Vets and Interstate Travel

For Vets wanting to travel both into, and around Australia, there is a raft of new requirements and restrictions. This information was compiled on 14^th April 2020 and requirements can change rapidly at the moment – please check for up to date information before making travel plans.

• For Vets wanting to come from overseas into Australia: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/coming-australia
• For Interstate Travel, information can be found on the Australian Interstate Quarantine website at https://www.interstatequarantine.org.au/state-and-territory-border-closures/
• DPI Border Info: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/home/covid-19/border-crossing-information

For Vets wanting to cross border into Queensland:

https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19

• QLD Gov Border info: https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/government-actions/border-closing
• QLD Health Border Directives & details about 14 day isolation after entering the state: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/system-governance/legislation/cho-public-health-directions-under-expanded-public-health-act-powers/border-restrictions
• QLD Border Pass Application: https://www.qld.gov.au/border-pass

For Vets wanting to cross border into New South Wales:

https://preview.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

• Right now there is no closure or restrictions on NSW borders. (according to Australian Interstate Quarantine Website)
• Their COVID-19 website doesn’t provide much info regarding interstate travel.

For Vets wanting to travel into ACT:

https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/

• There are currently no restrictions on cross-border movement between ACT & NSW, beyond those that apply to everyone, ie not undertaking non-essential travel, maintaining social distancing rules etc. (according to Australian Interstate Quarantine Website)
• Travelling interstate: https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/help-and-advice/travellers

For Vets wanting to cross border into Victoria:

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

• Right now there is no closure or restrictions on Victoria’s borders. (according to Australian Interstate Quarantine Website)
• Their COVID-19 website doesn’t provide much info regarding interstate travel.

For Vets wanting to cross border into Tasmania:

https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/

• Border restrictions: http://www.premier.tas.gov.au/releases/nation_leading_border_restrictions_to_protect_tasmanians
• All passengers will be screened on arrival and must demonstrate they meet the essential traveller criteria.
• All non-essential travellers departing for Tasmania will be required to quarantine for 14 days.

For Vets wanting to cross border into South Australia:

https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/emergency-declarations

• Travel Restrictions: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/restrictions-and-responsibilities/travel-restrictions
• Who Are Essential Travellers: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/145801/Who-is-an-essential-traveller.pdf
• FAQ: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/145711/FAQ-Emergency-Management-Cross-Border-Travel-No-2-COVID-19-Direction-2020-03042020.pdf
• Non-essential travellers will still be able to enter South Australia, but will be required to identify a suitable place of quarantine, travel directly to that location &self-quarantine at that location for 14 days.
• Police will be stopping travellers at checking points.

For Vets wanting to cross border into Western Australia:

https://www.wa.gov.au/government/covid-19-coronavirus

• Travelling to & within WA: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-the-premier-and-cabinet/covid-19-coronavirus-advice-travelling-and-within-western-australia#wa-state-border-closure
• FAQ: https://www.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-04/Frequently%20Asked%20Questions%20-%20Border%20Controls.pdf
• Applying for Exemption: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/publications/wa-entry-request-approval-exempt-traveller
• Application Form: https://www.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-04/COVID-19%20%20WA.gov_.au%20borderclosures_050420_.pdf
• No entry into WA unless an exemption has been granted

For Vets wanting to cross border into Northern Territory:

https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/

• Domestic Travel: https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/travel/domestic-travel
• Border Controls: https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/community-advice/border-controls
• Exemption from Quarantine Categories https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/community-advice/border-controls/exemption-categories-for-essential-travellers (can’t see vets on here)
• Exemption application form: https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/806931/exemption-application.pdf
• 14 days quarantine required at own expense for all non-essential travellers.

Thanks to Jo Edwards of Kookaburra Veterinary Employment for compiling this list of links.

Author:
Wendy Nathan
Kookaburra Veterinary Employment

14th April 2020

This information includes the views and opinions of Kookaburra Veterinary Employment and is of a general nature only. Factual information is believed to be correct at the time of writing, however, should not be relied upon and any person should confirm details with the relevant authorities and through their own research prior to acting on any of the suggestions in this article.