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Entering Queensland for essential health care
Find out more about the plan for the management of Queensland’s borders.
What changed from 3.00pm 23 September 2020
Introduce a new ‘H’ category for the border declaration pass for people coming to Queensland for day health appointments
Overview
You are allowed to enter Queensland from a declared COVID-19 hotspot for essential health care.
Essential health care is any care that is not available in your State or Territory or cannot reasonably be provided in your home State or Territory, via telehealth or virtual health. This includes routine clinical care where there is a continuity of service with an established clinical relationship. Examples of essential health care include:
- Continuing a routine clinical relationship with your dentist, GP, treating hospital or community clinic.
- Appointments with Queensland Children’s Hospital.
- Specialist rehabilitation services or cardiac care.
Speak to your health care provider to find out if your health care needs meet the essential criteria. If you need to see a health care provider for the first time, you should choose a provider in your own State or Territory during these times.
Emergency health care
If your situation is an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
Patients and a support person can enter Queensland from a hotspot for emergency or essential health care without an exemption when the health care cannot be provided in a hotspot.
New South Wales Border Zone residents
Border zone residents can cross the border for any purpose, including for health care—view the border zone map (PDF). You must apply for a Border Zone Resident Pass. The following requirements do not apply to border zone residents for travel within the Queensland side of the border zone.
If your appointment is outside of the border zone, you will need to follow the requirements below.
| Question Id | Question Test | Response | Next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Self-assessment: Entering Queensland for essential health careNeed some guidance? Complete the following self-assessment for advice about your situation. | Yes | Outcome1health |
| No | Q2health | ||
| Q2health | Are you a border zone resident? | Yes | Q3health |
| No | Q4health | ||
| Q3health |
You are permitted to enter Queensland provided you stay within the border zone. Do you need to travel to a Queensland location outside of the border zone? | Yes | Q4health |
| No | Outcome2health | ||
| Q4health | Essential health care is any care that is not available in your State or Territory or cannot reasonably be provided in your home State or Territory, via telehealth or virtual health.
Does your health care meet these requirements? | Yes | Q5health |
| No | Outcome3health | ||
| Q5health |
You can proceed with making an appointment with your healthcare provider. They will need to provide you with an official letter of evidence, which includes the time and place in Queensland that the essential health care is to be provided. This can be in printed or in electronic form. Do you have written evidence of an appointment? | Yes | Q7health |
| No | Q6health | ||
| Q6health | Contact your healthcare provider to arrange this written evidence. | Click to continue | Q7health |
| Q7health |
You will need to apply for a general border pass before your enter Queensland. If you are only in Queensland for a day, and not staying overnight, apply for an ‘H’ pass. If you are staying overnight in Queensland, apply for a ‘G’ pass. Please note these passes are only valid for 7 days. At the border you will need to present your border pass and written evidence of your appointment. You may also bring a support person or carer, they wlil also need a border pass. | Click to continue | Q8health |
| Q8health | Will you be treated as an:
| Inpatient | Q9health |
| Outpatient | Q10health | ||
| Q9health |
If you are admitted into a hospital, you will complete your quarantine at the hospital. As soon as your treatment is completed, you will need to leave Queensland straight away. If you are a support person for an inpatient, you will need to stay in government arranged accommodation at your own expense—unless the hospital or other facility can accommodate you.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. Alternatively you can drop the person at the health facility and drive straight back to your normal residence. Read more about essential heath care in Queensland. Treatment that is more than 14 days If your essential health care takes longer than 14 days, you and your support person will be able to leave government arranged accommodation once you have completed your 14 days (and returned a negative test). After 14 days you can stay where you would normally stay, for example the Ronald McDonald House. | Click to continue | Q1quar |
| Q10health |
If you are an outpatient and your treatment is for more than one day, you (and your support person if applicable) will need to stay in government arranged accommodation at your own expense. As soon as your treatment is completed, you will need to leave Queensland straight away. Treatment that is more than 14 days If your essential health care takes longer than 14 days, you and your support person will be able to leave government arranged accommodation once you have completed your 14 days (and returned a negative test). After 14 days you can stay where you would normally stay, for example the Ronald McDonald House. | Click to continue | Q1quar |
| Q1quar | You will be issued a Quarantine Direction Notice and transported to government arranged accommodation to quarantine for 14 days. You will need to travel directly to this accommodation. Learn more. Do you have specialist medical needs or accessibility requirements during quarantine?
| Yes | Q2quar |
| No | Q3quar | ||
| Q2quar | Call 134 COVID (13 42 68) and press 3 to speak to someone about your specific needs. | Continue | Q3quar |
| Q3quar | During quarantine you will be given a health screening and tested for COVID-19. Do you consent to be tested in quarantine? | Yes | Q5quar |
| No | Q4quar | ||
| Q5quar | At the end of quarantine, if you are feeling well then you will receive a discharge form allowing you to leave. An invoice will be sent to you to pay the cost. If your COVID-19 test result is positive, or you have developed COVID-19 symptoms, you will need to remain in isolation and will be advised on what actions to take. If you require medical treatment, this will be arranged by a clinical team. I have received my quarantine fee invoice, what are my options? | Pay invoice in full | OutcomeQuar1 |
| Set up a payment plan | OutcomeQuar2 | ||
| Apply for a fee waiver | OutcomeQuar4 | ||
| Q4quar | If you don't agree to take a COVID-19 test your 14 day quarantine will extend by an additional 10 days, and you will have to pay the cost. At the end of quarantine, if you are feeling well then you will receive a discharge form allowing you to leave. An invoice will be sent to you to pay the cost. I have received my quarantine fee invoice, what are my options? | Pay invoice in full | OutcomeQuar1 |
| Set up a payment plan | OutcomeQuar2 | ||
| Apply for a fee waiver | OutcomeQuar4 |
Please dial 000
Border restrictions do not apply to the patient when travelling by ambulance or other hospital-arranged transport.
Get a Border Zone Resident pass
You will need a Border zone resident pass before you can enter Queensland and proceed to your final destination.
Please monitor your health and if you have any COVID-19 symptoms get tested immediately.
Speak with your healthcare provider
Speak with your healthcare provider about alternative health care options.
You may apply for an exemption if exceptional circumstances apply.
Payment is required within 30 days. Refer to your invoice for full details.
If you cannot pay the full quarantine fee by the invoice due date, you can enter into a payment plan to repay over time.
Full details on how to apply for a payment plan will be on the invoice.
If your request is approved, you will be issued a payment plan agreement outlining the full terms and conditions.
No payment is required.
Once the quarantine fee invoice is issued you have 30 days to apply to have all or part of the amount waived. Eligibility criteria applies. Apply online.
What happens next?
Fee waiver approved
If your fee waiver is approved there will be no payment required.
Part waiver or no waiver approved
You will receive a notice of the outcome of your waiver application. Payment is required within 14 days of the notice.
If you cannot pay the by the invoice due date, you can enter into a payment plan to repay over time. Full details on how to apply for a payment plan will be on the invoice.
If your request is approved, you will be issued a payment plan agreement outlining the full terms and conditions.
Please note the information contained in this self-assessment is general in nature and should be interpreted alongside the latest Public Health Directions and quarantine advice.
Checklist: What you need to cross the border
- Written evidence (for example a letter) from your health care provider
Please contact your hospital or health care provider for an official letter of evidence, which includes the time and place in Queensland that the essential health care is to be provided. This can be in printed or in electronic form. - Border Declaration Pass
Once you receive written evidence from your healthcare provider, apply for a Border Declaration Pass. If you are only in Queensland for a day, and not staying overnight, apply for an ‘H’ pass. If you are staying overnight in Queensland, apply for a ‘G’ pass.
Travel arrangements
You can enter Queensland via road, air or rail. You must take the most direct route possible and minimise your interactions with the community. This means filling up your car with fuel and packing food and drinks before entering Queensland. When taking rest breaks doing this at a rest stop where you won't need to exit your vehicle and interact with the community. You can exit your vehicle in case of an emergency.
Support person
You are allowed one or more support people to accompany you to your appointment. The immediate family of children receiving essential health care are allowed to enter Queensland. All support people have to apply for a Border Declaration Pass (including children). If they are only in Queensland for a day, and not staying overnight, apply for a ‘H’ pass. If they are staying overnight in Queensland, apply for a ‘G’ pass.
Quarantine requirements
Anyone coming to Queensland to receive essential health care from a hotspot will need to quarantine for 14 days or the time spent in Queensland for the treatment, whichever is shorter.
Inpatient (receiving care in a hospital ward)
If you are admitted into a hospital, you will need to complete your quarantine at the hospital.
Outpatient (receiving care in a clinic, but not staying at the hospital)
If you are an outpatient and your treatment is for more than one day, you will need to stay in government arranged accommodation. As soon as your treatment is completed, you will need to leave Queensland straight away.
Support person
If you are accompanying someone receiving essential health care as their 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.
Otherwise, you can drop the person at the medical facility and drive straight back to your normal residence. You must take the most direct route possible and minimise your interactions with the community. This means, filling up your car with fuel and packing food and drinks before entering Queensland. When taking rest breaks doing this at a rest stop where you won't need to exit your vehicle and interact with the community. You can exit your vehicle in case of an emergency. 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.
Treatment that is more than 14 days
If your essential health care takes longer than 14 days, you and your support person will be able to leave government arranged accommodation once you have completed your 14 days (and returned a negative test). After 14 days you can stay where you would normally stay, for example the Ronald McDonald House.
Medical or accessibility needs in quarantine
As part of the new Targeted Care Accommodation Program, selected hotels or alternative accommodation will have additional health and social support on site or close by for specific groups of individuals during their 14-day COVID-19 quarantine period. If you have additional needs please call 134 COVID (13 42 68) and select option 3.
Health care support service
The specialist COVID-19 Health care Support Service ensures those who have specific healthcare needs are supported when they enter the state from a COVID-19 hotspot or from overseas.
The service is supported by nurses, doctors, social workers, paramedics and representatives from other Queensland government department. It provides a case-managed approach for those entering mandatory quarantine who have complex health care needs.
To access the new service, call 134 COVID (13 42 68) and select option 3.
Questions and Answers about crossing the border for essential health care
Questions about coming to Queensland for health care from a hotspot |
What is essential health care?You can enter Queensland for essential health care without an exemption. Essential health care is any:
An appointment with a prescribed health practitioner may include an appointment with a registered NDIS provider as part of a 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 |
Can I cross the border for emergency health care?If you are a New South Wales border zone resident who usually receives regular health care across the Queensland border, you can cross the border to receive health care within the border zone. You must apply for a Border Zone Resident Pass. 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. |
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 form at the border. 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. |
Do I need to quarantine if I’m coming to Queensland from a hotspot 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 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. Otherwise, you can drop the person at the medical facility and drive straight back to your normal residence, without stopping in Queensland and then come back to pick them up. This means not stopping for fuel, food, coffee or rest breaks in Queensland. You can also stay in your car for the duration of an appointment if the person you are supporting is not required to stay overnight. |
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 Health care 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 14 COVID (13 42 68 43) and press #3. |
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. |
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, without stopping. This means not stopping for fuel, food, coffee or rest breaks in Queensland and only visiting the place of your appointment. You must take the most direct route possible and minimise your interactions with the community. This means, filling up your car with fuel and packing food and drinks before entering Queensland. When taking rest breaks doing this at a rest stop where you won't need to exit your vehicle and interact with the community. You can exit your vehicle in case of an emergency. If you are supporting or transporting someone to or from Queensland to receive health care you must remain in the vehicle or within the place where care is being received until the care is complete. Otherwise, you can drop the person at the medical facility and drive straight back to your normal residence, without stopping in Queensland and then come back to pick them up. This means not stopping for fuel, food, coffee or rest breaks in Queensland. You can also stay in your car for the duration of an appointment if the person you are supporting is not required to stay overnight. If you are only coming to Queensland for a day and not staying overnight you will be required to apply for a H Border Declaration Pass. The H pass is for day admission, procedure or appointment 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. |
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. |
I am attending an appointment with a private health care provider, are there any extra steps I need to complete?Any health care provider that is not a Queensland Health provided service must provide you with a completed approved form for entering Queensland to receive essential health care (DOCX 72 kB). |
Questions and Requests for exemptions
If you are seeking clarification on a Direction or have any questions, please call 134 COVID (13 42 68).
To apply for an exemption to a Direction please complete the online form.
Submit your request online