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Australia’s states and territories have had an inconsistent approach to lifting border restrictions as community transmission eases across the country.
From midnight tonight, Queensland will allow travellers from 41 northern NSW suburbs to cross the border, but there is still no firm word on when the rest of the state will be welcomed back.
Western Australia has similarly refused to say exactly when non-essential interstate travellers will be allowed to come back, however yesterday it announced quarantine rules would be relaxed for some travellers who can enter with an exemption.










SOUTH AUSTRALIA
You can travel to South Australia from any Australian state or territory unless you’re coming from Victoria.
Travellers from NSW, Queensland, the ACT, the NT, WA and Tasmania can enter SA without needing to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. But they still need to complete an online approval form.
Those coming from Victoria can only enter SA if they’re an essential traveller or live within 40km of the state’s border.
QUEENSLAND
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s hard border stance has been a hallmark of the pandemic.
Travellers from SA, WA, the NT or Tasmania can enter Queensland freely.
Residents in the ACT are also allowed into Queensland if they have a border declaration form stating they haven’t been in NSW or Victoria in the past 14 days.
Victorians – without an exemption – will be turned around at the airport if they fly into Queensland.
The situation with NSW is a little more confusing.
From Thursday, October 1, the state’s border bubble will be expanded to include Byron, Ballina, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Glen Innes.
Queenslanders will be able to visit these regions, and residents living in the more than 41 NSW postcodes will be able to apply for a border pass to travel into Queensland.
As for everyone else in NSW, a trip to Queensland means a 14-day stay in self-funded hotel quarantine.
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
Travellers from COVID-affected areas in NSW are urged to reconsider their travel to the ACT, but are still allowed into the ACT without needing to quarantine.
Its border is only closed to Victoria, with anyone (other than ACT residents) travelling in from Victoria denied entry unless they’re granted an exemption by ACT Health.
Entry to the ACT from Victoria is only possible through Canberra Airport.
If you’re an ACT resident, you must notify ACT Health of your intention to return and must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.






VICTORIA






Victoria’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) website declares that “no permit or approval is required to enter Victoria from another state – however, you will need to adhere to the restrictions and directions that are in place to slow the spread of coronavirus in Victoria”.
That means, if you’re heading to metropolitan Melbourne, you need to follow the rules of the step two of the capital’s lockdown exit plan. If you’re heading for regional Victoria, you’ll need to abide by step three of its lockdown exit road map.
Victorians have limited options travelling elsewhere. In order to enter another state or territory, they need to hold an exemption, be an essential worker or live along a state border.
NEW SOUTH WALES
The NSW border has been open to all states and territories since the beginning of the pandemic – except, since its second wave hit, Victoria.
Residents returning to NSW from Victoria are required to undergo two weeks of hotel quarantine.
As for people who live in one of the NSW/Victoria border towns, they’re not permitted to go further into NSW than the 50km border region.
“You’ll need to apply for a NSW resident’s permit to re-enter NSW (requiring a flight to Sydney Airport and quarantine,” the NSW Government says.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian has hinted however, as regional Victoria continues to record low case numbers, residents in those communities could soon be allowed to travel freely in and out of NSW.
NORTHERN TERRITO...