Australian High Commission
United Kingdom
Australia House, London

COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions

COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to some frequently asked COVID-19 questions below.

Updated on 19 January 2021

Keeping updated

We recommend you subscribe to updates from Smartraveller regarding travel advice for the United Kingdom.  You will be sent updates by email and critical updates by text message. We will issue any Australian Government advice about health and safety in your country on Smartraveller and send it to subscribers.

We recommend you also follow us on Facebook and Twitter where we will post regular updates.

Get the latest NHS information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19).

Returning to Australia

Caps on international passenger flows into Australia and paying for your hotel quarantine

You can enter Australia if you are an Australian citizen, a permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen usually resident in Australia.We know how stressful this time has been for Australians in the UK and we have been working hard to support you. Australia has strict border measures in place to protect the health of the Australian community.

National Cabinet has agreed:

  • To prioritise the return of Australians.
  • To arrival caps on international passenger flows in order to manage and maintain quarantine arrangements across jurisdictions.
  • To inbound passengers contributing to the costs of hotel quarantine — there are measures to support those in financial difficulty.
  • That information relating to quarantine capacity and passenger demand would continue to be exchanged and support flexibility within the caps to as much as possible to minimise disruptions to returning Australian citizens and permanent residents.

You should complete the Australia Travel Declaration at least 72 hours before your departure for Australia. For more information about the Australia Travel Declaration and apply, please visit the Department of Home Affairs Australia Travel Declaration website.

Learn more about returning to Australia, including which flights are operating, here.

Quarantine

If travelling to Australia, you will need to contribute to the cost of quarantine. Quarantine is managed and administered by each state and territory separately.  For more information please visit the relevant state or territory website below:

  Victoria

  Australian Capital Territory

  New South Wales 

  Northern Territory

  Queensland

  South Australia

  Tasmania

  Western Australia

  

Other queries 

I am an Australian Citizen, but my partner is not. Will we be allowed to travel to Australia?

Immediate family members of Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents can travel to Australia. You will need to complete a form first and provide evidence of your relationship.

The Australian Government has announced travel restrictions to Australia to help stem the spread of COVID-19.  

Immediate family members of Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents will be exempted from the travel restriction. Immediate family means spouses (including de-facto relationships), dependents and legal guardians.  

Before travel, you will need to submit this form and they should not travel until they receive advice that they can.  You will need to provide evidence of your relationship.

Please note that all international travellers arriving in Australia regardless of nationality or point of departure must undertake a mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated facilities (e.g hotels), in their city of arrival before they can go home.  See https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/travel-restrictions for more information.

I have seen the travel ban and want to go back to Australia. Can the High Commission offer any support?

While the High Commission is unable to assist with your travel arrangements, we are aware of flights that are still operating.

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.  Please check with airlines directly to confirm flight options.

A number of airlines are still operating flights from the UK to Australia, discover your options here.

The High Commission is not able to assist with travel arrangements. 

If you need financial assistance, in the first instance talk to your travel insurer.  If they cannot help, talk to family or friends.

I am an Australian on a working/studying visa in the UK. Should I go back to Australia or is it too late to leave now?

Flights remain available, if you wish to return to Australia — you should do so immediately.

Should you wish to remain in the UK, we advise all Australians to follow the advice of local health authorities. Check out the information further down this page. 

It is your responsibility to ensure that your visa eligibility will last for the foreseeable future and will allow you to stay in the UK for an extended period of time. 

 

I am British on an Australian visa which is nearing expiration and encountering difficulties leaving Australia due to travel restrictions.  Whom can I contact to seek 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.

Is the High Commission in London still open?

Due to the significant increase in COVID related cases in the United Kingdom, we have temporarily suspended passport and notarials appointments. This is effective from 31 December until further notice.  More information on passports is available here.

I want to learn more about the Australian Government response to coronavirus (COVID-19). Where can I find it? 

Staying in the UK

I am an Australian on a working/studying visa in the United Kingdom (UK) and have seen the updated travel recommendations.  I do not wish to leave the UK at this time, am I allowed to stay for the time being?

Should you wish to remain in the UK, 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 to stay in the UK for an extended period of time.

You should also read the Smartraveller information linked below:

 I am an Australian on a UK visa which is nearing expiration and encountering difficulties leaving the UK due to travel restrictions.  Whom can I contact to seek more information?

We know how stressful this time has been for Australians in the UK and we have been working hard to support you.

The UK Government has announced measures that will support Australians in the UK. To learn more of these measures, and to avail yourself of them, please click here.