COVID-19 information for international arrivals
If you are arriving in NSW from overseas, the following advice can help protect you, your loved ones and everyone around you from COVID-19.
Who is this information for?
This information applies to anyone who arrives in NSW from a country outside Australia in the last 14 days. This includes if you:
- have come to Australia on a flight from an overseas country
- have arrived on a vessel (e.g. cruise ship) that has travelled to an international port.
What should I do before I travel to NSW?
If you are travelling to Australia, make sure you meet the Australian Government entry requirements. Please see entering and leaving Australia for more information.
What should I do when I arrive in NSW?
It is not mandatory to have a COVID-19 test after arriving in NSW if you have travelled overseas. However, it’s important to remember that travelling and interacting closely with people can put you at increased risk of COVID-19.
You are at risk of testing positive to COVID-19 for up to 10 days after being exposed to someone with the virus. Most people will test positive in the first 7 days. This is why it is important to be careful to protect the people around you, especially those who are at higher risk of severe illness, during this time.
To protect your loved ones and everyone around you, it is recommended that you monitor closely for symptoms of COVID-19 after arrival. If you develop symptoms, get tested for COVID-19 and self-isolate until you receive a negative result.
Please see What COVID-19 test should I do? and PCR testing clinic locations in NSW.
How else can I help slow the spread of COVID-19 while I am in NSW?
If you have been exposed to COVID-19, follow the Information for people exposed to COVID-19 advice to help stop the spread.
There are rules in place for people in NSW to help slow the spread of COVID-19, such as mandatory mask wearing in some settings.
What if I test positive to COVID-19 in NSW?
If you test positive to COVID-19, follow the advice in Testing positive to COVID-19 and managing COVID-19 safely at home. For information about self-isolation, see the NSW Health COVID-19 self-isolation guideline.
What do I do if I am travelling to another state or territory?
If you are going to another state or territory from NSW, please check if there is anything you need to know or do in your next destination before travelling. More information can be found on leaving NSW to go interstate.