There's now a patchwork of conditions on travel throughout the country.
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That was inevitable as different states - and even parts of states - found themselves being hit by the coronavirus in different ways and with Victoria still showing high numbers of new infections, indicating the spread there is far from under control.
So it's hard to know where you can and can't travel and what permission you need to get there.
What's the basic rule?
If you're thinking of travelling interstate, you will need a good reason and also be prepared to convince officialdom that you are not a risk to other people.
Travel between the ACT and New South Wales is open and easy but that's about it.
Every other border has tight conditions.
And Victoria has tight restrictions within the state itself - parts of Melbourne remain in "hard lockdown" with residents confined to their flats.
Other parts are in a softer lockdown so residents can only go out for essential purposes.
Travelling from Victoria to NSW/ACT?
New South Wales and the ACT have similar entry conditions for people leaving Victoria. They will need permission before they travel.
There's no point turning up at Canberra Airport, for example, without permission because you will be put on a flight back to Melbourne.
The only exemptions listed by the NSW government are:
- as an emergency or law enforcement worker or for medical services
- to avoid injury or escape a risk of harm
- to attend court or to meet other legal obligations.
To get a permit to enter from Victoria, you must be one of the following:
- a NSW resident returning home
- a cross-border resident
- an interstate resident transiting through NSW
- a member of parliament or staff member
- a consular official
- a seasonal worker
- a boarding school/university student or staff, or a parent/guardian accompanying a student
- a carer for an individual entering NSW
- entering for child access and care arrangements
- applying on compassionate grounds (e.g. visiting a terminally ill person).
- a person providing critical services, including:
- freight, transport or logistics
- maintenance and repair of critical infrastructure
- medical or hospital care
- mining, agriculture, construction, engineering or manufacturing
- Commonwealth defence and security services
- freight, transport or logistics
- maintenance and repair of critical infrastructure
- medical or hospital care
- mining, agriculture, construction, engineering or manufacturing
- Commonwealth defence and security services
- freight, transport or logistics
- maintenance and repair of critical infrastructure
- medical or hospital care
- mining, agriculture, construction, engineering or manufacturing
- Commonwealth defence and security services
- freight, transport or logistics
- maintenance and repair of critical infrastructure
- medical or hospital care
- mining, agriculture, construction, engineering or manufacturing
- Commonwealth defence and security services
- freight, transport or logistics
- maintenance and repair of critical infrastructure
- medical or hospital care
- mining, agriculture, construction, engineering or manufacturing
- Commonwealth defence and security services
Residents of New South Wales and the ACT can return from Victoria but they have to go into quarantine for 14 days.
Tasmania
The Tasmanian government says: "Any visitors who have spent time in Victoria in the 14 days prior to travel are not permitted to travel to Tasmania.
Unless you are an essential traveller, you will not be able to enter Tasmania, you will be turned back.
"Non-Tasmanian residents from other jurisdictions will be allowed to transit through a Victorian airport or port, provided they do so directly."
People from other territories and states must "complete a 14 day period of quarantine at a Tasmanian government accommodation facility.
If you are not a Tasmanian resident, you cannot leave your port of entry and go to previously arranged accommodation."
The government defines "essential travellers" as those having "specialist skills critical to maintaining key industries".
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Queensland
Anybody wanting to go there from New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and the Northern Territory can enter Queensland if they haven't been overseas or in Victoria or in contact with someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
They would need a Border Declaration Pass but not have to go into quarantine.
South Australia
You will need permission. A few categories of visitor will not have to go into 14 days quarantine but most will.
Economics
Money plays a part. Restrictions by governments mean that many air routes are unprofitable - so even if you can prove that you really need an exemption from a ban on interstate travel, the flights might not be there or they may be expensive.
On top of that, state and territory governments usually make the traveller pay for hotel quarantine
Some places you might want to go to within the state are finding it tough. Victoria's Mount Hotham and Falls Creek ski resorts have closed until August 19, though Perisher in NSW which is operated by the same American company will remain open.
What about abroad?
Forget it.
Leaving Australia is possible but you need to get permission from the Department of Home Affairs and it is imposing very tough conditions. If you are moving abroad, for example, you will need to provide a mountain of documentation, including things like proof that you have sold a home in Australia and proof of a job offer in your intended country of residence.
Permission to visit partners and return is usually not granted. Residents of Australia who want to come back are also about to find it harder.
Up until now, the government has paid the bill for two weeks of quarantine in a hotel but that looks like it's going to change.
Best to hunker down and get used to a Zoom relationship.
- For information on COVID-19, please go to the ACT Health website or the federal Health Department's website.
- You can also call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080
- If you have serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, call Triple Zero (000)
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