SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 30.03.21 Update
Travel from Queensland
Travellers who arrived in South Australia between 20 March 2021 and before 5:00pm 29 March 2021 from the City of Brisbane, Logan City, City of Ipswich, Moreton Bay Region and Redland City, must:
- submit to COVID-19 testing on day 1, 5 and 13.
- must comply with the self-quarantine requirements until they get a negative COVID-19 test result.
- not enter or remain in a high risk setting in South Australia for a period of 14 days after their arrival in South Australia or until they get a negative COVID-19 test result unless the person is permitted to enter under Clause 9 in the Emergency Management (Cross Border Travel—General) (COVID-19) Direction 2021.
- not attend any event in South Australia with an approved COVID -19 Management Plan or at which more than 1000 people are present for a period of 14 days after their arrival in South Australia.
Effective from 5:00pm 29 March 2021
People from the Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton Bay and Redlands areas are prohibited from entering South Australia unless they are returning South Australian Residents / Genuine relocations / Domestic Violence victims) or Essential Travellers.
Note: These people are required to self-quarantine for 14 days (when not working), submit to a COVID-19 test on day 1, 5 and 13 and wear a mask in public.
Cross Border Travel Registration
All travellers coming to South Australia are required to complete a Cross Border Travel Registration.
Cross-Border Travel Registration - SAPOL website
For families, each individual must complete a separate cross-border travel registration form.
Notification
You will be notified by email of your status within 72 hours and given a unique number. You will need to produce this number when crossing the border.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 27.02.21 Update
Travelling to SA
Cross Border Travel Registration
All travellers coming to South Australia are required to complete a Cross Border Travel Registration.
Cross-Border Travel Registration - SAPOL website
For families, each individual must complete a separate cross-border travel registration form.
Notification
You will be notified by email of your status within 72 hours and given a unique number. You will need to produce this number when crossing the border.
Victoria COVID-19 traveller Information
In effect from 12:01 am 26 February 2021:
Travel from Victoria and Greater Melbourne is permitted.
Travellers who arrived from Greater Melbourne and are subject to quarantine – if they have been to a high risk site are to remain segregated and isolated and contact SA Health regarding self-quarantine and COVID-19 testing requirements.
Travellers who arrived from Greater Melbourne and were not in a high risk site, can leave self-quarantine but must complete their day 1, 5 and 12 COVID-19 testing. However, if a person needs to attend a high-risk setting (health, disability, aged care or correctional facility), they need to let the facility know they have been in High Community Transmission Zone in the past 14 days and will need to wear Personal Protective Equipment.
If you are entering South Australia from a Low Community-Transmission Zone you are not required to seek approval from SA Health, however, you are still required to complete the Cross Border Travel Registration.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 19.01.21 Update
TRAVEL WITHIN SA
Travel within most of South Australia is unrestricted.
Some restrictions are currently in place in Aboriginal communities.
TRAVELLING TO SA
Cross Border Travel Registration
All travellers coming to South Australia are required to complete a Cross Border Travel Registration.
Cross-Border Travel Registration - SAPOL website
For families, each individual must complete a separate cross-border travel registration form.
Notification
You will be notified by email of your status within 72 hours and given a unique number. You will need to produce this number when crossing the border.
DOMESTIC TRAVELLERS
Effective 12:01 am 14 January 2021, the following restrictions apply to travel between New South Wales and South Australia.
NEW SOUTH WALES COVID-19 TRAVELLER INFORMATION
The following areas of New South Wales are now declared Prohibited locations:
Travellers are not permitted to travel to South Australia from the above areas unless they are an essential traveller or an exempt person.
Travellers may travel to South Australia from all areas of New South Wales outside of the above areas, but must submit to a COVID-19 test on day 1, 5 and 12.
People escaping domestic violence, persons whom normally reside in South Australia, those relocating to South Australia and travellers who are transiting in or through NSW are required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival and submit to a COVID-19 test on day 1, 5 and 12.
Travellers via car from the Low Community Transmission Zones are permitted to travel through NSW to enter South Australia providing they do not stop in Greater Sydney, Wollongong, Central Coast. They must wear a face mask for the entirety of the time they come into contact with the public and cannot maintain physical distance during their journey and use the most direct route, only stopping for respite and essential purposes (such as fuel).
Travellers via plane from a low community transmission zone are permitted to transit through Sydney Airport for no longer than 2 hours and must wear a face mask for the entirety of the time they are in transit (this includes on the plane and in the airport terminal).
QUEENSLAND TRAVELLER INFORMATION
Effective 12:01 am 17 January 2021, the following restrictions apply to travel between Greater Brisbane and South Australia. Travellers from the Greater Brisbane Area do not have 14 day self-quarantine upon arrival in South Australia but must submit to a COVID-19 test on day 1, 5 and 12. (Please note, you must complete all 3 tests if entering SA between 12:01 am 17 January and 12:01am 21 January 2021) Effective 12:01 am 21 January 2021, travellers from the Greater Brisbane Area do not have 14 day self-quarantine upon arrival in South Australia or submit to a COVID-19 test on day 1, 5 and 12.
Travellers via plane from a low community transmission zone are permitted to transit through Brisbane Airport for no longer than 2 hours and must wear a face mask for the entirety of the time they are in transit (this includes on the plane and in the airport terminal).
Please see the SA Govt website for more details
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 22.12.20 Update
Travelling to SA
Cross Border Travel Registration
All travellers coming to South Australia are required to complete a Cross Border Travel Registration.
Cross-Border Travel Registration - SAPOL website
For families, each individual must complete a separate cross-border travel registration form.
Notification
You will be notified by email of your status within 72 hours and given a unique number. You will need to produce this number when crossing the border.
HIGH COMMUNITY-TRANSMISSION ZONES AND PROHIBITED LOCATIONS
Arriving in South Australia before 12:01 am 21 December 2020:
If you travelled to South Australia from Northern Beaches Council (NSW) local government area or the suburbs of Cronulla, Lane Cove, Turramurra, Woolloomooloo, Lavendar Bay or Penrith between 11 December 2020 and 12:01 am 21 December 2020:
- You are required to self-quarantine for 14 days commencing on the last day you were in one of the above locations.
- You must get a COVID-19 test immediately within 24 hours (or as soon as possible), on day 5, and day 12.
- You may self-quarantine at a suitable location where you can be isolated. This requires complete separation from others in the household and if this is not suitable, then alternative accommodation will need to be arranged.
Note - Excludes people who travelling through and did not get out of the vehicle. Where travelling on public transport must have been wearing a mask.
If you arrived from other locations in New South Wales (not listed above) on or after 17 December 2020:
- You are not required to self-quarantine.
- You must get a COVID-19 test immediately within 24 hours, on day 5, and day 12 (Day 1 is considered 20 December 2020) (unless you have symptoms, in which case you must self-isolate).
Arriving in South Australia on or after 12:01 am 21 December 2020:
Prohibited locations
From 12:01 am 21 December 2020, Northern Beaches Council (NSW) local government area is a prohibited location. People who have been in the Northern Beaches Council local government area since 11 December 2020 will not be permitted entry to South Australia.
High Community-Transmission Zones
If you have visited:
OR
- Central Coast local government area (NSW) since 20 December 2020
- City of Wollongong local government area (NSW) since 20 December 2020
As of 12:01 am on Monday 21 December 2020:
- You are required to self-quarantine for 14 days commencing on the last day you were in a High Community-Transmission Zone.
- You must get a COVID-19 test immediately within 24 hours, on day 5, and day 12.
- You may self-quarantine at a suitable location where you can be isolated. This requires complete separation from others in the household and if this is not suitable, then alternative accommodation will need to be arranged.
Other locations in New South Wales
If you travelled to South Australia from any other location in New South Wales (other than a prohibited location or High Community-Transmission Zone) on or after 12:01 am Thursday 17 December 2020:
- You must get a COVID-19 test immediately within 24 hours, on day 5, and day 12. You are not required to isolate while awaiting your COVID-19 test results (unless you have symptoms, in which case you must self-isolate) (unless you have symptoms, in which case you must self-isolate).
Exclusions
The following people are excluded from the High Community-Transmission Zone arrival definition:
- A person travelling in transit through Sydney Airport for no longer than 2 hours, and wearing a face mask for the entirety of the time they are in transit.
- An overseas arrival who, having completed 14 days of quarantine, travels directly to Sydney Airport in a vehicle, is physically present at Sydney Airport for no longer than 2 hours, and is wearing a face mask for the entirety of the time they are present at Sydney Airport.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 11.12.20 Update
Travel within most of South Australia is unrestricted, although people are advised to avoid unnecessary travel.
Anyone planning travel to SA must complete a Cross Border Travel Registration.
SA Govt site here
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 24.11.20 Update
From 12:01 am on 22 November 2020, the Stay at Home Direction is revoked.
Also from 12:01 am on 22 November 2020, the following new Directions are now in effect:
The following existing Directions remain in effect
Current restrictions
To see how these directions are applied, visit the following pages:
See Common questions for additional information
Main SA Govt Page
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 18.10.20 Update
SA GOVT UPDATES
TRAVEL WITHIN SA
Travel within South Australia is unrestricted. People are free to visit regional areas, and travel within South Australia is a great way to support our regional communities and economies.
Border restrictions
VICTORIAN BORDER RESTRICTIONS
Travellers from Victoria, other than approved categories of Essential Travellers, are not permitted to travel to South Australia. Checkpoints or road blocks will be set up at all border crossings between South Australia and Victoria.
Note: A person can enter South Australia in a vehicle from New South Wales via Victoria if the person travels through Victoria without leaving the vehicle and only via the Sturt Highway from Mildura to Yamba or via the Calder Highway and Meridian Road between Abbotsford Bridge and the Sturt Highway and then via the Sturt Highway to Yamba.
LOW COMMUNITY-TRANSMISSION ZONE
The low community-transmission zone comprises the ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, TAS & WA.
Travellers from ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, TAS & WA are able to enter South Australia directly without the requirement for COVID-19 testing or 14 day self-quarantine upon arrival, as long as during the 14 days immediately before their arrival in South Australia, they have been in the low community-transmission zone (ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, TAS or WA) for that preceding 14 days.
Entry via Victoria is prohibited except for Essential Travellers or persons escaping domestic violence or providing support to a family member who is experiencing domestic violence.
Note: A person can enter South Australia in a vehicle from New South Wales via Victoria if the person travels through Victoria without leaving the vehicle and only via the Sturt Highway from Mildura to Yamba or via the Calder Highway and Meridian Road between Abbotsford Bridge and the Sturt Highway and then via the Sturt Highway to Yamba.
ESSENTIAL TRAVEL EXEMPTIONS
See the Cross border travel direction for Essential traveller schedules.
CROSS-BORDER COMMUNITIES
Victorian border community members
Cross Border Community Members on the South Australia/Victoria border are now permitted to enter SA if they reside within 70 km of the border for essential purposes only.
You must have had a COVID-19 test within the last 7 days (or on day 1 & 12).
If you are entering from VIC you cannot travel further than 70 kilometres over the border into South Australia.
Anyone wishing to enter South Australia from Victoria as an Essential traveller will need to complete a Cross Border Travel Registration form.
Note: A person can enter South Australia in a vehicle from New South Wales via Victoria if the person travels through Victoria without leaving the vehicle and only via the Sturt Highway from Mildura to Yamba or via the Calder Highway and Meridian Road between Abbotsford Bridge and the Sturt Highway and then via the Sturt Highway to Yamba.
EMERGENCY SERVICES WORKERS
Emergency Services Workers are permitted to enter SA to attend/respond to an emergency defined as an event that causes or threatens to cause:
- death/injury/damage to the health of any person
- the destruction/damage to any property
- a disruption to essential services or to services usually enjoyed by the community
- harm to the environment/flora/fauna.
Where the emergency services worker is attending a health facility or hospital in South Australia they must inform the facility of their arrival prior to arriving at the facility.
SPECIALIST WORKERS IN ESSENTIAL SECTORS & COVID-19 WORKPLACE RISK MITIGATION
Essential sectors with the need for individual specialist workers to enter and exit South Australia need to have Workplace Risk Mitigation strategies for COVID-19. This includes identifying potential risks, hazards and the controls in place to mitigate these potential risks.
ENTERING SA FROM INTERSTATE
Before you travel
A pre-approval process is in place for travellers wishing to enter South Australia. The Cross Border Travel Registration should speed up the border crossing process and provide certainty for people who want to enter SA.
Registration
If you are planning travel to South Australia, aim to complete the Cross Border Travel Registration at least fourteen days before you leave, regardless of where your travel begins.
All travellers intending to enter SA are required to register their intention to travel. This includes:
- people entering from unrestricted states (ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, TAS and WA)
- essential travellers entering from Victoria
- SA residents returning home from any other state other than Victoria, regardless of how long they were interstate.
Note: A person can enter South Australia in a vehicle from New South Wales via Victoria if the person travels through Victoria without leaving the vehicle and only via the Sturt Highway from Mildura to Yamba or via the Calder Highway and Meridian Road between Abbotsford Bridge and the Sturt Highway and then via the Sturt Highway to Yamba.
Please be aware that you MUST NOT transit via a Victorian airport to enter SA.
Provide details in the short description of why you are travelling. If you are an essential skills worker, transport, or entering for compassionate grounds, include a summary of:
- who you work for, or the business or person you are visiting
- why you are entering the state
- how long you will be in the state and whether you will return often.
If you want to apply for an Essential Traveller status then you will need a letter confirming why you are seeking this status, it could be from your employer or a funeral home for example.
If you are unable to complete registration before you leave, proceed to the border and you will be assisted by police and given an ‘interim status’ while your registration is assessed.
Health exemption
If you are seeking an essential traveller status for:
- urgent medical, dental or health treatment
- compassionate grounds
- providing health services
You will require an Essential traveller health exemption from SA Health before submitting a Cross Border Travel application to SA Police.
Assessment
Your registration will be assessed to determine whether you are:
- able to travel without restriction (including people arriving directly from ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, TAS and WA)
- an essential traveller, with or without self-quarantine restrictions
- unable to enter South Australia (Victorian residents who are not essential travellers)
South Australia Police (SAPOL) will confirm each registration and assess them to determine a traveller’s status.
Notification
You will be notified by email of your status within 72 hours and given a unique number. You will need to produce this number when crossing the border.
If your application is declined you may receive an email asking for more information, this can include documentation or adding to your description information about why you want to enter South Australia.
Arriving in SA
There are checkpoints at roads leading into SA from other states, and at Adelaide airport. You will need to produce your pre-approval number at one of these checkpoints. Your arrival will then be recorded by police.
Video - Online pre-approval form instructions
SELF-QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS
You can only leave self-quarantine to obtain urgent medical care or medical supplies, to get tested for COVID-19, or for any other emergency situation.
You must ensure no one else enters or stays at the place you are self-quarantining unless:
- they usually live there and you need to provide care/support to them, or receive care/support from them, or
- they are also self-quarantining, or
- your place of self-quarantine is appropriately set up so you do not have contact with others.
Because we need to minimise the number of people you are in contact with, you may need to make arrangements for yourself or other household members to stay somewhere else.
TESTING OF ARRIVALS
Mandatory COVID-19 testing is in place for certain essential travellers arriving from Victoria. Refer to the Essential traveller table (PDF, 101.4 KB) for details.
A person who is in quarantine and refuses a COVID-19 test must remain in quarantine for an additional 10-day period and includes other persons quarantining with that person.
A person under the age of 16 years who is required to remain quarantined at a place determined by an authorised officer (international or Victorian arrival) is required to submit a COVID-19 test on Day 1 and 12. If the child refuses or fails to submit to a test, the child must remain in quarantine for an additional 10 days (including carer).
SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 21.09.20 Update
Travel & activity in the state of South Australia is possible with social distancing & number restrictions, for South Australians.. (Diving possible still).
Numbers reduced from 100 to 50 & alcohol served while seating only.
A direction is in place regarding traffic entering South Australia.
The State of Victoria
Only essential travellers are able to enter SA from Victoria. South Australians are no longer be able to return to SA from Victoria.
If you are travelling into South Australia, by road or via the Adelaide airport, you need to complete the cross border pre-approval form at least 72 hours prior to your arrival.
Pre-approval will speed up the border crossing process and provide certainty for you about any restrictions that may apply before reaching the border.
From 12.01 am Friday 21 August, cross border community members will not be able to enter South Australia from Victoria unless they can apply under a different category of Essential Traveller.
All other states
Travellers from ACT, NT, QLD, TAS and WA are able to enter South Australia directly without restriction.
Those travelling to South Australia via air from low community transmission zones can now transit through Sydney without the requirement for COVID-19 testing or 14-day self-quarantine upon arrival, providing they do not leave the airport and have been in a low community transmission zone for 14 days. (This will need to be proved on arrival see the SA Govt Website).
Travellers from NSW, other than essential travellers, will be required to:
- self-quarantine for 14 days after entering SA
- submit for COVID-19 testing on:
- the first day of entry to SA (the day of arrival)
- the twelfth day of arrival.
For more details please follow below links.
OFFICIAL SA GOVERNMENT WEBSITE: Border Restrictions, Main Restrictions page