Australia Remove Requirement For Visitors to Declare Covid-19 Vaccination Status

The Australian government on Sunday announced an end to requirements for international travellers to declare their Covid-19 vaccination status starting Wednesday, July 06 2022.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil and Health Minister Mark Butler announced that beginning July 6, all international visitors arriving in Australia would no longer be required to complete a Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) to declare vaccination status.

“Great news – from Wednesday a digital passenger declaration is no longer required for travellers returning from overseas. I know the DPD has been a hassle – in time it will replace the incoming passenger card but not until it is much more user-friendly,” said Clare in a Tweet.

Great news – from Wednesday a digital passenger declaration is no longer required for travellers returning from overseas. I know the DPD has been a hassle – in time it will replace the incoming passenger card but not until it is much more user friendly. https://t.co/cl3Klv6VPa

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— Clare O’Neil MP (@ClareONeilMP) July 3, 2022

The decision to remove the requirement of the Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) will end all international travel restrictions imposed by Australia more than two years ago, in March 2020, to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“As more and more of us travel internationally and we get more confident in managing our risk of COVID, our airports are getting busier,” said Clare in an official statement.

“Removing these requirements will not only reduce delays in our airports but will encourage more visitors and skilled workers to choose Australia as a destination. And for Australian citizens, with the removal of these requirements, returning home will be much easier.” the statement further reads.

“I know anyone who has travelled internationally since the borders have opened will find this as one less thing to worry about – especially as more Australians get back to travelling overseas.”

“We’ve also listened to feedback about the DPD. While in time it will replace the paper-based incoming passenger card, it needs a lot more work to make it user-friendly”

It must be noted that people coming by sea will benefit as well since they will no longer be required to complete a Maritime Travel Declaration. Airlines, cruise lines, and other governments may still have specific requirements that travellers must follow.