Our borders have been closed, to all except a very few, since March 2020. But, there’s now light at the end of the tunnel… we’re about to fling open our doors to the world. Starting from November, and with a staggered approach depending on the State you’re living in, you’ll be able to leave Australia and travel to other countries, subject to any other travel advice and international border controls. Yes, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, Singapore, Canada, and Fiji are all on the horizon. At some point it may even be possible to once again enjoy quarantine-free travel to New Zealand (though this is currently suspended until at least mid-to-late November 2021). No doubt this is welcome news, whether you’re looking to travel for work or pleasure, however, there are a few things you need to know: You’ll need to be fully vaccinated with an approved COVID-19 vaccine – Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna and the Janssen vaccine are already approved, and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is likely to approve the Chinese-made Sinovac and Indian-made Covishield vaccines soon. You’ll need to carry an internationally recognised proof of vaccination document with a QR code that can be read around the world. The document is due to be available in the current weeks and our Government is working with airlines and foreign governments to ensure everyone can work with it. You will need to quarantine on your return, depending on your vaccination status: If you’re an Australian citizen or permanent resident fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine, you’ll need to undertake a seven day at home quarantine (subject to your state’s approval of this model), If you’re not vaccinated, or you have been vaccinated with a vaccine not approved or recognised by the TGA, you’ll need to undertake a 14-day managed quarantine, If you’re an Australian citizen or a permanent resident who cannot be vaccinated – for example a person under 12 or with a medical condition – you will be treated as vaccinated for the purposes of their travel. You will need to be tested for COVID-19 before you travel, and the government is considering introducing rapid antigen testing to facilitate this with efficiency. When are you off? At this stage, the international borders are expected to open in November, for states that have reached an 80% full vaccination rate, beginning with New South Wales. Can we help? At the Ayers Group we’re here to help you manage your contractor administration and grow your wealth so you can be free to travel the world. Contact an expert at the Ayers Group today.