New Border Passes Explained

August 11, 2020

The new border declaration passes for those eligible to enter Queensland are now available online.

Since 1:00am on Saturday (August 8), the Queensland border has been closed to anyone who has been in a COVID-19 “hotspot” – ie. Victoria, NSW and the ACT – in the past 14 days unless they receive an exemption.

Residents living in the declared border zone (see maps, below) will be able to apply for a new declaration border pass but will only be permitted to travel within the border zone in Queensland and NSW.

Only residents in postcodes depicted on the map are considered in the border zone and eligible for a Queensland Entry Declaration Pass.

Queensland residents who have been in a COVID-19 hotspot can return home via air but will be required to quarantine for 14 days in government-arranged accommodation at their own expense.

Anyone entering Queensland cannot travel by road through a COVID-19 hotspot (NSW) and must make arrangements to travel by air, unless an exception has been granted.

The new Queensland Border Declaration Pass is a requirement for anyone entering Queensland by road, air or sea and includes returning Queensland residents.

The new Queensland Border Declaration Passes consist of the following categories:

X PASS: Border zone resident, issued to persons living in a border zone who are not required to quarantine

G PASS: General, issued to a Queensland resident or interstate visitors who are allowed to enter Queensland and are not subject to a quarantine direction. This pass cannot be used at a NSW road border.

S PASS: Specialist, issued to exempt persons who have been to a COVID-19 declared hotspot and are not required to quarantine.

F PASS: Freight, issued to freight, logistics and transport workers who are not required to quarantine.

Q PASS: Quarantine Direction, issued to a person who is allowed to enter Queensland but must quarantine.

Providing false information on the declaration or entering Queensland unlawfully could result in a $4003 fine or a notice to appear in court.

Anyone with information about potential breaches of the Queensland COVID-19 Border Direction should report the matter online or call Policelink on 13-14-44 or Crime Stoppers on 1800-333-000.