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After achieving a vaccination rate of more than 80% among eligible residents, Australia is once again opening its international borders starting today, 1 November.

An estimated 14 million residents of New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory – who meet the double-dose vaccination requirement for travel – will be permitted to go overseas. Meanwhile, some 47,000 Australian citizens and permanent residents who are outside the country are also hoping to return home, based on figures from Australia's foreign ministry, as reported by Reuters.

The easing of international travel rules in Australia comes after 18 months of closure to the rest of the world. The only exemption was New Zealand, which for a time established a travel bubble with Australia to bolster tourism. For now, only vaccinated tourists from the neighbouring country will be admitted into Australia.

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For the most part, restrictions limited business travel to other key markets and also prevented families from reuniting amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Exemptions were granted only to a number of Australian citizens and permanent residents who wanted to return from abroad during the country's lockdowns. These returnees had to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to their flight and were subject to a 14-day hotel quarantine upon reaching Australia, with expenses paid by the returnees themselves.

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Australia continues to issue the Level 2 travel advice to people hoping to go abroad. At this stage, travellers are instructed to "exercise a high degree of caution," owing to the ongoing impact of the pandemic in other regions of the world, the foreign ministry said.

Business travellers will need to plan their trip carefully since countries have differing entry requirements. 

"The updated country-specific travel advice will allow Australians planning to travel overseas to assess risks, understand requirements, and prepare to travel safely," said Foreign Minister Marise Payne.