity, it may be faster and easier to vaccinate the person than conduct serological testing . See Serological testing for immunity to measles . 

See also Measles . 

Unvaccinated travellers are recommended to receive varicella vaccine if they either:

• have not had clinical disease, or
• have an uncertain history of clinical disease and serology shows a lack of immunity 

The exception is for pregnant women, because varicella vaccine is a live vaccine and is contraindicated in pregnancy.

See also Varicella .

Meningococcal disease

Vaccination against meningococcal serogroups A, C, W-135, Y and B is recommended for certain age and population groups who are at increased risk of meningococcal disease.

In addition, MenACWY (quadrivalent meningococcal) vaccine is recommended for people who are:

• planning travel to, or living in, parts of the world where epidemics of serogroup A, C, W-135 or Y meningococcal disease occur, particularly the ‘meningitis belt’ of sub-Saharan Africa 15
• planning travel to mass gatherings, such as pilgrims travelling to the Hajj in Saudi Arabia

Seek up-to-date epidemiological information to determine whether a traveller needs meningococcal vaccination. See Accessing up-to-date travel information.

The Saudi Arabian authorities require that all pilgrims travelling to Mecca (for the Hajj or Umra) have evidence of recent vaccination with the quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine. 16  See Requirements for travellers to Mecca and Accessing up-to-date travel information .

See also Meningococcal disease .

Poliomyelitis

Ensure that all travellers are age-appropriately vaccinated against polio (see Poliomyelitis ).

If the person is travelling to a country where wild poliovirus is still circulating, they should receive inactivated poliovirus ( IPV ) vaccine if they have not completed a 3-dose primary course of any polio vaccine. Travellers who have completed the primary course should receive a single booster dose.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Polio Eradication Initiative website website has an up-to-date list of polio-affected countries.

Documented evidence of polio vaccination is not routinely required for travellers under the International Health Regulations. However, documented evidence of vaccination may be temporarily required according to WHO recommendations in response to new evidence of the spread of wild poliovirus (see Vaccines required by the International Health Regulations or for entry into specific countries and Documentation and certificates ).

International polio epidemiology and associated travel requirements can change. Check the Australian Government Department of Health website for current recommendations for Australian travellers .

Ensure that all travellers are age-appropriately vaccinated against COVID-19. Foreign governments may require evidence of COVID-19 vaccination before a traveller is allowed to enter. The Australian-issued International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate is a secure way to prove COVID-19 vaccination history that has been developed to meet agreed international travel standards. Parents and carers of children <14 years of age, adolescents ≥14 years of age and adults can get a copy of their COVID-19 vaccination certificate at any time:

• using their Medicare online account through myGov
• through the Medicare Express Plus mobile app
• by calling 1800 653 809 (free call)

See also COVID-19 .

Vaccines based on travel itinerary, activities and likely risk of disease exposure

Use a risk assessment approach when recommending travel vaccines. Weigh the potential risks of disease exposure and protective benefits from vaccination against potential adverse effects, and the non-financial and financial costs of vaccination.

Prioritise vaccines for diseases that are:

• common and of significant impact, such as influenza and hepatitis A
• less common, but have severe potential adverse outcomes, such as Japanese encephalitis and rabies

Consider booster doses, where appropriate (see disease-specific chapters in this Handbook for recommendations). If the person is departing for travel soon, consider an accelerated schedule, if appropriate, such as for hepatitis B vaccine or the combination hepatitis A-hepatitis B vaccine (see Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B ). Although immunity may be established sooner with the accelerated schedule, people who receive an accelerated schedule need another dose about a year later to complete the course and ensure long-term protection.

Most travellers do not need cholera vaccine. 16,17  The risk of a traveller acquiring cholera is very low if they avoid contaminated food and water.

No country requires travellers to have certification of cholera vaccination. No country has official entry requirements for cholera vaccination

See also Cholera .

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all travellers ≥1 year of age travelling to moderately or highly endemic countries (including all developing countries). The exceptions are people who have evidence of natural immunity after previous infection .

Normal human immunoglobulin is no longer used to protect travellers against hepatitis A.

See also Hepatitis A .

Japanese encephalitis

While now considered an emerging disease in Australia, Japanese Encephalitis is more likely in travellers to endemic regions overseas. 18 Japanese encephalitis ( JE ) vaccine is recommended for travellers spending a month or more in endemic areas in Asia, Papua New Guinea or the outer islands of Torres Strait during the JE virus transmission season.

Consider JE vaccination for shorter-term travellers, particularly if:

• travel is during the wet season 
• travel may be repeated
• the person will spend a lot of time outdoors 
• the person’s accommodation has no air-conditioning, screens or bed nets

Check a reputable source before travel for information about JE virus activity — for example, Health Information for International Travel (the ‘Yellow Book’) . 19

A traveller’s overall risk of acquiring JE in these JE - endemic countries is likely to be low (<1 case per 1 million travellers). Determine the specific risk according to the: 17

• season of travel
• regions visited 
• duration of travel
• extent of outdoor activity
• extent to which the person avoids mosquito bites 

See also Japanese encephalitis .

Before travel to rabies- endemic regions, advise people about:

• the risk of rabies infection
• avoiding close contact with wild, stray and domestic animals — especially dogs, cats, monkeys and bats 
• the importance of appropriate immediate wound care of all animal bites and scratches 

See also Rabies and other lyssaviruses, including Australian bat lyssavirus .

Recommendations for rabies vaccination as pre-exposure prophylaxis

When deciding whether to give a pre-travel prophylactic rabies vaccination, assess the:

• likelihood of exposure to potentially rabid animals
• access to appropriate health care and availability of post-exposure prophylaxis , including rabies immunoglobulin , should there be an at-risk exposure
• timeliness of access to health care after exposure

Use a lower threshold for recommending rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis for children travelling to endemic areas.

Benefits of vaccination as pre-exposure prophylaxis

Pre-travel rabies vaccination:

• ensures that the traveller has received a safe and efficacious vaccine
• simplifies the management of a subsequent exposure because the person will need fewer doses of vaccine
• means that rabies immunoglobulin — which is often extremely expensive, and difficult or even impossible to obtain in many developing countries — is not needed
• reduces the urgency of post-exposure prophylaxis

Tick-borne encephalitis

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is caused by a tick-borne RNA flavivirus. The disease may involve the central nervous system. TBE is prevalent in parts of central and northern European temperate regions, and across northern Asia. Travellers are at risk when hiking or camping in forested areas in endemic regions during the summer months.

Safe and effective vaccines are available. Vaccination is recommended only for people with a high risk of exposure.

TBE vaccine is not registered in Australia, but a small stock of vaccine may be available for use under the Special Access Scheme .

Tuberculosis

Vaccination with BCG (bacille Calmette–Guérin) vaccine is generally recommended for tuberculin-negative children <5 years of age who will be staying in high-risk countries for an extended period (3 months or longer).

Vaccinating older children and adults appears to be less beneficial. However, consider vaccinating tuberculin-negative children aged ≥5 years but <16 years who may be living or travelling for long periods in high-risk countries.

A high-risk country is one that has a tuberculosis incidence of >40 per 100,000 population.

For travellers who need BCG vaccine, consider the following precautions when scheduling their vaccination visits:

• If possible, give BCG vaccine at least 3 months before the person will arrive in an endemic area.
• Give other live viral vaccines (for example, MMR , varicella, yellow fever) at the same time or with a minimum 4-week interval after BCG vaccination.
• A tuberculin skin test (TST; Mantoux), performed by trained and accredited healthcare practitioners, is recommended before receiving BCG vaccine for all individuals (except infants aged <6 months).
• People may suppress reactions to tuberculin for 4–6 weeks after viral infections or live viral vaccines, particularly measles infection and measles-containing vaccines.

State and territory tuberculosis services can provide tuberculin skin tests and BCG vaccine.

See also Tuberculosis .

Typhoid vaccine may be recommended for travellers ≥2 years of age travelling to endemic regions, including: 

• the Indian subcontinent
• most Southeast Asian countries 
• several South Pacific nations, including Papua New Guinea 

This advice is also relevant for those travelling to endemic regions to visit friends and relatives.

Inactivated parenteral and live oral typhoid vaccine formulations are available.

See also Typhoid fever .

Yellow fever

Yellow fever vaccine is recommended for all people ≥9 months of age travelling to, or living in, an area with a risk of yellow fever virus transmission. 20

To minimise the risk of introducing yellow fever, some countries require documented evidence of yellow fever vaccination for entry, in line with the International Health Regulations (see Vaccines required by the International Health Regulations or for entry into specific countries ).

When assessing the need for yellow fever vaccination, consider:

• the risk of the person being infected with yellow fever virus
• country entry requirements
• individual factors such as age, pregnancy and underlying medical conditions 

Vaccination is generally not recommended for travel to areas with a low probability of yellow fever virus exposure — that is: 

• where human yellow fever cases have never been reported 
• where evidence suggests only low levels of yellow fever virus transmission in the past 

However, consider vaccination for a small subset of travellers to lower-risk areas who are at increased risk of exposure to mosquitoes or who are unable to avoid mosquito bites. 20

People aged ≥60 years are at increased risk of severe adverse events after primary yellow fever vaccination. Weigh the adverse effects of vaccinating people in this age group against the potential for yellow fever virus exposure and, in turn, the benefits of vaccination. 17

See also Yellow fever .

Booster doses

Most people do not need a booster dose of yellow fever vaccine. A single dose induces protective antibody levels that last for many decades. However, certain people are recommended to receive a booster if their last dose was more than 10 years ago and they are at ongoing risk of yellow fever virus infection . See Yellow fever .

Vaccines required by the International Health Regulations or for entry into specific countries

Yellow fever requirements.

The International Health Regulations require yellow fever vaccination for travelling in certain circumstances. This is to:

• protect travellers who are likely to be exposed to yellow fever 
• stop importation of the virus into countries that have the relevant vectors (see Yellow fever ).

Some countries may require documented evidence of yellow fever vaccination as a condition of entry or exit (see Planning and documenting vaccines ). This includes countries that do not currently have yellow fever circulating.

Australia’s yellow fever travel requirements are detailed in the Australian Government Department of Health’s yellow fever fact sheet .

Contact the relevant embassies or consulates in Australia to confirm the entry requirements for yellow fever vaccination for the countries a traveller intends to enter or transit through. 

Requirements for travellers to Mecca

Each year, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health publishes the requirements and recommendations for entry visas for travellers on pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj and Umra). 16

For pilgrims travelling directly from Australia, only evidence of MenACWY vaccination is currently mandatory. However, check the current requirements when advising prospective Hajj and Umra pilgrims (see Meningococcal disease and Accessing up-to-date travel information ).

Temporary requirements

The International Health Regulations may temporarily introduce requirements for other vaccine-preventable diseases in response to changes in disease epidemiology that are of international health concern. An example is for polio vaccination.

Because country vaccination requirements are subject to change at any time, confirm all current vaccination requirements for the countries a traveller intends to enter or transit through before travel. See Poliomyelitis and Accessing up-to-date travel information .

Planning and documenting vaccines

Ideally, start vaccination courses early enough before departure to allow:

• monitoring of any possible adverse events 
• time for adequate immunity to develop

Requirements for multiple vaccines

A traveller may need multiple vaccines before they depart. Apply the standard recommendations and precautions when giving multiple vaccines (see Administration of vaccines ).

A traveller may need more than 1 clinic visit if they need multiple vaccines or doses (for example, rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis or hepatitis B vaccine). Pay special attention to scheduling of these visits, and consider:

• dose interval precautions (for example, for multiple live vaccines)
• requirements for pre-vaccination tests (for example, tuberculin skin test)
• potential interference by some antimalarials, if relevant (for example, rabies vaccine)

Documentation and certificates

It is important to document travel vaccines: 

• in the clinic’s record
• in the traveller’s record that they can carry with them 
• on the Australian Immunisation Register

The record should also include all the other routinely recommended vaccines that the traveller has ever received. 

For yellow fever vaccination, a traveller needs to have an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), which only Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres can provide under the International Health Regulations (see Yellow fever ). 

Travellers may also need an ICVP for other vaccine-preventable diseases, such as polio, based on temporary recommendations.

See also Accessing up-to-date travel information .

Vaccinating travellers with special risk factors

See Vaccination for women who are planning pregnancy, pregnant or breastfeeding , Vaccination for people who are immunocompromised and the disease-specific chapters in this Handbook for recommendations for travellers who are pregnant or immunocompromised.

Accessing up-to-date travel information

International travellers’ health risks constantly change. Up-to-date information, and knowledge of the changing epidemiology and current outbreaks of infectious and emerging diseases are essential. Reliable online information sources include:

• World Health Organization (WHO) for disease outbreak news, and its Travel and health section for specific advice on travel and health, including travel vaccination recommendations
• Travelers’ health , United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Travel health information , Australian Government Department of Health
• Smartraveller , the Australian Government’s travel advisory and consular information service, which provides up-to-date advice about health, safety and other risks of specific destinations for Australian travellers

The following resources have comprehensive technical advice on international travel and health, including vaccination:

• the latest edition of WHO’s International travel and health
• the CDC’s Health Information for International Travel (the ‘Yellow Book’)
• Australian Bureau of Statistics. 3401.0 – Overseas arrivals and departures, Australia, Mar 2018 (accessed May 2018). 
• Paudel P, Raina C, Zwar N, et al. Risk activities and pre-travel health seeking practices of notified cases of imported infectious diseases in Australia. Journal of Travel Medicine 2017;24(5):tax044.
• Heywood AE, Watkins RE, Iamsirithaworn S, Nilvarangkul K, MacIntyre CR. A cross-sectional study of pre-travel health-seeking practices among travelers departing Sydney and Bangkok airports. BMC Public Health 2012;12:321.
• Chen LH, Leder K, Barbre KA, et al. Business travel-associated illness: a GeoSentinel analysis. Journal of Travel Medicine 2018;25.
• Angelo KM, Kozarsky PE, Ryan ET, Chen LH, Sotir MJ. What proportion of international travellers acquire a travel-related illness? A review of the literature. Journal of Travel Medicine 2017;24.
• Freedman DO, Weld LH, Kozarsky PE, et al. Spectrum of disease and relation to place of exposure among ill returned travelers. New England Journal of Medicine 2006;354:119-30.
• Halstead SB, Hills SL, Dubischar K. Japanese encephalitis vaccines. In: Plotkin SA, Orenstein WA, Offit PA, Edwards KM, eds. Plotkin's vaccines. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018.
• Staples JE , Monath TP, Gershman MD, Barrett AD. Yellow fever vaccines. In: Plotkin SA, Orenstein WA, Offit PA, Edwards KM, eds. Plotkin's vaccines. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018.
• World Health Organization (WHO). Chapter 6: Vaccine-preventable diseases and vaccines . In: International travel and health. Geneva: WHO; 2017. 
• Steffen R. Travel vaccine preventable diseases-updated logarithmic scale with monthly incidence rates. Journal of Travel Medicine 2018;25.
• Denholm JT, Thevarajan I. Tuberculosis and the traveller: evaluating and reducing risk through travel consultation. Journal of Travel Medicine 2016;23.
• Lachish T, Tenenboim S, Schwartz E. 35 - Humanitarian Aid Workers. In: Keystone JS, Kozarsky PE, Connor BA, et al., eds. Travel Medicine (Fourth Edition). London: Elsevier; 2019. (Accessed 6 July 2023). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780323546966000355
• Leggat PA, Zwar NA, Hudson BJ. Hepatitis B risks and immunisation coverage amongst Australians travelling to Southeast Asia and East Asia. Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease 2009;7:344-9.
• Winkler NE, Dey A, Quinn HE, et al. Australian vaccine preventable disease epidemiological review series: measles, 2012-2019. Commun Dis Intell (2018) 2022;46.
• World Health Organization (WHO). Epidemic meningitis control in countries of the African meningitis belt, 2017. Weekly Epidemiological Record 2018;93:173-84.
• World Health Organization (WHO). International travel and health: health conditions for travellers to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) . 2017 (accessed May 2018). 
• Freedman DO, Chen LH. Vaccines for International Travel. Mayo Clinic Proceedings 2019;94:2314-39.
• Furuya-Kanamori L, Gyawali N, Mills DJ, et al. The Emergence of Japanese Encephalitis in Australia and the Implications for a Vaccination Strategy. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022;7.
• Hills SL, Rabe IB, Fischer M. Infectious diseases related to travel: Japanese encephalitis . In: CDC yellow book 2018: health information for international travel. New York: Oxford University Press; 2017. 
• World Health Organization (WHO). International travel and health (accessed Apr 2018). 

Page history

Minor updates to clinical guidance around routinely recommended vaccines (not specific to travelling overseas), including the addition of advice regarding COVID-19.

Editorial update to reflect changes to pneumococcal vaccine recommendations for older adults and people with medical risk factors.

Guidance on vaccination of travellers against measles, mumps and rubella updated to reflect advice in the Measles chapter.

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The Department of Health and Aged Care acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to all Elders both past and present.

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Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Australia. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Australia.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

Japanese Encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis is mainly a concern in the Murray River, and the Outer Torres Strait Islands area.

Recommended for travelers who

• Are moving to an area with Japanese encephalitis to live
• Spend long periods of time, such as a month or more, in areas with Japanese encephalitis
• Frequently travel to areas with Japanese encephalitis

Consider vaccination for travelers

• Spending less than a month in areas with Japanese encephalitis but will be doing activities that increase risk of infection, such as visiting rural areas, hiking or camping, or staying in places without air conditioning, screens, or bed nets
• Going to areas with Japanese encephalitis who are uncertain of their activities or how long they will be there

Not recommended for travelers planning short-term travel to urban areas or traveling at times outside of the Japanese encephalitis season.

Japanese encephalitis (CDC Yellow Book)

Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine for US Children

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Australia is free of dog rabies. However, rabies may still be present in wildlife species, particularly bats. CDC recommends rabies vaccination before travel only for people working directly with wildlife. These people may include veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers working with specimens from mammalian species.

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Yellow Fever

Required for travelers ≥1 year old arriving from countries with risk for YF virus transmission; this includes >12-hour airport transits or layovers in countries with risk for YF virus transmission. 1 Travelers arriving from the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador are exempt from this requirement.

Yellow Fever - CDC Yellow Book

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Avoid bug bites.

• Mosquito bite

Dengue outbreaks in Australia have only occurred in north and central Queensland.

• Avoid Bug Bites

Ross River virus disease

Ross River fever

Airborne & droplet

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Australia, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the  Department of State Country Information Pages  for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Although Australia is an industrialized country, bug bites here can still spread diseases. Just as you would in the United States, try to avoid bug bites while spending time outside or in wooded areas.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Consider using permethrin-treated clothing and gear if spending a lot of time outside. Do not use permethrin directly on skin.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Australia include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip:

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in the heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if you are driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately.  Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance for things your regular insurance will not cover.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medicines you take.
• Bring copies of your prescriptions for medicine and for eye glasses and contact lenses.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Australia’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Make sure there are seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in Australia, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Traffic flows on the left side of the road in Australia.

• Always pay close attention to the flow of traffic, especially when crossing the street.
• LOOK RIGHT for approaching traffic.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Australia for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

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Vaccine passports are coming to Australia. How will they work and what will you need them for?

Senior Lecturer, The University of Western Australia

Disclosure statement

Katie Attwell receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the WA Department of Health. She is currently funded by ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award DE1901000158. She is a member of a government advisory committee, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) COVID-19 Working Group 2. She is a specialist advisor to the Therapeutic Goods Administration. All views presented in this article are her own and not representative of any other organisation.

University of Western Australia provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation AU.

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Even before any COVID-19 vaccines were invented, vaccine passports for participation in public activities appeared likely .

Australia’s plagued vaccine rollout meant such requirements lay in a distant future — until now.

Australian political leaders have begun talking about a two-track future.

Proof of vaccination is already required in contexts around the globe by governments and private companies for people seeking to travel, dine and party.

We can expect a similar scenario here. So how will Australians be able to prove they’re fully vaccinated?

How can I prove I’m vaccinated?

NSW and Victoria are experiencing high new COVID case numbers. Both states have indicated reaching vaccination targets of 70-80% will be required for widespread easing of restrictions.

They’ve also suggested some freedoms will be only available to people who are fully vaccinated.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian yesterday announced freedoms for fully vaccinated people once 70% of the state’s eligible population are double dosed. These include being able to go to hospitality venues, hairdressers and gyms, and have five people to your home.

Attention is now turning to the ways in which these and other Australian governments will require proof of vaccination for entry into public and private spaces.

Currently, vaccinated Australians can access a COVID-19 digital certificate through MyGov or the Express Plus Medicare app.

Those needing proof of vaccination for overseas travel will soon have this linked to their passport chips , along with a smartphone compatible QR code .

For returned travellers, this technology is likely to inform the circumstances under which they quarantine. Fully vaccinated travellers may have less stringent requirements than those who are unvaccinated, so technology to demonstrate this will be necessary.

States are also preparing to require proof of vaccination for local participation in hospitality venues and events. This would very likely be different to the way you would prove your vaccination status for travelling overseas.

New South Wales is set to trial and then introduce a vaccine passport in October.

Vaccination data from the Australian Immunisation Register would be embedded in the Service NSW app, meeting hospitality industry demands for a simple process.

However, errors in the uploading and registration of data for vaccinated individuals will need resolving to avoid leaving them out in the cold.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has announced the state will pursue its own version of a vaccine passport .

A “vaccinated economy” to be piloted in regional Victoria will allow only the double-dosed to access events, facilities and services. Again, the hospitality industry supports easy-to-use vaccine passports following their role in reopenings overseas.

What about people who can’t get vaccinated?

Currently, the only formal medical exemption in Australia for COVID-19 vaccines is available on a federal government form . Until now, this form has been used for the country’s “No Jab” policies.

Recently updated for COVID-19 vaccines, it lists a very narrow set of criteria for exemption and can be lodged only by specific medical practitioners.

All levels of government using vaccine passports will need to consider whether other types of exemptions are appropriate or necessary, including for people who have recently been infected with COVID and are advised not to vaccinate for up to six months .

Victoria’s human rights apparatus indicates a wider set of considerations or exemptions may be necessary for those unwilling or unable to vaccinate.

Governments will then need to work out how to manage these exemptions with the technologies they use.

Read more: Could a France-style vaccine mandate for public spaces work in Australia? Legally, yes, but it's complicated

One common way of managing people who are unvaccinated for any reason is to demand proof of a negative COVID-19 test.

Italy’s vaccination passport uses this alternative , and France’s Pass Sanitaire , or “health pass” has a similar option. Israel’s Green Pass system enables temporary passes for the uninfected, good for 72 hours.

Whether or how these negative tests would be integrated into Australian systems remains to be seen. Pending policies for nightclubs in England and Scotland are set to exclude the “negative test” opt out, meaning only the fully vaccinated will be able to access these venues.

Some Australian states and regions will be scrambling for technology if they want to go down the vaccine passport route.

The check-in app used in Queensland, Tasmania, the NT and the ACT lacks verification mechanisms and is not designed to hold a vaccine passport.

Western Australia is focused on vaccine requirements for interstate travellers and health-care workers , and so far has made no moves towards requiring vaccines for local activities; nor has South Australia.

Research suggests there’s public support for these kinds of measures in Australia, and there are good reasons to prefer governments introducing the terms of a vaccine mandate rather than private corporations.

However, there are issues of legality, viability and ethics to consider, with venue and individual compliance likely to remain a key issue.

Read more: Would Australians support mandates for the COVID-19 vaccine? Our research suggests most would

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Final COVID-19 vaccine requirement for international travellers to be scrapped by Albanese Government

The Albanese Government will drop the last of the remaining COVID-19 requirements for international travel in a massive move for incoming tourists and workers.

International travellers will soon not be required to declare their COVID-19 vaccine status in a major move by the Albanese Government.

The change to the Biosecurity Act – set to come in to force from 12:01am on July 6 – will see the new government drop all COVID-19 border restrictions put in place during the pandemic.

Health Minister Mark Butler made the announcement on Sunday and said the removal of vaccine requirements for international travellers was based on the advice of Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly.

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While Australia’s vaccine mandates for will change, travellers will still be forced to “comply with any remaining requirements of airlines and shipping operators” as well as individual state regulations.

“The Chief Medical Officer has advised it is no longer necessary for travellers to declare their vaccine status as part of our management of COVID,” Mr Butler said.

“Unvaccinated Australians, as well as certain groups of visa holders, have been able to travel to Australia for some time.

“We will continue to act on the medical advice as needed.”

Travellers will still be required to wear masks on inbound international flights as well as follow state and territory orders mandating masks on domestic routes.

The government has also moved to scrap the requirement for all international travellers and returning Australians to complete a digital passenger declaration.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said the system needed a “lot more work” before it eventually replaces the traditional paper-based passenger card.

“As more and more of us travel internationally and we get more confident in managing our risk of COVID, our airports are getting busier,” Ms O’Neil said.

“All COVID border restrictions to be lifted” in Australia, says home affairs minister Clare O’Neil - with vaccine requirements to lift from Wednesday, as per statement from health minister Mark Butler pic.twitter.com/qu2UgKwJuz — Josh Butler (@JoshButler) July 3, 2022

“Removing these requirements will not only reduce delays in our airports but will encourage more visitors and skilled workers to choose Australia as a destination.”

It comes after the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) revised its directions on mask mandates in airports in June.

The AHPPC said given relaxed mask rules across most states and territories, it was “no longer proportionate” to mandate the protective face coverings at airport terminals.

It comes as Australia recorded more than 32,000 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours to Sunday as well as 54 deaths.

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Do I need a Vaccine to travel to Australia?

Please note:

Travelers entering and departing Australia are currently not subject to any COVID-19-related requirements by the Australian Government.

Are Vaccines Required to Travel to Australia?

Like most countries, Australia recommends that travelers arriving in the country on inbound international flights have up-to-date inoculations .

It’s essential to check for government health updates to determine any health risks or increased risks of certain diseases in the country before your trip.

This information changes often, so we recommend checking it on dates close to it. According to the CDC , there are various vaccines you need to get before traveling to Australia and other precautions you may need to take.

Do you require a travel declaration or tests to travel to Australia?

No, travelers visiting Australia do not require a negative pre-departure test, nor do they need to fill out the Australia Travel Declaration.

However, all travelers still need to apply for the Australia Incoming Passenger Card (IPC).

Endemic diseases in Australia

There are some endemic diseases in Australia that travelers will be at an increased risk of contracting while in the county. Since March 2022, this includes Japanese encephalitis, as parts of eastern and southeastern Australia currently have an outbreak.

The country also currently has several infectious diseases within its borders, including chickenpox, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, polio, shingles, hepatitis B, and yellow fever.

Immunization against these diseases is highly recommended , and officials may request proof of vaccination on arrival in Australia, depending on your nationality and which country you are traveling to Australia from.

There are also a number of non-vaccine preventable diseases that travelers will need to take measures to avoid. These include leptospirosis, dengue fever, Ross River fever, TB and Hantavirus.

Summary Tables of Australia Vaccine Requirements

To help you ensure you will meet all the vaccination requirements to enter Australia, we’ve created two tables to consolidate and summarize all the relevant vaccination information below.

Required travel vaccinations for Australia

Routine vaccinations for Australia

Non-Vaccine Preventable Diseases

If you have more questions about the Australian visa requirements, you can check here .

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Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

Immunisation for travel

It’s important to protect your health when travelling overseas. You can avoid diseases and other health conditions by planning ahead for any vaccinations you may need.

If you are looking for information COVID-19 vaccines, please visit the  COVID-19 digital certificate page.

Vaccines needed for travel

If you travel outside Australia, you may get sick from a number of diseases that vaccination can prevent. Travellers can bring these diseases into Australia when they return and cause disease outbreaks.

You should always ask your doctor or travel health clinic about vaccinations before you travel.

Your immunity to some diseases may have changed or reduced with time – you may need a booster.

Different countries have different vaccination requirements. The recommended vaccines for travelling depend on a number of factors, including:

• pregnancy or planning pregnancy
• underlying medical conditions
• vaccination history
• season of travel.

When to get vaccinated

You should consult your doctor or visit a travel health clinic 6 to 12 weeks before you leave Australia.

It is important to see your doctor early. If you do need vaccinations:

• your body needs time to develop full immunity
• you may need several doses of a vaccine to achieve full immunity. 

How to check your vaccination record

You may have already received recommended vaccines from previous travel or routine vaccinations. These may be recorded in the Australian Immunisation Register.

The Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) is a national register that records vaccines given to all people in Australia.

The AIR includes vaccines given:

• Under the National Immunisation Program
• through school programs
• privately, such as for flu or travel.

You can check your immunisation record :

•  online on MyGov through Medicare
•  via the Express Plus Medicare mobile app
•  by calling 1800 653 809 (Monday to Friday 8 am to 5 pm).

Cost of vaccines

The vaccines you need for travel may not be covered by the National Immunisation Program. In this case, you will need to buy them. This may involve:

• getting a prescription for the vaccine
• buying it from a pharmacy
• returning to your doctor to give you the vaccination.

The cost of vaccines varies depending on the type, the formula and where you buy them.

Some doctors might have these vaccines available in their clinics. Some pharmacies also offer vaccination services.

Check with your provider when you book your appointment.

How to stay safe overseas

The vaccine information you find on various websites is only a guide. You should not rely on such information. Talk to your doctor or travel health clinic for advice on travel vaccines and how to stay safe while you are overseas.

Find more information:

• Travel Health Information  for things to consider before you leave, while you are away and when you return.
• Smartraveller (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade)
• Travellers’ health  (US Center for Disease Control & Prevention)

Keep routine vaccinations up to date

Travel is an important time to check whether you and your children are up to date with your vaccinations. This includes routine childhood vaccinations and boosters. Some of these include:

• measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)
• diphtheria-tetanus-whooping cough (pertussis)
• chickenpox (varicella)

Influenza is the most common vaccine-preventable disease caught by travellers.

The chance of getting these diseases may be greater while travelling overseas. Travellers can bring these diseases into Australia. This can lead to disease outbreaks.

Get more about information about routine vaccinations:

• National Immunisation Program Schedule
• When to get vaccinated

Diseases to be aware of

Some countries require proof of immunisation for certain infectious diseases before you can legally enter that country. Ask your doctor or travel health clinic if you need proof of immunisation before you travel.

Read about some of the common vaccine-preventable diseases found in other areas of the world.

Cholera is found in places with poor water and waste facilities. It spreads through contaminated food and water and causes severe diarrhoea and dehydration.

Humanitarian disaster workers should get vaccinated for cholera because they are more likely to get infected. Most travellers do not need a cholera vaccination because the risk of getting cholera is very low. 

Your doctor may recommend the cholera vaccine if you have a condition that puts you at greater risk of travellers’ diarrhoea.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is one of the most common vaccine-preventable diseases caught by travellers. It is a liver disease spread by contaminated food and water. It is common in parts of India, Africa, Asia, South and Central America and the Middle East where there is poor sanitation and limited access to clean water.

You and your children over 1 year of age should get a Hepatitis A vaccination if you are travelling to an area where Hepatitis A is common.

Japanese encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis is a serious disease spread by mosquitoes in Asia and the Torres Strait region of Australia. We recommend vaccination against this disease if you are travelling to these parts and will be:

• travelling in rural areas
• undertaking certain activities with increased risk of exposure
• spending a month or more in the region.

You should avoid mosquito bites when you are in these areas.

Meningococcal

Meningococcal disease is a serious disease spread by close contact with an infected person. It is commonly found in sub-Saharan Africa.

Rabies is common to Central and South America, Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia. It is spread from infected animals to humans through bites, scratches and licks to open wounds. It is fatal when left untreated. The animal does not have to appear ill to have rabies. Infected animals can include dogs, monkeys, cats, rats, bats, foxes and chipmunks.

Ask your doctor if you need the rabies vaccine before you travel.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious disease spread by close contact with an infected person. It is common in developing countries.

We recommend the TB vaccine called BCG for children aged 5 years or under who are:

• travelling a lot
• spending a long time in countries where TB is common .

Typhoid is a disease spread through contaminated food and water. It causes diarrhoea and other symptoms. It is common in parts of India, Africa, Asia, South and Central America and the Middle East where there is poor sanitation and limited access to clean water.

Yellow fever

Yellow fever can be a serious disease. It causes fever, yellowing of the skin (jaundice) and damages the liver and kidneys. Mosquitoes spread yellow fever. It is found in Africa, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

You must be immunised for yellow fever before you can legally enter some countries. Only authorised yellow fever vaccination centres can give yellow fever vaccinations and certification. Ask your doctor about this.

Find more information: Yellow fever fact sheet

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Saudi Arabia: Here are the updated rules for Hajj 2024 that prioritise pilgrims' health and safety

Would-be pilgrims must meet vaccination criteria and obtain official permits

Dubai: Saudi Arabia has announced updated conditions for performing Hajj in 2024, which include several new requirements aimed at ensuring the health and safety of pilgrims.

The Ministries of Hajj and Umrah, along with the Ministry of Health, specified that all pilgrims must obtain a Hajj permit through the Nusk platform, which is crucial for the legitimacy of their pilgrimage.

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Additionally, registration through the Sehaty application is required to verify vaccination status.

Key conditions set forth for the 2024 Hajj include:

• Mandatory registration in the Sehaty app to confirm necessary vaccinations.

• Residents within Saudi Arabia must have received the COVID-19 vaccine, influenza vaccine, and meningitis vaccine within the last five years.

• International pilgrims are required to have the Neisseria meningitidis vaccine administered at least 10 days but not more than five years prior to their arrival, verified by a certificate from their home country. They must also be vaccinated against polio.

• Saudi Arabia warns against unauthorised operators and fake websites for Hajj pilgrims
• Saudi Arabia: Not permissible to perform Hajj without permit
• Fighting polio: Hajj pilgrims get health boost in Bill Gates-supported disease control effort in Saudi Arabia
• Saudi Arabia sets deadline for Hajj registration

Further general conditions for all pilgrims:

• A valid passport through at least the end of Dhu Al Hijjah 1445 (June 7, 2024).

• A minimum age requirement of 12 years.

• Vaccinations against COVID-19, seasonal flu, and meningitis.

• A health certification confirming the pilgrim is free from any infectious diseases.

The announcement follows a recent statement by the Council of Senior Scholars, emphasizing that performing Hajj without an official permit is considered sinful. The measures aim to facilitate the smooth conduct of Hajj rituals and to enhance the quality of services provided to pilgrims, ensuring a safe and spiritually fulfilling experience for all attendees.

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China travel surges for May holiday but consumers remain wary

Wednesday, 01 May 2024

Travellers at Hongqiao High-speed Railway Station ahead of Labour Day holidays in Shanghai on April 30, 2024. - Bloomberg

BEIJING: Travel by rail and car across China surged on Wednesday (May 1), the first day of a major public holiday, as consumers remained focused on keeping expenses down in a challenged economy.

In the run-up to the five-day holiday that began with May Day, domestic airline fares were falling and forecasts suggested more travellers were opting to drive rather than fly, or had booked early to save.

Travel of all kinds has rebounded since China lifted strict Covid control measures at the end of 2022, but consumer spending on those trips has failed to keep up, limiting the boost to the broader economy.

China has set an economic growth target for 2024 of around 5%, which many analysts say will be a challenge to achieve without much more stimulus.

China's manufacturing and services activity both expanded at a slower pace in April, official surveys showed on Tuesday, suggesting some loss of momentum.

"There is indeed significant pressure," Lin Yu, 38, who was visiting Beijing from Hangzhou. "Every family's situation is different, and it clearly also depends on the industry you work in."

By the fourth week of April, the average price for an economy flight in China had dropped 38% from the first week of the month to the equivalent of just under US$97, according to VariFlight, an aviation data service provider.

"Chinese airlines must adapt to these changes," said Zheng Hongfeng, VariFlight, who said the fare declines showed travellers were booking early in a highly competitive market.

About 58 million cars are expected to be on roads every day during the holiday while railways carried more than 20 million passengers on Wednesday alone, state media reported.

The number of trips taken during the first quarter was up almost 17 per cent from a year earlier, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

A three-day public holiday during April was the first time average spending per trip rose beyond 2019 levels. By that measure, spending was up then just over 1%.

Some companies have shifted to try to appeal to consumers watching their spending as they watch the road.

Yum China, the operator of KFC in China, said this week 30% of its new stores would be in lower-tier cities or roadside locations like highway rest stops.

Same-store sales at those locations were up 20% during Lunar New Year in February, Yum China CEO Joey Wat said.

"They're key to capturing the spike in travel volume during holidays," she said. - Reuters

Tags / Keywords: China , golden , week , travel

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‘Overwhelming’ need for royal commission into Covid pandemic response in Australia, Senate committee finds

Committee says full-blown inquiry with investigative powers should take a particularly close look at lockdown, quarantine and vaccine policies

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The Senate committee that has been examining Australia’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic has recommended the establishment of a royal commission, arguing the case for a full-blown inquiry with investigative powers is “overwhelming”.

In a report tabled out of parliamentary session on Friday, the Senate’s legal and constitutional affairs committee said a royal commission should be created to examine the key elements of the pandemic’s emergency phase.

These should include virus testing, contact tracing, quarantine protocols, the impact of lockdowns, the procurement of vaccines and the capacity of the health, education, aged care and housing and domestic violence systems to respond to the crisis.

It advocated looking at all this in light of costs and benefits, in order to record lessons to be learned. The report also said the commission should look at the impact of these policies on different sections of the community.

Among the committee’s seven members, the decision to call for a royal commission was not universal.

The Coalition members – whose government under Scott Morrison was in office through the pandemic’s emergency phase – called for the further inquiry, along with the Greens. Members who were part of the Albanese Labor government argued their own now-completed Senate inquiry would suffice.

“There are strong views with respect to a range of issues, including the response of federal and state governments,” the committee’s majority report said. It was “imperative” that Australia learn from Covid-19 in preparing for any future pandemic.

The committee is chaired by the Liberal senator Paul Scarr and has one other Liberal and one Nationals member.

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The sole Greens representative, senator David Shoebridge, also endorsed the call.

“When an extraordinary event of the scale of the Covid-19 pandemic occurs it would be foolish not to reflect on how society responded to it, to learn valuable lessons that can be applied in the future,” Shoebridge says in additional remarks in the report.

“A royal commission has the independence needed, including the power to compel answers from often unwilling governments, to give the public confidence that its final report and any recommendations will be credible and unbiased.

“With all the sacrifices we made Australians deserve at least this”.

In disagreeing with the royal commission call, deputy chair and Labor senator Nita Green and fellow Labor senator Varun Ghosh pointed to a separate government-commissioned independent 12-month inquiry into the Covid-19 response, led by Robyn Kruk AO, which is due to report on 30 September.

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Its scope does not include state and territory decisions, including on lockdowns.

The Labor senators said that inquiry will report “significantly earlier than a royal commission would have reported, thereby allowing Australia to learn the lessons of the Covid-19 response and improve our preparedness for future pandemics earlier than a royal commission would have permitted”.

“In recent times, some royal commissions have taken many years – up to half a decade – to report,” they say. The pair argued there was “unnecessary duplication” between the proposed royal commission and “numerous” other inquiries.

The report said there should be particular scrutiny of the policies and practices relating to lockdowns, school closures, social distancing, mask mandates, remote working arrangements, border closures, quarantine rules, vaccine mandates, the vaccine-claims system, governance structures, government decision-making and communications, supply chains, the labour market and business sustainability.

It said a commission should examine the adequacy of planning on the heath, social, economic and human rights implications of the pandemic, the consistency between planning and actual response and the level of coordination between governments.

It also recommended that the federal government encourage the states and territories to pass complementary legislation to allow them to also participate in a national royal commission.

“The committee considers that there is an overwhelming case for the establishment of a Covid-19 royal commission,” the report said.

“The people of Australia deserve an opportunity to learn from the experiences of the Covid-19 pandemic and the response to it.”

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Travel Insurance For South Africa: Everything You Need To Know

Updated: Apr 30, 2024, 1:13pm

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Do I Need Travel Insurance for South Africa?

What does travel insurance for south africa cover, frequently asked questions (faqs).

Tourism is on the rise in South Africa according to the local government , with more than four million tourists visiting the nation in the first half of 2023 alone. Australians form a sizable chunk of those numbers, with an estimated 125,000 Australians touring the country each year pre-pandemic.

With travel still high on the agenda for many Australians, that figure is expected to rise in the coming years.

If you’re considering a trip to South Africa, you’ll want to purchase travel insurance. Our guide explains everything you need to know.

Fast Cover Travel Insurance

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Medical cover

Unlimited, 24/7 Emergency Assistance

Cancellations

Unlimited, (Trip Disruption $50,000)

Key Features

25-Day Cooling Off Period, Australian Based Call Centre, 4.6 Star Product Review Rating

Cover-More Travel Insurance

On Cover-more’s secure website

Unlimited, with a $2000 limit to dental

Yes, amount chosen by customer

Southern Cross Travel Insurance

Medical Cover

Including medical treatment, doctors’ visits, prescribed medication, specialist treatment & medical transport costs

$2,500 with option to increase to unlimited

Yes, Australians should purchase travel insurance for South Africa. While not a legal requirement to enter the country, it is highly recommended from the Australian government—especially for medical care.

The standard of medical facilities in South Africa can vary by region, but medical facilities are generally of a much lower standard than Australia. In fact, many regional hospitals only provide basic facilities, meaning you may have to be relocated in order to receive the right medical attention.

There is no shared healthcare agreement between Australia and South Africa, which makes travel insurance even more essential. If you need to be transferred by air evacuation to a major city in order to receive treatment, and you don’t have travel insurance, you’ll likely face a hefty bill out of your own pocket.

As Smartraveller advises all Australians, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.

Vaccinations to Consider for Your Trip to South Africa

There is a high risk of certain diseases in South Africa, so it is worth making sure your vaccinations are up to date before you travel and taking any preventative measures with you, such as medications.

This can help reduce your chances of needing to seek medical attention.

There is a risk of Hepatitis A and B throughout South Africa, so vaccinations for Australian travellers are recommended. There is also a moderate risk for most travellers of typhoid, so a vaccination is also recommended if you are travelling to smaller cities, villages and rural areas.

Malaria is present throughout the country, so it could be a good idea to equip yourself with malaria tablets before you travel.

It is essential that you consult a medical practitioner regarding your need for vaccinations before you travel to South Africa, especially as some medical conditions can predispose travellers to certain infections.

When purchasing a travel insurance policy for South Africa, you will have the option to choose a basic policy or a comprehensive policy. A basic policy is cheaper , but may turn out to be more expensive in the long run if you aren’t covered for the things you need.

While a basic policy will usually cover medical needs, it may not provide cover for things such as lost luggage and cancellations (or, if it does, will provide it at a much lower claim level).

That’s why a comprehensive policy is highly recommended for travel to South Africa, as you will receive cover for stolen items, lost luggage, delays and more, in addition to medical and emergency dental care.

Smartraveller asks Australians to exercise a high degree of caution due to the threat of violent crime in South Africa, which includes robbery and carjacking.

The government website warns that opportunistic criminals will target travellers at the approaches to tourist-hotspot Kruger National Park, at well-known resorts, and on public transport.

Additionally, as ATM and credit card fraud are common crimes in South Africa, a comprehensive policy can be the more financially sound choice to give you peace of mind.

Going on a Safari?

South Africa is a popular tourist region for many reasons, including wildlife safaris. If you wish to partake in a safari or a game walk—walking with wild animals and a professional guide—you will need to ensure that these activities are covered in your policy’s list of included sports and activities.

If they are not, you will not receive cover for anything that occurs during the safari.

However, your policy may offer the option for you to choose an ‘adventure pack’ at an additional cost, which can include many activities that aren’t covered in the standard offering.

This can also include hiking or trekking to certain altitudes.

It’s important to consider which activities you may be participating in during your trip to South Africa in order to ensure you have the appropriate coverage, and purchase an additional add-on if necessary.

What Travel Insurance Won’t Cover

Your travel insurance policy won’t cover anything that is set out in its exclusions, as per the product disclosure statement (PDS). This could include certain sports and activities (such as a safari), or travel to certain regions in South Africa due to safety.

While each travel insurance policy differs on the fine-print, it is standard for most policies not to cover:

• Cancellations due to ‘disinclination to travel’, being if you change your mind about your holiday;
• Accidents or injuries that occur when not following the appropriate safety guidance or official guidelines;
• Intoxicated behaviour, including recreational drugs;
• Any illegal activity.

Be sure to carefully read the PDS of your policy so you know exactly what you can and cannot claim on your trip to South Africa.

Is it safe to travel to South Africa?

Smartraveller recommends that Australians exercise a high degree of caution when travelling to South Africa, due to the threat of violent crime. This includes armed robbery, mugging, carjacking, credit card theft, and more.

There is a higher risk of violent crime in major cities after dark, or during “rolling blackout” periods.

For these reasons (and more), Smartraveller urges Australians to take out a travel insurance policy before travelling to South Africa.

Do Australians need a visa for South Africa?

No, Australians do not need a visa for South Africa if they are visiting for tourism for stays of up to 90 days.

Where can I buy travel insurance for South Africa?

Most Australian travel insurance providers will cover Aussies wanting to head abroad to South Africa. When shopping around for a policy, you will be able to choose your destination when you request a quote. If there is no option to choose South Africa, this would be a clear indicator that the insurance provider does not provide policies to this region.

At the time of writing, a few of our top picks for comprehensive travel insurance cover South Africa, including Allianz and Cover-More .

Travel insurance providers can revoke the issuing of new policies to certain destinations at any time, especially if Smartraveller changes the alert warning for a country to ‘Do Not Travel’.

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Sophie Venz is an experienced editor and features reporter, and has previously worked in the small business and start-up reporting space. Previously the Associate Editor of SmartCompany, Sophie has worked closely with finance experts and columnists around Australia and internationally.

The Covid vaccine is dead! Long live the Covid vaccine…?!

Phil Shannon

29 April 2024

Did you know that four years after the Great Covid Pandemonium erupted, vaccine mandates are still being enforced in the stagnant backwaters of the overreaction swamp?

Only now are some states moving towards getting rid of the last unethical government-ordained mandates for healthcare workers.

The latest of these bitter-ender states to wave the white flag is South Australia, where SA Health has announced the imminent end of vaccine mandates for frontline healthcare staff.

There will be a consultation, ending on May 10, with SA Health’s 40,000-strong public sector staff before the proposed policy to end mandatory vaccination requirements comes into effect.

The original mandate prompted a state Supreme Court challenge by vaccine-decliner, ICU nurse, and Crows AFLW footballer, Deni Varnhagen . The challenge failed when the court declined to rule on the substantive matters surrounding the merits of the Covid vaccines, the medical ethics of vaccine mandates, and the human rights of employees forced to choose between an income and a potentially dangerous experimental drug. Instead, the decision addressed the public health order mandating the vaccine, viewing it as legally issued and thus valid. In my opinion, this was the easy way out. It left government power intact provided that all the paperwork was in order and all the legalistic boxes were ticked.

Today, it appears that reality has finally caught up with the state government, whether that be the ineffectiveness of the Covid ‘vaccine’, health staff shortages, or the precipitous decline in Covid vaccination rates more generally.

There is a catch. There always is…

Those healthcare workers who had remained unvaccinated at the cost of their jobs are eligible for reinstatement and future employment with their old employer, but only after they sign a declaration acknowledging that they have been advised of the ‘proven benefits’ of Covid vaccination ‘and their active decision to forgo its benefits’. Only then are they able to be exempted from the vaccine requirement and resume employment.

By signing a document acknowledging the receipt of advice, they could leave themselves open to disciplinary action should they hint of any downsides of Covid vaccination to their patients. There is also the PR goldmine for the state government of being able to say that 99 per cent of healthcare workers believe in the ‘proven benefits of Covid vaccination’.

Leaving outdated policies in place for ideological reasons may also further erode people’s trust and confidence in the health system (and the state government).

The department justifies its about-face by citing near-universal population immunity arising from ‘hybrid immunity’ due to ‘vaccination, past infection, or a combination of both’. They argue that we have the ‘highest level of protection against related severe disease, hospitalisation, death, and long-Covid’ (but not infection or transmission, of course – all the Covid authorities have given up on that vaccine staple, preferring the much more fuzzy and harder to measure ‘protection’).

The SA state government’s change in policy, particularly the obligation to sign a piece of paper attesting to the ‘proven benefits’ of the vaccines, sounds like a pathetic, face-saving measure. The formal acknowledgment of the ‘advice’ received regarding the benefits of Covid vaccination might raise a bitter laugh from those forced to sign.

I can imagine them thinking, ‘Yes, I will sign to the effect that I have received the advice, even though that advice is a crock. Now when is my next shift?’

The government is also maintaining that the original mandates were justified and the ‘vaccines’ are an essential element of the ‘victory’ over Covid. The vaccine is dead! Long live the vaccine!

Similar policy U-turns on Covid vaccine requirements for healthcare workers have been made in Queensland  and Western Australia  in 2023, and News South Wales has announced that it will do the same. The remaining states will probably fall into line with the new policy trend – not because it is the right thing to do but because no state, whose health systems are under human capital strain, would want to lose their skilled nurses and doctors to the mandate-free states.

The slow-motion collapse of Covid vaccine mandates for healthcare workers follows the fall of other mandate dominoes. The  Queensland Supreme Court  had earlier declared that the state’s Covid vaccine mandate for police officers was unlawful and also that Qld Health did not have the power to make vaccine mandates for ambulance service workers. The great disappearing vaccine mandate is all very haphazard and jurisdiction-dependent, highlighting the political, not scientific, underpinnings of the Covid vaccine mandates from the very start.

Vaccine mandates are a failure of science, logic, and ethics. If a vaccine doesn’t work then a vaccine mandate won’t work. If a vaccine does work (in the old-fashioned sense of preventing infection and transmission) then compulsory certification of an individual’s vaccination status still violates human rights because an effective vaccine would have protected all who had freely chosen to take it whilst the right to refuse (and to accept the risk of infection and its potential consequences) is a fundamental medical freedom which the whole Covid debacle should have triple-underlined.

Without admitting as much, most state health authorities are at long last starting to acknowledge this. Perhaps they should all be forced to sign such an acknowledgement of essential bodily freedom as a condition of their well-remunerated employment… Fair’s fair.

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Tyranny in Australia as Cop’s Supreme Court Appeal of Vaccine Mandate Fails

A vaccine mandate challenge brought against the West Australian Police Commissioner has been quashed by the Supreme Court in a  decision handed down this afternoon.

WA Police officer Ben Falconer and staff member Les Finlay, both unvaccinated, sought to challenge whether the Police Commissioner had the authority to infringe on employees’ bodily integrity by ordering them to be vaccinated against Covid as a condition of employment.

However, the Supreme Court today found that the directive made by then Commissioner Chris Dawson was “valid and lawful”, dismissing Falconer’s appeal of  a 2022 court decision  which determined that the WA Police vaccine mandate was justified due to the “extraordinary emergency” of the Covid pandemic.

The decision will have repercussions for more than a dozen WA Police officers and staff who were stood down when the WA Police Covid vaccination directive came into force in December 2021. Falconer and Finlay were not ordered to pay costs.

Falconer, a Senior Constable who describes himself as “pro-choice”, said the decision to dismiss his appeal is “disappointing” and that it will serve as a “cautionary tale” of what happens to Australians who “pursue justice and bodily autonomy”.

“The purpose of the litigation was to discover what rights we have over our bodies in the workplace, and the judiciary and the Government have given their perspective on that today,” Falconer told Dystopian Down Under after the decision was handed down.

“For me, I’m going to be torn to pieces by my employer, and I’ll be sacrificing my career. I welcome that, it’s a necessary good. I want people to carefully observe what happens now, and what happens to my colleagues.”

Falconer said that he now expects “a rapid dismissal” from the Police Force, as the Supreme Court decision brings an end to  an injunction  he had previously secured to prevent WA Police from firing him until legal proceedings were resolved.

Falconer said that he and his legal team will regroup in the coming days to decide their next move.

Senior Constable Lance French, who was stood down from the Police Force in December 2021, said he is “not surprised by the decision”, but that “it doesn’t feel right”.

“What rights do you have over your own bodily autonomy? You can be told to undergo a vaccination, which is a medical treatment – how far will that extend?” asked French outside the Court.

“Say there’s a shortage of hospital workers, it’s an ‘emergency’. What if hospitals want to make nurses have IUDs [intrauterine contraception devices] inserted to stop them going on maternity leave? Where does it end?”

French said that he has informed WA Police numerous times over the past several years that he wants to return to work. He anticipates that he will now be dismissed.

Falconer said that concerned Australians should consider the impact that can be made at upcoming elections and “vote carefully”.

“Sadly our legislation is riddled with such dormant threats to our individual liberties,” he said. “This is not a time to be complacent.”

Ben Falconer spoke with Freedom Media in the Supreme Court Gardens after the decision was handed down.

This article was originally published on Dystopian Down Under , Rebekah Barnettt’s Substack newsletter. You can subscribe here .

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