Last updated: 06 September 2022
This information is subject to change. Check government websites frequently for the latest travel updates.
Many countries have introduced entry requirements in relation to COVID-19, which may include being fully vaccinated and/or providing proof of a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test result prior to travel.
If you're unable to meet these requirements, you may still be able to travel with us under certain circumstances.
What you need to do before you fly
- Check government travel requirements
- Make sure you have all the required forms and supporting documents
- Submit your documents to us
We're not able to process past positive medical clearance requests at the airport for flights from Australia. Ensure you submit all relevant documents, including any government approvals, no later than 24 hours before departure.
Important: we’re not able to process any COVID-19 vaccination exemptions at the airport for any flights, and you’ll need to submit your request no later than 24 hours before departure.
If your itinerary includes travel with another airline, you'll need to contact them directly to understand and meet their requirements.
As per government guidelines, you may be required to wear a mask in the airport or for the duration of your flight. If you're unable to wear a mask, you don't need to advise us in advance, just present a signed medical certificate at check-in, when boarding and on request by airport or airline staff.
Government requirements
Before booking and before departure, check the government requirements for all countries that you're travelling to, and transiting through, to ensure you meet their conditions of entry, including any vaccination and pre-departure COVID-19 testing requirements. You must comply with the most stringent requirements.
Remember to also check your departure country's requirements for return travel.
When exemptions or past positive medical clearances aren't permitted due to government restrictions or when government approval is required
In some circumstances, government restrictions may mean that we're unable to review requests for vaccination exemptions, even for passengers who are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, or medical clearances for passengers who are unable to provide a negative COVID-19 test result on departure due to a past positive infection.
Other countries may require prior government approval before you're permitted to enter. Once you've received their approval, send this to us along with the rest of your documents for review.
Travel requirements by country
Check the following tables for more information on government requirements for travel for the countries you're travelling to or through.
This information is subject to change. Check government websites frequently for the latest travel updates and requirements.
This information is based on an Australian citizen or permanent resident travelling to or from Australia. If you're a citizen or resident of another country, check the government requirements as they may be different.
| Government requirements for past-positive and vaccine exemptions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Country | Past positive medical clearance permitted | Vaccine exemptions accepted | More info |
| Australia | ❌- no pre-departure test required - you don't need to request medical clearance for travel |
❌ vaccination not required - you don't need to request an exemption |
Australian Gov – Home Affairs opens in new window Australian Gov – Health opens in new window |
| Cook Islands (Rarotonga) |
✔- provided you're fully vaccinated, no pre-departure test required - you don't need to request medical clearance for travel |
✔- with Cook Islands Gov approval | Cook Islands Gov |
| Fiji | ❌ no pre-departure test required | ✔ | Fiji Gov opens in new window |
| Japan | ✔- Travel on or before 6 September 2022 - with approval from the Japanese Consulate. Travel after 6 September 2022 - provided you're fully vaccinated (including at least one booster vaccine), no pre-departure test required; you don't need to request medical clearance for travel. |
❌ vaccination not required - you don't need to request an exemption |
Ministry of Health Japan opens in new window Embassy of Japan in Australia opens in new window |
| Indonesia | ❌ - no pre-departure test required - you don't need to request medical clearance for travel |
✔ | |
| New Zealand | ❌ - no pre-departure test required - you don't need to request medical clearance for travel |
✔ | New Zealand Government opens in new window |
| Singapore | ✔ - provided you're fully vaccinated, no pre-departure test required - you don't need to request medical clearance for travel |
✔ - negative pre-departure COVID-19 test result required if you're not fully vaccinated - you don't need to request an exemption |
Singapore Gov opens in new window |
| Thailand | ❌ - no pre-departure test required - you don't need to request medical clearance for travel |
✔ - negative pre-departure COVID-19 test result required if you're not fully vaccinated - you don't need to request an exemption |
Thai Gov opens in new window |
| USA/Hawaii | ❌ - no pre-departure test required - you don't need to request medical clearance for travel |
✔ | US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention opens in new window |
Travel within Australia
If your itinerary is for travel wholly within Australia, you don't need to apply for a vaccination exemption or past positive medical clearance.
Before booking and before travel, check with the relevant Australian state or territory government for their vaccination and pre-departure COVID-19 testing requirements, including any exemptions. This information may change and we recommend you check the websites regularly for any updates.
Travel to other countries
Check the relevant government websites for more information.
Past positive medical clearances
If you're previously had COVID-19, you may need a past positive medical clearance to fly, depending on the relevant government requirements. To review your request for travel, all required documentation as outlined below needs to be submitted to us as soon as possible, but no later than 24 hours before your flight. We cannot process past positive medical clearance requests at the airport for flights from Australia.
If you've previously had a COVID-19 infection:
- If you're not required to have a pre-departure COVID-19 test due to having had COVID-19 in the past, you need to provide evidence that you're no longer infectious to be approved for travel.
- If you're required to have a pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test even though you've had COVID-19 in the past, your result may show positive even if you're not currently infected. To be approved for travel, you need to provide evidence that you're no longer infectious.
If you have a pre-departure Rapid Antigen test (RAT), and you test positive, you won't be able to travel. Note: not all countries will accept a pre-departure RAT; check the relevant government guidelines for pre-departure testing requirements.
Step 1. Check which documents are required
After you've reviewed the government requirements and confirmed that you're eligible to request a past positive medical clearance due to a post COVID-19 infection, you'll need to check you have the correct documents for travel.
You need to submit:
A. A completed Qantas Group COVID-19 past positive medical clearance [PDF] which is signed by a qualified medical practitioner and dated within 30 days of your day of departure,
- the day the certificate is provided (must be within 30 days of your flight departure),
- a statement to the effect that the person has had the coronavirus known as COVID-19 but is now recovered and is not considered to be infectious,
- the day when there was first a positive result of an accepted COVID-19 test for the coronavirus known as COVID-19 for the person,
- a statement to the effect that, on the day the certificate is provided:
(a) it has been at least 7 days since there was a first positive result of an accepted COVID-19 test and
(b) if the person had symptoms of the coronavirus known as COVID-19 the person has not had a fever, or respiratory symptoms of the coronavirus known as COVID-19, in the last 72 hours,
or
a signed medical certificate that includes:
and
B. A copy of any government approvals received, if required.
Your documents must be in English, or accompanied by a certified translation if they are in a language other than English. Ensure your certified translation includes the stamp or membership number of a professional translation association, and that the entire certificate is translated, not just part of it.
If any flights in your itinerary are outside of the document validity dates, we require a new form to be completed and submitted for those flights.
Step 2. Submitting your documents
Ensure you submit the correct documentation as soon as possible before your flight, but no later than 24 hours before departure. We're prioritising requests for clearance by date of travel.
We recommend you protect your personal information while sharing online.
When submitting your test results, your completed Jetstar COVID-19 past positive medical clearance form signed by a medical practitioner, or a medical clearance certificate, and any government approvals if applicable, ensure you include your name, contact information, booking reference and flight information in your email. If we don't receive all the relevant information and required documentation, there may be a delay in processing your request for travel.
Step 3. At the airport
When you arrive at the airport on your day of departure:
- For flights to Australia, the Australian Government has advised that pre-departure tests are no longer required. If you're unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons, ensure you have the correct documents for travel including a pre-departure COVID-19 test.
- For flights departing Australia, we're not able to process any COVID-19 past positive medical clearances at the airport on your day of departure. Therefore, you'll need to ensure you submit all relevant documentation in advance, otherwise your request will not be considered and you may not be able to board your flight.
If you only have electronic copies of your documents, we recommend you carry a printed copy with you to use throughout your trip.
Vaccination exemptions
Step 1. Check which documents are required
After you've reviewed the government requirements and confirmed that you're eligible to request a vaccination exemption due to medical reasons, you'll need to check you have the correct documents for travel.
Australian citizens or permanent residents
If you're an Australian citizen or permanent resident residing in Australia who is unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons, you'll need provide one of the following documents:
- Immunisation History Statement opens in new window,
- COVID-19 Digital Certificate,
- International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate, or
- completed Qantas Group COVID-19 Vaccination Exemption form opens in new window [PDF].
The document must be dated within four weeks of your day of departure, and clearly display your medical contraindications to COVID-19 vaccines reported to the Australian Immunisation Register.
If any flights in your itinerary are outside of the document validity dates, we require a new form to be submitted for those flights.
Note: Australian State Government forms, e.g the NSW Government COVID-19 Vaccine Medical Contraindication form, aren’t accepted.
Non-Australian citizens or permanent residents
If you're not an Australian citizen or permanent resident residing in Australia, you'll need to provide one of the following documents:
- an official government COVID-19 vaccination exemption certificate,
- a completed Qantas Group COVID-19 Vaccination Exemption form opens in new window [PDF], or
- a completed medical certificate that:
- includes your name (this must match your travel identification documents),
- states the date of the medical consultation and is signed by a qualified medical practitioner, and
- clearly outlines that you have a medical condition which means you cannot receive a COVID-19 vaccination (vaccination is contraindicated) and any expiry dates.
The document must be dated within four weeks of your day of departure, and clearly display your medical contraindications to COVID-19 vaccines.
Your document must be in English, or accompanied by a certified translation if it is in a language other than English. Ensure your certified translation includes the stamp or membership number of a professional translation association, and that the entire certificate is translated, not just part of it.
If any flights in your itinerary are outside of the document validity dates, we require a new form to be submitted for those flights.
Step 2. Pre-departure COVID-19 test
If your vaccination exemption is granted, you may need to provide a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test result notification when you check in for your flight.
Refer to the government requirements for the country you're travelling to or transiting through to see which types of pre-departure COVID-19 tests are accepted.
If you've previously had a COVID-19 infection, your pre-departure COVID-19 test can show a positive result, even if you're not currently infected. If this is the case, to be approved for travel, you're required to provide evidence that you're no longer infectious.
Step 3. Submitting your documents
You'll need to submit the required documentation as soon as possible, but no later than 24 hours before departure.
We recommend you protect your personal information while sharing online.
You need to submit:
- Your proof of vaccination exemption document, and
- a copy of any government approvals received, if applicable.
When submitting your proof of vaccination exemption document and any government approvals if applicable, ensure you include your name, contact information, booking reference and flight information in your email. If we don't receive all the relevant information and required documentation, there may be a delay in processing your request for travel.
Step 4. At the airport
When you arrive at the airport on your day of departure, you'll need to show your negative COVID-19 test result if required and any supporting documentation.
We're not able to process any COVID-19 vaccination exemptions at the airport on your day of departure, therefore you'll need to ensure you submit your request in advance as per the above information. Otherwise, you will not be considered exempt from the vaccination requirement and may not be able to board your flight.
What happens next
Once you've submitted your documents, your request will be assessed in accordance with the relevant government COVID-19 vaccination exemption and past positive medical clearance guidelines and requirements.
We'll then contact you to advise:
- if your request for a COVID-19 vaccination exemption or COVID-19 past positive medical clearance is accepted (pending test results), or
- if your request isn’t accepted and advise you of your options.
If your request is accepted, you may need to comply with additional government requirements and regulations both before departure and on arrival, which may include quarantine and/or COVID-19 testing. Check the relevant government websites for more information.
If you only have an electronic copy of your documents, we recommend you also carry a printed copy with you to use throughout your trip.
Changing your travel dates
If you change your flights, you'll need to submit a new COVID-19 vaccination exemption or COVID-19 past positive medical clearance request.