Highlights
- Returning travellers failing to provide Australia Travel Declaration (ATD) could be fined $6,660
- Giving false or misleading information carries a maximum penalty of 12 months imprisonment
- NSW has increased penalties for non-compliance with the isolation, testing and quarantine requirements for individuals from to $1,000 to $5,000
Home Minister Andrews said Australia has high expectations and requirements for international travellers coming into Australia.
"On arrival, passengers are required to have filled in an Australia Travel Declaration (ATD) indicating what their vaccination status is and the countries through which they have travelled to come to Australia," Minister Andrews said during a press briefing.
"A number of those requirements have been mandated now and there are significant penalties for false declarations. So that's over $6000, can be applied as a fine and up to a 12-month prison sentence for people who do not declare appropriately on the ATD," she added.
Sury Soni, President of the Federation of Indian Associations of Victoria, says the fine is to deter people who breach laws.
Indian community leader Sury Soni says he welcomes the federal government decision to defer the opening of Australian borders by two weeks. Source: Supplied by Sury Soni
"There should be no sympathy and one should be honest with what they fill in those forms," Mr Soni told SBS Hindi.
"We had heard about such fines and penalties around May when the Delta variant was at its peak. However, I believe the language or the choice of words used by politicians regarding such fines could be better," Mr Soni added.
Prime Minister Morrison also reiterated the need for the PCR tests.
"One of the things we did on Saturday is that we took action to back in the requirements for the PCR testing on arrival and over that early period," Prime Minister Morrison said.
"This is incredibly important. If you don't do that, you are having an offence on both your entry and re-entry into Australia as well as under the Public Health Orders under those states," PM Morrison added.
On late Tuesday, the New South Wales government announced an increase in penalties for non-compliance with the isolation, testing and quarantine requirements from $1,000 to $5,000 for individuals and from $5,000 to $10,000 for corporations effective December 1.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the state will continue to make necessary changes.
"Our overriding message, as always, is to continue to get vaccinated. It is still the best way to protect yourself and your family,” he said.
On Monday, Australia's National Security Committee decided to delay the reopening of borders until 15 December.
The Australian government said it will use this time to gather data on the Omicron variant, including the vaccine's efficacy and level of transmission.
