Recently, it was reported that Australia had dropped its negative COVID-19 test requirement. Now, the country has gone one step further and is dumping its COVID vaccination requirement as well as travel exemptions for international travelers.

Australia drops COVID vaccination requirements

Right now, travel chaos is hitting the world, with canceled flights and more. However, Australia just made it easier for international travelers to visit its shores. Starting next week, travelers will no longer need to use the digital passenger declaration to enter Australia.

On Sunday, Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said Australia will dump the restrictions in place since opening its borders late last year. Those restrictions were made due to changes in the Biosecurity Act. In fact, this followed advice from the country’s Chief Medical Officer, Paul Kelly. The latest change will come into effect on Wednesday this coming week.

The West Australian quotes O’Neil as saying:

This is great news for families coming home from school holidays who now don’t need to use the DPD (digital passenger declaration).

As more and more of us travel internationally and we get more confident in managing our risk of COVID, our airports are getting busier.

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.

About the digital pass

The digital pass was first announced in September 2021. Reportedly, it cost an estimated $75m to develop and replaced the original passenger arrival form. Meanwhile, the DPD required travelers to upload their vaccination status prior to entering Australia.

However, at the time, the app was criticized as travelers found it difficult to use. According to O’Neil, this led to the Australian government listening to feedback about the pass. She added:

While in time it will replace the paper-based incoming passenger card, it needs a lot more work to make it user-friendly.

O’Neill said she knew that anyone who has traveled internationally since the borders opened will have one less thing to worry about. In fact, she said this is especially so as more Australians are traveling overseas again.

Meanwhile, the announcement also changes rules for travelers arriving by sea. In this case, maritime travel declarations will be dropped that used to apply to cruise ship passengers and crew.

Certain rules remain

However, Australia’s Health Minister Mark Butler did say that visitors will still need to comply with the remaining COVID requirements of airlines and shipping operators. They will also need to comply with regulations imposed by other countries, states and territories.

For instance, mask-wearing will still be required for passengers on inbound international flights. Meanwhile, state and territory mask-wearing mandates also remain for domestic flights.

Butler added:

The Australian government makes decisions on COVID-related issues after considering the latest medical advice.

The chief medical officer has advised it is no longer necessary for travelers to declare their vaccine status as part of our management of COVID.

Reportedly, unvaccinated Australians and certain groups of visa holders have been able to travel to the country for some time. Butler also said that the Australian government will continue to act on medical advice when needed.

For travelers, the latest move is good news indeed as the world continues to work its way back to “normal.”