Quarantine-Free Travel Between Singapore and Australia Has Resumed

At the time of writing, vaccinated Singapore citizens can once again enjoy quarantine-free travel to select states in Australia. 

Where in Australia can I travel to?

Sydney (New South Wales), Melbourne (Victoria), Brisbane (Queensland), Adelaide (South Australia), Canberra (Australian Capital Territory, ACT), Darwin (Northern Territory), and Tasmania

Image credit: Dmitry Osipenko

Currently, the VTL arrangement applies to New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, ACT, Northern Territory, and Tasmania. However, direct international flights are only available from Singapore to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide. 

Unless otherwise stated, flying to Australia on any of these quarantine-free flights requires the following:

• A pre-departure COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours prior to flight departure. This test is required for all those aged 5 years old and above.
• Depending on which state you’re flying to, you’ll have to do an on-arrival ART, including another one on day 6 of your time there. Refer to official sources for protocols on international and interstate travel.

Interstate travel in Australia 

Aside from Sydney — New South Wales’ biggest city and capital — other cities open for visit include Newcastle, Wollongong, and Coffs Harbour. Melbourne, on the other hand, is Victoria’s largest city; its neighbouring cities like Geelong and Ballarat are also open for social visits.

So, while intrastate travel is free-and-easy, interstate travel in Australia has a different set of restrictions; each state features a different travel restriction depending on where you’re entering from. For instance, entry to Queensland requires a period of self-isolation quarantine unless you are coming from a safe travel zone or have been granted an exemption. 

Check the Tourism Australia website or the Department of Health website for a full breakdown of the travel restrictions in each state. 

Image credit: Caleb Russell

That being said, if you fly back to Singapore from any other non-VTL state in Australia, you may be required to quarantine upon arrival. 

While interstate travel in Australia might come with its restrictions at the moment, we hope that the VTL flights reopening will give you the inspiration to restart your explorations of the Land Down Under!