Key points:

• The national security committee will meet on Monday to discuss the issue
• Preliminary advice says some international arrival restrictions are no longer necessary
• Ms Andrews says international tourists that do not meet the COVID safety precautions could be deported

International tourists could return to Australia in the coming weeks, with Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews describing the decision as imminent, pending final health advice.

It has been almost two years since the nation's international border was closed and the tourism sector has been hit hard by both the drop in revenue from overseas visitors and domestic border closures. Federal Government's national security committee will meet on Monday to discuss the issue and the latest information from health experts. "That is a priority for us," Ms Andrews told Insiders."We don't have all of the information that we need to be able to take the decision to open, but we are very close."
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Ms Andrews said international tourists who do not meet the COVID-19 safety precautions could be deported, drawing comparisons to tennis star Novak Djokovic's case. "To be able to enter Australia, if you are a non-Australian, you need to have a valid visa and you need to demonstrate that you are fully vaccinated or that you have medical evidence to say that you cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons," Ms Andrews said.
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Scott Morrison and the minister responsible for Australia’s borders have dropped two clues on international travel

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has dropped a big hint that Australia would soon open its international borders, saying it was not “far away”. Mr Morrison said Australia was preparing to open back up to the world, having in recent months lifted restrictions on skilled migrants, backpackers and students. “As many of our states are now moving through and past their peaks, the key issue that we have been examining - and I’ve asked for advice from our health officials - is how that decision could impact on our hospitals, which has been our primary consideration,” Mr Morrison said in Sydney on Sunday. “The previous opening up of the borders has gone very well. “And we are looking forward to be able to make that decision to open up our borders and welcome visitors back to Australia again, as soon as we safely and possibly can.He suggested that the easing of travel restrictions might not be far off, noting: “I really do not believe that is far away.”

It came as Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews on Sunday said that the opening of international borders was “close”.
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