COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to some frequently asked COVID-19 questions below.
Updated on 4 September 2020
Keeping updated
For up-to-date advice on entering Australia, please visit the website of the Department of Home Affairs: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/.
We recommend Australian travellers review advice on Smartraveller. For advice specific to Germany, see the Smartraveller Germany page. We recommend you also follow us on Facebook, join our ‘Australians in Germany’ Consular Facebook group and follow us on Twitter where we will post regular updates.
Returning to Australia
You can travel to Australia if you are an Australian citizen, a permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen usually resident in Australia. You cannot currently travel to Australia unless you are in an exempt category or you have been granted an individual exemption to the current travel restrictions. Please see information on the different categories on the website of the Department of Home Affairs: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/travel-restrictions-0
Australians in Germany who are unable to return to Australia are encouraged to register their contact details with us: http://covid19.dfat.gov.au
COVID-19: Overseas financial assistance
If you’ve been unable to return to Australia due to COVID-19 restrictions and are experiencing financial distress, you may be eligible to access financial support from the government. There are two types of interest-free loans available: Living costs: a one-off loan to cover emergency living costs until a commercial flight becomes available Flight back to Australia: a one-off loan to help cover the costs of a flight to return to Australia The loans are only available as a last resort. You’ll need to meet strict eligibility criteria. Only those in genuine need will be provided financial support. You’ll need to demonstrate that you’re planning to return to Australia as soon as flights become available. All loans must be repaid.
For more information, please visit: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/COVID-19/covid-19-overseas-financial-assistance.
International travel restrictions
Australia has strict border measures in place to protect the health of the Australian community. The National Cabinet agreed to caps on international passenger flows. Very limited flights are currently available to and from Australia and you may not be able to travel at this time.
Travel restrictions are subject to change and flexibility remains within these caps to as much as possible minimise disruptions to returning Australian citizens and permanent residents. National Cabinet agreed to inbound passengers contributing to the costs of hotel quarantine — there are measures to support those in financial difficulty.
Current restrictions include:
- Melbourne – no international passenger arrivals;
- Sydney – limit of 350 passenger arrivals per day;
- Perth – limit of 525 passenger arrivals per week;
- Brisbane and Adelaide – limit of 500 passenger arrivals per week;
- Canberra and Darwin – passenger limits on each flight to be discussed with jurisdictions on a case-by-case basis;
- Hobart – no international flights.
It’s up to the airlines, not the Government, to decide who it sells tickets to - and it's up to the airline who it boards. Restrictions on outbound travel by Australian citizens and permanent residents remain in place, in accordance with the health advice to the Government.
Further information on interstate travel and quarantine restrictions
You can find information on interstate travel and quarantine restrictions here:
New South Wales
There are some border controls in NSW.
There is a cap on arrivals into Sydney.
You'll need to contribute to the cost of quarantine.
Victoria
There are some border controls in Victoria.
Melbourne Airport is currently closed.
Queensland
There are some border controls in QLD.
There is a cap on arrivals into Brisbane.
You'll need to contribute to the cost of quarantine.
South Australia
There are some border controls in South Australia.
You'll need to contribute to the cost of quarantine.
Western Australia
There are significant border controls in WA.
There is a cap on arrivals into Perth.
You'll need to contribute to the cost of quarantine.
Tasmania
There are significant border controls in Tasmania.
There are no direct services from the UK to Hobart.
Check with the Tasmanian Government.
Australian Capital Territory
There are some border controls in the ACT.
You'll need to contribute to the cost of quarantine.
Northern Territory
There are some border controls in the NT.
You'll need to contribute to the cost of quarantine.
Other FAQs
Australian citizens
If you wish to return to Australia you should contact your preferred airline or travel agent and make immediate arrangements to fly back to Australia by commercial means.
Unfortunately we cannot assist with the flight bookings as the availability, costs and to whom the seats will be offered remains a matter for the airlines to decide. If you are unable to secure a flight at this time, we ask that you be patient, ensure you have a safe place to stay, follow the advice of local authorities and minimise your risk of exposure to COVID-19. If you are able to secure a flight, you should be prepared for delays and disruptions to your plans and that you may have to confirm your onward travel plans with your airline.
Should you require emergency consular support, please call us on +49 30 88 00 88 0 or contact our 24/7 Consular Emergency Centre.
You can find further information here:
- Australian Government Department of Health website
- Australian Government Department of Home Affairs
- Australian Foreign Minister’s Announcement regarding Australians abroad during COVID-19
- New South Wales: www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
- Queensland: www.qld.gov.au/about/newsroom/queensland-border-restrictions
- Victoria: www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
- Australian Capital Territory: www.covid19.act.gov.au/home
- South Australia: www.sa.gov.au/covid-19
- Northern Territory: https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/travel
- Western Australia: www.wa.gov.au/government/covid-19-coronavirus
Visa information
Contact the Department of Home Affairs.
Please visit the ‘Visa Holders’ page on the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ website https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/all-visa-holders for more information.
Contact the Department of Home Affairs.
Please visit the ‘Visa Holders’ page on the Australian Department of Home Affairs’ website https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/all-visa-holders for more information.
Staying in Germany
Should you be unable or not wish to leave Germany, we advise all Australians to follow the advice of local health authorities (please see below). It is your responsibility to ensure that your visa eligibility will last for the foreseeable future and will allow you stay in Germany for an extended period of time. Contact your local Foreigners' Office for advice on visas and residency permits. The Australian Embassy cannot issue or extend visas to Germany.
- Overview of German health ministry COVID-19 information -https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/coronavirus.html
- COVID-19 FAQs by Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community - https://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/faqs/EN/topics/civil-protection/coronavirus/coronavirus-faqs.html
You should also read the Smartraveller information linked below:
We know how stressful this time has been for Australians in Germany. Please find further information on visa extensions at the German Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community, which has issued a statement to the individual German states on 24 March on extending residence titles. In case your visa is nearing expiration, please reach out to your local Ausländerbehörde (Foreigners' Office) to inform yourself of the steps for extension.