NSW, QLD & NT impose mandatory quarantine fee
Anyone arriving in Australia from overseas must enter into 14 day quarantine in a designated accommodation facility. No matter which city you arrive in, all international travellers must quarantine. Bu some states have gone one step further and are now charging any person arriving from overseas with the cost of the quarantine.
NSW announced that from 12:01am Saturday 18 July 2020, the NSW Government will apply a mandatory quarantine fee to international travellers returning to NSW who need to quarantine. This follows in the footsteps of both Queensland and the Northern Territory who have also introduced a mandatory quarantine fee.
Travellers who purchased their flights before 11:59 12 July will be excluded from quarantine fees but conditions apply and they will need to supply evidence proving time of purchase. These travellers will still be required to quarantine in government arranged accommodation.
How does the quarantine fee work?
- When a customer arrives at the hotel, they will be given a notice which formally informs them of the requirement to pay quarantine fees. This would be done at the same time traveller contact details are collected, per the current check-in process
- The NSW Government will invoice travellers a fixed fee at the end of their stay
- The invoice will be payable within 30 days of quarantine ending
What are the fees?
- The hotel quarantine fee is a fixed cost which includes meals and hotel room costs.
- The NSW Government will continue to fund security, transport and logistics.
- Travellers will be charged $3,000 for one adult; additional occupants can be added as follows:
- Additional adults: $1000 each
- Additional children: $500 each
- Child under 3: no additional cost
- At the end of quarantine, travellers will receive an invoice to pay the NSW Government within 30 days
- Fees apply to all international passengers including Australian Citizens and Australian Permanent Residents in hotel quarantine, except those who purchased their flights before 11:59pm 12 July AEST
The fees are fixed, and you will not be charged more if you are required to stay in quarantine longer
People who are experiencing financial hardship may apply for a payment plan and in cases of significant hardship, a reduction of the fee may be considered.
You can find out more about New South Wales quarantine fees here.
Queensland quarantine fee
Similar to the NSW quarantine fee, the Queensland quarantine fee includes your accommodation and daily meals. At the end of your quarantine you will receive an invoice to pay within 30 days.
Travellers will be charged:
- $2,800 for 1 adult
- $3,710 for 2 adults in the same room
- $4,165 for 2 adults and 1 child in the same room
- $4,620 for 2 adults and 2 children in the same room
- $7, 875 for 3 adults and 3 children in 2 rooms
As in NSW, If you cannot pay the full quarantine fee by the invoice due date, you can enter into a payment plan to repay over time. The time period varies between 6, 12 and 18 months depending on the invoice balance.
You can also apply to have all or part of the quarantine fee waived after you get the invoice. Once the quarantine fee invoice is issued you have 30 days to apply to have the amount waived
Those eligible to apply for a fee waiver include:
- people who had a confirmed international arrival date into Queensland before midnight on 17 June 2020, even if they arrive after 1 July 2020
- people who are experiencing financial hardship
- people who are vulnerable
You can find out more about Queensland quarantine fees here.
Northern Territory quarantine fee
All international arrivals must complete 14 days of mandatory self-quarantine at a place direct by the NT Government and are required to pay a fee to cover the cost of the mandatory quarantine.
Individuals are required to pay:
- $2,500 per person or
- $5,000 for a family of two or more people sharing accommodation
Additional costs may be incurred if accommodation is not shared.
If you have already booked and paid for accommodation before entering the NT, you will need approval from the Chief Health Officer to be able to stay there.
If you are unable to pay the full amount of the invoice in one transaction, you will be able to set up a payment plan.
You can find out more about Queensland quarantine fees here.
