29/11/2021
Paused until 15th of December.
Based on expert medical advice, the Australian Government has decided to temporarily pause the next step in its border reopening.
The next step to safely reopen Australia to international skilled and student cohorts, as well as humanitarian, working holiday maker and provisional family visa holders will be paused until 15 December. Reopening to travellers from Japan and the Republic of Korea will also be paused until 15 December. In addition, the Seychelles has been removed from the list of countries of concern.
The temporary pause will ensure Australia can gather the information needed to better understand the Omicron variant, including the efficacy of the vaccine, the range of illness, including if it may generate more mild symptoms, and the level of transmission.
Australia’s border is already closed to travellers except fully vaccinated Australian citizens, permanent residents and immediate family, as well as fully vaccinated green lane travellers from New Zealand and Singapore and limited exemptions.
Under state public health requirements, NSW and VIC have already initiated COVID-19 testing and 72 hours of isolation requirements for Australian citizens, permanent residents and immediate family members entering the country. In other states, 14 days of managed quarantine is required, and traveller cap arrangements are in place.
https://www.pm.gov.au/media/pause-further-easing-border-restrictions
