Flying via Singapore-Australia VTL

From 1 Apr 2022, travel restrictions for travellers leaving and entering Singapore will be eased under the new Vaccinated Travel Framework. This new framework will replace the existing Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) for simpler travel into Singapore.

Simultaneously, the Australia Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) app will be expanded to all ETA-eligible passport holders. This makes applying for a visa much simpler. Travellers can also avoid long hours at the airport by using one of the SmartGates — an automated process that uses facial recognition and biometric passport to verify their identity and allow them quick access to the country. 

We’ve consolidated the latest travel restrictions and requirements for Singapore and Australia; within and inter-state, in this all-you-need-to-know guide!

Note: You will need to buy travel insurance that covers COVID-19 related medical/treatment expenses and hospitalisation costs. 

Pre-departure travel requirements for fully-vaccinated travellers

Here’s all that you need to prepare:

1. Submit the Digital Passenger Declaration within 72 hours before departure.
2. Provide proof of a supervised negative test (a PCR test taken within the last 3 days; or ART within the last 24 hours). Travellers who have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 30 days, and have a certificate of recovery, are exempt. The price for a PCR test and an ART starts from $91.20 and $25 respectively. 
3. Valid Passport
4. Submit the Australia Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) using the mobile application, which will take up to 2 business days to approve.  
5. Digitally endorse your vaccination certificate. Make sure to check the list of approved vaccines in Australia before travelling! 

Pre-departure travel requirements for non-vaccinated travellers

You will need to follow steps one to four above. However, you will need to apply for a travel exemption, check here to see if you meet entry requirements for Australia and here if you meet travel requirements for state and territory arrival. 

Do print a hard copy of all the necessary documents and have them with you at all times.

For the Singapore Australia VTL, unvaccinated children under 12 years old will be treated as fully vaccinated if they are accompanied by a fully-vaccinated person aged 18 or older. For other travellers, if a child is travelling with unvaccinated adult family members, the entire family group will be subject to the quarantine and passenger caps for state or territory arrival. 

Also read: 22 Souvenirs to Buy from Australia for Your Loved Ones Back Home

Singapore – Australia Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL)

Singaporean citizens or Permanent Residents can enjoy quarantine-free travel without special Australia travel requirements through the Singapore Australia VTL. However, besides Northern Territory and Tasmania, you will have to take an ART on arrival.

Besides the lift on Singapore VTL designated flights, the current VTL requirements remain unchanged for those travelling from Singapore under the Singapore Vaccinated Travel Framework. Effective from 1 Apr 2022, fully-vaccinated travellers entering Singapore will enjoy eased travel restrictions like no post-arrival testing and simplification of the Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC). 

Keep up to date with Singapore’s newest ease of local COVID measures like optional mask-wearing outdoors, social gatherings and more!

COVID-19 Australia travel restrictions for each state

Australian Capital Territory

Fully-vaccinated travellers will need to: 

1. Take an unsupervised ART within 24 hours of arriving. 
2. Self-isolate at home or your accommodation until you receive a negative result. 
3. Not visit high-risk settings for 24 hours. 

Check if you have met the vaccination requirements here.

Non-vaccinated travellers will need to: 

1. Apply for entry via email to [email protected], outlining the grounds for the exemption sought, travel details and the proposed quarantine plan.
2. Complete the necessary quarantine period at their port of entry. Find out more here.

Note: Download CBR App for contact tracing. 

New South Wales

Fully-vaccinated travellers will need to: 

1. Take an ART, within 24 hours of arriving, at any test site here. Children 4 years old and younger are exempted. 
2. Self-isolate at home or your accommodation until you receive a negative result. 
3. Not visit high-risk settings for at least seven days, and take an ART on the sixth day.

Check if you have met the vaccination requirements here.

Non-vaccinated travellers will need to: 

1. Take an ART, within 24 hours of arriving, at any test site here. 
2. Complete a seven-day mandatory hotel quarantine. A fixed fee for hotel quarantine will be charged. Read more about these particular Australia travel requirements here. 

Note: Download the Service NSW app for contact tracing and to report a positive test. 

Northern Territory

No entry restrictions or requirements. Download the G2G Now app for contact tracing.

However, if you’re not fully vaccinated for medical reasons, be sure to bring your medical contraindication certificate. 

Queensland

Fully-vaccinated travellers will need to: 

1. Take an ART, within 24 hours of arriving, at any test site here. 
2. Self-isolate at home or your accommodation until you receive a negative result. 

You may have to take a PCR test, and not an ART, if you:

1.  Have recovered from COVID-19 within the past 30 days
2.  Have COVID-19 symptoms
3.  The country you departed from is exempt from Commonwealth pre-departure testing requirements for entry to Australia

Check if you have met the vaccination requirements here.

Non-vaccinated travellers will need to: 

1. Take an ART, within 24 hours of arriving, at any test site here. 
2. Complete a 14-day mandatory quarantine at your own accommodation or hotel. Here are the fees for hotel quarantine. Read more about these particular Australia travel requirements here. 

Note: Download the Check In Qld app for contact tracing. 

You are exempt from testing and quarantine if you got tested for COVID-19 in another State or Territory within 24 hours of arrival in Australia and received a negative test result. 

South Australia

No entry restrictions or requirements. Download the TAS app for contact tracing.

However, if you’re not fully vaccinated for medical reasons, be sure to bring your medical contraindication certificate. 

Tasmania

No entry restrictions or requirements. Download Check in TAS app for contact tracing.

However, if you’re not fully vaccinated for medical reasons, be sure to bring your medical contraindication certificate. 

Victoria

All travellers will need to have an approved G2G pass. 

Fully-vaccinated travellers will need to: 

1. Take an unsupervised ART, within 24 hours of arriving.
2. Self-isolate at home or your accommodation until you receive a negative result. 
3. Not visit high-risk settings for at least eight days, unless you test negative on the eighth day.

Check if you have met the vaccination requirements here.

Non-vaccinated travellers will need to: 

1. Take an ART within 24 hours of arriving.
2. Complete a seven-day mandatory quarantine at Victorian Quarantine Hub. As of the end of Mar 2022, it will be the sole quarantine facility. 

Note: Download the Service Victoria app for contact tracing 

Western Australia

Fully-vaccinated travellers will need to: 

1. Take an unsupervised ART within 12 hours of arriving.
2. Test negative to not require self-isolation.

Check if you have met the vaccination requirements here.

Non-vaccinated travellers will need to: 

1. Take an ART within 12 hours of arriving.
2. Complete a seven-day mandatory quarantine at a hotel. More info here. 

Note: Download the SafeWA app for contact tracing 

Our last tip: Get an affordable mobile data plan before leaving, as data roaming can get pricey. Now, you can boast all about your trip within each state or inter-state on the ‘gram!

 Australia travel requirements for each state may change at short notice so this article will be routinely updated. 

Also read: VTL Trip Preparation: Essential Information for Travelling to Singapore 

As always, you can refer to our articles on travel requirements for other countries here!