If you’re arriving in Australia from a country outside of Australia in the last 14 days, this information applies to you. This includes if you’ve come to Australia on a flight from an overseas country or arrived on a vessel (e.g., cruise ship) that has travelled to an international port.

Before you travel to Australia, it’s crucial to know that the Australian government requires pre-departure testing for COVID-19 for people travelling to Australia from China, including Hong Kong and Macau. From Thursday 5 January 2023, travellers from these countries must undertake a COVID-19 test within the 48 hours prior to travel and show evidence of a negative test result when travelling to Australia.

Upon arrival in Australia, it is not mandatory to have a COVID-19 test if you have travelled overseas. However, it’s important to remember that travelling and interacting closely with people can put you at increased risk of COVID-19. Although masks are not mandatory in airports, cruise terminals, or on public transport in Australia, NSW Health recommends people wear masks where they cannot physically distance from others, in crowded indoor places and in settings where there are people who are at high risk of severe illness.

If you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, follow the Information for people exposed to COVID-19 advice to help stop the spread. To help protect each other from COVID-19, find out more on Together we can stay COVID safe.

To protect your loved ones and everyone around you, it’s recommended that you monitor closely for symptoms of COVID-19 after arrival. If you develop symptoms, get tested for COVID-19 and stay home until your symptoms have resolved, even if you receive a negative result. Please see What COVID-19 test should I do? and PCR testing clinic locations in Australia.

If you test positive for COVID-19 in Australia, follow the advice in Testing positive to COVID-19 and managing COVID-19 safely at home. Stay home until your symptoms resolve and don’t visit people at high risk of severe illness or anyone in high-risk settings, such as hospitals, aged or disability care facilities for at least 7 days. If you have to leave the house, wear a mask when indoors and on public transport, avoid large gatherings and crowded indoor places.