I’ve been diagnosed with COVID in the UK and need to return to Australia

[drmatthewsmith]

I cant find adequate information on what’s required to return to Aus including time frames and test requirements. Does anyone have the info? Any response much appreciated.

 

[Pushka]

I cant find adequate information on what’s required to return to Aus including time frames and test requirements. Does anyone have the info? Any response much appreciated.

Try this link

What happens if you catch COVID whilst overseas?

What happens if, despite being vaccinated, you catch COVID whilst overseas? QF announced today that you need a negative test to board?

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Mattg]

Have a look at this page on the Department of Health website:

Inbound international travel

Australia's border continues to reopen. Find out what you need to do to be able to travel to Australia.

www.health.gov.au

This is the relevant section:

If you have had COVID-19 and recovered​

Even if you have had COVID-19, recovered and have developed antibodies, you must stillprovide evidence of a negative PCR test unless you have medical certificate that meets the exemption requirements.

If you have had COVID-19 and recovered but continue to test positive (otherwise known as persistent shedding), you will be eligible for an exemption to be allowed to travel if you provide at check in:

• your positive COVID-19 PCR test result (taken no more than 3 days before your flight); and
• a certificate from your medical practitioner.

Your certificate must clearly include:

• the day the certificate is provided
• 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 a PCR test for the coronavirus known as COVID‑19 for the person
• a statement to the effect that, on the day the certificate is provided:
  • it has been at least 14 days since there was a first positive result of a PCR test and
  • 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.

If your COVID-19 PCR test result is positive and you do not have a certificate that states the above information, you and any primary close contacts in your travelling group, should not go to the airport as you will be prevented from boarding.

Your medical practitioner should read Australia’s policy on clearance of a confirmed COVID-19 case from isolation.

Basically, you have to wait until either you record a negative PCR test result or 14 days have passed since your positive test result. If you're still getting a positive PCR test after 14 days, you can get a medical certificate stating you have recovered and use this to return to Australia in conjunction with a positive PCR test taken within 72 hours of the flight.

Some airlines also have their own requirements. For example, I think Qantas requires you to apply for medical clearance as well - https://www.qantas.com/au/en/coronavirus/vaccination-exemptions-medical-clearance.html