travel restrictions qld

State border changes: what you need to know

Queensland’s state border restrictions are easing, allowing travellers from Covid-19 domestic hotspots to enter the state without having to quarantine from Monday.

From 1am, December 13, anyone entering Queensland from domestic hotspots such as New South Wales and Victoria, will have to complete a border declaration pass.

Travellers can arrive by road or air provided they are fully vaccinated and can provide evidence of a negative Covid-19 PCR test in the previous 72 hours.

They will also have to obtain a Covid-19 test on day five after their arrival.

You must receive a negative Covid-19 result before applying for a border pass, unless you live within the border zone area.

More information about getting a Covid-19 test in New South Wales is available here , or testing information for Victoria is available here . Residents living in the declared border zone will be able to move freely across the border without the need for a PCR test, however, they will still need to be vaccinated and have a valid border pass.

Unvaccinated border zone residents will be restricted to travel for essential reasons.

New border passes can be obtained on the here from midnight, Sunday night.

Road border traffic

Extensive delays are expected at state border crossings on Monday and Tuesday (December 13-14) with anticipation there will be high volumes of returning Queensland residents and travellers driving into the state.   

The Queensland Police Service will be conducting compliance activities at the road border checkpoints and motorists may be intercepted for verification of their declaration pass and supporting evidence.

We recommend the following for people crossing road borders:

• Ensure your border pass is printed and clearly on display on your windscreen
• Do not attempt to cross the border without a valid pass as you will be turned around
• Consider travelling outside peak periods and after Monday if possible  
• Plan for delays exceeding 60 minutes at high peak times
• Remain patient and follow the directions of signage and officer’s directions

For more information, visit www.covid19.qld.gov.au .

Subscribe to Queensland Police News

Answers submitted on this optional form will be used only to send you the newsletter you request. We will not give this information to third parties without your consent, unless required by law. More information about privacy

Think you're made for a career in policing? Your experience can make a real difference.

Find out how at PoliceRecruit.qld.gov.au .

Do you recognise these people?

Help us find these Missing Persons

• Emergency 000
• Policelink 131 444
• Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000
• Disasters & Alerts
• Report Cybercrime

Local Sites

QLD Lives Lost 2024

Values correct as of midnight on 02-06-2024.

• Protect those who protect and assist us, this National Road Safety Week
• SAVE THE DATE: Walk Safely to School Day Friday May 10
• Take the Pledge and drive to survive
• All Road Safety

QLD Crime Statistics

Latest QPS Videos

LGBTI+ News

Look To The Stars

White Ribbon

Acknowledgement of Country

The QPS acknowledges the First Nations – Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as the Traditional Owners of the lands throughout Australia, and their connection to country and community. We pay our respect to all Traditional Owners, and to their Elders past, present and emerging. We pay our respects to the First Nations’ ancestors of this land and their legacy. The foundations by these ancestors — our First Nations people — gives strength, inspiration and courage to current and future generations, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous.

• Back to Top

Local news:

7NEWS direct to your inbox - sign up here

Everything you need to know as queensland’s border finally reopens to australia.

EXPLAINED: The new travel restrictions and requirements for entering Queensland

After months of closures, Queensland’s borders are set to reopen to travellers from across Australia on Monday morning.

The border restrictions will be eased for the first time in five months from 1am on Monday, 13 December.

See details of Queensland’s new travel restrictions in the video player ABOVE

“We will live with COVID-19 – but on our terms,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said while announcing the borders would open four days ahead of previously planned.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath echoed a similar sentiment. She said it would be a matter of when - not if - coronavirus spread through Queensland.

“We know COVID-19 is coming,” she said.

“We know cases numbers will rise.

“But we can be as protected as possible by being fully vaccinated.

Fully vaccinated travellers can cross the border from Monday, without quarantining provided they meet certain criteria.

However, the welcome news for many comes with certain conditions that travellers wanting to cross the border must abide by.

Entering Queensland from a hotspot

Travellers who have been in a declared hotspot in the previous 14 days will have different rules to those who are not coming from a hotspot.

All travellers, from anywhere in Australia, must apply for and receive a Queensland entry pass prior to arrival in the sunshine state.

This includes returning Queensland residents.

Those coming from declared hotspots such as Sydney or Melbourne, or those who have been in a hotspot in the last 14 days, will be required to return a negative PCR test within 72 hours of crossing the border.

For those staying for five or more days, they must then also return a second negative test on day five of their visit

People from hotspots who aren’t fully vaccinated will need to undergo 14 days of hotel quarantine upon arrival into the sunshine state.

To check if you are in an area of concern, a list of declared hotspots is available on the Queensland Government website .

Entering from a ‘green zone’

For those entering Queensland from a ‘green zone’, an area that is not declared as a hotspot, there are no restrictions upon entry, provided you receive a border entry pass prior to arrival.

You must apply for and receive a Queensland entry pass to enter Queensland from anywhere in Australia, including from within green zones.

Residents living in the declared ‘ border zone ’ will be able to move freely across the border provided they are vaccinated and have a valid border pass.

Arriving in Queensland from overseas

Australian citizens or permanent residents - or immediate family members travelling with one - can arrive directly into Queensland via Brisbane International Airport.

You must also be fully vaccinated and have a negative result within 72 hours before departure.

Home quarantine must be conducted within a two-hour drive of the airport. Anyone else in the property at the time must also complete quarantine and have at least one dose of a vaccine.

If you are arriving from overseas via another state or territory you must be fully vaccinated and undertake the the Queensland-specified period of quarantine under the direction of another state or territory at home or in a government-nominated facility.

If you arrive into Australia via an interstate COVID-19 hotspot, you’ll need to complete 14 days of hotel quarantine when you arrive in Queensland.

The border changes come as Prime Minister Scott Morrison congratulated Queenslanders on reaching the reached the 80 per cent milestone .

“Well done to Queensland ... Thank you to everyone who got their jab,” he tweeted.

Queensland’s new COVID-19 quarantine rules

Queensland has also unveiled plans to reduce quarantine requirements for contacts of known COVID-19 cases and cleaning requirements for businesses.

From 1 January, 2022, there are a number of eased COVID-19 contact restrictions.

VACCINATED CLOSE CONTACTS

• Home quarantine for seven days and get tests on days one and five
• Can leave quarantine if they test negative on day five
• Wear a face mask and don’t visit high-risk settings until day 14

UNVACCINATED CLOSE CONTACTS

• Home quarantine for 14 days and get tested on days one, five and 12
• Fully vaccinated household contacts of close contacts
• No quarantine, but get tested on days one and five

UNVACCINATED HOUSEHOLD CONTACTS OF CLOSE CONTACTS

• If you test negative on day five leave quarantine

CASUAL CONTACTS

• No quarantine required but must get tested immediately and isolate until they get a negative result, wearing a face mask outside home recommended for 14 days
• Businesses that are visited by active COVID-19 cases and listed as exposure sites
• Close premises for a standard clean, but no deep-clean required

DEFINITIONS

• A close contact is a anyone who’s had at least 15 minutes face-to-face contact with a COVID-19 case in the business or venues
• Vaccinated is anyone who is more than seven days after their first dose
• Household contacts are people residing in same dwelling overnight, including intimate partners
• Tests must be PCR tests

(Source: Queensland Government)

See details of Omicron being detected in Queensland in the video player below

New variant of Omicron detected in QLD.

The Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory

New travel declaration required for entering queensland.

Published Thursday, 17 June, 2021 at 11:00 AM

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services The Honourable Yvette D'Ath

From 1am Saturday 19 June, anyone travelling to Queensland from New Zealand or another state or Territory within Australia will need to make an online travel declaration.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath said the new requirement would support contact tracing efforts.

“It’s vital that if an interstate exposure site or hotspot is declared, our health experts can quickly contact anyone who has travelled into Queensland from that area,” she said.

“This is the next line of defence for Queensland – if we’re able to reach people quickly, it will reduce the risk of COVID-19 in Queensland and manage outbreaks right from the get-go.

“The declaration is made online and is quick and easy, taking only a few minutes to complete, and operates in a similar fashion to the Victorian system.”

Queensland will introduce green, amber and red areas, where green means no travel restrictions, amber signifies interstate exposure venues, and red alerts to a hotspot.

Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said the declaration would need to be made up to 72 hours prior to travelling to Queensland.

“The travel declaration needs to be made close to your travel, to ensure it reflects the most up-to-date advice,” she said.

“Things can change quickly with COVID-19 – we’ve seen it time and time again, especially with the evolving situation in Victoria, so travellers will need to check the latest restrictions before travelling.”

Dr Young said a cross-border zone would be re-established so those living close to the QLD-NSW border wouldn’t need to complete multiple travel declarations.

“We know there are a number of people living close to the Queensland border who either work or access important services regularly in Queensland or in northern New South Wales,” she said.

“We want to ensure they can continue to do that without making a declaration each time they cross the border, so we’ve established a border zone to cater for those situations.”

For more information, visit https://www.qld.gov.au/queensland-travel-declaration

Media contact: Martin Philip 0407 675 008

Superseded - Border Restrictions Direction (No. 31)

This direction has been superseded on 8 August 2021. See the current Border Restrictions Direction (No. 60) .

Effective from: 1am 30 July 2021

Posted: 30 July 2021

Superseded on: 8 August 2021

Direction from Chief Health Officer in accordance with emergency powers arising from the declared public health emergency

Public Health Act 2005 (Qld)

Section 362B

On 29 January 2020, under the Public Health Act 2005, the Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services made an order declaring a public health emergency in relation to coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The public health emergency area specified in the order is for ‘all of Queensland’. Its duration has been extended by regulation to 27 September 2021 and may be further extended.

Further to this declaration, l, Dr Jeannette Young, Chief Health Officer, reasonably believe it is necessary to give the following direction pursuant to the powers under s 362B of the Public Health Act 2005 to assist in containing, or to respond to, the spread of COVID-19 within the community .

A person entering Queensland must comply with any relevant requirements of other Public Health Directions while the person is in Queensland. A person entering Queensland who has been overseas in the 14 days prior to arriving in Queensland must comply with the entry and quarantine requirements under the Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction or its successor.

Separately from the requirements under Public Health Directions, under sections 362G and 362H of the Public Health Act 2005 , a person may be given a direction by an emergency officer (public health) to stay at or in a particular place for up to 14 days if the emergency officer believes it is reasonably necessary to assist in containing, or to respond to, the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

This Public Health Direction may be referred to as the Border Restrictions Direction (No. 31) .

The Border Restrictions Direction (No. 30) given on 27 July 2021 is revoked from 1.00am on 30 July 2021.

Commencement

This Direction applies from 1.00am on 30 July 2021 until the end of the declared public health emergency, unless revoked or replaced.

PART 1 – ENTRY TO QUEENSLAND – GENERAL

A person must not enter Queensland unless the person either:

has not been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days or since the start date identified for the COVID-19 hotspot , whichever is shorter; or

has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days or since the start date identified for the COVID-19 hotspot , whichever is shorter, but is permitted to enter Queensland under part 3.

Example: On 19 December 2020 one local government area in New South Wales was declared as a COVID-19 hotspot. The start date identified for the COVID-19 hotspot is 11 December 2020.

To remove any doubt, if an area of Australia is removed from the list of COVID-19 hotspots , a person may enter Queensland as soon as the area is no longer a COVID-19 hotspot , even if the person had been in the COVID-19 hotspot in the 14 days prior to their entry to Queensland.

Example – The Northern Territory is decided by the Chief Health Officer to be a COVID-19 hotspot on 1 June 2020 and removed as a COVID-19 hotspot from 10 am on 1 September 2020. A person may enter Queensland from 10am on 1 September 2020, even if the person had been in the Northern Territory during the previous 14 days.

A person who enters Queensland and develops symptoms consistent with COVID-19 within 14 days after entry, must present for a COVID-19 test.

A person is taken not to have been in a COVID-19 hotspot under this Direction if the person:

arrived in a COVID-19 hotspot by air for the sole purpose of transiting through an approved airport in the COVID-19 hotspot and did not leave the confines of the airport ; or

transited through a COVID-19 hotspot by road using private transport stopping only for essential fuel and fatigue management, wore a face mask at all times when stopping and did not stay overnight in a COVID-19 hotspot ; or

arrived in a COVID-19 hotspot by road and used private transport to travel directly from their point of arrival to an airport in a COVID-19 hotspot , stopping only for essential fuel and fatigue management, wore a face mask at all times when stopping, to depart the COVID-19 hotspot by air.

PART 2 – ENTRY TO QUEENSLAND – BORDER ZONE

A border zone resident who has not in the preceding 14 days been in a COVID-19 hotspot outside of the border zone , may only enter and remain in Queensland for a permitted purpose .

Note: If a border zone resident has been in a COVID-19 hotspot outside of the border zone , they may only enter Queensland if permitted under part 3.

Note: A border zone resident is subject to other public health directions while in Queensland.

To remove any doubt, a border zone resident mentioned in paragraph 7 must not enter Queensland for the following reasons:

to attend a wedding or funeral; or

to exercise unless as part of a permitted purpose ; or

for recreational purposes, including but not limited to holidaying in Queensland, spectating at professional sporting events or attending cinemas, theme parks or other tourist experiences.

A border zone resident must only remain in Queensland for the time necessary to carry out a permitted purpose.

A Queensland resident may enter Queensland after travelling to the border zone for a permitted purpose without quarantining if they have not been in a COVID-19 hotspot outside of the border zone in the preceding 14 days.

To remove any doubt, a Queensland resident mentioned in paragraph 10 may not enter Queensland without quarantining after travelling to the border zone for the following reasons:

for recreational purposes, including but not limited to holidaying in New South Wales, spectating at professional sporting events or attending cinemas, theme parks or other tourist experiences.

A Queensland resident must only remain in the border zone for the time necessary to carry out a permitted purpose.

A Queensland resident may enter Queensland from outside the border zone only if permitted under part 1 or 3.

PART 3 – ENTRY TO QUEENSLAND – FROM A COVID-19 HOTSPOT

A person who has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days or since the start date identified for the COVID-19 hotspot , whichever is shorter, must not enter Queensland unless the person:

is a Queensland resident or a new Queensland resident ; or

is required to comply with an order to attend a Court or Tribunal in-person in Queensland or to give effect to orders of a Court or Tribunal in-person in Queensland; or

is required to fulfil an obligation relating to shared parenting or child contact; or

is required to assist with or participate in a State, Territory or Commonwealth law enforcement investigation or other action at the request or direction of a State, Territory or Commonwealth department or law enforcement agency; or

is required to perform an essential activity under part 4 and can comply with any protocol approved by the Chief Health Officer that relates to the essential activity to be performed; or

arrives at an airport in Queensland by air and the person:

transfers directly to another flight to leave Queensland without leaving the confines of the airport ; or

quarantines until the time of their flight to leave Queensland; or

if the person arrives to Gold Coast airport from an approved airport , transits directly by road to leave Queensland without leaving the vehicle; or

is a student at a higher education institution or boarding school and is entering Queensland for the purposes of receiving instruction, including a parent or guardian accompanying a student who is a minor; or

is entering Queensland to obtain essential health care , or as a support person to a person obtaining essential health care and provides written evidence from the health care provider of the time and place in Queensland that the health care is to be provided; or

Example – a parent bringing a child for treatment at the Queensland Children’s Hospital will need to provide evidence of the appointment such as a letter from the hospital.

is entering Queensland as a passenger of an ambulance or aeromedical service.

However, an unaccompanied minor mentioned in paragraph 14 must not enter Queensland unless the minor:

is permitted to enter under Part 2; or

has completed a minimum 14 days of government mandated quarantine in another State or Territory immediately prior to entering Queensland and satisfies the requirements in part B of schedule 2; or

will, from their point of arrival in Queensland, be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult to a nominated premises and the parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult consents to quarantine in a nominated premises with the minor in accordance with the relevant quarantine requirements in part A of schedule 2.

Example – a parent is present at the Brisbane airport to meet the minor, accompany them to a government-nominated hotel and quarantine together so as to provide supervision as directed by an emergency officer (public health) .

A person permitted to enter Queensland under paragraphs 14 or 15 must:

give, or have given within the previous 14 days, a Queensland Border Declaration Pass under paragraph 23 unless not required to do so under paragraph 24; and

only enter by air unless this direction provides otherwise; and

Note: See paragraph 17 and column 5 of schedule 1 for instances where entry other than by air is permitted.

only enter from an approved airport if specified in column 5 of schedule 1; and

comply with the quarantine and evidence requirements of parts 6, 6A and 7.

An emergency officer (public health) may direct a person to enter Queensland by road if the emergency officer believes it is reasonably necessary to respond to an emergency or serious situation.

PART 4 – ENTRY TO QUEENSLAND – FROM A COVID-19 HOTSPOT – ESSENTIAL ACTIVITY

A person performs an e ssential activity if the person is performing duties as any of the following:

a national defence, state security or police worker ;

an emergency health services or emergency services worker ;

a freight or logistics operator ;

an emergency infrastructure worker ;

a disaster management worker ;

a specialist or essential worker ;

air crew or maritime crew .

A person entering Queensland to perform an essential activity must:

if the person is not a Queensland resident , only remain in Queensland for the time necessary to carry out the essential activity ;

keep the records required by paragraph 35(a);

minimise contact with the community for a period of 14 days;

to the extent reasonably practicable, practise physical distancing including by remaining at least 1.5 metres from other people;

comply with any protocol approved by the Chief Health Officer that relates to the essential activity to be performed.

Example – Protocol for maritime crew members joining or signing off a vessel in Queensland, Operational protocol for freight movements entering Queensland, or Operational protocol for disaster management workers entering Queensland.

A Queensland resident who arrives in Queensland from a COVID-19 hotspot :

is not permitted to enter Queensland on the basis they are performing an essential activity if the person’s departure from Queensland was:

unrelated to their work or duties, such as a departure for personal or recreational purposes; or

to attend work in a COVID-19 hotspot performing an essential activity and the person’s only place of work is in the COVID-19 hotspot ; and

will be treated as a Queensland resident under paragraph 14(a) and subject to the quarantine requirements in parts 6 and 6A.

Example for paragraph (a)(i): A Queensland resident who is performing an essential activity while in Queensland but who departs Queensland and travels to a COVID-19 hotspot for personal reasons, will be required to quarantine when returning to Queensland in the same way as other returning Queensland residents and will not be permitted to leave quarantine to perform their essential activity .

Specialist or essential workers

A relevant Queensland Government Agency or Queensland Health where there is not a relevant Queensland Government Agency for a person or industry, may endorse a person as a specialist or essential worker if:

the services provided by the person are needed in Queensland; and

the services provided by the person cannot be obtained in Queensland; and

the services must be provided without delay; and

the person must be physically present in Queensland to provide the services; and

the person’s employer or business has a quarantine management plan to manage preventing the transmission of COVID-19 among its employees and the community, and the plan is in the form approved by the Chief Health Officer; and

the person provides evidence of the following documents if requested by an emergency officer (public health) and carries the documents at all times while in Queensland:

endorsement as a specialist or essential worker ;

quarantine management plan ; and

the person complies with any conditions forming part of their endorsement as a specialist or essential worker and the requirements in their quarantine management plan .

Example – continuity of electricity and power, telecommunications, data, critical infrastructure, water supply, utilities, sewerage, sanitation and waste and recycling management, petroleum, gas mining and resource operations, critical agricultural operations necessary to maintain food supply, health, construction, emergency services.

PART 5 – QUEENSLAND BORDER DECLARATION PASS

This part applies to a person who has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days or since the start date identified for the COVID-19 hotspot , whichever is shorter.

Note: a person who in the 14 days prior to entering Queensland has been overseas must comply with the requirements of the Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction, or its successor.

Note: Under paragraph 16(a), a Queensland Border Declaration Pass is valid for 14 days. A person does not have to do a new pass unless the person’s circumstances change. For example, if the person has developed symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or an interstate exposure venue a person has visited during the exposure period is published.

A person mentioned in paragraph 14 must apply for a Queensland Border Declaration Pass in the 72-hour period immediately prior to entering Queensland, unless they already have a valid Queensland Border Declaration Pass , receive a Queensland Border Declaration Pass before entering Queensland and must declare:

whether the person has:

been overseas in the previous 14 days;

been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days or since the start date identified for the COVID-19 hotspot , whichever is shorter;

had known contact with a person who is or was a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the previous 14 days;

had symptoms consistent with COVID-19 in the previous 14 days;

been to an interstate exposure venue ;

whether the person has been tested for COVID-19 and has not yet received the results of that test;

the person’s name, date of birth, phone number, address and email address;

for an adult – if requested, satisfactory evidence of identity;

Examples of evidence of identity – driver licence, Medicare card

for a border zone resident or Queensland resident – if requested, satisfactory evidence the person resides in Queensland or the border zone ;

they will present for a COVID-19 test if they develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19 within 14 days after entry;

for a freight and logistics operator , whether the person has:

been in an affected area in the last 14 days; and

for freight and logistics operators who have left the confines of their vehicle in an affected area , whether they have undertaken a COVID-19 test in the 72 hours immediately prior to entering Queensland and have received a negative COVID-19 test in the 7 days immediately prior to entering Queensland;

for freight and logistics operators who have not left the confines of their vehicle in an affected area, whether they have received a negative COVID-19 test within 7 days prior to entering Queensland;

they will monitor interstate exposure venues at least once every 24 hours from the time they complete the Queensland Border Declaration Pass and for 14 days after their arrival in Queensland;

they will immediately contact Queensland Health if an interstate exposure venue the person has visited during the exposure period is published after the person arrives in Queensland;

any other information or documents required by an emergency officer (public health) or required by the application for the Queensland Border Declaration Pass.

Examples of information required – names of people travelling together in the one party, planned date of arrival to Queensland and planned place of entry to Queensland.

Example of documents required – boarding pass for a person arriving by air.

The following persons are not required to give a Queensland Border Declaration Pass :

an emergency health services or emergency service worker or national defence, state security or police worker responding to an emergency in Queensland; and

a passenger of an ambulance or aeromedical service; and

maritime crew , where permitted under the Protocol for maritime crew members joining or signing off a vessel in Queensland approved by the Chief Health Officer; and

a person remanded in custody of a State, Territory or Commonwealth law enforcement agency, subject to an extradition order or otherwise, who is required to enter Queensland to comply with a court order or assist with or participate in an investigation or other action at the direction of the law enforcement agency; and

a disaster management worker , where permitted under the Operational protocol for disaster management workers entering Queensland approved by the Chief Health Officer.

Note: under the protocol a disaster management worker who is responding to a disaster (disaster response worker) is not required to give a Queensland Border Declaration Pass. A disaster management worker who is entering Queensland to perform disaster prevention, preparation or recovery activities is required to have a valid Queensland Border Declaration Pass.

PART 6 – QUARANTINE

A person listed in column 1 of schedule 1 who enters Queensland must quarantine in accordance with the requirements in column 4 of schedule 1 if the person:

in the previous 14 days has been an international arrival ; or

has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days or since the start date identified for the COVID-19 hotspot , whichever is shorter, and is permitted to enter under part 3; or

is a Queensland resident or border zone resident who entered a COVID-19 hotspot outside the border zone ; or

is a Queensland resident who enters the border zone for a purpose that is not a permitted purpose .

A person required to quarantine under paragraph 25(b) who enters Queensland to perform an essential activity must comply with the general quarantine requirements in part A of schedule 2 unless provided otherwise by column 4 of schedule 1, part 6A or a Chief Health Officer or delegate exemption.

A person required to quarantine under this part will be quarantined for a further period of 14 days from the end of the quarantine period if the person is not tested for COVID-19 when requested to do so by an emergency officer (public health) , including as soon as possible after arrival at the nominated premises, between day 5 and 7 and on day 12 or 13 of the person’s quarantine period.

Under sections 362G and 362H of the Public Health Act 2005, an emergency officer (public health) can give a direction to a person to stay at or in a particular place for up to 14 days if the emergency officer believes the direction is reasonably necessary to assist in containing, or to respond to, the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

Chapter 8, part 7AA (Fees for quarantine during COVID-19 emergency) of the Public Health Act 2005 applies to a person required to quarantine and requires a person to pay a fee for quarantine.

PART 6A – QUARANTINE FOR TRAVELLERS FROM SOUTH AUSTRALIAN AND VICTORIAN COVID-19 HOTSPOTS

Persons entering queensland.

Despite any other requirement in this Direction, a person permitted to enter Queensland under part 3, who has only been in a South Australian or Victorian COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days, and is required to quarantine under this Direction, may be directed by an emergency officer (public health) to quarantine at a private residence if:

the person enters Queensland by air; and

the person travels directly, without stopping to the private residence by a private vehicle operated by the person, or a household member, friend or family member of the person; and

the private residence is no more than two hours safe driving distance from the person’s point of arrival in Queensland; and

the private residence does not have shared amenities other than those that can be accessed by persons who usually occupy the residence.

Example: A person may be directed to quarantine at a house or self-contained townhouse, but not an apartment complex.

Note: A person may not be directed to quarantine at temporary commercial accommodation (for example, a hotel or holiday rental).

If requested by an emergency officer (public health), a person must give evidence or an undertaking in relation to the requirements in paragraphs 28(a) – (c).

A person directed to quarantine at a private residence under this part must otherwise comply with the general quarantine requirements in part A of schedule 2.

Persons in government-nominated accommodation

A person quarantining in government-nominated accommodation under this Direction who has only been in a South Australian or Victorian COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days may be directed by an emergency officer (public health) to complete the remainder of the person’s quarantine at a private residence if the person:

completes a declaration in the form approved by the Chief Health Officer, including to declare that in the past 14 days they have not been in an area that is a declared COVID-19 hotspot , other than a South Australia or Victorian COVID-19 hotspot ; and

provides their contact details and private residence address where they will complete their quarantine that is no more than two hours safe driving distance from the government-nominated accommodation ; and

has obtained at least one negative COVID-19 test result as required by paragraph 1(d) in part A of schedule 2; and

travels directly, without stopping to the private residence or other nominated accommodation by a private vehicle operated by the person, or a household member, friend or family member of the person

Note: A person may not be directed to quarantine at temporarily booked accommodation (for example, a hotel or holiday rental).

A person directed to complete the remainder of their quarantine period at a private residence under this part must otherwise comply with the general quarantine requirements in part A of schedule 2.

PART 7 – EVIDENTIARY PROVISIONS, RECORD-KEEPING AND MASKS

A person listed in column 1 of schedule 1 who enters Queensland must have the evidence or documents listed in column 3 of schedule 1.

If requested by an emergency officer (public health), a person must give the records or evidence required to be kept under paragraph 35 to the emergency officer.

Essential activities

A person who enters Queensland under paragraph 14 must:

if the person is entering to perform an essential activity under paragraph 14(e) – keep records of close contacts during the time the person is in Queensland;

otherwise – keep evidence of the basis on which entry is permitted.

If requested by an emergency officer (public health) or contact tracing officer , a person must give the records or evidence required to be kept under paragraph 35 to the emergency officer or contact tracing officer .

For paragraph 35(a):

close contact means another person in the company of the first person:

within an enclosed space for a period of 2 hours or longer; or

within 1.5 metres of each other for a period of 15 minutes or longer; and

the records required to be kept are:

the name, phone number and email address of the close contact and the day, time and location at which the contact occurred; and

if the name, phone number and email address are not known or it is not reasonably practicable to obtain them, the day, time and location at which the contact occurred; or

for persons entering as disaster management workers, the records required to be kept are those set out in the Operational protocol for disaster management workers entering Queensland approved by the Chief Health Officer.

A requirement of this Direction to wear a face mask or surgical mask does not apply to:

a child under the age of 12 years; or

a person with a physical or mental health illness or condition, or disability, which makes wearing a mask unsuitable.

Examples: persons who have obstructed breathing, a serious skin condition on their face, an intellectual disability, a mental health illness, or who have experienced trauma.

PART 8 – EXEMPTIONS

The Chief Health Officer, Deputy Chief Health Officer or their delegate may give a person or class of persons an exemption:

to enter Queensland if the Chief Health Officer, Deputy Chief Health Officer or delegate considers the person or class of persons is essential for the proper functioning of the State and the person or class of persons must be physically present in Queensland; or

from a requirement of this Direction if other extreme exceptional circumstances exist.

An exemption may be given on conditions and if so, the person given the exemption must comply with the conditions.

PART 9 – DEFINITIONS

Definitions used in this Direction are in Schedule 4.

PART 10 – PENALTIES

A person to whom the direction applies commits an offence if the person fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with the direction.

Section 362D of the Public Health Act 2005 provides:

Failure to comply with public health directions

• A person to whom a public health direction applies must comply with the direction unless the person has a reasonable excuse.
• Maximum penalty—100 penalty units or 6 months imprisonment.

Dr Jeannette Young

Chief Health Officer

29 July 2021

Published on the Queensland Health website at 1:00am AEST 30 July 2021

SCHEDULE 1 – QUEENSLAND BORDER DECLARATION PASS, QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS AND MODE OF ENTRY

Requirements for entry to queensland – people who have been overseas in the last 14 days, requirements for entry to queensland under parts 2, 3 and 4, schedule 2 – general quarantine requirements and other quarantine arrangements, part a – general quarantine requirements.

This part of schedule 2 sets out the general quarantine requirements .

The person must:

quarantine in nominated premises and remain in that place for a period of 14 days commencing on the date of their arrival to Queensland; and

travel to the nominated premises in the manner instructed by an emergency officer (public health) , or if not instructed by an emergency officer (public health) , by the most direct practical route and means to the place; and

not leave the nominated premises for a 14-day period, except:

for the purposes of obtaining essential medical care at a hospital ; or

to avoid injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm; or

Example – escaping a risk of harm related to sexual or domestic and family violence

in the event of an emergency situation; or

to attend a Court or Tribunal or to give effect to orders of the Court or Tribunal; or

to assist with or participate in a State, Territory or Commonwealth law enforcement investigation or other action at the request or direction of a State, Territory or Commonwealth department or law enforcement agency; or

for air crew , to carry out essential regulatory or safety flight related duties including training or to attend their next work duty; or

Example: flight simulation training or safety and security training, including training that may be carried out while the person is not on their usual work shift or duty.

for a person directed to quarantine at a premises other than government-nominated accommodation , to undertake a COVID-19 test;

to leave Queensland by the most direct route without stopping; or

to end quarantine before 14 days if the person completes a declaration in the form approved by the Chief Health Officer, including to declare that in the past 14 days they have not been in an area that is a declared COVID-19 hotspot, provides their contact details and an address where they will be residing in Queensland and obtain a negative COVID-19 test result as required by paragraph (d) below; or

Example: greater Sydney is removed as a COVID-19 hotspot on 1 December 2020. A person may end quarantine from 1 December 2020, even if the person had been in greater Sydney during the previous 14 days. A person cannot end quarantine if in the past 14 days they have been in an area that is still listed as a COVID-19 hotspot at the time they are seeking to end quarantine.

as otherwise required or permitted under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health) ; and

provide a negative COVID-19 test result prior to being able to leave quarantine for any reason other than:

to avoid immediate injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm; or

an emergency situation; or

for a person directed to quarantine at a premises other than government-nominated accommodation , to undertake a COVID-19 test; or

if directed to quarantine at government-nominated accommodation , not open the door to the nominated premises , except when:

leaving the nominated premises for a permitted purpose under paragraph 1(c); or

allowing a person to enter a nominated premises for a permitted purpose under paragraph 1(k); or

permitted by a quarantine facility worker to collect any food, laundry, medical supplies or other items left at the door of their nominated premises ; or

permitted by a quarantine facility worker to place any laundry, rubbish or other items directly outside the door of their nominated premises for collection; and

for a person directed to quarantine at government-nominated accommodation , must not:

physically interact with other guests from another nominated premises on a balcony of the nominated premises ; or

Note: a quarantined person should maintain physical distancing from other guests on other balconies at government-nominated accommodation

accept or exchange items with other guests between balconies at government-nominated accommodation ; or

enter any balcony other than a balcony of the person’s nominated premises .

wear a surgical mask whenever:

directed to do so by an emergency officer (public health) ; and

leaving quarantine as permitted under paragraph 1(c); and

the door to a nominated premises within government-nominated accommodation is open as permitted under paragraph 1(e), unless:

it is not practicable because of the emergency situation or the need to avoid immediate injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm; or

permitted under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health) ; and

ensure any travel to leave and return to the nominated premises under paragraph 1(c)(i) is by:

ambulance service; or

a transport provider endorsed by a government authority and with a Transport Plan in the form approved by the Chief Health Officer; or

for a person not quarantining at government-nominated accommodation , private transport ; or

as otherwise required, permitted or allowed under a direction given to the person by an emergency officer (public health) ; and

ensure any travel to leave and return to the nominated premises under paragraphs 1(c)(ii)-(vii) and 1(c)(x) is by:

an emergency services vehicle in emergency or serious situations where the transport arrangements described in (i) or (ii) are not available; or

for air crew , private transport or a transport provider endorsed by a government authority and with a Transport Plan in the form approved by the Chief Health Officer; or

ensure any travel to leave the nominated premises under paragraph 1(c)(viii) is by:

not permit any other person to enter the nominated premises unless that other person:

resides in the nominated premises or is also quarantining at the nominated premises ; or

enters the nominated premises to provide emergency, medical or other essential care to a person residing in the nominated premises , including a COVID-19 test; or

enters to fulfil an obligation relating to shared parenting or child contact; or

enters the nominated premises to give effect to orders of a Court or Tribunal; or

enters to respond to an emergency situation; or

will be required to submit to COVID-19 testing on the request of an emergency officer (public health).

A person who is permitted to leave their nominated premises during the period of quarantine must take all reasonable steps to minimise contact with other persons.

A person unable to live independently without ongoing or regular support, including disability support, due to significant health or disability needs, may have a carer or support person quarantine at the nominated premises with them at their own expense.

A minor required to quarantine under this Direction, must quarantine in a nominated premises with a parent, guardian or other responsible adult.

Part B – Quarantine completed in another Australian State/Territory

A person permitted to enter Queensland under part 3, is required to quarantine as required by the general quarantine requirements set out in part A of schedule 2 unless the person:

has completed a minimum 14 days of government mandated quarantine in another Australian State or Territory immediately prior to entering Queensland; and

provides the following to an emergency officer (public health) :

written confirmation of the person’s quarantine period from a government authority of another Australian State or Territory where the government mandated quarantine was completed; and

written confirmation from the health authority of another Australian State or Territory where the government mandated quarantine was completed that the person had a negative COVID-19 test result after day 10 (or later) of the government mandated quarantine; and

an undertaking that the person wore a face mask ; and

an undertaking that the person travelled by the most practicable direct route without stopping from the place of government mandated quarantine to an approved airport to depart the COVID-19 hotspot and did not leave the confines of the airport ; and

any travel under paragraph 5(b)(iv) must be by:

private transport ; or

transport arranged by the government authority.

Note – private transport does not include a bus or shuttle service including an airport shuttle, airport transfer service or regional or inter-city bus service.

A person who is unable to meet all of the requirements in paragraph 5(a), (b) and (c) above must quarantine in accordance with the general quarantine requirements .

A person who satisfies paragraph 5(a), (b)(i), (iii) and (iv) but is unable to meet the requirement in paragraph 5(b)(ii), must quarantine for 14 days or until they receive a negative COVID-19 test result, whichever is the shorter period.

For example, a returning Queensland resident who has completed government mandated quarantine for 14 days in another Australian State or Territory but has not had a negative COVID-19 test, will be required to quarantine in Queensland until they receive a negative COVID-19 test.

Part C – Quarantine requirements when entering for essential health care

A person entering Queensland for essential health care , or as a support person for a person receiving essential health care , must quarantine for the period of time they are required to be present in Queensland. Once care is complete, they must leave Queensland by the most direct route without stopping. A person is not required to remain in quarantine for 14 days if their treatment is less than 14 days.

A person entering Queensland for essential health care , or as a support person for a person receiving essential health care must:

for a day admission, procedure or appointment, the person and any support person must minimise contact with the general public, including as follows:

the person and any support person must remain within the confines of the place care is being received and leave Queensland immediately following the treatment or appointment; or

for a support person accompanying a person to or from Queensland to receive care, the support person must remain within the confines of the place care is being received until the care is complete, or immediately leave Queensland without stopping after dropping off or picking up the person receiving care in Queensland; or

for a person remaining in Queensland for more than one day must quarantine as follows:

for a person required to stay in Queensland for more than one day who is not admitted into a facility or service, within the confines of the place care is being received or in government-nominated accommodation at their own expense until the time the care is complete, and they leave Queensland; or

for a person admitted at a hospital, facility or service for more than one day, at the place of admission; or

for a support person who needs to remain in Queensland for more than one day, in government-nominated accommodation or, subject to any other public health direction and the hospital or facility’s ability to accommodate, within the confines of the place care is being received.

SCHEDULE 3 – BORDER ZONE

The border zone comprises the geographical areas within the following postcodes and Local Government Areas, which are represented visually on a map approved by the CHO and published on the Queensland Health website: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/covid19/travel-declaration-map

SCHEDULE 4 – DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this Public Health Direction:

Affected area means the local government areas of Fairfield, Liverpool, Canterbury-Bankstown, Parramatta, Campbelltown, Georges River, Cumberland and Blacktown in the State of New South Wales.

Air crew means domestic air crew on active duty including:

airline general aviation crew and off-shift crew who are travelling as passengers on an aircraft to reposition at another location to immediately commence duty; or

off-shift crew returning to Queensland after undertaking essential safety or regulatory training; or

aeromedical crew entering Queensland for the purposes of undertaking essential safety or regulatory training or returning to Queensland after undertaking this training in a COVID-19 hotspot .

but excluding international air crew and Queensland-based air crew as defined and regulated by the Quarantine and COVID-19 Testing for Air Crew Direction (No.2) or its successor.

Note: international air crew and Queensland-based air crew entering Queensland who have been overseas must comply with the Quarantine and COVID-19 Testing for International Air Crew Public Health Direction or its successor.

Air crew or maritime crew means a person who is a member of an air crew or maritime crew who is entering Queensland in the course of their duties.

Approved airport means any airport in Australia .

Australia means the Commonwealth of Australia and includes the external territories of Norfolk Island, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands and Heard and McDonald Islands but excludes the Australian Antarctic Territory.

Border zone means the areas within the postcodes listed in schedule 3 (represented on the map approved by the Chief Health Officer and published on the Queensland Health website).

Note: a copy of the map is available at: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/covid19/travel-declaration-map

Border zone resident means a person whose primary place of residence is in the border zone .

Cleared case of COVID-19 means a person who was a confirmed case of COVID-19 and has, in the 14 days before entering Queensland, been given a letter or other written evidence from a doctor or health authority of the jurisdiction where they were diagnosed that they are cleared of COVID-19.

Confines of the airport means the terminal or terminals of an airport used for the arrival and departure of aircraft and passengers by air, or the area of an airport that the person uses to transfer directly between terminals.

Example: a person did not leave the confines of the airport if they stay in a passenger terminal until their next flight or transferred directly between terminals to depart on their flight. However, a person leaves the confines of the airport if they go to a hotel in the airport precinct and stay overnight.

Confirmed case of COVID-19 means a person who has been clinically diagnosed with COVID-19 who is not a cleared case of COVID-19 .

Contact tracing officer means a person appointed as a contact tracing officer under the Public Health Act 2005 .

COVID-19 hotspot means a particular area of Australia decided by the Chief Health Officer and published on the Queensland Health website ( https://www.health.qld.gov.au/system-governance/legislation/cho-public-health-directions-under-expanded-public-health-act-powers/declared-hotspots-direction ).

COVID-19 related duties means a person was on duty in a COVID-19 hotspot in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency performing duties such as supervising quarantine, giving quarantine directions or transporting confirmed cases of COVID-19 or cleared cases of COVID-19 but does not include office-based or remote work such as working in an emergency or disaster coordination centre.

Disaster management has the same meaning as in the Disaster Management Act 2003 .

Disaster operations has the same meaning as in the Disaster Management Act 2003 .

Disaster management worker means a person who is endorsed in accordance with the Operational protocol for disaster management workers entering Queensland approved by the Chief Health Officer https://www.health.qld.gov.au/system-governance/legislation/cho-public-health-directions-under-expanded-public-health-act-powers/border-restrictions/operational-protocol-for-disaster-management-workers-entering-queensland .

Note: The approved protocol applies to certain persons who perform disaster management or disaster operations or who respond to or assist in the recovery from a public safety emergency .

Emergency health services or emergency services worker means:

a Queensland Ambulance Service employee, a New South Wales Ambulance employee, a paramedic, an officer of St John Ambulance Australia, or aeromedical services crew who is providing patient transport or emergency medical care to a patient such as RACQ Lifeflight crew, Royal Flying Doctor Service or CareFlight;

a person who, in carrying out their duties, is responsible for the retrieval, delivery or transportation of organs or tissue for medical transplantation;

a person who, in carrying out their duties, is responsible for providing critical health support services for the critical maintenance, resupply or repair of health services infrastructure critical to Queensland, including an employee of Australian Red Cross Lifeblood; and

a person required to provide fire or emergency services in Queensland including rural fire service, state emergency services and firefighters.

Emergency infrastructure worker means a person required to respond to an emergency in a time critical situation that could affect continued network services supply or security in Queensland, or part of Queensland, where the services cannot reasonably practicably be obtained in Queensland due to the nature of the emergency, in one of the following areas:

energy generation, transmission or distribution networks; or

drinking water supply, or sewerage services; or

liquid fuel supply; or

resources sector; or

telecommunications, data services, broadcast or communications infrastructure.

Example – An emergency infrastructure worker includes a person required to provide critical maintenance, overhaul, resupply or repair of energy service infrastructure critical to Queensland and the services cannot practicably be obtained in Queensland due to the nature of the emergency.

Emergency officer (public health) means an emergency officer appointed under the Public Health Act 2005.

Note: Emergency officers appointed under the Public Health Act 2005 include public health officers and police.

Essential activity see paragraph 18.

Essential health care means health care that cannot reasonably be obtained in a person’s State or Territory of residence, or routine clinical care where there is continuity of service provided within an established clinical relationship, that is:

a Queensland Children’s Hospital appointment, confirmed in writing by the hospital; or

an appointment at a Queensland Hospital and Health Service or associated outreach location, confirmed in writing by the service; or

an appointment at a Queensland private health facility or an ancillary clinic or service, confirmed in writing by the service; or

an appointment at an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Service, confirmed in writing by the service; or

an appointment with a prescribed health practitioner at another premises, confirmed in writing by the practitioner or provider in the form approved by the Chief Health Officer.

Note: An appointment with a prescribed health practitioner may include services provided by a registered NDIS provider under an agreed NDIS Plan. An appointment at an ancillary clinic or service may include an appointment at a rehabilitation service.

Note: The approved form is available at https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/word_doc/0022/1000498/essential-health-care-form-qld-border.docx .

Face mask means a surgical mask, P2/N95 mask or a cloth face mask with three layers that covers the nose and mouth (but does not include a face shield).

Note – a scarf or bandana is not a face mask.

Freight or logistics operator means any person, other than air crew or maritime crew , who is:

entering Queensland in the course of their employment as:

a heavy vehicle driver; or

rail crew or a rail driver; or

providing passenger transport operations, excluding rideshare operations; or

a non-heavy vehicle commercial freight operator; or

a logistics or support worker; or

Example – A logistics or support worker includes a specialist mechanic, aircraft or rail engineer providing mechanical or engineering support for the transport of commercial freight. A logistics or support worker does not include a person undertaking activities that can be performed remotely, such as a person providing administrative support or a manager attending a meeting.

any other person essential to the delivery of freight; and

Example – A person essential to the delivery of freight includes two-up drivers, a pilot or escort for an oversized or overmass vehicle or tow truck driver for heavy vehicle salvage.

providing one of the following services:

transporting freight to, from or through Queensland under a commercial freight operation; or

transporting passengers by road or rail to, from or through Queensland under a commercial passenger operation or public transport operation; or

providing logistics or support for the transport which requires the person to be physically present in Queensland to provide the logistics or support.

General quarantine requirements mean the requirements set out in part A of schedule 2.

Government-nominated accommodation means a hotel or other accommodation premises at which the person is directed to quarantine by an emergency officer (public health).

International arrival means a person who arrives in Queensland on a flight that is not a quarantine-free flight or a person who, in the 14 days immediately before their arrival to Queensland:

has been in a place outside Australia , other than a safe travel zone country ; or

arrived in Australia by sea; or

arrived in Australia by air on a flight that is not a quarantine-free flight , regardless of whether the flight originated from a safe travel zone country ; or

has been in a place declared a safe travel zone country hotspot .

but excluding international air-crew and Queensland based air crew as defined and regulated by the Quarantine and COVID-19 Testing for Air Crew Direction (No.2) or its successors.

International air crew has the same meaning as in the Quarantine and COVID-19 Testing for Air Crew Direction (No.2) or its successors.

Interstate exposure venue means a place that is:

identified by the relevant government authority for a State or Territory or safe travel zone country as a venue where a person who was present at that venue during an exposure period is required to quarantine, isolate or be tested for COVID-19 and isolate until they receive a negative result or for another period due to potential exposure to COVID-19; and

published on the Queensland Health website.

Note: an interstate exposure venue includes all venues identified by a relevant government authority including venues identified as either close contact venues or casual contact venues. These venues are published on the Queensland Health contact tracing website: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/contact-tracing .

Maritime crew includes anyone required to be part of a crew operating or providing services to support the operation of a vessel , including supernumeraries.

National defence, state security or police worker means:

any Government official who, in carrying out their duties, is responsible for the safety of Australia or Queensland against threats such as terrorism, war or espionage, and is required to be physically present in Queensland for these purposes;

an active member of the military required to be on duty while in Queensland;

an active member of the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force or State, Territory or Commonwealth law enforcement agency required to be on duty while in Queensland;

a Federal, State, Territory or local government elected representative who is travelling to Queensland to perform official duties in Queensland; and

consular officers or consular employees of a consular post of an overseas country as defined in the Consular Privileges and Immunities Act 1972 (Cth) travelling to Queensland to perform official duties in Queensland.

Note: Consular officials and consular employees are granted immunity from jurisdiction in certain circumstances under the Consular Privileges and Immunities Act 1972 (Cth).

New Queensland resident means a person who is moving to Queensland to make it their principal place of residence and who can provide written evidence that they are relocating to Queensland if required by an emergency officer (public health) and evidence of where they will be residing upon completion of their mandatory quarantine.

Nominated premises means:

a person’s allocated room within government-nominated accommodation as directed by an emergency officer (public health) ; or

for air crew , the accommodation provided by the person’s employer for air crew or the air crew’s residence; or

another premises as directed by an emergency officer (public health).

Note: A person may be required to pay a fee for quarantine under chapter 8, part 7AA (Fees for quarantine during COVID-19 emergency) of the Public Health Act 2005.

Organised sport means a sporting activity organised by a community club, religious organisation, school or educational institution.

Permitted purpose means:

to obtain food or other goods or services for the personal needs of the household or other household purposes, including for pets, and for vulnerable persons; or

to obtain medical care or supplies or other health care services; or

to perform work or volunteering; or

to provide assistance, care or support to a family member or to fulfil other caring responsibilities; or

to attend any court or tribunal of Australia or to comply with or give effect to orders of the court or tribunal of Australia; or

to attend a childcare facility, school, university, or other educational institution; or

to attend organised sport ; or

to assist with or participate in an investigation or other action by a law enforcement authority, whether voluntarily or not; or

for children under 18 years who do not live in the same household as their biological parents or siblings or one of their parents or siblings, continuing existing arrangements for access to, and contact between, parents and children and siblings; or

avoiding injury or illness or to escape a risk of harm; or

Example – escaping a risk of harm related to sexual, domestic and family violence

to comply with or give effect to the exercise of a power or function of a government agency or entity under a law; or

for the purpose of obtaining a COVID-19 test; or

to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination; or

to relocate to a new primary place of residence.

Prescribed health practitioner means a person registered to provide the following services:

dental (including the profession of a dentist, dental therapist, dental hygienist, dental prosthetist and oral health therapist);

medical radiation practice;

occupational therapy;

paramedicine;

physiotherapy;

psychology;

services as a registered NDIS provider under an agreed NDIS plan.

Private residence means a privately-owned dwelling, but does not include temporary commercial accommodation (for example, a hotel, holiday rental or Air BnB).

Private transport means:

for schedule 2, part A:

a private vehicle; or

for Part 1, paragraph 6 or schedule 2, part B:

if travel by (i) is not available, a taxi with a protective shield between driver and passenger or a taxi van that allows for physical distancing between the driver and passengers; or

if travel by (i) and (ii) is not available, a taxi or ride share sitting in the back seat on the passenger side.

Public safety emergency means:

an emergency in the Public Safety Preservation Act 1986 ; or

an equivalent emergency that is declared by another State or Territory government or government agency under a law in the other State or Territory.

Quarantine means to quarantine in accordance with the requirements in schedules 1 and 2 .

Quarantine facility worker means an individual, including an employee, volunteer or contractor who performs a quarantine service at government-nominated accommodation .

Quarantine-free flight means a flight that only carries passengers who have completed an Australian Travel Declaration at least 72 hours prior to departure declaring details of their health status and that they have been in a safe travel zone country for 14 days or more and have not been in a safe travel zone country hotspot .

Note: Information about quarantine free flights is available from the Australian Department of Home Affairs: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/new-zealand-safe-travel-zone . Determinations about quarantine-free flights are made by the relevant airline.

Quarantine management plan means a plan in the form approved by the Chief Health Officer.

Quarantined person means an individual who has been directed to quarantine by an emergency officer (public health ) under section 362H of the Public Health Act 2005 .

Quarantine service means a service or work of any kind during the course of which a person is physically present at government-nominated accommodation , or a service in relation to government-nominated accommodation , which is identified in the operational protocol for COVID-19 testing of quarantine facility workers approved by the Chief Health Officer including:

Example: providing medical care to or taking a swab for COVID-19 testing from a quarantined person

personal care;

Example: assisting a quarantined person with a disability with personal care needs such as showering

Example: monitoring and directing the movement of a quarantined person within the government-nominated accommodation

Example: cleaning a guest room at which a quarantined person is residing or has resided including after the quarantined person has departed

any other service identified in the Operational protocol for COVID-19 testing of quarantine facility workers approved by the Chief Health Officer .

Example: providing check in or check out services for a quarantined person, preparing meals for consumption by staff or guests, maintaining hotel premises, or driving a bus transporting quarantined persons.

Queensland-based air crew has the same meaning as in the Quarantine and COVID-19 Testing for Air Crew Direction (No.2) or its successors.

Queensland Border Declaration Pass see paragraphs 23 and 24.

Queensland private health facility means a facility licensed under the Private Health Facilities Act 1999 .

Queensland resident is a person whose primary place of residence is in Queensland.

Responsible adult is an adult who has been given written consent by an unaccompanied minor’s parent or legal guardian to complete quarantine in government-nominated accommodation with the minor and who has consented to complete the quarantine with the minor.

Safe travel zone has the same meaning as in the Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction (No.9) , or its successor.

Safe travel zone country has the same meaning as in the Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction (No.9) , or its successors.

Safe travel zone country hotspot has the same meaning as in the Quarantine for International Arrivals Direction (No.9) , or its successors.

Specialist or essential worker means a person providing services in Queensland who has been endorsed by a Queensland Government Agency under paragraph 21.

Surgical mask means a single use, surgical mask with a minimum level 1 barrier protection level under the Australian Standard (AS 4381:2015) that covers the nose and mouth.

Symptoms co nsistent with COVID-19 means fever or history of fever, symptoms of acute respiratory infection (cough, shortness of breath, sore throat), loss of smell, loss of taste, runny nose, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or fatigue.

Unaccompanied minor is a child who is not in the presence of a responsible adult.

Vessel means a commercial vessel, research vessel or government vessel that is in Australian waters and is 50 metres or more in length. It does not apply to cruise vessels, private vessels, super yachts or recreational vessels .

Last updated: 8 August 2021

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Covid border restrictions across Australia: where you can and can’t travel between states – and to New Zealand

Planning a trip across state borders or a weekend away? Is the border between Victoria and NSW closed? Can you travel into or out of Sydney, from NSW to Qld, or to Victoria, SA, WA, NT or NZ? Before you leave home, check our state-by-state guide to coronavirus travel restrictions.

• Follow our Covid live blog for the latest updates
• Restrictions: NSW ; Vic ; Qld – Hotspots: Vic ; Qld
• Vaccine rollout tracker ; get our free news app ; get our morning email briefing

The latest Covid outbreak in Australia has once again resulted in state border closures, restrictions and cancelled plans.

State and territory health authorities are monitoring the cases and the situation is changing daily. Here is a state-by-state breakdown of where you can and can’t travel and what you need to do before you leave home.

NSW border restrictions

Sydneysiders are unable to travel to regional NSW. That remains the case until at least 28 August.

People are barred from leaving the city, except for essential purposes, subject to the lockdown rules, and no one is allowed to travel in to greater Sydney without a reasonable excuse.

Interstate arrivals to NSW from Queensland, South Australia, the ACT and Victoria, including people who have been in those states for any time during the previous 14 days, need to complete a travel declaration upon entry.

Anyone who has been to a venue of high concern ( listed here ) must follow testing and self isolation requirements .

Victoria border restrictions

Victoria has tightened its border with NSW. From 11.59pm on Thursday 2 September, six Victorian and two NSW local government areas will be taken out of the state’s border bubble. Residents from Greater Bendigo, Greater Shepparton, City of Benalla, Buloke, Loddon, Yarriambiack, Broken Hill and Edward River will be unable to cross state lines on a permit.

All travellers from anywhere in Australia must apply for a permit to enter Victoria. People living in the SA border bubble region do not require a permit.

The rules on entering Victoria from the border bubble area of NSW tightened from 6pm on 13 August. People on the NSW side of the border bubble will require a permit to travel to the Victorian side of the bubble if they are over 18 years of age. Travel will only be granted for permitted reasons, which are: to obtain necessary goods or services, including medical care and getting a Covid-19 test; for care and compassion reasons; for education including childcare; for getting a Covid vaccination; and for sport and exercise at a sporting club, including alpine resorts.

People under 18 are allowed to travel for the above reasons without a permit.

People from Victoria can also enter NSW for those reasons, but from 6pm on 13 August they will require a permit to return. In both cases people can only travel as far as is “reasonably necessary” into the other state.

Fines for travelling into Victoria without a permit, or in breach of the border bubble restrictions, are $5,452.

Travel from elsewhere in NSW to Victoria is not permitted, even for Victorian residents, unless you have been granted an exemption or are travelling on a specified worker permit or a transit permit. From 23 July, all of NSW has been labelled an “extreme risk zone”.

The ACT and the locked down areas of southeast Queensland , including Brisbane, are “red zones”. Victorian residents are able to return home from these areas but will be required to get a red zone permit and quarantine for 14 days. Non-Victorian residents are not eligible for a red zone permit. The rest of Queensland is a green zone.

South Australia is now classed as a green zone.

Queensland border restrictions

The Queensland government has extended border restrictions to all of NSW except for local government areas along the Queensland border.

Further, essential workers attempting to enter from NSW must have had at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine from Friday 20 August. This includes emergency and health authorities.

Victoria, the ACT and the greater Darwin and the Katherine region are also declared hotspot zones.

People who live in or have visited these areas are barred from entering the state, unless they are granted a special exemption.

If you are a Queensland resident returning from these areas, you will need to quarantine at a hotel for 14 days at your own expense.

If you are not a Queensland resident, and you have been to these areas, you need to apply for an exemption, and if that is granted, you will need to quarantine in a hotel for 14 days at your own expense.

From midday on 25 August, the Queensland government paused all arrivals from NSW, Victoria and ACT due to pressures on the state’s hotel quarantine system.

Everyone needs to complete a travel declaration form up to three days prior to arrival to enter the state.

No areas of the NT, South Australia, Tasmania or WA were declared Covid-19 hotspots by the Queensland government so travel is permitted, if a travel declaration form is signed.

NSW border zone residents can only cross into Queensland for a permitted purpose are also required to complete an entry pass.

Western Australia border restrictions

Western Australia now requires people who apply to travel into the state from a high risk state – anywhere with more than 50 cases a day – to have proof of at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine to be allowed into the state. People in high risk zones also have to have a PCR test completed 72 hours before travel.

From Tuesday 17 August, NSW will be elevated to ‘high risk’. People from NSW are only allowed to travel into WA if they have an exemption. From Thursday 26 August, NSW will be upgraded to ‘extreme risk’, meaning there will be very limited exemptions granted to return to the state, with compassionate grounds no longer accepted.

Exemptions will be available to government employees, members of parliament and diplomats. They will need to go into hotel quarantine for 14 days at their own expense, will need to have returned a negative test in the previous 72 hours prior to arrival, submit to three tests while in quarantine, and also have had at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine if eligible.

Victoria, the ACT and Queensland are classed as medium risk, meaning no one who has been in any of those states in the past 14 days is allowed to enter without an exemption. There is no vaccine requirement for medium risk states.

South Australia has been downgraded to low risk, meaning people from SA can enter WA if they have completed a border declaration and also go through 14 days quarantine and testing upon arrival.

Tasmania, the Northern Territory and New Zealand are deemed ‘very low risk’ by the WA government and do not have any quarantine requirements. Arrivals will still have to complete the mandatory G2G pass registration and declaration, as well as completing a health screening on arrival.

Sign up to receive an email with the top stories from Guardian Australia every morning

Australian Capital Territory border restrictions

The ACT has tightened its border restrictions in response to the Covid situation interstate.

Non-ACT residents entering from locked down areas of Queensland, Victoria or NSW will not be allowed to enter unless they have an exemption, which will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.

Returning ACT residents will need to complete an online exemption form prior to their travel, and will still need to quarantine at home for 14 days.

All travellers who left Victoria after Thursday 5 August, 11.59pm, are subject to the stay-at-home order in place until Thursday 12 August, 11.59pm.

Anyone arriving from any state or territory must check the close contact and casual contact exposure locations ( listed here ). Anyone who has visited a close contact exposure location cannot enter the ACT without an exemption . Anyone who has visited a casual contact location must complete a self-declaration form , and isolate until a negative test result.

Travellers from all other states and jurisdictions can travel freely to the ACT.

How to get the latest news from Guardian Australia

Email:  sign up for our  daily morning and afternoon email newsletters

App:  download our free app  and never miss the biggest stories

Social:  follow us on YouTube ,  TikTok ,  Instagram ,  Facebook  or  Twitter

Podcast:  listen to our daily episodes on  Apple Podcasts ,  Spotify  or search "Full Story" in your favourite app

South Australia border restrictions

South Australia has closed its border with Victoria, NSW, the ACT and some parts of Queensland.

New rules for essential workers travelling to South Australia from high-risk states will be required to have had a least one Covid-19 vaccine. The new arrangement will target those people who arrive in SA for specific purposes and are allowed out of quarantine to conduct their work during the first 14 days. It will not apply to interstate transport workers who are allowed in according to a strict Covid-19 testing regime.

All arrivals from NSW, including returning South Australian residents, are not allowed to enter SA – unless they are an essential traveller or have an exemption. This excludes the LGA of Broken Hill.

All non-SA residents who have been in Victoria in the previous 14 days are barred from entering SA, excepting those in the 70km border buffer zone.

As of Sunday 8 August, 2.30pm, travellers who have visited Queensland in the previous 14 days are not permitted to enter. Those who have not been in Greater Brisbane, Cairns or Yarrabah LGAs in the past two weeks can enter until Monday 9 August, 11.59pm but must get a test within 24 hours and then quarantine until they receive a negative result, then get tested again on day 5 and 13.

Travellers from WA and the NT are allowed, but must have Covid tests on day 1, 5 and 13, and must self-quarantine until receiving their first negative result.

There are no restrictions on people from Tasmania.

Northern Territory border restrictions

A snap 72-hour lockdown has been announced for Darwin, Palmerston and the Katherine region after one COVID-19 case was confirmed overnight.

All interstate arrivals to the Northern Territory must fill in a border entry form .

Travellers who have been in a declared Covid-19 hotspot within the previous 14 days or attended a public exposure site cannot enter unless they have proof of residency, qualify for an automatic exemption or have received CHO approval. Transit through Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Cairns airports is still permitted.

Border restrictions have been lifted for the rest of Victoria and all of South Australia. But anyone who has been at a public exposure state in any other state must get a Covid-19 test and quarantine in a suitable place for 14 days.

Tasmania border restrictions

No one from NSW, the ACT or Victoria may enter Tasmania unless they have special permission from the deputy state controller.

No one who has been at a declared high risk premises during a public exposure period, in any state, is allowed to travel to Tasmania. This includes Tasmanian residents.

Tasmanian residents who have been in the locked down areas of Brisbane and south-east Queensland can apply for an essential traveller permit to return to Tasmania and complete 14-days quarantine on arrival.

People who have been in the following LGAs in the Northern Territory on or since 11pm 12 August 2021 are not able to enter Tasmania: City of Darwin; City of Palmerston; Litchfield Councill Wagait Shire; Belyuen Shire; Dundee; Bynoe; Charlotte; Cox Peninsula; Municipality of Katherine, including Tindal. Some exceptions apply for “essential travellers”.

Other than people who have been at high risk premises, Tasmania is open to travellers from South Australia, WA, parts of the NT, New Zealand, and parts of Queensland.

New Zealand travel bubble

The NZ government has announced it will stop quarantine-free travel with Australia for two months.

New Zealand had already paused the travel bubble with NSW and Victoria, but the new shut down applies to all of Australia for eight weeks from midnight Friday, 23 July.

Managed return flights from NSW are running from Monday 9 August through to Sunday 22 August, however registrations for these have closed.

Due to the unprecedented and ongoing nature of the coronavirus outbreak, this article is being regularly updated to ensure that it reflects the current situation at the date of publication. Any significant corrections made to this or previous versions of the article will be footnoted in line with Guardian editorial policy.

• Australia news
• Coronavirus
• Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
• New South Wales

Most viewed

Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

COVID-19 and travel

Find out about travel requirements and steps you can take to stay safe.

Domestic travel within Australia

Domestic travel requirements are determined by state and territory governments. Check the websites of local health departments for information about travel to:

• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• South Australia
• Western Australia .

Travelling overseas

The Australian Government does not currently have any COVID-19 requirements in place for travellers entering and departing Australia.

COVID-19 however continues to pose a health risk in Australia and overseas. We strongly encourage wearing masks and being vaccinated while travelling internationally. You should practice good cough and hand hygiene, and physically distance from others where possible.

Some countries, airlines and vessel operators may have COVID-19 travel requirements in place. Check the requirements of any:

• countries you are travelling to, or transiting through
• airlines or vessel operators.
• Smartraveller website
• Australian Government – international travel information .

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is important if you become sick with COVID-19 overseas. Make sure your insurance includes:

• transit destinations
• inclusions for COVID-19
• other add-ons like cruise specific insurance.

Some destinations also require travellers to hold travel insurance as a condition of entry.

Cruise travel

Check with your cruise provider or travel agent for up-to-date travel requirements for your ship and destination/s. You can also contact the relevant state or territory government to find out if any requirements apply for your destination.

Outbreaks onboard a cruise

Cruise ships carry a higher risk for spreading disease compared to other types of travel. COVID-19, influenza, and other infectious diseases spread easily between people living and socialising in close quarters.

If an outbreak of COVID-19 occurs on your cruise, you may need to:

• quarantine on the ship
• disembark and follow the local rules in the state or territory or country you are in.

Before you travel, check the  Smartraveller advice on cruises . Contact your travel agent or cruise operator for specific information on their COVID-19 safety protocols.

• Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Is there anything wrong with this page?

Help us improve health.gov.au

If you would like a response please use the enquiries form instead.

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator

NHVR Portal

News & Events

• Fatigue videos
• Local government videos
• Portal Customer Essentials training
• Road manager training
• Safety videos
• Local government updates
• Media releases
• On the Road stories
• Media enquiries
• On the Road

Easter travel restrictions 2024

Some states and territories have travel restrictions in place over the Easter holiday period that limit travel for Class 1 heavy vehicles (agricultural, oversize/overmass and special purpose vehicles).

The information below outlines the most common Easter restrictions, however, we recommend operators check their permits and relevant notices for what restrictions are applicable and confirm with their relevant state and territory road transport authority .

Australian Capital Territory

No specific Easter travel restrictions in place.

New South Wales

State-wide oversize travel curfews are imposed during public holiday periods across the state for Class 1 oversize heavy vehicles .

Travel restrictions apply for oversize load carrying vehicles, such as low loaders transporting oversize equipment, during the Easter long weekend. These requirements are outlined in the New South Wales Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Operator's Guide (PDF, 1.18MB) and additional requirements for vehicles under an access permit in the additional access conditions for oversize and overmass heavy vehicles and loads.

Transport for NSW has provided an overview of these holiday travel requirements on  NSW State-wide oversize holiday curfews .

Details of the travel requirements for agricultural vehicles during the 2024 Easter holiday period are outlined in the  National Class 1 Agricultural Vehicle and Combination Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice Operator's Guide .

No travel is permitted on any State road from 8.30 am on the first day of the public holiday to 11:59 pm on the final day of the public holiday period for any agricultural vehicle or combination operating under the Notice travelling in Zone 1:

• wider than 2.5m and/or
• longer than 22m.

Any agricultural vehicle or combination operating under the Notice is travelling in Zone 3 and Zone 5:  

• wider than 3.2m and/or
• longer than 22m

May only operate during a public holiday period if they are accompanied by (at a minimum) a pilot vehicle, unless travelling a distance of up to 500m between paddocks adjoining public roads.

Please note the New South Wales Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Operator's Guide was recently updated so that a Class 1 heavy vehicle transporting agricultural cotton may operate on the following roads during daylight hours from sunrise Easter Saturday until sunset Easter Sunday.

• the Newell Highway from north of Coonabarabran to Goondiwindi 
• the Kamilaroi Highway from Narrabri to Gunnedah 
• the Gwydir Highway from the Newell Highway to Warialda
• the Bruxner Highway from Boggabilla to Yetman
• the Riverina Highway from Berrigan to Finley
• the Murray Valley Highway from Deniliquin to the Newell Highway near Finlay
• the Kidman Way from Hillston to the intersection of the Newell Highway near Jerilderie
• the Mid Western Highway from Goolgowi to West Wyalong.

Northern Territory

An oversize vehicle or combination must not be driven on any road in Queensland from 12.01am Thursday 28 March 2024 to 11.59pm Tuesday 2 April 2024, unless the oversize heavy vehicle or combination is provided an exemption.

In Queensland, the following oversize heavy vehicles and combinations are provided an exemption to general Easter travel conditions in the following schedules of the  Queensland Access Conditions Guide :

• Schedule 1 provides exemptions for Class 1 Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV).
• Schedule 2 provides exemptions for Class 1 Special Purpose Combinations.
• Schedule 3 provides exemptions for Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicles.
• Schedule 5 provides exemptions for Oversize conditionally registered vehicles.

Note: There are no exemptions under Schedule 4 for Class 3 oversize vehicles.

Before you commence your journey, you must check: 

• the  Queensland Conditions of Operation Database ,
• the  Queensland Access Conditions Guide , 
• the participating road manager conditions in the operator's guides of the respective notices. 

Exemptions to the general Easter travel conditions in the Queensland Access Conditions Guide provide access for:

• Any oversize heavy vehicle and combination under notice or permit may be driven during the Easter holiday period in the Cooper Basin where travel is directly involved with, or in support of, Liquefied Natural Gas or mining activities. A map of Cooper Basin is located in the Queensland Access Conditions Guide .
• A Class 1 load carrying vehicle carrying agricultural equipment in association with cotton harvesting is permitted to travel during daylight hours as per Schedule 3 Table 21,
• Any Class 1 oversize heavy vehicle and combination under notice or permit operating on a Port of Brisbane roads listed in Table 25.
• A Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle complying with the conditions of operations between the Port of Brisbane or Mackay Ports and a Bond Store/Holding Yard Christmas and Easter holiday exemption under Schedule 3 Section 4.

Agricultural vehicles

In Queensland, a heavy agricultural vehicle and combination is provided an exemption to general Easter travel conditions in the National Class 1 Agricultural Vehicle and Combination Mass and Dimension Exemption Notice Operator's Guide .

Before you commence your journey, you must check the following information contained within the guide:

• Table 19 Holiday restrictions , found in the conditions tab under National daytime conditions and holiday restrictions
• Queensland participating road manager network conditions under the Network and mapping tab.

South Australia

South Australia Load Carrying Vehicles Operator’s Guide (PDF, 408KB)

Travel is not be permitted during Easter for oversize loads that require a police escort.

No curfews in place for heavy vehicle activities over the Easter period.

The Department of State Growth’s Transport Safety Inspection Officers (TSIOs) will not be providing a service from 29 March to 3 April. This will mean that any activities that have a condition of an escort (under permit or notice), will not be able to comply with the conditions of access and will  not be able to operate over this period, unless it is in the event of an emergency.

No specific Easter travel restrictions in place. If you are operating under an access permit, please check for specific operating conditions that may apply.

Please note that as per the Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Dimension Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) and the Multi-State Class 1 Load Carrying Vehicle Mass Exemption Notice 2023 (No.1) , an eligible vehicle must not travel on the Melba Highway or Warburton Highway on:

• a weekend or public holiday; or
• the day before the start of a holiday period; or
• the last day of a holiday period.

Western Australia

Curfew restrictions for operators of Oversize Restricted Access Vehicles (RAVs) apply during the Easter period. Operators must refer to the permit operating conditions that are relevant to the particular vehicle that they wish to operate for full details on the curfews that apply to them.

Catching public transport in Queensland will soon cost just 50 cents. Are cheap fares good policy?

Senior Research Fellow, Cities Research Institute, Griffith University

Professor, Cities Research Institute, Griffith University

Disclosure statement

Abraham Leung's research at Griffith Cities Research Institute is funded by the Transport Academic Partnership (Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and the Motor Accident and Insurance Commission) and Transport Innovation and Research Hub (Brisbane City Council, BCC). His forthcoming Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowship is funded and/or partnered with TMR, BCC, Townsville City Council, and micromobility operators (Neuron and Beam).

Matthew Burke has received funding from the Australian Research Council, the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, the Motor Accident and Insurance Commission, BEAM, Neuron Mobility, Brisbane City Council, the City of Gold Coast, Transport for NSW, the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland, Queensland Airport Limited, the Australia Awards (the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) and, the Queensland Government's Advancing Queensland.

Griffith University provides funding as a member of The Conversation AU.

View all partners

As part of a six-month trial, public transport fares in Queensland will soon be slashed to just 50 cents per trip for everyone.

The cheap fares will apply to all trips on buses, light rail, trains, and ferries, over any distance, in cities and towns that are part of the Translink network.

Very-low flat fares have become fashionable policy as governments respond to cost of living pressures around the world.

In 2022, Germany experimented with a flat-rate €9 per-month rail pass over a 90-day period. And just last year, the UK government implemented a £2 fare cap on many single bus journeys in England.

Last summer, Western Australia offered free public transport to SmartRider pass users for five weeks.

“ Captive ” users of public transport – who have limited access to private vehicles and few alternatives – would surely welcome such schemes.

But who stands to benefit the most? Is offering free or nearly-free public transport a good policy idea?

The benefits aren’t spread evenly

Some trips across Queensland will now be extraordinarily cheap. You’ll be able to travel from the Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast for just 50 cents, if you don’t mind a four-hour trip on trams, trains and buses.

At an individual level, adults travelling the longest distances will benefit most. But as a group, commuters in the inner and middle suburbs of Brisbane and tertiary students will enjoy most of the benefits.

There are a few regional cities with well-frequented bus services, notably Townsville and Toowoomba. Passengers travelling from Yeppoon to Rockhampton, or from Proserpine airport to Airlie Beach, will get inter-city travel at an amazing price.

But the regions will otherwise benefit less than in South East Queensland, given the limited demand for public transport, and the lesser provision of services.

Will people ditch their cars and get back on public transport?

Queensland’s government hopes the move will boost public transport usage and reduce congestion.

The impacts of low flat fares on patronage have been studied elsewhere. Early reports from Germany suggested that €9-a-month fares were popular and even led to some overcrowding during peak tourist seasons .

To investigate the trial, researchers conducted a before-and-after survey to understand behaviour changes. They found that public transport use did increase, but not all trips taken privately were substituted.

It has been argued that car ownership produces lock-in effects . Affordable fares are only one of the motivators that can encourage a shift to public transport. Buses and trains also need to be frequent, reliable and comfortable when competing against private car travel.

The layout of Queensland’s cities and towns is highly car dependent. Our previous work has examined how spatial layout and the availability of public transport affect its patronage in different cities. Transport statistics reveal only about 10% of trips use public transport in Brisbane , while the figure is as high as 90% in Hong Kong .

The new low fares might help relieve congestion on a few arterial roads where public transport corridors run alongside an alternative, most notably on the M1 motorway between the Gold Coast and Brisbane. But with limited public transport coverage across much of Queensland, heavily discounted fares may not lead to a dramatic uptake in use.

What will the social and economic impact be?

This leads to a bigger debate on how we should price public transport and who should pay for it.

There is no straightforward answer to this. Even when public transport is made very cheap or even free, someone ultimately has to pay for it. The merits of any pricing policy should be evaluated in terms of the winners and losers across society as a whole, referred to as transport equity . Equity can have two dimensions:

• horizontal – reducing inequality between people in similar groups
• vertical – giving a greater share of resources to disadvantaged groups.

Everyone in Queensland will now pay 50 cents, no matter how far they go, which creates strong horizontal equity between travellers.

But the wealthy have reclaimed the centre of Australian cities, including Brisbane. As these nearly-free flat fares benefit so many inner-city and middle-suburban commuters, a very hefty subsidy will be going to a group who don’t necessarily need it, paid for by other forms of taxation.

Are there other ways to subsidise public transport?

Yes. One alternative is to directly target programs to those in need, such as by ring fencing benefits to a smaller area. This was recently tested in Los Angeles under a program called Universal Basic Mobility .

A transport stipend of US$150 per month was provided via a debit card called a “ mobility wallet ” to residents of a disadvantaged neighbourhood. The card could be also used for e-scooters, taxis and even Uber or Lyft. Service improvements were also rolled out.

Queensland itself has long provided free fares where they are seen to have a social benefit. The largest city councils often provide free bus travel for seniors outside peak hours, and popular “free” public transport to large stadiums for concerts or sporting events is covered by a fee hidden in the ticket price.

The state has also trialled another alternative – the ODIN Pass – which provides affordable multi-mode (bus, train, ferry and e-scooter) trips for students via a “ Mobility as a Service (MaaS) ” smartphone app.

Free or heavily discounted public transport can be a good idea – where it can help meet social goals. But it’s best when targeted at the most disadvantaged.

• Public transport
• Transport policy
• Better Cities
• Steven Miles

Head of School, School of Arts & Social Sciences, Monash University Malaysia

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Clinical Teaching Fellow

Data Manager

Director, Social Policy

Skip links and keyboard navigation

• Skip to content
• Use tab and cursor keys to move around the page (more information)

Popular services

• Renew vehicle or boat rego
• Check my licence demerit points
• Renew my driving licence
• Change my address

Browse by category

• Transport and motoring
• Employment and jobs
• Education and training
• Queensland and its government

Guidelines for a person diagnosed with COVID-19 or symptoms of an acute respiratory infection in Queensland

It is no longer mandatory to self-isolate at home if you test positive to COVID-19. If you have symptoms or have tested positive to COVID-19, Queensland Health strongly recommends you:

• Stay at home until you no longer have acute respiratory symptoms
• avoid entering hospitals, residential aged care facilities and disability accommodation services for at least 5 days and only when you no longer have any symptoms
• wear a face mask in an indoor setting and if you are unable to physically distance outside for at least 5 days following either the onset of acute respiratory infection symptoms or after testing positive to COVID-19 (whichever was first).

In line with this advice, some high-risk settings or other businesses may put in place additional requirements or conditions for staff, visitors and residents to reduce risk of COVID-19 transmission in these settings.

You should comply with any additional requirements or conditions put in place by an operator or business to reduce the risks of community transmission.

Who these guidelines apply to

These guidelines apply to a person in Queensland that has tested positive to COVID-19 within the previous 5 days, or a person who has any symptoms of an acute respiratory infection.

If you test positive to COVID-19, you should follow the First steps if you have COVID-19 and the guidelines on this page.

The guidelines have been developed to provide evidence-based information and advice to people on managing symptoms of COVID-19. However, some people are at greater risk of serious illness from COVID-19. Additional public health measures are recommended to protect high risk groups. For more information on high-risk groups see Groups at high risk of severe disease below.

These guidelines have been developed by Queensland Health as public health advice and are not a legal requirement under a Public Health Direction or other legislated framework.

Symptoms of an acute respiratory infection

Symptoms of an acute respiratory infection include the recent onset of new or worsening respiratory symptoms including cough, breathing difficulty, sore throat or runny nose/nasal congestion with or without other symptoms.

Other symptoms may include:

• headache, muscle aches (myalgia), fatigue, nausea or vomiting and diarrhoea. Loss of smell and taste and loss of appetite can also occur with COVID-19, but may be less common with new variants
• fever (≥37.5°C) can occur, however is less common in elderly individuals
• in the elderly, other symptoms to consider are new onset or increase in confusion, change in behaviour, falling, or exacerbation of underlying chronic illness (e.g. increasing shortness of breath in someone with congestive heart failure).

You should  get tested for COVID-19 if you have any symptoms of an acute respiratory infection.

The  healthdirect Australia COVID-19 Symptom Checker can help you understand symptoms and possible signs of illness, causes and complications and guide you to the appropriate healthcare action.

What to do if you have tested positive or have symptoms of COVID-19

Feeling sick stay home to isolate. get tested, stay at home while you are infectious.

Keeping your distance from other people is an effective way of reducing the spread of all respiratory viruses, including COVID-19. You should stay at home during the infectious period of a disease to help prevent transmission.

In addition, if you develop any new or worsening symptoms of an acute respiratory infection, you should  get tested for COVID-19 .

Queensland Health strongly recommends that, except in exceptional circumstances and where medical care is required, you should stay home to isolate while you have any symptoms of an acute respiratory infection, until:

• your acute respiratory symptoms have substantially reduced AND
• you have gone for at least 24 hours without a fever without using fever-reducing medications such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.

Additional protections to prevent transmission of COVID-19

Except in an exceptional circumstance or where medical treatment is required, a person who has tested positive to COVID-19 within the previous 5 days or a person who has any symptoms of an acute respiratory infection should not enter a hospital, residential aged care facility or disability accommodation service.

Individuals should for at least 5 days following either the onset of acute respiratory infection symptoms or a positive COVID-19 test (whichever was first):

• wear a face mask covering your nose and mouth whenever you are in an indoor setting outside the home
• avoid contact with people who are at higher risk of severe COVID-19
• wash your hands regularly
• practice good respiratory hygiene (such as covering your cough)
• advise your household, social and workplace contacts that you have recently had COVID-19 or have symptoms of an acute respiratory infection and advise them to monitor for symptoms and get tested if they become symptomatic. They should follow Queensland Health’s guidelines for close contacts .

Returning to work or school

Queensland Health strongly recommends that you should stay home to isolate while you have any symptoms of an acute respiratory infection. You should not return to work or school until:

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, some employers or education settings may impose restrictions or conditions on people who have recently tested positive to COVID-19 or had any symptoms of an acute respiratory infection.

Before returning to school or work, you may be required to notify your employer or education provider that you have been diagnosed with, or had symptoms of, COVID-19 and you should follow any additional requirements put in place by your employer or education provider to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

In addition, if returning to work or school within 5 days after receiving a positive COVID-19 test result or the onset of acute respiratory infection symptoms (whichever was first), you should:

• wear a face mask covering your nose and mouth whenever you are in an indoor setting outside the home – masks are recommended for children over the age of 12, and for any children under the age of 12 where it is safe for them to do so
• avoid contact with people who are a higher risk of severe disease
• advise others you have been are in contact with to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and get tested if they become symptomatic.

Re-exposure and reinfection after recovering from COVID-19

Reinfection is possible following a recent or prior recovery from COVID-19. Different strains of COVID-19 are more likely to cause reinfections than others and people who are significantly immunocompromised are at greater risk of reinfection.

If you have previously recovered from COVID-19 and at least 35 days have passed since receiving a positive COVID-19 test result it is possible for you to be reinfected. If you come into contact with a COVID-19 case you should follow Queensland Health’s  guidelines for close contacts .

If you have any symptoms of an acute respiratory infection and at least 35 days have passed since receiving a positive COVID-19 test result you should  get tested for COVID-19 .

Groups at high risk of severe disease

While most people who get COVID-19 will recover without any special treatment or needing to go to hospital, some people are at increased risk of serious illness from COVID-19. There are specific guidelines for people who may be more vulnerable to the risk of severe disease from COVID-19. If you belong to one of the following groups, you should discuss your risk and make a plan for how to protect yourself with your general practitioner or treating specialist.

• Increasing age is the most important risk factor for severe disease, with risk significantly increasing around  60-70 years of age
• Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated people are also at greater risk of severe disease. This includes people not  up-to-date with recommended booster vaccinations .

In addition, a person may be at greater risk of serious COVID-19 illness if they:

• have an  underlying health condition , with the risk of severe disease increasing with the number, severity and nature of comorbidities
• are immunocompromised or immunosuppressed
• are a person with  disability
• identify as being of  Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin
• are  pregnant .

Further information is available on the Commonwealth Department of Health’s website:  Risk factors for more serious illness . If you need information or advice on COVID-19, you can call the Australian Government’s National Coronavirus Helpline on 1800 020 080 – 24 hours a days 7 days a week.

If you are at risk of severe illness you may be  eligible for antivirals or other early treatments for COVID-19. They work best when taken as soon as possible, usually within 5 days from when your symptoms first start.

If you are in a group that is more vulnerable or at higher risk of severe disease from COVID-19, it is very important you contact your GP or treating specialist for advice on testing or treatment for COVID-19 as soon as you receive a positive test or develop any new or worsening symptoms of an acute respiratory infection.

High-risk settings

Some settings and workplaces are considered higher risk because there are people more vulnerable or at higher risk of severe disease or higher risk of widespread transmission of COVID-19.

In Queensland, high-risk setting includes:

• a residential aged care facility
• a disability accommodation service

If you have any symptoms of an acute respiratory infection you should avoid entering a high-risk setting until:

• At least 5 days following either the onset of symptoms or a positive COVID-19 test (whichever was first), and
• acute respiratory symptoms and fever have resolved, and
• you are able to comply with any additional infection prevention measures required.

There are specific considerations for facility operators and staff in these settings to manage the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Operators may impose restrictions or conditions to reduce the risks in that setting, such as:

• isolation processes for patients and residents
• conditions or restrictions for staff returning to work after a COVID-19 infection
• restrictions on visitors attending the high-risk setting, such as a requirement to wear a face mask or take other precautions.

If you are a patient or resident of a high-risk setting and you have tested positive to COVID-19 or have any symptoms of an acute respiratory infection you should notify your facility so they can appropriately implement local processes to reduce the risk of transmission within the facility.

You should comply with any additional requirements or conditions put in place by an operator to reduce widespread transmission of COVID-19 in a high-risk setting.

If you have tested positive to COVID-19 within the previous 5 days or have any symptoms of an acute respiratory infection and there are extenuating compassionate reasons for visiting a high-risk setting (e.g., an end-of-life visit), you should contact the facility to discuss how this can be safely arranged.

There are no restrictions or limitations when entering a high-risk facility if you require medical care, are giving birth or are a birthing support person, or if you are receiving, or supporting someone to receive, aged care or disability services.

However, you should advise the facility you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have acute respiratory symptoms. You should follow any directions provided to manage the risk to protect patients, residents, clients, visitors and staff.

Outside of the facilities and services mentioned above, you should consider what extra precautions and personal actions you can take to protect vulnerable family or community members, such as wearing a face mask even if you are well, cleaning your hands regularly, and staying away and testing if you have any acute respiratory symptoms.

Entering or returning to work in a high-risk workplace or setting

If you work in a high-risk setting and have been diagnosed with COVID-19, you should only return to your workplace if:

• At least 5 days has passed since either the onset of symptoms or a positive COVID-19 test (whichever was first), and

If you have tested positive to COVID-19 and work in a high-risk setting, you should work from home where practicable. You should talk to your employer to discuss options available to you and any additional measures to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 transmission in your workplace.

Protecting against the risks of COVID-19 transmission

In times of widespread community transmission, it is important for everyone to take personal actions to minimise transmission of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections.

Evidence has shown that universal public health measures are simple and effective in reducing COVID-19 transmission where a range of measures are applied by individuals, communities and organisations, such as:

• wearing a face mask covering your nose and mouth when indoors or where physical distancing cannot be maintained outdoors
• washing your hands regularly
• practicing good respiratory hygiene (such as covering your cough)
• maintaining physical distance from others
• ensuring good ventilation and improving indoor air quality (such as opening windows, leaving a door open when people are gathered in a meeting room or checking air conditioning settings to reduce recirculation of air).

Protecting against COVID-19 risks in the workplace

Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 employers should take all reasonable and practicable steps to ensure the health and safety of workers, including protecting against COVID-19 risks.

Workplaces and businesses should undertake a workplace assessment to identify the level of risk of COVID-19 transmission and seek independent advice to inform any control measures to assist in managing work health and safety obligations.

Workplaces can adopt a hierarchy of controls to mitigate against the introduction and spread of COVID-19, including:

• workers self-monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms and not attending work if they have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or are otherwise unwell
• promoting basic transmission prevention or reduction measures such as personal hygiene practices, physical distancing and ventilation
• effective and timely communication about COVID-19 and ongoing workplace safety training
• promoting application of standard and transmission-based precautions through education and training
• providing and promoting use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the workplace, such as a face mask, relevant to the immediate risk environment. Employers should respect and support requests by an employee to use a higher level of PPE than required by the workplace.

You should follow any additional requirements or conditions put in place by an operator or business to reduce the risks to staff and others in that setting as prescribed by Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare (2019) | NHMRC and Infection prevention and control guidance (including PPE advice) | COVID-19 | Queensland Health .

Queensland government debt collector pursuing $3.6 million in unpaid COVID-19 fines

Queensland authorities are pursuing more than $3 million in outstanding COVID 19-related penalties years after the state's borders reopened and most restrictions were lifted.

Throughout the course of the pandemic, thousands of fines worth millions of dollars have been referred to the State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) to ensure rule breakers pay what they owe.

As of May this year, there are about $3.6 million in debts related to 2,186 pandemic fines that remain unpaid.

The unpaid debts include fees that have been added by SPER, and also include the outstanding amounts of fines that have already been partially paid.

Off the $3.6 million that is yet to be paid, about 47 per cent is subject to active enforcement from SPER and roughly 37 per cent is being managed under a payment plan.

A SPER spokesperson said where individuals or organisations failed to deal with their debt, the agency would take enforcement action to collect the unpaid penalty.

"SPER debts don't go away, so if you've got a SPER debt the best thing you can do is pay it now," the spokesperson said.

"Anyone having trouble paying their SPER debts should contact SPER on 1300 365 635 to discuss their payment options and avoid enforcement action."

The outstanding fines are linked to breaches of public health directions and border directions that were made during the pandemic.

Nearly half a million written off

Since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, more than $7.5 million in fines had been referred to SPER, which included additional fees added by the collection agency.

More than half of the outstanding debt had been paid or was on a payment plan, while 5 per cent had been withdrawn by authorities.

SPER had also written off 219 COVID 19-related fines worth about $400,000 but did not provide specific reasons for the written off debts.

The agency can wipe debts from its books in circumstances such as when the debtor has died, the debtor cannot be located, or reasonable actions to recover the debt have been exhausted.

SPER's enforcement powers allow them to suspend driver's licences or even seize somebody's property to sell at auction.

Queensland's borders reopened in December 2021, with all remaining domestic border restrictions lifted in January 2022.

In March 2022, the state government also eased many restrictions, such as most mask-wearing requirements and density limits at venues.

As of April this year, the total amount of debt sitting on SPER's books was worth more than $1.3 billion.

ABC Brisbane in your inbox

• X (formerly Twitter)

Related Stories

Queensland government debt collector wipes another $100 million in unpaid fines.

Is Australia facing another COVID-19 wave? Here's why case numbers are rising

Queensland's Chief Health Officer says it's time to stop using the term 'long COVID'

• Government and Politics
• Health Policy
• Law, Crime and Justice
• State and Territory Government