Home

Vaccine passports to roll out this week ahead of international travel return

Ellen RansleyNCA NewsWire
Not Supplied
Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: Channel 7

Australians will have access to a vaccine passport from this week ahead of the international borders reopening after almost 18 months.

From Tuesday, Australians and Australian visa holders with a valid passport who are fully vaccinated can obtain an international Covid-19 proof of vaccination through MyGov.

It can be downloaded digitally or printed and is compatible with Covid-19 travel apps such as the International Air Transport Association Travel Pass.

Minister for Employment and Skills Stuart Robert said the certificate will be read by 145 countries around the world using the same passport technology.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW
Proof of Covid-19 vaccination will be available from Tuesday, as Australia's international border prepares to reopen.
Camera IconProof of Covid-19 vaccination will be available from Tuesday as Australia's international border prepares to reopen. Credit: Channel 7

“You can hold it in your phone electronically or you can print it out,” he told Sunrise.

“As boosters come along or things change, you might want to update the certificate … The certificate identifies you as being vaccinated.

“That way you won’t be caught short overseas.”

Mr Robert said the passport would be safe from hackers because it used the same public-private key structure used for passports.

“The International Civil Aviation Organisation has organised this across 145 countries, it’s never been compromised a single time,” he said.

The federal government says the certificate conforms with World Health Organisation guidance.

The launch of the international certificate is a key step towards safely reopening international borders and comes weeks before quarantine-free travel resumes for NSW residents on November 1.

Originally published as Vaccine passports to roll out this week ahead of international travel return

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails