Australia’s Borders Open to Vaccinated Canadian Travellers from February 21
Tourism Australia is excited to be welcoming back travellers from Canada to Australia, following today’s announcement that Australia is reopening its borders to quarantine-free travel for fully vaccinated travellers from 21 February 2022.
The announcement is part of Australia’s planned re-opening of international travel and builds on quarantine-free travel arrangements with Singapore, which came into effect on 21 November 2021, and for visitors from Japan and South Korea along with Working Holiday Makers from 15 December 2021.
“The announcement today enabling fully vaccinated travellers from Canada to Australia quarantine-free from 21 February is a significant step in rebuilding international visitation from Australia’s international tourism markets across the globe,” Tourism Australia Managing Director Phillipa Harrison said.
“Australia has long been a popular outbound destination for Canadian travellers, with 190,000 visitors travelling to our country in 2019 pre-COVID, and we are really excited that we will have the opportunity to welcome back visitors from Canada, one of our key international markets, as travel resumes.
“Throughout the pandemic Tourism Australia has maintained an active presence to keep Australia top of mind in the market. Now, with the reopening of travel from Canada to Australia, Tourism Australia will be working with its trade and distribution partners on dedicated marketing campaigns to urge travellers to come and enjoy all the incredible tourism experiences that await them in Australia.”
The Australian Government has announced Australia will reopen to all fully vaccinated visa holders, tourists, business travellers, and other visitors from 21 February. Visa holders who are not fully vaccinated will still require a valid travel exemption to enter Australia, and will be subject to state and territory quarantine requirements.
Tourism Australia Acting General Manager of North America, Chris Allison, said he hoped Canadians would make the most of the new quarantine-free travel arrangements and take the opportunity to plan an epic Aussie adventure.
“There is no doubt the last two years have been incredibly challenging, and many people had to put off taking holidays as a result,” Mr. Allison said. “However, with travel back on the cards, now is the time to think big.”
“Australia is one of the top aspirational travel destinations for Canadians, who spent almost $900 million on their travels here in 2019 and over 50% repeat visitation, of which 46% have frequented more than twice.”
“Australia’s relative isolation from the rest of the world, coupled with its sparsely populated land and natural wonders, have never been more precious and desirable, and now with two-way quarantine-free travel, Canadians will jump on the opportunity to fall in love with Australia all over again now.”
“Throughout the pandemic, Tourism Australia has maintained an active presence to keep Australia top of mind in the market. Now, with the reopening of travel from Canada, Tourism Australia will be working with its trade and distribution partners on dedicated marketing campaigns urging Canadian travellers to visit one of the most unique destinations on the planet with its diversity of people, places and experiences. ” Mr. Allison said.
Tourism Australia will be kicking off a new tourism campaign to welcomeCanadian citizens back to Australia in the coming weeks. As part of this campaign, Tourism Australia will be working with a range of key distribution and airline partners to drive booking and drive recovery for Australia’s hard-hit tourism economy by providing tactical offers aimed at stimulating travel to Australia from Canada.
Travelling to Australia
– From 21 February 2022, visa holders who are fully vaccinated with two doses of a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved COVID-19 vaccine can travel to Australia quarantine-free, without the need to apply for a travel exemption.
To be eligible to enter Australia, international travellers must:
– hold a valid Australian visa.
– be fully vaccinated with two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and provide proof of vaccination status.
– Present a negative rapid antigen test (RAT) or Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Covid-19 test taken within 24 hours of departure (unless a medical exemption applies).
– As of 7 February 2022, fully vaccinated visa holders can enter all states and territories quarantine-free from 21 February 2022, except for Western Australia.
– Travellers will need to comply with requirements in the state or territory of their arrival, and any other state or territories that they plan to travel to. Information on entry requirements is updated regularly so it is important to check the latest requirements before travelling. Travellers are also encouraged to check any requirements for stopover destinations that they are transitioning through.
– For requirements for travel into specific states and territories in Australia, visit the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs website
