Moving back to Australia right in the middle of the pandemic- potential traps/ concerns?

[Berlin]

Hi guys- I just found out that I will be finally moving back to Sydney after an almost 3 year long stint in New Zealand. I'd usually be super excited about the move and my new job in Australia and all this but relocating right in the middle of a pandemic is a bit of a bummer.

Myself and my partner are pretty well versed in relocating between countries by now but I thought I better see if anyone on here has some thoughts about potential pitfalls and concerns that we should consider in time for the move. I'm scheduled to get both Pfizer shots here in New Zealand still before my move (I've paid enough taxes during my time here for pretty much zero benefits in return so I have no gripes whatsoever about taking what I can before leaving ) so at least the risk of dying a slow and painful death on a ventilator should be close to zero.

I'm more thinking about issues at the boarder given I'm going from a green to a red zone (though my understanding is that this shouldn't be a problem one way INTO NSW?) or accommodation during my first couple of months- my own place in Sydney is rented to tenants until early January so I will be hopping from hotel to hotel or Air Bnb in the meantime. Does anyone know whether I am allowed to move between hotels during Lockdown (or whatever cute name Gladys has found for the same- is it "Stay at home order"?) or will I get into trouble if police finds me in a taxi or Uber with coughloads of suitcases and boxes? I think I've read somewhere that you're allowed to move between "Places of temporary accommodation" and I can surely explain it all perfectly but you never know.

I might be missing some things so if anyone can think of other potential dangers, please let me know. FYI- it's only myself and my partner who will come a month or two later and we both hold Aussie passports. I'm moving from one "iconic Australian corporate" to another "iconic Australian corporate" and have work contracts etc. to prove so these things aren't an issue- I am more thinking of tricky little things that I might totally not think about. Thanks everyone!

 

[henrus]

I'm more thinking about issues at the boarder given I'm going from a green to a red zone (though my understanding is that this shouldn't be a problem one way INTO NSW?)

No restrictions at all going from NZ to NSW regardless of passport. Both Qantas and Air New Zealand have been running daily flights although I suspect mainly for freight with very low passenger loads, I walked past the Qantas check in area for the AKL-SYD flight last friday and they had just one desk open 1.5hrs before the flight. The NSW gov couldn't care less who enters Sydney but once you enter you have to just follow the rules like everyone else.

Does anyone know whether I am allowed to move between hotels during Lockdown (or whatever cute name Gladys has found for the same- is it "Stay at home order"?)

Yes you can. It is a "Other resonable excuse" to move places:

It is also considered a reasonable excuse to leave your home if you need to ...

• move to a new place of residence, or between your different places of residence

Source : Additional restrictions for NSW

Regarding staying at a hotel, they're still open and allowed... you might even get a good long-term deal given a news report from yesterday said hotels are at just 2% occupancy.

'Absolutely decimated': Sydney hotels just 2 per cent full

Occupying some of the most prized real estate in the city, Sydney's luxury hotels sit mothballed.

www.9news.com.au

At the start of the lockdown, they published this which makes me think that you might have more luck with a long term AirBnB instead but I think you'll find that it was more directed towards those currently on holiday:



The only thing I can think of is just having proof of where you're actually living on you at all time given the 10km rule. For most people, it's really easy to just show a NSW drivers license but if you're staying at a hotel and still have a NSW drivers license with an address elsewhere Sydney then it might raise questions although you're unlikely to be asked in the first place.

 

[Berlin]

The only thing I can think of is just having proof of where you're actually living on you at all time given the 10km rule. For most people, it's really easy to just show a NSW drivers license but if you're staying at a hotel and still have a NSW drivers license with an address elsewhere Sydney then it might raise questions although you're unlikely to be asked in the first place.

Thanks a lot- very informative! I'll keep my key card or similar on me at all times, just to be on the safe side.

 

[jrfsp]

With your place not available till Jan, is there a need to be in Sydney?

I cant see the lockdown ending anytime soon...and if youre working from home id be looking a 3 month airbnb or something, ideally somewhere regional / coastal outside metro syd, north coast NSW or QLD or even Melbourne or Brisbane if you want to be in a city

 

[Berlin]

With your place not available till Jan, is there a need to be in Sydney?

I cant see the lockdown ending anytime soon...and if youre working from home id be looking a 3 month airbnb or something, ideally somewhere regional / coastal outside metro syd, north coast NSW or QLD or even Melbourne or Brisbane if you want to be in a city

Most of my friends are in Sydney so this has never occurred to me but you're of course right- I can't see them anyway during Lockdown, let alone catch up for dinner or a drink. Food for thought, thank you!