Summary
A permit system has been established for all domestic travel into Victoria.
From 5:59pm on 11 January 2021, you will need to apply for a permit to enter Victoria from anywhere in Australia. Apply for a permit at the Service Victoria .
The permit system is based on a traffic light system which allows for areas across Australia to be designated as green, orange or red according to their risk. Find more information about red, orange and green permit zones.
The permit system is for both travellers to Victoria and residents of Victoria returning home from interstate travel.
New South Wales
Greater Sydney zone changes
- Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has now declared that only one Local Government Area (LGA), in New South Wales – Cumberland Council – will remain as a red zone.
- If you have been in the LGA of Cumberland Council in the last 14 days (other than for transit) you cannot enter Victoria without an exemption, exception, Specified Worker Permit or Freight Worker Permit.
- From 6pm on Friday 22 January 2021, a person who has been in all other areas Blue Mountains, Wollongong and all of Greater Sydney – excluding Cumberland Council - can apply for an Orange Zone Permit and enter Victoria. To be eligible for an Orange Zone Permit the person must not been in any other currently listed red zone in the past 14 days and agree to the conditions of an Orange Zone Permit – self-quarantine, get a coronavirus (COVID-19) test within 72 hours and remain in self-quarantine until receiving a negative test result.
- If eligible, you can apply for an Orange Zone Permit at Service Victoria.
- Exemption applications are not required if you have been in Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains and Wollongong in the 14 days prior to 6pm Friday 22 January 2021 – unless you have been in the LGA of Cumberland Council.
- However you may still request an exemption based on your specific and general circumstances, if you have been in a currently listed red zone in the last 14 days other than for direct and short term transit purposes or if you do not meet the relevant requirements of the Orange Zone Permit.
Regional New South Wales
- Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has now declared all areas in NSW - outside the orange zone areas in Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains and Wollongong and excluding the red zone of Cumberland Council - to be green zones.
- From 6pm on Friday 22 January 2021 a person who has been in NSW outside of Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains and Wollongong excluding the red zone of Cumberland Council for the last 14 days can apply for a Green Zone Permit. You cannot enter Victoria without a Green Zone Permit unless an exemption, exception or Specified Worker Permit or Freight Worker Permit applies.
- If you have been in a currently listed orange zone in the last 14 days (other than for transit) – such as Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains and Wollongong, you cannot enter Victoria without an Orange Zone Permit unless an exemption, exception or Specified Worker Permit or Freight Worker Permit applies. If you apply for an Orange Zone Permit, you must agree to the conditions including the requirement to self-quarantine, get a coronavirus (COVID-19) within 72 hours of arrival and remain in self-quarantine until you receive a negative test result.
- If you have been in the LGA of Cumberland Council - which is a currently listed as red zone - in the last 14 days you cannot enter Victoria unless an exemption, exception or Specified Worker Permit or Freight Worker Permit applies.
Queensland
Queensland zone changes
- Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has now declared all areas of Queensland to be green zones.
- From 6pm on Friday 22 January 2021 a person who has been in Queensland for the last 14 days can apply for a Green Zone Permit. You cannot enter Victoria without a Green Zone Permit unless an exemption, exception or Specified Worker Permit or Freight Worker Permit applies.
- If you have been in a currently listed orange zone in the last 14 days – such as the Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains and Wollongong you cannot enter Victoria without an Orange Zone Permit unless an exemption, exception or Specified Worker Permit or Freight Worker Permit applies.
- If you have been to a currently listed red zone area in the last 14 days you cannot enter Victoria without an exemption, exception, Specified Worker Permit or Freight Worker Permit.
About the permit
- The type of permit that you require will depend on where you have been.
- When you apply for a permit you will be asked where you are coming from and where you have travelled to.
- This is like a registration system and if you want to travel into Victoria you will need to let us know if you have been in a location which has been designated in a red, orange or green zone.
- Whether you live in an area, have worked there, been shopping, or just travelled through, you will need to include these locations on your permit and there will be some conditions.
- The permit system also applies to Victorian residents returning home from interstate.
- It is an offence to provide misleading information, with fines of up to $1,652.
Permit zones
A red zone means that you will not be allowed to enter Victoria without an exception, Specified Worker Permit or exemption.
By land border: If you try to enter Victoria at a land border without an exemption, exception or Specified Worker Permit you will be turned away.
By plane or water: If you attempt to enter via an airport or seaport you will be fined up to $4,957. Victorian residents will also be directed to self-isolate at home for 14 days while non-Victorian residents will be sent back on the first available flight.
Those travelling from a designated orange zone must apply for a permit to enter Victoria. You cannot apply for a permit if you have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms, nor if you have visited a red zone. You are allowed to travel through a red zone for the purpose of transit.
Those travelling from a designated green zone must apply for a permit to enter Victoria. You cannot apply for a permit if you have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms, nor if you have visited either a red or orange zone.
If you notice any symptoms once you arrive in Victoria from a green zone, you should immediately get tested for coronavirus (COVID-19).
During the permit application, along with where you have been, you will also be asked about whether you have symptoms, whether you have been diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID-19) or are a close contact of someone who has or whether you have visited particular high-risk locations.
New South Wales/Victorian border communities will continue to have exceptions and will be able to use local residence identification to cross the border.
The map below shows the zones across Australia. There is also a list of LGA's and their zones
The zones in this map came into effect 6pm on Friday 22 January 2021.
What are exceptions?
New South Wales border community residents are exempt from obtaining a permit to enter Victoria.
People may cross the border without a permit to provide, receive or accompany a dependant who is to receive emergency or essential medical care or other urgent care, including medical care requiring continuity of treatment.
This does not include ordinary child-minding, although formal shared custody arrangements can continue. Carrying a medical certificate, letter from a physician or proof of custody arrangements is strongly recommended.
Emergency workers (including healthcare workers, care facility workers and child protection workers) must carry a letter from their employer evidencing the need for that worker to travel across the border, but do not need to obtain a permit in this instance.
You must follow Victoria’s restrictions when entering this state, including wearing a mask in all indoor public spaces, public transport and on all domestic flights.
What are exemptions?
You can apply for an exemption if you have a valid reason.
Reasons for an exemption may include:
- an end of life event
- going to a funeral
- returning home for health, wellbeing, care or compassionate reasons
- emergency relocation
- caring for an animal on the other side of the border
- Australian Defence Force members undertaking military transfers
Exemptions are limited and only granted in special cases. The Department of Health and Human Services will assess your application and respond. You can apply online for an .
More information
Reviewed 22 January 2021