Assembly Travel and Transport

Prior to flight restrictions due to the outbreak of COVID-19, Sydney airport had direct flights to 46 domestic and 43 international destinations, including South America, South Africa, North America, London, and many destinations in South-East Asia and the Pacific region. Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are hubs for connecting flights across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

Throughout 2022, airlines have rushed to respond to the accelerating demand for international travel and many of the former routes are being rapidly brought back into service. Doing so responsibly requires all of us to pay careful attention to travel requirements till necessary as a result of the ongoing global COVID pandemic.

PLEASE read ALL of the information on this page carefully, to avoid any unnecessary delays on arrival at Sydney airport.

And… after the necessary precautions, we hope you can relax and enjoy a safe and enjoyable time in Sydney!

All passengers arriving by air into Australia should complete the DPD. You can start a DPD seven days before your flight, but you must submit it before you depart for Australia. Passengers who do not complete a DPD before departing may face unnecessary delays on arrival in Australia. You are strongly advised to carefully read the Australian Government’s DPD requirements [click here] and follow these guidelines without any deviation.

When filling out the DPD, you will need to:

provide your contact details, including a contact phone number in Australia
make a legally binding declaration in relation to your vaccination status
make a declaration about your travel history in the last 14 days
make a declaration that you are aware of the quarantine and testing requirements that apply when coming to Australia and in the state or territory you are landing and the penalties for non-compliance.

Completing your declaration

Use the free mobile Australia Digital Passenger Declaration app by downloading it from the App Store (Apple) or Google Play store (Android).
If you cannot use the mobile app, you can submit your DPD using the DPD online form.
You will need to create an account, which will allow you to manage your current and future declarations in one place.

International travellers arriving directly into Sydney must check the latest NSW Health Guidelines [Click here] prior to travelling.

You MUST check the NSW Health Guidelines
You are NOT required to test negative for COVID before departure.
You ARE required to provide proof of double vaccination against COVID-19.
You MUST wear a mask while on international flights, in air terminals, and on public transport.
You MUST travel straight to your accommodation and self-isolate until you have a negative result from a Rapid Antigen Test for COVID.
You are advised to bring your own COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits to ensure you have ready access on arrival in NSW.
If you develop symptoms after arrival, you MUST test, a PCR test is advised (test clinics are listed here) and self-isolate until you test negative. Guests staying in the Macquarie Park area (postcode 2113) might like to know that there are two walk-in test clinics within 300m and 700m of the College.
Unvaccinated international travelers may enter NSW if you are able to provide acceptable proof to your airline and/or the Australian Authorities that you are unvaccinated because of a medical contraindication to a COVID vaccine. A previous COVID infection is not considered evidence of a medical contraindication. If you are unvaccinated, YOU MUST READ CAREFULLY THE GOVERNMENT ADVICE, noting especially the section ‘If you cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons”. Please seek further clarification if you do not understand this advice. IAMS Assembly organisers are not able to give further advice nor offer assistance should you be unvaccinated and choose to travel. After arrival, you MUST travel straight to your accommodation and self-isolate until you have a negative result from a Rapid Antigen Test for COVID.

All international travelers must meet Border entry requirements. The information outlined here is not be intended to be, nor should it to be construed as, advice regarding visa or immigration services. It is intended to direct you to the most relevant webpage of the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs where you will find the necessary links for lodging your application for the appropriate visa.

You will need one of three VISA types. Check these lists of countries carefully. For further advice about the 651 eVisitor and 601 ETA, please follow this link.

eVisitor (subclass 651)

is a free visa using online application. Click here for more information and to apply. This visa is normally approved very quickly, with 75% of applications determined within 1 day. Currently, a further 15% of applications are determined within six days.

Holders of passports from the following countries may be eligible for the free eVisitor (subclass 651) visa:

Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Republic of San Marino, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom – British Citizen, Vatican City.

Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)

there is no Visa Application Charge (VAC) though there may be an application service charge of AUD$20. The DHA website states that most ETA are advised immediately. For further information and application details, see here.

In addition to citizens all the countries eligible for the eVisitor (subclass 651), the ETA is available to citizens of the following countries:

Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong (SAR of China), Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, United Kingdom—British National (Overseas), United States.

Visitor Visa (subclass 600)

is required for all other passport holders and costs $145. Only 50% of determinations are made within a 6-day period, though a further 25% is determined within 26 days. In some situations, determinations are currently taking up to 37 days. IF you are required to travel on this VISA, you MUST apply as soon as possible and read the DHA website carefully.

Holders of passports from the following countries (for example) will need to apply for this class of tourist visa:

Brazil, China (Peoples Republic), Fiji, Ghana, India, Israel, Kenya, Nigeria, PNG, Russian Federation, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, Vanuatu.

Please visit shortly for updated information (Posted 14th May 2022)