Australia's next steps to reopening to the world

Australia's next steps to reopening to the world
Australia's next steps to reopening to the world

Australia will welcome back fully vaccinated Singaporean travellers in November as part of our step by step and safe reopening to the world.

The quarantine-free travel arrangements will commence on November 21 for Australian states and territories that are ready, and will be available for fully vaccinated Singaporeans travelling from Singapore who present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the agreement at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rome, following a meeting with the Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong.

“Australia is slinging its doors open to fully vaccinated Singaporean travellers in November,” the Prime Minister said.

“This is another significant milestone in our step by step approach to safely reopening to the world that we outlined in the National Plan.

“It follows the announcement this week that fully vaccinated travellers from New Zealand will be welcomed back in October.

“This means within weeks Australia will be welcoming tourists from two of our top ten travel destinations. This is the billion dollar boost that Australia’s tourism industry has been waiting for.

“Step by step, everything that we know and love about Australia is inching back to normal.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women Senator Marise Payne said this arrangement followed Singapore’s recent announcement to welcome fully vaccinated Australians.

“Many Australians live and work in Singapore and vice versa. The strong exchanges over many decades have been to the benefit of both our nations,” Minister Payne said.

“It attests to the strength of our friendship and the effective management of COVID in each of our countries that we have been able to agree this early step in the reopening of normal travel.

“As we continue with our shared regional recovery from the pandemic, the resumption of travel between Singapore and Australia will provide great opportunities to move forward.”

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan said this was the next logical step in reopening to the world.

“Australia remains a popular, world-leading destination and this is just the start of our international tourism comeback,” Minister Tehan said.

“Australia’s tourism operators and the sector’s 660,000 workers will welcome back with open arms visitors from Singapore.

“Quarantine-free arrivals demonstrate the success of our National Plan and the strength of our recovery.”

Details of arrangement include:

  • Singaporeans must depart from Singapore to be considered eligible
  • No requirement to have spent 14 days in Singapore prior to travel
  • No requirement for quarantine upon arrival to Australia
  • Arrangements will commence from 21 November with participating
  • jurisdictions including New South Wales and Victoria.

October 31, 2021