Australia Remove Pre-Departure Tests Next Month

It was announced this week that Australia will remove pre-departure tests for travellers from the middle of next month (April) following the plans of their recent news that they would be opening to travellers again.  

After a long two-year break from travel since March 2020, Australia revealed a plan to open their doors to travellers. Their Covid emergency measures will expire per this plan on the 17th of April.  

On Friday the 25th of March, the Australian Minister of health, Greg Hunt, announced that Australia will remove pre-departure tests for fully vaccinated travellers. This will take place on the 17th of April at the same time as their restrictions expire. They will also allow cruise shop calls from the same date. 

Currently, all travellers to Australia need to take a pre-departure test. They either need to take a PCR test within 72 hours pre-departure, or they must take a rapid antigen test within 24 hours pre-departure.  

Once this restriction is lifted fully vaccinated travellers will only be required to give proof of a full course of an approved vaccine and wear a face mask on their flight (more about these requirements can be found on the Foreign Travel Advice page). 

It was also confirmed in the announcement on Friday that Australian authorities will be monitoring the cost of antigen tests and have claimed a wealthy supply of tests for visitors. 

This is excellent news. After two years without much movement into and out of Australia, the news that Australia will remove pre-departure tests alongside dropping their previous restrictions is a big step in the right direction.  

So, if you’d like to learn more about how your consumers’ monies are protected with Protected Trust Services (PTS) and how we support excellent travel businesses, check out our pages. Or you can get in touch with the lovely PTS team by calling 0207 190 9988 or emailing us at ask@protectedtrustservices.com.