Rules for children

All children aged under 12 years count as fully vaccinated for travel to Australia. Arrangements are also in effect in some states and territories to allow unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children aged 12-17 to travel with a fully vaccinated adult. Quarantine requirements are determined by each state and territory. Passports will also be used as proof of age for unvaccinated or partially vaccinated 12-17 year olds.

Applying for an Australian tourist visa

British travellers will need to apply for an eVisitor visa and will also need to complete an Australian Travel Declaration from the app of the same name. EVisitor visas are free and allow tourists to stay for up to three months at a time. The processing time for these visas can take between one day and 46 days, although 50 per cent are completed in less than one day. 

State-by-state rules for fully-vaccinated and eligible travellers

Victoria

Take a Covid-19 PCR or antigen test within 24 hours of entering and quarantine until they receive a negative result. See more information.

New South Wales 

Take a rapid antigen test within 24 hours of arriving in the state and self-isolate until they receive a negative result. Take another antigen test on day six after arriving in the state. See more information.

Queensland

Take a Covid-19 test within 24 hours of arrival and isolate until they receive a negative result. See more information.

Australian Capital Territory 

Those arriving into the ACT within seven days of their arrival to Australia must: complete an online declaration form within 24 hours of arrival; take a Covid-19 within 24 hours of arrival to the country; travel to their accommodation and quarantine until they receive a negative result. Travellers are also encouraged to limit their movement in the first seven days of arrival, such as staying at home wherever possible. See more information.

South Australia

Take a Covid-19 PCR test within 24 hours of arrival and quarantine until a negative result is received. Not enter high risk settings for seven days after arrival. See more information. 

Western Australia

From March 3

Australia’s largest state will reopen its borders to tourists, family visitors and business travellers.

Western Australia has remained closed off for many months, for overseas travellers but also for arrivals from Australian states.

Travellers will need to be double jabbed, or have proof that they cannot be vaccinated, and they must take a test within 24 hours of arrival, followed by a rapid antigen test within 12 hours of arrival.

Until March 3

International arrivals must complete and submit the G2G Pass declaration prior to travel (see details).

As it stands, travellers who have received three doses of the vaccine must quarantine at private accommodation for seven days. Travellers should notify any accommodation providers at the time of booking that they will be in self-quarantine. Unvaccinated travellers will face 14 days of hotel quarantine at their own expense.

Triple-jabbed travellers must take a PCR or antigen test within 24 hours of their arrival and either a PCR test on or after day six or an antigen test on or after day seven. They can leave self-quarantine if they have completed seven full days of quarantine since entering Western Australia. All other household members are required to take a PCR test on or after day six, an antigen test on or after day seven, and return a negative result. They must also use the G2G Now app and be subject to in-person checks by WA police as required while in self-quarantine.

International travel indirectly into WA via another state or territory will be subject to the same entry and quarantine requirements as interstate travellers. See more information.

Northern Territory

Fully vaccinated arrivals must complete a border entry form before arrival. See the full details. Children aged 15 and under are considered as vaccinated for purposes of entering the NT.

Tasmania

Both fully vaccinated and those with an exemption do not need to register their details to enter Tasmania, or take further Covid-19 tests. See more information.

Are flights to Australia operating?

British Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Virgin Atlantic, Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways are running flights to the country from the UK, with layovers in Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Singapore. Qantas is running daily flights from Heathrow to Darwin, continuing to Sydney.

What are the rules for returning to the UK? 

Fully vaccinated travellers and under-18s will not need to take any tests to return to the UK.). They must complete a passenger locator form; under-18s can be included on the form of an adult staying at the same address.

Can I get a refund for my holiday?

If your flight or holiday has been cancelled, see our guides on how to obtain a refund or a travel voucher.

Reader Service: Are you wondering what you need to do before flying? Or when you need to buy travel insurance? Learn more about the Telegraph Media Group Travel Insurance service and find answers to your question