Dust off your passports because travel could resume from as early as November with Scott Morrison poised to reveal the flight plan for scrapping border closures.
After more than 18 months of international border bans, Australia is set to officially set to reopen international travel in November in states that have hit vaccination targets.
Federal, state and territory governments have agreed to a plan which includes lifting all restrictions on outbound travel for vaccinated Australians when 80 per cent double-dose coverage is reached.
The plan also seeks to abolish international arrival caps on returning vaccinated Australians.
The PM will hold a news conference on Friday morning when an announcement on overseas travel restrictions is expected.
NSW, which is currently at 86.7 per cent first dose and 62.9 per cent fully vaccinated, is expected to be the first state to travel, with returning vaccinated travellers able to opt for the 7-day home quarantine option.
According to the report by news.com.au, VIC, which is currently at 78.7% first dose and 48.4% fully vaccinated, is also in talks about reopening around this time.
The international border ban is currently in place until December 17, but after many extensions, it’s now on track to lift earlier than expected.
Senior cabinet minister Simon Birmingham said there would be careful steps towards reopening international borders.
“There will be a cautious and staged approach,” he told Sky News.
“What we want to see in relation to international borders is that we ultimately get to a stage where people can move once again freely with confidence around the world.”
The move looks as if vaccinated Aussies will be able to visit Paris before Perth, as some states are proposing to keep even state borders shut.
The news means that many people will be reunited for Christmas, with airlines such as Qantas expected to announce an increase in capacity, ready for the travel boom the country has been so patiently waiting for.
More details to follow.