Australia will allow entry for fully-vaccinated eligible visa holders into the country from Dec. 1 without applying for a travel exemption, as it takes further steps to restart international travel.

Citizens of Japan and the Republic of Korea, who hold a valid Australian visa, will be able to travel from their home country quarantine-free to Australia without needing to seek a travel exemption. Sydney and Melbourne, opened their borders to international travellers from Nov. 1, although the easing of entry rules only benefited returning citizens and permanent residents.

To be eligible for entering the country, the traveler has to prove he/she received both shots of the following vaccines, with a 14-day pause in between:

AstraZeneca Vaxzevria
AstraZeneca Covishield
Pfizer/BioNtech Comirnaty
Moderna Spikevax
Sinovac Coronavac
Bharat Biotech Covaxin
Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV (for 18–60-year-olds).

Moreover, the single-shot Johnson & Johnson / Janssen-Cilag COVID Vaccine is also recognized as valid for entry by competent authorities. In addition, seven days must have passed since the final dose was administered, and the combination of the authorized vaccines is approved by TGA.

This announcement affects holders of various visas such as refugee visas, emergency rescue visas, woman-at-risk visas, prospective marriage visas, temporary workers’ visas, training visas, work holiday visas, humanitarian temporary stay visas, student visas, etc.

The travellers will also have to provide proof of their vaccination status and present a negative COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test taken within three days of departure for Australia. The statement said travellers to Australia must comply with the quarantine requirements in the territory of their arrival.