Outbound Border Between Australia and New Zealand Opens Tomorrow
Apr 18, 2021, 3:41 am
#1
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Outbound Border Between Australia and New Zealand Opens Tomorrow
The border between Australia and New Zealand is slated to reopen tomorrow allowing Australians to travel virtually anywhere in the world. This is because New Zealand does not have an exit ban on international travel as Australia does meaning us Aussie can simply fly to New Zealand, then continue on from New Zealand to any other country we wish. Given this I'm curious what international destinations folks have in mind taking over the coming weeks?
Cheers,
'Roo Flyer
Cheers,
'Roo Flyer
Apr 18, 2021, 5:06 am
#3
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The border between Australia and New Zealand is slated to reopen tomorrow allowing Australians to travel virtually anywhere in the world. This is because New Zealand does not have an exit ban on international travel as Australia does meaning us Aussie can simply fly to New Zealand, then continue on from New Zealand to any other country we wish. Given this I'm curious what international destinations folks have in mind taking over the coming weeks?
However if they want to get back into AU may be so easy. And will need do 14 days quarantine at own expense (~$3000)
Flight availability (= hotel quarantine) from USA is often available for "tomorrow, next 1 day, next 2 days", at a price, if people can get access into USA.
From other parts of the world it can be months before a flight (= hotel quarantine) is available.
Access for an AU citizen/resident back into NZ from other parts of the world will not happen
From AU Govt web site New Zealand safe travel zone
<snip>
Travelling from Australia to New Zealand: travel exemption requirements
If you are travelling directly to New Zealand and you have only been in either Australia or New Zealand for the 14 days immediately before you travel, you do not need to apply for an exemption to Australia’s travel restrictions*. You are automatically exempt.
*Australian citizens and permanent residents will be required to apply for an outward travel exemption before travel to New Zealand if:
Those who seek to travel from New Zealand to another international destination and then return to Australia will be required to: present a negative COVID-19 test result to their airline within 72 hours prior to departure for Australia; enter 14 days mandatory hotel quarantine on arrival at their own expense; and be tested periodically while in mandatory quarantine.
The risks posed by overseas travel at this time, including possible disruption to return to Australia and from COVID-19 in many countries, remain high.
<snip>
Travelling from Australia to New Zealand: travel exemption requirements
If you are travelling directly to New Zealand and you have only been in either Australia or New Zealand for the 14 days immediately before you travel, you do not need to apply for an exemption to Australia’s travel restrictions*. You are automatically exempt.
*Australian citizens and permanent residents will be required to apply for an outward travel exemption before travel to New Zealand if:
- you have booked an onward flight from New Zealand to another overseas destination
Those who seek to travel from New Zealand to another international destination and then return to Australia will be required to: present a negative COVID-19 test result to their airline within 72 hours prior to departure for Australia; enter 14 days mandatory hotel quarantine on arrival at their own expense; and be tested periodically while in mandatory quarantine.
The risks posed by overseas travel at this time, including possible disruption to return to Australia and from COVID-19 in many countries, remain high.
<snip>
If too many take advantage of this the AU Govt may take other measures.
Anyone going for 3 months seems to get an exemption. Is far more liberal than ~ 6 months ago
Apr 18, 2021, 2:57 pm
#4
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Apr 18, 2021, 4:19 pm
#5
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Yep, so no real need to use New Zealand as an international departure point if you intend to stay out of Australia for an extended period of time. However, unlike some media reports of late, the traveller must still apply for an exemption to leave Australia for destinations OTHER than New Zealand.
Apr 18, 2021, 4:40 pm
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Yep, so no real need to use New Zealand as an international departure point if you intend to stay out of Australia for an extended period of time. However, unlike some media reports of late, the traveller must still apply for an exemption to leave Australia for destinations OTHER than New Zealand.
The legislation as currently drafted says a person must not leave Australian territory without an exemption. The updated legislation includes travel direct to NZ as an exemption. So nothing wrong with using NZ as a stepping stone.
5 Persons not to travel outside Australian territory after 12 pm, 25 March 2020
(1) An Australian citizen or permanent resident (the person) must not leave Australian territory as a passenger on an outgoing aircraft or vessel on or after the time this instrument commences unless:
(a) an exemption set out in section 6 applies to the person; or
(1) An Australian citizen or permanent resident (the person) must not leave Australian territory as a passenger on an outgoing aircraft or vessel on or after the time this instrument commences unless:
(a) an exemption set out in section 6 applies to the person; or
6 Exemptions—general
An exemption from the requirements of section 5 applies to the following persons:
(f) a person who:
(i) is travelling directly to New Zealand; and
(ii) has been only in Australia for at least 14 days immediately before the day the flight or voyage of the outgoing aircraft or vessel commences.
An exemption from the requirements of section 5 applies to the following persons:
(f) a person who:
(i) is travelling directly to New Zealand; and
(ii) has been only in Australia for at least 14 days immediately before the day the flight or voyage of the outgoing aircraft or vessel commences.
Updated link to current version of legislation
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2021C00312
What will be interesting to see is how many use NZ to get to the US and whether that starts to put a strain on returning travellers TPAC which up to now has been relatively easy to get back to AU from.
Last edited by bensyd; Apr 18, 2021 at 5:08 pm Reason: Updated to current version of legislation.
Apr 18, 2021, 6:37 pm
#7
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Yes - what you say is correct. However, I think there will not be a rush of people leaving Australia for "short term non New Zealand" travel due to the 14 day quarantine requirement upon return. Most will be people who need to get out for 3 months or more.
In all practicality, this requirement to get permission to leave Australia IMO was/is a complete .... show. The very fact that travellers needed to do 14 day quarantine was in itself a barrier to travel. But it is what it is and this process was palatable to the masses. Remember, the Australian government was not nearly as liberal at issuing "permission to leave " during the early days of the pandemic. It was only after a total outcry from people who needed to get on with their global lives of work, business and other long term commitments that the government changed its stance (Unofficially that is).
Anyway - as you say - time will tell.
In all practicality, this requirement to get permission to leave Australia IMO was/is a complete .... show. The very fact that travellers needed to do 14 day quarantine was in itself a barrier to travel. But it is what it is and this process was palatable to the masses. Remember, the Australian government was not nearly as liberal at issuing "permission to leave " during the early days of the pandemic. It was only after a total outcry from people who needed to get on with their global lives of work, business and other long term commitments that the government changed its stance (Unofficially that is).
Anyway - as you say - time will tell.
Apr 18, 2021, 7:28 pm
#8
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In New Zealand almost no one is leaving due to the 14 day quarantine. That in itself is enough to put off 99.9% of travelers, including extremely enthusiastic frequent flyers such as myself. So if we won't leave despite being free to, I can't imagine there will be a flood of Australians who will use it to leave Australia for non exempt travel either. I am surprised that the travel ban exists because as NZ has shown, the quarantine in itself is enough to stop most people.
Apr 20, 2021, 10:13 pm
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Will be some people who do that. Some/many countries still have restrictions on entry and local lock downs.
However if they want to get back into AU may be so easy. And will need do 14 days quarantine at own expense (~$3000)
<snip>
If too many take advantage of this the AU Govt may take other measures.
<snip>
However if they want to get back into AU may be so easy. And will need do 14 days quarantine at own expense (~$3000)
<snip>
If too many take advantage of this the AU Govt may take other measures.
<snip>
Yep, so no real need to use New Zealand as an international departure point if you intend to stay out of Australia for an extended period of time. However, unlike some media reports of late, the traveller must still apply for an exemption to leave Australia for destinations OTHER than New Zealand.
21 Apr 2021 (news.com.au)--->Law change to stop Aussies using loophole to travel outside trans-Tasman bubble
Aussies could be slapped with a hefty fine or jail time under a law change to stop people using NZ as a port to travel outside the trans-Tasman bubble.
Australians looking to use New Zealand as a port to go overseas could be slapped with a massive fine or even be jailed under newly changed laws. Since the two neighbouring countries entered into the quarantine-free arrangement on Monday, thousands of people have travelled between the ANZAC nations. Some were quick to point out the Kiwi nation could be used as a port to travel further abroad, as New Zealand does not have laws forbidding overseas travel without an exemption like Australia does. But Health Minister Greg Hunt was quick to put an end to the scheming, amending the Biosecurity legislation to specify that Australians could not use NZ as a port to go overseas.
Under the Act, which was amended on Monday, anyone who breaks the rules can be fined up to $63,000 with the minimum penalty being $6300.
<snip>
Australians looking to use New Zealand as a port to go overseas could be slapped with a massive fine or even be jailed under newly changed laws. Since the two neighbouring countries entered into the quarantine-free arrangement on Monday, thousands of people have travelled between the ANZAC nations. Some were quick to point out the Kiwi nation could be used as a port to travel further abroad, as New Zealand does not have laws forbidding overseas travel without an exemption like Australia does. But Health Minister Greg Hunt was quick to put an end to the scheming, amending the Biosecurity legislation to specify that Australians could not use NZ as a port to go overseas.
Under the Act, which was amended on Monday, anyone who breaks the rules can be fined up to $63,000 with the minimum penalty being $6300.
<snip>
Apr 20, 2021, 11:09 pm
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