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To slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Queensland Government is implementing restricted entry to Queensland from 12:01am on Thursday, 26 March 2020.

This page includes a list of frequently asked questions and links to more information.

Q & A - Frequently asked questions on QLD border restrictions

I am interstate what happens when I return to Queensland? 

Any person who is ordinarily a resident in Queensland will be exempt from the requirement to self-quarantine when entering Queensland from interstate, unless you travelled to a COVID hotspot as decided by Chief Health Officer and published on the Queensland Health website. You should however practice social distancing and risk mitigation measures such as remaining 1.5 meters from other persons.

If you are returning home from being overseas, you must self-quarantine for 14 days. There are no exemptions to this.  

Anyone who does not usually live in Queensland and enters Queensland after 12.01 am 26 March 2020 must self-quarantine for 14 days. Some categories of people are exempt from the requirement to self-quarantine. 

If you do not normally live in Queensland or fit within the exception categories, you should not be entering Queensland at this time unless you submit to the 14 day self-quarantine direction.

If you are not exempt from the quarantine requirements but are granted entry to Queensland, an enforcement officer will give you a direction that requires you to stay in a stated place, restrict your movements, restrict contact with others or other directions as deemed necessary for the 14 day period of quarantine.

What if I am flying into Queensland?

You will be required to provide information to an enforcement officer including:

• Personal and contact details
• The address where you intend to stay in Queensland
• Information about where they have travelled in the last 30 days.

If you do not normally live in Queensland or do not fit within the exception categories you should not be entering Queensland at this time unless you submit to the 14 day self-quarantine direction.

If you are not exempt from the quarantine requirements but are granted entry to Queensland, an enforcement officer will give you a direction that requires you to stay in a stated place, restrict your movements, restrict contact with others or other directions as deemed necessary for the 14 day period of quarantine.

If you have flown into Queensland from anywhere overseas, you must submit to the 14 day quarantine period. There are no exemptions to this if you have come from overseas.

I am a FIFO worker what happens to me? 

If you are a FIFO worker in commercial construction, commercial fishing, manufacturing, mining, petroleum, energy or agribusiness you will still be allowed to enter Queensland to work without having to undertake self-quarantine. 

To do this you will need to have details that provide evidence that you are a FIFO worker including who you work for, the location of your worksite or work camp and that you are entering Queensland to go directly to work. 

The company you work for will also have to provide Queensland Health with a Health Plan that complies with requirements set by the Chief Health Officer. Details on this Health Plan is available on the website.

What is a Health Plan that complies with requirements set by the Chief Health Officer? 

Queensland Health has developed a standard health plan that addresses requirements set by the Chief Health Officer.  

The Health Plan sets out basic hygiene and cleaning requirements to address the spread of Covid-19. 

An authorised health and safety officer from the Company will be required to confirm that the Company has implemented the requirements in the plan on all your worksites. Once you have implemented the requirements and executed the plan it must be returned to Queensland Health.  

In order to access this exemption, the Company must have executed and returned the plan to Queensland Health.  This can be done via email.

Do I need a Health Plan? 

Only companies in Queensland that are seeking to bring FIFO workers in construction, commercial fishing, manufacturing, mining, petroleum, energy or agribusiness require health plans. 

Who has to approve the Health Plan?

Emergency officers (police and others appointed under the Public Health Act 2005) will make the assessment as to whether the Health Plan complies with the standards set by the Chief Health Officer. 

If you are required to complete a health plan a template plan can be obtained from Queensland Health at www.health.qld.gov.au 

You should include your companies details on this plan and have it executed by authorised health and safety officer on before of your company.

How do I demonstrate that I am exempt?

On entry to Qld, Emergency officers (police and others appointed under the Public Health Act 2005) will make the assessment as to whether you in fact come within an exemption under the Direction. 

Streamlined processes are being developed that will allow you to apply online for exemption before entry. 

Separate to this process, details like relevant addresses, contact numbers, staff identification and tools of your trade are examples of things that may be taken into consideration by an authorised officer in confirming that you are an exempt traveller.

I don’t fit the employment or border community exemptions but want to travel to Queensland can I enter?

The direction includes a general exemption for compassionate reasons.  This can be granted by the Chief Health Officer. Specific additional reasons will cover:

• people who are carers/relatives of dependant individuals in Queensland;
• people who are obtaining essential medical treatment; 
• people visiting terminally ill relatives in Queensland;
• students from interstate boarding school students where school is closed; travel are required to comply with the law (for example, Family Court, parole/bail conditions)

The Chief Health Officer can also exempt a person, or group of people if:

1. they have compassionate or other grounds such that self-isolation would lead to an unusual, undeserved or disproportionate hardship; or 
2. they are essential for the proper functioning of State; or
3. their location of residence requires them to move across the border to obtain critical goods and services.

To access these exemptions, you will need to provide police or other officials appropriate evidence. If you do not qualify for an exemption you will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days.

I live close to the Border what will happen to me? 

If you live near the border of Queensland, NSW, SA or the NT and ordinarily work or study in Queensland you will be able to continue to travel for that work or study. This also applies for Queensland residents who travel to NSW, SA or the NT for work or education. This also applies if you have child care arrangements across that border region.  All kinds of work are covered in this exemption – it is not just essential services businesses.

However, you will not be able to stay in Queensland for longer than reasonably necessary to attend your work / study/child care arrangements. 

If you live near the border of Queensland, NSW, SA or the NT you will also be able to travel interstate to obtain essential goods and services, including to obtain medical or other essential services.

I operate a freight business, how will our drivers be impacted? 

Freight and logistics of any kind of goods into Queensland from interstate is permitted. 

Drivers must practise social distancing wherever possible, including maintaining a distance of at least 1.5 metres where reasonably practicable and remain isolated in their vehicle or accommodation. 

Will trucks be stopped or inspected at the border? 

Freight and logistics of any kind of goods into Queensland from interstate is permitted. It is not intended to stop all vehicles for an inspection.  

Arrangements at border crossings to allow freight to continue to move as quickly as possible will be implemented.  

Local measures will be conducted under the direction of the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and all road users will need to comply with QPS directions.  These measures are designed to prevent the flow of non-exempt people, into Queensland.  It is expected that border crossings with significant residential populations, such as the Gold Coast will experience the greatest impact. 

Freight providers should consider the need to cross at these locations and route activity through less densely populated areas. 

I am traveling around Australia and I do not have a usual place of residence will I be allowed to enter Queensland?  

If you do not normally live in Queensland or fit within the exemptions you should not be entering Queensland at this time unless you comply with the 14 day quarantine period.

I am caravanning around Australia and I am currently located in Queensland what should I do? 

Nothing in the direction requires you to actively leave Queensland.  If you are safe and well, you should stay in place and observe the appropriate social distancing requirements. 

If you elect to leave Queensland and you are not ordinally a resident here or do not meet any of the other exemption categories, you may not be able to return.   

How will the measures be enforced? 

Queensland Police and other emergency officers under the Public Health Act 2005 will be responsible for enforcement.  

If a person fails to comply with the direction/s, an emergency officer may use reasonable force to enforce the direction.  

If the person does not comply with the quarantine directions, penalties will apply: 

• $13,345 for individuals; and
• $66,672.50 for corporations.  

Enforcement officer can also issue on the spot tickets of $1334.50 or $6,672.50 for corporations. 

More information

More information on the Queensland Border Restrictions can be found here. Please ensure you read this information carefully before using the quick links below.

Quick links:

Quarantine requirements and penalties

Apply for a QLD Entry Pass (online form)

Access the template Health Plan to control risk for interstate workers (Docx)

QLD border restrictions fact sheet