Overseas Covid passport arrives
AUSTRALIANS looking to go overseas or return home will have access to an international Covid-19 certificate this week to prove their vaccination status before they board a plane.
From Tuesday, any fully vaccinated Aussie can access the documents allowing them to travel in and out of the country.
The certificate is compatible with Covid-19 travel apps and based on a person‘s vaccination records.
In a joint ministerial statement, the federal government said the vaccine passport would enable fully vaccinated Australians to travel overseas.
“Australians have done the right thing by rolling up their sleeves and getting the jab, we have worked to ensure they can now get back out into the world safely through a secure proof of vaccination,” Employment Minister Stuart Robert said.
“Providing this new proof of vaccination is all about sticking to the national plan and giving Australians the tools they need to get their lives back.”
When can you access the certificate?
From Tuesday, citizens and visa holders with a valid passport, and who have received at least one jab, can obtain the internationally recognised certificate. The federal government requires people to have two doses to travel.
Who is eligible?
You need to have proof of Covid-19 double vaccination and a valid passport. The certificate will be scanned by border officials on arrival into a country if requested.
How can you apply?
The certificate contains a unique vaccination certificate identifier, the holders’ name, date of birth, gender, passport number and vaccination history, and a QR code as well as signature information for authentication purposes.
The certificates will be able to be downloaded through Covid travel apps, such as International Air Transport Association Travel Pass, and can be created through Medicare online and the Express Plus Medicare app.
Proof of vaccination will be in addition to domestic vaccine passports available through Services Australia.
The certificate will be accepted by border control systems worldwide, providing an international certificate version number and a unique vaccination certificate identifier.