Queensland will scrap its on-arrival COVID-19 test for international passengers, effective 1 a.m AEST on 30 June 2022.ย
This makes it the latest Australian state to do away with the requirement, shortly after NSW and Sydney removed their test on 21 June 2022. In fact, the only state still requiring testing is South Australia, a requirement that will surely be scrapped soon.ย
As a reminder, Australia has already scrapped all pre-departure testing for fully vaccinated international arrivals, so Singaporeans can now visit Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth or Sydney without a single test on either side.ย
QLD scraps on-arrival testing
International arrivals to Queensland are currently required to take a rapid antigen test (RAT) within 24 hours of arrival, and isolate until a negative result had been received. You can of course minimise the inconvenience by performing the test at the airport immediately upon landing with a self-administered RAT kit, but it’s still a requirement nonetheless.ย
From 30 June 2022, mandatory on-arrival testing will be ceased.
From 1am AEST Thursday 30 June, international arrivals will no longer be required to take a COVID-19 test on arrival into Queensland.
With the latest changes, here’s the updated requirements for travelling to Queensland.ย
| ๐ฆ๐บ Travel to Queensland |
|
On-arrival testing for other states
With Queensland’s scrapping of on-arrival testing, South Australia is now the only state still retaining the requirement.ย
| ๐ฆ๐บ Summary: Australia Testing Requirements |
||
| State/ Territory | Pre-departure | On-arrival |
| Australian Capital Territory | Not required | None |
| New South Wales | None | |
| Northern Territory | None | |
| Queensland | None (from 30 June) | |
| South Australia | ART (“on arrival”) | |
| Tasmania | None | |
| Victoria | None |
|
| Western Australia | None | |
The good news for travellers to Adelaide is that the requirement can be satisfied with a simple self-administered RAT, keeping isolation time to a minimum (if at all).
RAT kits in Australia are overseen by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The TGA has a list of approved home test kits, as well as a copy of the manufacturer’s instructions for each test.
The following kits sold in Singapore pharmacies are approved in Australia:ย
- Abbott Panbio COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test
- Flowflex SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test
- Hangzhou Alltest SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test
- SD Biosensor SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Self Test Nasal
With regards to SD Biosensor, note that it’s the white kit with blue text that’s approved for use in Australia, not the white kit with pink text (Standard Q).
Conclusion
Queensland has become the latest state to scrap on-arrival testing, which opens the door for pre-COVID travel conditions to Brisbane, Cairns and Gold Coast (all served directly from Singapore).
There’s no doubt in my mind we’ll hear similar news from South Australia soon, making the Digital Passenger Declaration the only vestige of COVID restrictions remaining.
