Unvaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents can now leave Australia without an individual travel exemption, but… you may still be asked about your vaccination status, if you’re asked by an Australian official or your transport provider.

The Australian Department of Home Affairs website (www.homeaffairs.gov.au) states – among other things – that “there are more parameters to consider for international travel when you do not meet Australia’s definition of fully vaccinated”.

It is emphasised that, despite the easing of restrictions, the vaccination status remains important, as a number of countries and airlines maintain some arrangements to deal with the pandemic.

At the same time, travel operators dealing with Greek Australians eager to embark on a holiday to Greece, point out that those who have not been vaccinated and want to book tickets to Greece, would be wise to wait a few more days for more clarity, since there will be new changes announced in Greece from May 1.

However, for those who are fully vaccinated, especially those who have all three doses (or even the fourth) the journey to a… Greek summer has become easier, but it is advisable -whether you have had the vaccinations or not- to be in contact with your travel agent and/or airline for information about the pandemic rules of each country you are interested in travelling to, or transiting, as due to COVID-19 there may be some unexpected changes.

In particular, in regard to the unvaccinated, the Department of Home Affairs states:

“From 18 April 2022, unvaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents can leave Australia without an individual travel exemption. But you may still be asked by a relevant official about your vaccination status.”

In addition, the Australian Government recommends passengers leaving Australia be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and travel with proof of vaccination status documentation. If you’re unvaccinated, you’re strongly discouraged from international travel due to the health risks, though those who have not been vaccinated for medical reasons, are treated the same as vaccinated travelers as long as they can provide valid medical evidence.

The Department also refers to the federal government’s official travel advice website (www.smartraveller.gov.au) where the same message is published.

“From 11:59pm 17 April 2022, you no longer need an exemption to leave… if you do not meet the definition of being fully vaccinated.

When exiting Australia, you must provide proof of your vaccination status if requested by an Australian official. If you can’t be vaccinated for medical reasons you’ll need to provide proof of medical contraindication.”

It is also stated that your transport provider can still refuse to allow you on board if you’re showing symptoms of COVID-19, you don’t meet their vaccination requirements, you don’t meet the requirements of your destination.

Also, the Department of Home Affairs, underlines that “it is your responsibility to check well ahead of time what requirements you need to meet for your overseas travel. Your destination, transit location and transport operators may have their own testing and vaccination requirements.

Read the travel advice for your destination and any transit locations to learn their entry and exit requirements and contact your airline or cruise operator to confirm their testing and vaccination policies.”

Returning to Australia is another aspect for travelers to consider as unvaccinated individuals may be subject to restrictions enforced in each state. So far quarantine requirement for unvaccinated travellers has only been lifted in Victoria and New South Wales.

When exiting Australia and when returning you no longer need to provide a negative COVID-19 test result to board your plane. Though it’s important to remember that transport providers, transit locations and the state or territory you arrive in may still have testing requirements.

There is also a warning that the rules for travel, either in Australia or to other countries and/or airlines may change at any time in relation to the development of the pandemic.

In relation to all the above, Neos Kosmos requested clarification from the Department of Home Affairs about the easing of restrictions regarding unvaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents planning a flight to an overseas destination.

We asked the Department to clarify, what exactly does it mean a) that unvaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents can travel without individual exemption and still be required to show vaccination status to a relevant official? b) Whom do you include under the definition “Australian official” regarding travelling and especially at the airport? and more importantly c) If an airline and the country of arrival (and transit) doesn’t require someone to be fully vaccinated, but an Australian official at the airport asks from an unvaccinated Australian citizen or permanent resident proof of their vaccination status that they can’t provide, would this affect their travel?

Here is the response we received from a spokesperson of the Australian Government on 22 April 2022.

“Following health advice, the Government announced changes to the requirements for travel into and out of Australia from 18 April 2022. As we move to living with COVID, from 18 April 2022:

People travelling to Australia will no longer require a pre-departure COVID 19 test;

Unvaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents will be able to leave Australia without an individual travel exemption.

Unvaccinated Australians are strongly discouraged from leaving Australia due to the health risks travelling unvaccinated poses.

Not only do people risk their health but they may be required to quarantine, at their own expense, on their return to Australia subject to requirements of the state or territory they enter.

They may be subject to passenger caps, which could affect the timeliness of their planned return to Australia.

Airlines may also have specific vaccination requirements – it is a matter for airlines whether or not they will carry unvaccinated passengers.

The Australian Government recommends passengers departing Australia be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and travel with proof of vaccination status documentation.

All Australians wanting to travel overseas should be aware they may be asked for proof of vaccination at the airport and failure to comply with the request could attract penalties.”

At this point – and while we await from the Department more clarity as to what these penalties are exactly – an ‘Australian official’ with the authority to request documentation from travellers, as defined by the biosecurity determinations that impose health-related entry and exit requirements, could mean any of the following:

(a) a biosecurity officer;

(b) a chief human biosecurity officer;

(c) a human biosecurity officer;

(d) an APS employee in the Agriculture Department;

(e) an APS employee in the Home Affairs Department.

Update:
After requesting more information about what penalties may apply, our enquiry was referred to the Department of Health, who responded as follows:

“The Biosecurity (Exit Requirements) Determination 2022 requires all international travellers departing Australia (regardless of vaccination status) to demonstrate their vaccination status if requested by a relevant official.

This determination does not stop travellers departing Australia if they are not vaccinated.

The penalties for breaching an exit requirement under section 45 of the Biosecurity Act 2015 (the Act) are prescribed in section 46(2)-(4) of the Act and carries a civil penalty of 30 penalty units ($6660).

Further penalties apply if the person provides false or misleading information or documents (see sections 137.1 and 137.2 of the Criminal Code and sections 532 and 533 of the Act).”

In other words, though the Australian Government has finally allowed its citizens and permanent residents who are not vaccinated to travel overseas without an exemption, it still warns of potential scrutiny and penalties for failure to show their “vaccination status”. It also stresses that whether you will be allowed on board, or whether you will need to have a negative PCR/RAT test or not, will also depend on the airlines, and on what rules apply in each country you intend to visit or travel through.

So before you book tickets to your next travel destination, talk to your travel agent and/or airline, and check the official websites for the regulations that are in place on departure, in the destination country and stopover, and also what you will need to comply with, on your return.  For updates and information visit: Smartraveller details about leaving Australia, Smartraveller details about planning your travel and travelling if unvaccinated and information on international travel.

On your arrival to Greece
For now, according to Smartraveller, Greece is requesting a certificate of vaccination against COVID-19, no more than 9 months old if you have had both doses. If you have done all 3 doses the certificate has no time limit as to its validity.

If you are not vaccinated, you will need to have a negative PCR test result, which should be done no more than 72 hours prior to your trip, or a negative rapid antigen test 24 hours before.

It should be noted however, that several restrictions within Greece for unvaccinated individuals will be lifted for the summer.

As announced by the Health Minister, Thanos Plevris recently, from May 1 to August 31, the requirement to show a certificate of vaccination or infection, or display a negative test to access indoor or outdoor areas will be lifted. The measure will be reviewed on 1 September.

The requirement to show the European vaccination certificate for entry into the country will also be lifted.

Until 31 May, it is compulsory to wear a mask indoors.

Finally, as of 15 April, the fine of 100 euros has been suspended for unvaccinated persons over 60, residing in Greece.

In any case, before you plan your trip, as reported by Smartraveller, you must be aware of the following:

Understand the risk of contracting COVID-19 at your destination, including any financial implications this may have for you and those travelling with you.

Flights may be difficult to find if you’re unvaccinated – both for leaving and returning to Australia. Be prepared for possible delays and disruptions to your travel. Circumstances may change when you’re travelling and affect your plans.

Many travel insurance policies still don’t cover COVID-19 related claims.

You must comply with entry restrictions when you come back to Australia, including any quarantine requirements. States and Territories may have different requirements and modified quarantine arrangements.

To stay up-to-date on any changes, read our travel advice for your planned destination/s and subscribe to receive news and travel advice updates.