Last week we mentioned that Australia is stepping up preparations to reopen its borders, with the vaccine passport and home quarantine as the two key points — see here for details:This time it’s for real — Australia is going all-out to prepare for reopening its borders! Officially announced: the international vaccine passport launches in October, and home quarantine has already been trialled with the details now finalised!
Although it’s expected that reopening will initially be limited to a small group of people — for example, having received two vaccine doses will likely be a required condition — it may also begin with only certain countries selected, and numbers may be capped too.There’s always a path to walk step by step, and that’s still better than standing still.
Australia’s borders have been closed since the end of March 2020, with the ban extended again and again and again. Later, announcements came every three months, and fewer and fewer people paid attention, because it was extended 100% of the time anyway.The most recent announcement extended the closure to mid-December 2021.
But a turning point seems to be on the way.
The entry and exit ban could be lifted as early as November.
Federal ministers all hope that once the vaccination rate among the eligible population aged 16 and over reaches 80%, the ban can be lifted.
The Trade Minister’s latest comments reveal
The Trade Minister said last week that once the vaccination target is reached,restrictions on outbound travellers will be eased,and listed New Zealand, Pacific Island nations and Singapore as possible reopening destinations.
He said: “The national plan makes it very clear that once we hit the 80% mark, Australians travelling overseas will happen too, and we’ll also be able to make arrangements for inbound tourism.”
The government has developed a QR code to prove vaccination status, which has already been issued to some of Australia’s overseas posts for trial use,including Pacific Island nations, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, the UK and the US. Home quarantine for returning travellers is being trialled in South Australia, with the trial report also to be provided to the federal government.
Vaccine passport
Vaccination records, the apps used by different states domestically (for entering and exiting various venues within the country), and the vaccine passport used for international entry and exit —how these three connect, what information is shared, and how it will work, are the key points under discussion right now.
There’s also a key principle, which is thatthe vaccine types allowed for entry are those approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA),the ones currently approved includeAstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson, with the vast majority of vaccinations given in Australia being the first three of these.
The federal government has also signed up to an international app backed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a United Nations agency,using a “visible digital seal” as the global vaccination standard.The Trade Minister said:“This means Australia’s system will be able to connect “seamlessly” with other countries.”
The “visible digital seal” is a barcode that can be used to verify vaccination and other data when passengers arrive at the check-in counter or a self-service kiosk, using public-key encryption technology to keep the information secure.
An extra 1 million doses of Moderna
Just in the past few days, Prime Minister Morrison announced that Australia will receive an extra 1 million doses of Moderna vaccine from Europe,This additional batch of vaccine will arrive next weekend, and 1,800 pharmacies will begin receiving stock progressively during the week of 20 September.
This extra 1 million doses will speed up vaccination for adolescents aged 12 and over.The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) now recommends the Moderna vaccine for everyone aged 12 and over (provisional approval had already been given previously).
This means anyone aged 12 to 59 can go to their community pharmacy to get the Moderna vaccine there.”
Vaccination pace by state as of 13 September
As at the update for 13 September 2021, the vaccination rate among the eligible population aged 16 and over in each state,
(Chart and data source: The Guardian)
A more visual comparison of the pace
(Chart and data source: The Guardian)
If you’d like to join the [Returning to Australia Anticipation Group] to learn about and discuss the latest entry news, you can also add our customer service and note “Anticipation” to request to join!
Recommended migration & study-abroad video content
Past articles worth reading
NSW’s first Subclass 190 round invites several “new” occupations! Victoria sees a flood of nursing invitations, plus early childhood education details!
Countdown to Australia’s border reopening! Skilled migration — get ready now!
I work in a restaurant kitchen — can I migrate?
PTE officially announces: overall exam duration shortened, online testing is coming!
Migration information-sharing & Q&A group
Step 1: Press and hold to add customer service
Step 2: After adding, please
Things you can’t miss about Subclass 188A across the states [mainly NSW]!Click “Original Article Link” to view!
