If you are an Australian citizen or a permanent resident you cannot leave Australia due to COVID-19 restrictions unless you have an exemption.

Temporary visa holders impacted by COVID-19 can make arrangements to return to their home country if border restrictions in that country allow. Temporary visa holders do not need an exemption to depart Australia.

You can travel to Australia if you are an Australian citizen, a permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen usually residing in Australia.

People entering NSW from all international destinations other than New Zealand are required to enter mandatory quarantine. As of Friday 16 October, passengers can travel between New Zealand and NSW quaratine-free if they meet the criteria determined by the NSW Government.

Travel restrictions are subject to change.

Please visit the Department of Home Affairs website for the latest updates.

We have partnered with the NSW Government to make COVID Safe Check-in available at Sydney Airport. We encourage you to download the Service NSW app before arriving at the airport.

When entering or exiting the terminals, simply scan the QR code with the camera on your phone. The check-in automatically captures the date, time and location, and stores them securely on a NSW Government database for the sole purpose of COVID-19 contact tracing. For further information on privacy and data storage, visit the Service NSW website.

The NSW - SA border remains open. NSW Health is screening passengers arriving on flights from South Australia, including asking if people have attended any of the venues of concern. Please contact NSW Health on 1300 066 055 if you have any queries or would like assistance in accessing testing if you have been at any venues or sites identified by SA Health.

To keep passengers safe at the airport, we've increased the frequency of cleaning in high-touch areas like counters and touch screens, and switched to hospital-grade cleaning products.

We’ve also installed hand sanitiser units at terminal entrances and exits, and near bathrooms, check-in, and security areas.

Markers have been placed on terminal floors and on seating, to help you keep a safe distance from other travellers where you can.

We’re continuously broadcasting health messaging and with guidance on how to maintain good hygiene across our digital screens throughout the airport.

If you are feeling unwell or displaying any symptoms associated with COVID-19, do not come to the airport. Seek medical advice and talk to your airline about deferring your travel plans.

You should also follow these steps to protect yourself and others:

• Clean your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water
• Try and keep a safe distance from the people around you, use the stickers on the terminal floors and seating as a helpful guide
• Sneeze or cough into your elbow or use a tissue then throw it in the bin
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Familiarise yourself with the safety protocols of your airline

If you’re departing from the Domestic or International terminal the same security protocols remain in place. For Domestic flights, we recommend you arrive at least 1 hour before your scheduled flight time. For International flights, we recommend you arrive 3 hours before your scheduled flight time.

All passengers and visitors to the airport are strongly encouraged to wear a face mask in areas where it is not possible or practical maintain 1.5 metres of physical distance from other people.

Passengers can take additional measures to help avoid queuing and congregating at the airport by checking in online where possible and arriving at the advised time ahead of their flight, which is one hour for domestic flights, and three hours for international flights.

We encourage you to contact your airline prior to flying to familiarise yourself with their individual safety protocols.

We’re supporting Federal and State Government agencies as they conduct health assessments, temperature checks and roll out passenger information campaigns regarding self-isolation and social distancing.

We have also deployed security personnel in the terminals reminding people of their obligations with signage placed throughout highlighting social distancing measures and hygiene tips.

We’re working closely with our retail partners to ensure they have safety measures in place including hand sanitising dispensers, limits on the number of people in stores, frequent cleaning of surfaces, and contactless transactions.

Some of our retail, food and beverage outlets are temporarily closed. Visit our Eat & Shop section for the latest store openings.

Hand sanitisers can be found in each bathroom and throughout each terminal at SYD. We encourage you to use the sanitising stations and to follow the simple handwashing guides in each bathroom.

Friends and family are allowed to pick up passengers at the Domestic terminals on the condition they adhere to social distancing rules.

Due to current health measures put in place by the NSW Government, all passengers arriving from international destinations other than New Zealand are required to undertake mandatory quaratine at designated facilties in their port of arrival. These passengers will be transported directly to the facilities after appropriate immigration, customs and health checks. Family and friends of these arriving passengers will not be able to see or physically make contact with them upon their return at Sydney Airport.

Friends and family of passengers arriving on quarantine-free flights from New Zealand are welcome to meet and greet travellers in the terminal.

More information can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website.

If you need to contact your airline, we recommend you get in touch before arriving at the airport. Most airlines can be contacted by phone or via their website.

All passengers arriving into NSW from international destinations other than New Zealand are required to undertake a mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated facilities (for example, a hotel). These passengers will be transported directly to designated faciltiies after appropriate immigration, customs and enhanced health checks. For further information see the Department of Home Affairs website.

Passengers arriving on quaratine-free flights from New Zealand are not required to isolate.

Foreign nationals who wish to transit through Australia to their final destination must apply to the Australian Department of Home Affairs for an exemption. Further information is available here.

Due to domestic travel restrictions, your outbound connecting flight must be departing from the same airport in Australia as your arrival flight, unless an exemption has been granted.