Border restrictions
Border Restrictions Direction (No. 24)
What has changed from 1am AEST 11 June 2021
- The Local Government Areas in Victoria that are not in Greater Melbourne have been removed as hotspots. The 31 Local Government Areas that make up Greater Melbourne are still declared COVID-19 hotspots.
- Anyone who has been in Greater Melbourne in the last 14 days or since the start date identified for the hotspot (whichever is shorter) will not be allowed to enter Queensland, except for a limited range of people who can enter for essential purposes.
Anyone who has been in Victoria in the last 14 days must apply for a Queensland Border Declaration Pass at least three business days before they enter Queensland.
Overview
COVID-19 hotspots are updated regularly. Currently Greater Melbourne is a declared hotspot.
People who have been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days or since the start date identified for the hotspot (whichever is shorter) will not be allowed to enter Queensland, except for a limited range of people who can enter for essential purposes.
People who are permitted to enter Queensland who have been in a COVID-19 hotspot within the last 14 days or since the start date identified for the hotspot (whichever is shorter) will have to quarantine for 14 days at government arranged accommodation. Queensland residents who have been in a COVID-19 hotspot can return home by air and new residents can relocate to Queensland but, they will have to quarantine in government arranged accommodation at their own expense.
You are only allowed to enter Queensland if you have been in a hotspot in the last 14 days or since the start date identified for the hotspot (whichever is shorter), if:
- your usual residence is in Queensland or you are moving to Queensland
- you need to comply with an order to attend a Court or Tribunal in-person in Queensland or to give effect to orders of the Court or Tribunal in-person in Queensland
- you have to fulfil an arrangement or obligation relating to shared parenting or child contact
- you have to assist with or participate in a State or Commonwealth law enforcement investigation or other action at the request or direction of a State or Commonwealth department or law enforcement agency
- you need to come to Queensland to complete an essential activity
- you arrive into Queensland by air and you transfer directly to another flight to leave Queensland and don’t leave the airport or remain in quarantine until your flight out of Queensland
- you arrive to the Gold Coast airport from an approved airport and transit directly by road to leave Queensland without leaving your vehicle
- you are a student at a higher education institution or boarding school and are entering Queensland for study, parents and legal guardians are allowed to accompany students who are minors
- you are entering to receive essential health care or to provide support to a person receiving essential health care
- can provide evidence that you completed mandatory hotel quarantine in a COVID-19 hotspot and immediately transited to Queensland.
You will have to provide evidence of the above when entering Queensland.
You will be required to complete 14 days mandatory quarantine in government arranged accommodation at your own expense unless exceptional circumstances apply.
If you are exempt from quarantine because you are in Queensland to complete an essential activity, you will need to keep and retain records of close contacts whilst you are in Queensland for two weeks after you arrive in Queensland.
Anyone who arrives in Queensland and has been in a COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days or since the start date identified for the hotspot (whichever is shorter) will need to apply for a Queensland Border Declaration Pass before they enter Queensland. Anyone who has been in a state or territory with a COVID-19 hotspot will also need to apply for a Queensland Border Declaration Pass before they enter Queensland.
Essential health care
You can enter Queensland from a hotspot for essential health care without an exemption when the health care cannot be provided in the hotspot.
Essential health care is any:
- Queensland Children’s Hospital appointment confirmed in writing by the hospital
- appointment at a Queensland Hospital and Health Service or associated outreach location, confirmed in writing by the service
- appointment at a licensed Queensland private health facility or ancillary clinic or service, confirmed in writing by the service or health practitioner
- appointment at an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Service confirmed in writing by the service
- appointment with a prescribed health practitioner at another premises, confirmed on the form approved by the Chief Health Officer.
Please note: An appointment with a prescribed health practitioner may include services provided by a registered NDIS provider under an agreed NDIS Plan. An appointment at an ancillary clinic or service may include an appointment at a rehabilitation service.
You will be required to enter Queensland by air and comply with quarantine requirements. If you are admitted to a hospital or other facility you will be able to quarantine at the facility. Otherwise, you will need to quarantine in government arranged accommodation at your own expense.
Read more about entering Queensland for essential health care.
Enforcement
The Queensland Police Service will meet all arrivals by air and will be completing random spot checks by road to enforce the requirements.
There are also penalties for providing false or misleading information. If you breach any of the requirements under the Borders restrictions Direction, you may be subject to enforcement, including an on the spot fine of $4,003, a court-imposed penalty of up to $13,345 or 6 months' imprisonment.
If you provide false, misleading or incorrect information on a Border Declaration it is an offence punishable by a fine of $4,003, a court-imposed penalty of up to $13,345 or 6 months' imprisonment.
For more information see the full Border Restrictions Direction (No. 24)
Questions and Answers about this direction
Questions about coming to Queensland for health care from a hotspot |
What is essential health care?#essential-health-care You can enter Queensland by air for essential health care without an exemption. If you live in a hotspot outside of the border zone, you must apply for an exemption to be able to enter Queensland by road to receive essential health care. If you are a New South Wales border zone resident who usually receives regular health care across the border, you can cross the border to receive health care anywhere in Queensland. You should let your health care practitioner know that you are entering from the border zone. Your health care practitioner may look at alternative ways for you to access the care you need, such as through Telehealth, or require additional precautions to be taken when you enter the health care facility. Essential health care is any:
Written confirmation of the need for essential health care in Queensland can be done using the form approved by the Chief Health Officer. An appointment with a prescribed health practitioner may include an appointment with a registered NDIS provider as part of an NDIS plan. An appointment at an ancillary clinic or service may include an appointment at a rehabilitation service. An appointment with a prescribed health practitioner means an appointment with a person registered to provide the following services:
If you don’t meet the above requirements you will not be able to enter Queensland unless you have been granted an individual exemption granted by the Chief Health Officer. These are only given in rare and exceptional circumstances Read more about Entering Queensland for essential health care. |
Can I enter Queensland for emergency health care?Emergency health care patients requiring emergency care and entering Queensland via ambulance, aeromedical retrieval or formal interstate hospital transfer will not be subject to border requirements. |
I’m a border zone resident who usually receives regular health care at a hospital across the border, can I cross the border to receive this treatment?Yes. If you are a New South Wales border zone resident who usually receives regular health care across the border, you can cross the border to receive health care anywhere in Queensland. You should let your health care practitioner know that you are entering from the border zone. Your health care practitioner may look at alternative ways for you to access the care you need, such as through Telehealth, or require additional precautions to be taken when you enter the health care facility. If you need to stay overnight or longer to complete an essential purpose, you must comply with stay at home requirements until you leave Queensland. You can complete this stay at home requirements in temporary accommodation such as a Ronald McDonald House. View the border zone map. |
How do I prove that my health care cannot be obtained near my place of residence?/ What do I need to show at the border to prove that I have an essential health care appointment?The hospital, service or health practitioner you are visiting will need to provide written evidence (electronic or printed) stating that you have to go to the facility to receive your healthcare. You will have to show this written evidence at the border. They can use the form for entering Queensland to receive essential health care. Once completed the form should be provided to you or your support person. The health practitioner or person in charge of a hospital or other health facility will take into account a number of considerations, including your medical history, treatment plan, availability and timeliness of your treatment. If possible, you should try and obtain your health care in your home state rather than coming to Queensland to receive health care. |
Can I receive essential health care in a private hospital?Yes, if the hospital has provided you with written evidence (electronic or printed) stating that you have to go to the facility to receive your healthcare you will be able to receive your essential health care at a private hospital. They can use the form for entering Queensland to receive essential health care. Once completed the form should be provided to you or your support person. You will have to show this written evidence at the border. Read more about Entering Queensland for essential health care. |
Do I need to quarantine if I’m coming to Queensland from a hotspot outside the border zone to receive essential health care?/ Can I quarantine with a family or friend while I'm waiting for my appointment?/ Can I stay somewhere other than government quarantine?Anyone coming to Queensland to receive essential health care from a hotspot outside of the border zone will need to quarantine. If you will be admitted into a hospital you will be able to complete your quarantine at the hospital. All the same rules of government arranged accommodation will apply. If you are an outpatient, you will have to stay in government arranged accommodation if your treatment is for more than one day. As soon your treatment is completed you will need to leave Queensland straight away. If you are accompanying someone receiving essential health care as a support person and staying for the duration of their treatment you will need to stay in government arranged accommodation, unless the hospital or other facility can accommodate you. You can enter Queensland by air for essential health care without an exemption. If you live in a hotspot outside of the border zone, you must apply for an exemption to be able to enter Queensland by road to receive essential health care. Read more about Entering Queensland for essential health care. |
Do I need to quarantine if I have complex medical needs?Anyone coming to Queensland to receive essential health care from a hotspot will need to quarantine. If you are someone with complex medical needs, a person with a disability or parents of very young children, health staff at your accommodation can help you. The Healthcare Support Service can also help you get the right healthcare, when and where you need it. If you want to apply for an exemption, speak with a healthcare support worker. To contact the Healthcare Support Service, phone 13 COVID (13 42 68 43) and press 4. |
My child needs to receive essential health care that will take more than one day, what can I do?If your child is receiving essential health care at the Queensland Children’s Hospital you will be able to complete your quarantine at the hospital. All of the same rules of government arranged accommodation will apply. If your child is receiving essential health care at another hospital or your child is an outpatient of the Queensland Children’s hospital you and your family will need to stay in government arranged accommodation unless the hospital or facility can accommodate you. You can leave as soon as the treatment is over but you may stay longer if they wish. If your child’s essential health care takes longer than 14 days you and your family will be able to leave government arranged accommodation once you have completed your 14 days quarantine and stay where you would normally stay, for example a Ronald McDonald House. You will be able to leave government arranged accommodation to take your child to receive essential health care. Read more about Entering Queensland for essential health care. |
Do I have to quarantine if my essential health care treatment is only a day treatment or an appointment?No, if you do not need to stay overnight for your treatment or appointments you do not have to quarantine. Instead you will have to travel directly to your appointment then leave Queensland immediately following your treatment/appointment by air. An Emergency Officer at the airport will provide you with information on how to commute from the airport to your appointment. You can enter Queensland by air for essential health care without an exemption. If you live in a hotspot outside of the border zone, you must apply for an exemption to be able to enter Queensland by road to receive essential health care. Your exemption will include details of where you will be required to complete your mandatory quarantine in government arranged accommodation. Read more about Entering Queensland for essential health care. |
Will I be charged for quarantine if I am coming up for essential health care treatment?If you are coming to Queensland for health care or surgery from a COVID-19 hotspot, you will need to quarantine at government arranged accommodation. You may be eligible for a fee waiver or for a subsidy under the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme. |
Do I need to apply for an exemption to enter Queensland from a hotspot to receive essential health care?No. You do not need to apply for an exemption to enter Queensland if you are entering to receive essential health care, or to provide support to a person receiving essential health care. You will be required to complete 14 days mandatory quarantine in government arranged accommodation. You may be eligible for a fee waiver. You can enter Queensland by air for essential health care without an exemption. If you live in a hotspot outside of the border zone, you must apply for an exemption to be able to enter Queensland by road to receive essential health care. Your exemption will include details of where you will complete your mandatory quarantine in government arranged accommodation. Read more about Entering Queensland for essential health care. |
What do I do if I’m told not to come to my health care appointment in Queensland?If you are advised not to come to your health care appointment in Queensland, you should make an alternative appointment in your state. |
Why can I no longer drive to Queensland from a hotspot to attend an essential health care appointment?You can enter Queensland by air for essential health care without an exemption. If you live in a hotspot outside of the border zone, you must apply for an exemption to be able to enter Queensland by road to receive essential health care. This is to ensure you receive details of where you will be required to complete your mandatory quarantine in government arranged accommodation. People entering Queensland for emergency health care will still be able to enter by road. |
Questions about face masks |
I receive care at my own home, do I have to wear a mask?You are not required to wear a mask when inside your home. However, the carer or healthcare worker providing care must wear a mask. |
How can I wear a face mask if I have a hearing aid?If you wear a hearing aid we recommend considering wearing a mask that ties around your head, rather than over the ears to ensure the ties do not get tangled in your hearing aid. Find out how to use, wear and dispose of a face mask. |
How do I stop my face mask fogging up my glasses?Try one of these tips to help prevent your face mask fogging your glasses:
Find out how to use, wear and dispose of a face mask. |
How do I wear a mask correctly if I have a big beard?Ensure the mask covers your nose and mouth, regardless of any facial hair. For non-medical face masks, you do not have to achieve a seal with the mask against the skin of your face. There are different shapes and sizes of fabric non-medical masks available, some of which may be a more comfortable option if you have facial hair. |
Can I remove my face mask to smoke or use an e-cigarette?Yes, subject to existing restrictions on smoking in public places in Queensland. While there isn’t enough evidence to be certain that people who smoke are more likely to be infected by COVID-19, the act of smoking means that fingers are in contact with your lips which increases the possibility of transmission of virus from hand to mouth. |
I wear traditional or religious garments that cover my head or face, do I have to wear a mask?Yes. There are a range of face masks available that can be worn with traditional and religious garments. These include face masks that are tied around the head, rather than looped over the ears. If you wear a face covering, like a veil or scarf, you should wear your face mask beneath this, so it is fitted to your face. Find out how to use, wear and dispose of a face mask. |
Questions about penalties and enforcement |
Are there penalties if I don’t comply?Yes. If you don’t comply you may be given an on-the-spot fine of $1,378 for individuals and $6,892 for corporations, a court-imposed penalty of up to $13,785 or 6 months' imprisonment. If you refuse a police direction to wear a face mask, you could be given an on-the-spot fine of $206. |
How is this being enforced?Queensland Police and enforcement officers will enforce these restrictions. At the airport and on flights Airlines can stop someone from boarding a domestic flight or flying with the airline (for a period of time determined by the airline) if they refuse to wear a face mask. Although airlines are not responsible for enforcing compliance, they can report non-compliance to the Queensland Police Service or Australian Federal Police through their current processes. Queensland Police Service and Australian Federal Police officers may take action if a person refuses to wear a face mask without a lawful reason. A person may be given a move-on direction to not board a flight or to leave the airport for up to a 24-hour period. If someone refuses a police direction to wear a mask, police officers can issue an on-the-spot fine of $206, an infringement notice, or a notice to appear in court. |