Here’s everything you need to know about the Australia VTL.
Updated on 3 March 2022: Western Australia opens borders for all travellers.
It’s been a good long while since we last visited Australia, so imagine our excitement when a Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) between Singapore and Australia commenced on 21 November 2021.
After more than 20 months of border closure, all Australian states are now open to vaccinated travellers from Singapore.
If you’re planning a trip down under, we’ve compiled everything you need to know, including what you need to prepare before arriving in Australia, what to expect while travelling and if you do get sick overseas, as well as what you’ll need to do before returning to Singapore. Here’s to that epic road trip we’ve all been waiting for 🦘
Photo credit: Destination NSW
Before Arriving in Australia
Even with VTL in place, do check on your eligibility to visit Australia. Here’s a short checklist to check if you’re all ready for your flight to Australia.
◻ Hold a passport from Singapore
◻ Hold a valid Australian VISA. Leisure travellers need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) via the AustralianETA app available on Apple and Android
◻ Fully vaccinated with an approved or recognised vaccine by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) — Pfizer/Comirnarty and Moderna are good to go
◻ Proof of vaccination status (retrievable from Notαrise website)
◻ Present a negative Covid-19 test — either a PCR test taken within 3 days from flight’s departure or a supervised ART test within 24h before flight’s departure
◻ Complete a Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) at least 72h before departure, and print a hard copy for check-in
*Travel insurance is not mandatory but highly recommended (with Covid coverage)
Which Australian States are Reopened to Travellers?
Wategos Beach, Byron Bay, New South Wales
As of 3 March 2022, all eight Australian states are open to travellers.
Australian states that have reopened to international visitors:
– Australian Capital Territory (Capital city: Canberra)
– New South Wales (Capital city: Sydney)
– Northern Territory (Capital city: Darwin)
– Queensland (Capital city: Brisbane)
– South Australia (Capital city: Adelaide)
– Tasmania (Capital city: Hobart)
– Victoria (Capital city: Melbourne)
– Western Australia (Capital city: Perth). WA’s borders will be open on 3 March 2022
Direct flights between Singapore and Australia
Travellers must fly on direct flights without transit in order to enter Australia quarantine-free. Below are airlines operating direct flights, and the cities they operate to:
– Singapore Airlines: Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns (from 29 March), Darwin (from 29 Mar), Melbourne, Perth, Sydney
– Scoot: Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Gold Coast
– Jetstar Airways: Melbourne, Perth, Darwin
– Qantas: Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney
For each state’s entry requirements, check our Ultimate Singapore VTL Guide.
While Travelling in Australia
Each and every state in Australia have their own Covid-19 measures and rules.
Note that ART is more commonly known as RAT (Rapid Antigen Test) in Australia.
Australian Capital Territory:
Hot air balloons floating over Canberra. Photo credit: Balloon Aloft Canberra
Face masks: Masks are no longer mandatory in most indoor settings in the ACT but still required on public transport.
Suspect you caught Covid-19 in ACT: Find the nearest testing centre in ACT to do a PCR test or do a self-administered Rapid Antigen Test (RAT/ART). Isolate yourself as soon as possible in your place of residence until you receive a negative result.
What to do if you test positive for Covid-19 in ACT: Report your positive-RAT on the ACT Health online form if you self-tested positive. Isolate yourself for the next seven days.
New South Wales:
Pulpit Rock Lookout, Blue Mountains, New South Wales
Face masks: Masks are no longer mandatory in most indoor settings in the NSW but still required on public transport.
Suspect you caught Covid-19 in NSW: Do a self-administered RAT and self-isolate until you receive a negative result.
What to do if you test positive for Covid-19 in NSW: Report your positive-RAT with the Service NSW website to be linked to health care support. Self-isolate and manage your symptoms for seven days.
Northern Territory:
Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory. Photo credit: Tourism Australia
Face masks: To be worn in all indoor and outdoor settings, except for a place of residence.
Suspect you caught Covid-19 in NT: Do a self-administered RAT and self-isolate until you receive a negative result.
What to do if you get Covid-19 in NT: Declare your result using the Rapid Antigen Test declaration form. The NT Centre for Disease Control will contact you on the next steps for isolation and treatment. Self-isolate for at least seven days until you are notified that your requirement to isolate has ended.
There’s no need to do PCR testing unless clinically required or requested by an authorised officer.
Queensland:
Rainbow Beach, Brisbane, Queenslands. Photo credit: Tim Patch via Unsplash
Face masks: Masks are no longer mandatory in most indoor settings in the NSW but still required on public transport.
Suspect you caught Covid-19 in QLD: Find the nearest testing centre in QLD to do a PCR test, or do a self-administered RAT and self-isolate until you receive a negative result.
What to do if you get Covid-19 in QLD: Report your positive-RAT result using the Rapid Antigen Test registration. Self-isolate for seven full days from the day you had your test.
South Australia:
Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, Crafers, Adelaide, South Australia. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
Face masks: To be worn in all indoor public places and passenger transport services.
Suspect you caught Covid-19 in SA: If you have any Covid symptoms, find your nearest COVID-19 Testing Centre, and quarantine until negative result received.
If you are a close contact but not displaying any Covid symptoms, register and collect RAT kits from your nearest RAT Collection Points, and do a test on day 1, 3, 5 and 7 (alternative days).
What to do if you get Covid-19 in SA: Report your positive-RAT result using this online form. Self-isolate for ten days from the day you had your test.
Tasmania:
Sunrise at Wineglass Bay, Tasmania. Photo credit: @itsworthashot via Instagram
Face masks: To be worn in all indoor settings and on public transport.
Suspect you caught Covid-19 in TAS: Request for a RAT kit via this online request form. Self-isolate until you receive a negative result.
What to do if you get Covid-19 in TAS: Report your positive-RAT result using this online declaration form. Self-isolate for the next seven days after you had your test. If you are still experiencing symptoms, you need to isolate for additional three days.
A PCR test is not required unless instructed to do so.
Victoria:
MacKenzie Falls Grampians Victoria
Face masks: Masks are no longer mandatory in most indoor settings in the NSW but still required on public transport.
Suspect you caught Covid-19 in VIC: Do a self-administered RAT and self-isolate until you receive a negative result.
What to do if you get Covid-19 in VIC: Report your positive-RAT via the RAT Self-Reporting Form, and self-isolate for seven days from the day you took your test. A PCR test is not required unless instructed to do so.
Western Australia:
Pinnacles Desert in Western Australia
Face masks: To be worn in all indoor and outdoor settings, except for a place of residence.
Contact Tracing: Download and use the ServiceWA app, to check in to certain businesses and venues
Suspect you caught Covid-19 in WA: Do an self-administered RAT test. Test kits can be purchased at supermarkets, pharmacies and other retailers.
What to do if you get Covid-19 in TAS: Report your RAT-positive result with the Department of Health online. Self-isolate for seven days or until cleared by the Department of Health.
If you develop severe symptoms and require emergency medical assistance while in isolation in any part of Australia, call Triple Zero (000) straightaway and inform the ambulance staff that you have been diagnosed with Covid-19.
Returning to Singapore
1) VTL Flights from Australia to Singapore
Travellers must fly on VTL flights in order to return to Singapore quarantine-free. Here are the airlines operating VTL flights from Australia to Singapore:
Singapore Airlines:
VTL flights are denoted by a VTL label in Singapore Airlines’ booking system.
Scoot:
– Melbourne to Singapore: TR19
– Syndey to Singapore: TR13
– Perth to Singapore: TR17
– Gold Coast to Singapore: TR7
Qantas: All Qantas flights from Australia to Singapore are VTL flights
Jetstar: All Jetstar flights from Australia to Singapore are VTL flights (VTL flights from Perth will start on 11 March)
2) Submission of Health Declaration
Within three days before arriving in Singapore, fill up the SG Arrival Card (SGAC) with pre-trip health and travel history declaration.
If you are diagnosed, suspected to have contracted Covid-19 in Australia, or is a close contact with a confirmed covid patient, do defer your travel until you are tested negative or feeling well again.
If you contracted and recovered from Covid-19 in Australia, you will need a discharge memo issued by a relevant state authority or licensed medical professional. The discharge memo will allow you to be exempted from any Stay-Home Notice (SHN) upon arrival.
3) Pre-departure PCR/ART test
Returning travellers must take a professionally administered PCR or ART within two days before the flight’s departure at a recognised clinic or lab. Test results should have your name, date of birth, and Passport number, with time and date in English.
4) Vaccinated Travellers On-Arrival Test (OAT)
Vaccinated travellers arriving back to Singapore will need to undergo a supervised self-administered Covid-19 ART within 24 hours of arrival in Singapore. The test costs S$15, payment onsite via cashless mode, at selected QTCs/CTCs.
Australia VTL Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Byron Bay, New South Wales
1) Can I travel to multiple states within Australia?
Yes! Interstate travel within Australia is allowed, other than to Western Australia as borders are still closed. However, always check for the latest entry rules of the state or territory you’re travelling to, as changes in the Covid-19 situation may affect domestic travel restrictions without notice.
2) Woohoo can’t wait, how do I start planning?
A good way to start planning your new trip is to read up and get inspiration on the best places to visit in Australia. We did up many travel guides and itineraries of Australia, from a road trip in Victoria to food trails in Sydney. Below are more:
– 10-day New South Wales Epic Experiences Itinerary
– 11D Western Australia Itinerary — Coastal Road Trip From Perth To Ningaloo
– 10 Things To Do In Tasmania, the Hidden Gem Of Australia
– The Complete Phillip Island Guide
– Byron Bay Guide: 25 Things to Do in NSW’s Ultimate Hipster Paradise
– 3D2N Blue Mountains Itinerary: Scenic World, Hiking Trails, and Jenolan Caves
– Unique Australian Wildlife Encounters to Get Up Close with Wild Animals
– 16 Picture-Perfect Places Every Australia Itinerary Needs
– 16 New And Undiscovered Experiences For Your Next Australia Itinerary
Featured image credit: Tim Patch via Unsplash
Facebook cover credit: @itsworthashot via Instagram, Balloon Aloft Canberra
Which Australian state do you want to visit? Let us know in the comments below!