The new rules for returning Australian travellers kicked in last Friday with those coming back from overseas required to provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test to their airline when checking in for their flight at their departure point.

According to the new regulations, returning travellers must be tested 72 hours or less prior to departure and present a negative result when checking in prior to boarding their flight.

Passengers who transit through a third country on their return will also need to check on any local requirements at their transit destination and confirm with their airline any specific requirements for onward travel.

Passengers who test positive will not be allowed to travel to Australia.

Masks must also be worn on all international flights, including at airports.

Exemptions from the pre-departure testing requirements:

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• children who are four years of age or younger at the time of check-in

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• people that present a medical certificate which indicates that due to a medical condition they are unable to undergo a COVID-19 PCR test

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• international air crew

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• travellers departing from a designated ‘green zone’ country

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• people travelling from countries where COVID-19 (PCR) testing is not reasonably available (exemptions for this purpose will be determined by Australia’s Director of Human Biosecurity).

Anyone who has a negative test result and enters Australia must still complete mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated facilities in their port of arrival.