1. General update

Removal of covid-restrictions at the international border

The Australian government has dropped covid-restrictions at the international border.

From July 6 2022, all travelers should be aware that:

• People entering Australia do not need to provide evidence of vaccination status
• People entering Australia do not need to complete the Digital Passenger Declaration or Maritime Travel Declaration
• People leaving Australia will not be asked to provide evidence of their vaccination status
• Unvaccinated visa holders do not need a travel exemption to travel to Australia
• Masks are still required on flights travelling to Australia.

It is important to remember that airlines and other countries may have specific requirements that travelers need to comply with. For a full outline of requirements to enter to Australia, please consult this webpage by the Australian Border Force.

The Australian Federal government is responsible for the international border, but each state and territory can set its own health restrictions. Please check the website of each State/Territory for the most up-to-date information:

• Australian Capital Territory (Canberra): https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/home
• New South Wales (Sydney): https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
• Northern Territory (Darwin, Alice Springs): https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/home
• Queensland (Brisbane, Cairns): https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19
• South Australia (Adelaide): https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/conditions/infectious+diseases/covid-19
• Tasmania (Hobart): https://www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au/
• Victoria (Melbourne): https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/
• Western Australia (Perth) https://www.wa.gov.au/government/covid-19-coronavirus: 

More information

For the most up-to-date information, please consult the following websites:

• Website of the Department of Home Affairs – Immigration (general, visas, etc): https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/
• Website of the Department of Home Affairs – Immigration (covid-19 related): https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/covid19/
• Embassy of Belgium in Australia: https://australia.diplomatie.belgium.be/en

2. Economy

The federal government has ceased its previous financial stimulus packages considering the last COVID-19 outbreak is under control and vaccination rates are high.

Overall, Australia’s economy withstood the pandemic relatively well after an initial economic contraction by 7% in the June 2020 quarter, the biggest peace-time recession Australia recorded since the early 1930s. Economic data published by the Reserve Bank of Australia indicates that Australia’s economy only shrank 1.1% overall in 2020, which is a better outcome than most economist had predicted. GDP started growing again in the September 2020 quarter.

As at 8 February 2022, growth is 3.9%. The current unemployment rate is 4.6% and inflation is 3%.

3. Dossier Coronavirus

Het coronavirus heeft een wereldwijde impact, niet alleen op de gezondheid maar ook op de economie. Ook uw export kan hiervan gevolgen of zelfs hinder ondervinden.

FIT monitort de risico's dagelijks en ons buitenlands netwerk informeert u over alle implicaties voor Vlaamse exporteurs op hun internationale activiteiten.

In het dossier Coronavirus vindt u een aantal nuttige tips, adviezen en inzichten in de economische impact van de verspreiding van het virus op internationaal ondernemen.

Met vragen over internationaal ondernemen in tijden van Corona, kan u terecht bij exportadvies-corona@fitagency.be.