Hello, fellow travelers or curious procrastinators, I’m Lisa, JoinMyTrip’s Lead Designer. Born and raised in Perth, Australia, and having lived in Melbourne for 7 years, I may just be the JoinMyTrip employee who has ventured the furthest to now reside in Germany. After one and a half years of not seeing my fellow Australians, a sudden incident in my family has caused me to make the very quick decision to travel home to Australia.
It is not an easy journey to make currently, as Australia’s borders are some of the strictest, including a mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine. That also means they have very few active Corona cases, often 0 within the general population.
With the Corona crisis being an extremely unique moment in history for travel, all countries approach it differently. I am hoping that by documenting my journey, I may assist other Australians contemplating the difficult decision to return home.
If you want more tips, advice or stories about my journey and quarantine experience, follow JoinMyTrip on TikTok.
Who can travel to Australia?
Currently the only people eligible to enter Australia are:
- Australian citizens or residents
- immediate family members
- or travellers who have been in New Zealand for the previous 14 days.
There are some additional exemptions, including medical services, people with critical skills, students studying within specific fields, and traveling for compassionate reasons. If you’re eligible for one of those, you will need to register for a travel exemption before booking your trip. The most up-to-date information can be found in the Department of Home Affairs.
Because of these restrictions, my long-term boyfriend could not make this journey with me. This made the decision to return even more difficult, which brings me to the next point…
Should I travel to Australia right now?
Like many people making this journey at the moment, the decision was a difficult and emotional one. From the stories I’ve heard so far, most people currently traveling to Australia are doing so due to family or personal reasons. This is definitely not an opportunity for a quick getaway or holiday away from the crisis.
I had to make a very quick decision if I wanted to be out of quarantine in time for the funeral, but even then, I spent a couple of days being unsure and second-guessing myself.
Booking flights at the moment are expensive, especially last minute. You also have to pay for the mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine, which costs between $2,500 to $3,000 depending on the state. You receive an invoice after your stay and there are payment plans or government subsidies available.
Where to find advice and information
After deciding to travel to Australia, I really needed to reach out to others for advice as the process can be a little confusing. If you need to save time and have extra money to spare, Australian travel agents can be quite helpful in arranging your flights and informing you of all requirements. But reaching out to public communities, such as Facebook Groups, can be just as useful.
Here are some useful Facebook groups about traveling to Australia right now:
- Australians in Germany – Embassy, Consular and Passport Advice
Or search for the country you are currently in. - Perth Quarantine Hotels
Or find the city in which you’ll be staying - Mandatory 14 day Hotel Quarantine Chat Group
- Australians in Quarantine Facilities
How to book a trip to Australia
After you are absolutely sure you’re allowed to enter Australia, the first step is to book your flights.
Once you have confirmed your flights, you will need to complete your Australian Travel Declaration, which requires creating an account and providing passport and flight details. You should quickly receive the automated confirmation that will confirm you are required to quarantine upon your arrival.
For Western Australia and Tasmania, you also need to apply for a G2G Pass. This form is catered towards interstate travelers, but it is required for international entries and asked for at the airport upon arrival. Again, if filled in correctly, you should receive instant confirmation.
I made the mistake of being too honest on the G2G Pass application, ticking ‘yes’ for awaiting the results of a PCR test because one is required before your flight. My application was denied as awaiting test results is marked as a symptom of COVID-19. But after re-submitting the form with that one field altered, I was approved immediately.
How to prepare for your flights
Once booked and approved, you will need to ensure you have a negative PCR test before your flight. Currently, this must be within 72 hours before your first flight. If your total transit time is over 24 hours, then the timeframe is 72 hours before your second flight. These requirements could change at any moment, so make sure to double-check the information provided by the airline.
After all of this, you just have to pack your bags! Keep an eye out for my next blog to know what items should make it into your carry-on luggage. And if your stay in Australia is temporary, leave some room in your suitcase for TimTams and Vegemite!
If you’re curious about what the hotel is like, and important items to pack, I have also been sharing my quarantine experience on the JoinMyTrip TikTok.
Coming soon: Flying Long Haul During Coronavirus
Keep an eye out for the next blog in the series!
No trips planned yet? Check out JoinMyTrip to kick start your incredible adventure! Here you will find like-minded travel mates and many cool yet unique trips. Join already planned trips or lead your very own trip.
Craving some more travel inspiration? Check out our other blogs:
- When Can I Travel Again? The Answer is…
- Future of Digital Vaccination Passports | Travel News
- 7 Tips You Need to Read if You’re Traveling Last-Minute
- Coronavirus: 10 Things to do Under Lockdown
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