Travellers
Travelling outside of Australia is a little harder at the moment. But if you’re planning to travel overseas, you may be exposed to some diseases that are preventable by vaccination. Find out how you can stay safe here.
When travelling outside of Australia, there’s a chance you could get sick from a number of diseases that are preventable by being vaccinated. Vaccination is safe and effective and is especially important when travelling. People with medically at-risk conditions may require additional vaccines. Talk to your doctor for more information.
To slow the spread of COVID-19, overseas travel is currently restricted. For the latest advice visit the SmartTraveller website
Why you need to get vaccinated
When you travel, you may be at increased risk from disease through contaminated water or food, contact with infected people, cuts, insect or animal bites. Some diseases are also more common in certain countries. Here are a few reasons why travel vaccinations are important:
- protect you against certain diseases
- protect the health of others (so you don’t spread diseases)
- protect you from expensive medical bills
- and give you peace of mind so you can enjoy your trip to the fullest.
Diseases you may be at risk of
Some diseases are also more common outside Australia. Here are some of the infectious diseases you may be at risk of when travelling overseas:
- COVID-19
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza
- Japanese encephalitis
- Meningococcal disease
- Rabies
- Tuberculosis
- Typhoid
- Chickenpox (varicella)
- Yellow fever
- Cholera
- Measles, mumps and rubella
Which vaccines do you need?
There’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ when it comes to travel vaccinations. Countries have different vaccination requirements. Also, everyone’s individual needs and travel itinerary is different. It all depends on:
- where you’re going
- your age
- your medical condition
- your vaccination history
- the season you’re traveling in
- if you’re pregnant or planning to be.
Visit your doctor, travel doctor, or other health provider to figure out your travel vaccination plan.
Timing is everything
There are several reasons why it is recommended you visit your doctor or a travel health clinic 6–12 weeks before your trip:
- You may need multiple doses of particular vaccines.
- Your body might need time to develop full immunity.
- Even if you’ve had a vaccination before, you may need a booster dose.
If you’re past the 6 to 12-week mark, talk to your doctor as soon as possible to find out what you need to do.
For more information on vaccinations and travel visit the SmartTraveller website.
What you need to know about COVID-19 and travel
Face masks are currently mandatory for travel at all times in the following situations:
- You must wear a face mask and wear it in all indoor areas of a Queensland airport as well as outdoor passenger transport and passenger waiting areas, such as carparks and taxi ranks.
- Face masks do not need to be worn in outdoor areas of an airport unless you are in a passenger transport or passenger waiting area.
- Air crew and airport workers who are not interacting directly with passengers do not need to wear a face mask.
There are some exceptions to wearing a face mask, including:
- children under 12
- a person eating, drinking or taking medicine
- where visibility of the mouth is essential
- where a mask needs to be removed to clearly communicate
- a person with a particular medical condition or disability
- a person undergoing medical treatment
- if a person is asked to remove a face mask for identity purposes
- if wearing a mask creates a risk to a person’s health and safety
- in an emergency or when required by law
- in any circumstances when it’s not safe to wear a mask
- if you are an air crew member or airport worker who is not interacting directly with passengers.
You are considered an international arrival if you have been in a place outside of Australia in the last 14 days immediately before your arrival in Queensland. To enter Australia, you need to get the appropriate approvals from the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs
Requirements to enter Queensland will depend on whether you are fully vaccinated. See what you need to do when entering Queensland as:
These requirements also apply to seasonal workers and people arriving from a safe travel zone country.
There are unique requirements for unvaccinated minors entering Queensland from overseas unaccompanied or with a fully vaccinated adult.
Maritime crew and Air Crew need to comply with their own set of requirements.
Find information in your language
Information about immunisation fact sheets and videos have been translated into multiple languages, so you can access them in your language.
