Australian PCR test for travel into Australia?

[Assassin]

Hi all

Hoping for some insight here. Im flying to Singapore tomorrow and coming back Wednesday night (quick work trip). I just went and got a preflight PCR test for the trip.

With respect to coming back to Australia, the Health advice is that “The NAA [ie PCR] test must be done no more than 3 days before the day of the scheduled departure of your flight”.

The PCR test I just did satisfies this requirement but does anyone have experience in actually relying on an Australian PCR test to get back into Australia?

 

[serfty]

I'm hoping to do the same thing next month so will be interested in any experiences as well.

 

[serfty]

I'm hoping to do the same thing next month so will be interested in any experiences as well.

Actually, scrap that - it looks like I won't need any test result to come back to Oz after April 17th.

Don’t have a recommendation but when are you flying? No more testing from 17 April

https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/predeparture-test-no-longer-required-in-major-change-to-international-travel/news-story/8080ddfe9f5166a3f99b6406a7bf9650

Edit: Health Department is noting no preflight testing from 18 April - it seems 17/4 is the last day of the pre-flight testing requirement. Australia’s biosecurity emergency pandemic measures to end

https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/predeparture-test-no-longer-required-in-major-change-to-international-travel/news-story/8080ddfe9f5166a3f99b6406a7bf9650

 

[Assassin]

Actually, scrap that - it looks like I won't need any test result to come back to Oz after April 17th.

https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/predeparture-test-no-longer-required-in-major-change-to-international-travel/news-story/8080ddfe9f5166a3f99b6406a7bf9650

Correct. Doesn’t help me unfortunately.

 

[serfty]

Correct. Doesn’t help me unfortunately.

I still have to think about things.

Singapore and Malaysia need consideration, looking for a one test suits all.

 

[Assassin]

So a quick follow up on this from the Singapore J lounge. I asked about the Australian PCR when I checked in in Sydney and was firmly told that I needed a Singaporean test, which I duly obatined for ~S$130.

I decided to try the Australian test when I checked in and it was accepted without question or comment. I had the Singaporean test as backup but wasn’t needed.

I guess the ABF might have a different view on arrival in Australia so will see what happens but I doubt they would be sending me back to Singapore on this basis.

so the usual shamble of conflicting advice and a lack of clarity from the website guidance. I guess this wil all be irrelevant in 12 days but shows what a mess the international travel system is at the moment.

In the same vein, on the flight to Singapore, Qantas played a stern announcement “from the Singapore government“ stating that an on arrival test was required and failure to obtain one was a criminal offence. This is no longer the case (as I had thought) and caused me some confusion, fortunately clarified at immigration.

 

[Must...Fly!]

There is no rule that says where the test has to be conducted, only the timeframe.

 

[Assassin]

There is no rule that says where the test has to be conducted, only the timeframe.

Agreed. That’s what the website says but kind of defeats the purpose if you take the test before you even depart on the trip. I could bot be bothered to go and find the legislation / order that underpins the website guidance so did not want to take a chance.

 

[Matt_01]

There is no rule that says where the test has to be conducted, only the timeframe.

When I was booking trips last year for travel later this years I called SQ to clarify the rules as IIRC they stated from country of departure and time frame. This was problematic for our travel as we were going to start in VIE using any carrier on a seperate PNR and connect with SQ back to AU via FRA or CDG. Looking at the options and connection times would not have allowed for testing to be completed in country of departure prior to SQ check in closing times. When I called I was advised that testing could be from any country provided it was within the timeframe set by the AU Government requirements by an accredited facility.

It is all a moot point now as restrictions are lifting.