Certificate launch for overseas travellers

AUSTRALIANS travelling overseas will be able to download an international Covid-19 certificate to prove their vaccination status before they board a plane.

Fully vaccinated travellers with a valid passport will be able to access the certificate, which will be recognised internationally, from Tuesday through their MyGov account or Medicare.

International travel to and from Sydney will resume for Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members from November 1, with no quarantine requirements for those who are fully vaccinated.

Though international tourists will not be permitted to enter the country, Health Minister Greg Hunt has said a plan for quarantine-free travel with Singapore, including for international residents, was in “rapid development”.

Under “phase one” of reopening Australia’s international borders, the federal government is limiting travel to citizens and residents.

But Mr Hunt said the government was working with states on “phase two” of reopening, which included letting international students and priority workers into Australia.

“Phase three will be for fully vaccinated international travellers, and that would include tourists,” he said.

Australia’s chief health officer Paul Kelly also announced the paused green travel lane with New Zealand would be reopened for anyone coming from the South Island from midnight on Tuesday.

“It can be downloaded digitally or printed and is compatible with Covid-19 travel apps such as the International Air Transport Association Travel Pass,” Employment Minister Stuart Robert said.

“The international proof of vaccination features a secure QR code to prove Covid-19 vaccination status to border authorities around the world and increases a person’s ability to travel safely and with confidence.”