Updated 12.30pm (AEST) 20 July 2020 A number of State and Territory Governments have signed directions under emergency laws giving effect to various border control measures and quarantine requirements.  AMMA members requiring to move employees between states must closely familiarise themselves with the specific requirements of each of the states and territories in which they operate. These border control measures and quarantine requirements continue to change following a second outbreak of COVID-19 in Victoria and metropolitan areas in Sydney. Given border control measures continue to change, AMMA will update this webpage as soon as advice on border controls are made available by the various states and territories. For further advice and support contact your nearest AMMA office. For a copy of AMMA’s COVID-19 Employer Guide which outlines the latest key employment considerations contact [email protected]. New South Wales An entry permit is required if entering NSW from Victoria.

• Only travellers entering NSW from Victoria are required to hold an entry permit.
• Resources and energy employees travelling to NSW from Victoria should apply for a border pass under the exemption category “a person providing critical services”.
• The entry permit will indicate if the person needs to self-isolate for 14 days, get tested for COVID-19, abide by a COVID-19 safety plan, or any other conditions.
• At this stage, there is no broad exemption from the 14-day quarantine requirements for resources and energy employees travelling to NSW from Victoria for work.
• The current direction states that a person must not leave the residence or accommodation except to provide a critical service.

More information for New South Wales can be found here. Northern Territory An entry permit is required if entering the NT from any other state – apply here.

• From 17 July, travellers who have been in a coronavirus hotspot cannot enter the NT unless they have been given an exemption.
• Any person arriving in NT from a hotspot must undertake 14 days of mandatory supervised quarantine at their own expense – there are no exemptions available for travellers from hotspots.
• Resources and energy employees travelling from any state other than Victoria should apply for a border pass under the exemption category “a specialist providing services for industry or business”.
• The border pass outlines the conditions under which they can enter the NT and work. The application is assessed against the approval criteria and may require a COVID-19 management plan to be in place.
• Travellers who are eligible under the exemption categories may not be required to undertake the 14-day quarantine period unless specified on their border pass.
• All other travellers must complete the pre-arrival border crossing application.

The COVID-19 Directions for Territory Border Restrictions (No. 44) 2020 can be found here. More information for the Northern Territory can be found here. Queensland An entry permit is required if entering QLD from any other state – apply here.

• As of 10 July, travellers who have been in a declared COVID-19 hotspot in the last 14 days will no longer be able to enter or quarantine in QLD, unless they are providing an essential activity.
• All other travellers must apply for a border declaration pass that must be renewed every seven days.
• Resources and energy employees do not fall under the essential activity
• FIFO employees can still enter QLD from anywhere in Australia other than a hotspot and must apply for or renew their border declaration pass every seven days.
• Any person permitted entry into QLD must also commit to being tested for COVID-19 if they develop symptoms within 14 days of entering the state.
• Employers are strongly advised to have a health plan outlining how it will conduct health screening and manage and prevent any potential transmission at the worksite or in the community.

The Border Restrictions Direction (No. 8) can be found here. More information for Queensland can be found here. South Australia An entry permit is required if entering SA from any other state – apply here.

• As of 9 July 2020, Victorian residents, other than those who are essential travellers, are not permitted to enter SA.
• Essential travellers include remote or isolated workers for periods established by work roster or those whose employers have risk mitigation strategies in place and specifically refers to mining, oil and gas sector workers.
• Essential travellers coming from Victoria are required to keep a record of close contacts for a 14-day period upon arrival.
• Essential travellers arriving from any state other than Victoria are not required to self-isolate or keep records of close contact upon arrival.
• All travellers must complete a cross border pre-approval form at least 72 hours before arriving.

The Emergency Management (Cross Border Travel No 8) (COVID-19) Direction 2020 can be found here. More information for South Australian can be found here. Tasmania An entry permit is required if entering Tasmania from any other state – apply here.

• As of 10 July, people travelling from Victoria, other than those who are essential travellers, are not permitted to enter Tasmania.
• All travellers must complete an arrivals form and answer any questions and provide the relevant information to authorised offers upon arrival.
• Resources and energy employees can apply for essential traveller status to obtain a G2G Pass which will be considered on individual merit under the “other persons, or classes of persons, approved by the State Controller” category.
• Essential travellers may be exempt from isolation requirements upon arrival in Tasmania.
• Any person who is granted essential traveller status and has spent time in Victoria is required to wear a face mask and limit their movement when not in the workplace.

The Directions in Relation to Persons Arriving in Tasmania can be found here. More information for Tasmania can be found here. Western Australia An entry permit is required if entering Western Australia from any other state – apply here.

• As of 20 July, people travelling from Victoria and NSW are not permitted to enter WA, unless they meet the additional exemption requirements. There are no additional exemptions for FIFO resources sector workers.
• This means FIFO resources sectors workers from Victoria and NSW are not allowed to enter WA. Advice from WA government is that “affected WA companies will need to source their workforce from States other than Victoria/NSW”.
• All other travellers eligible for an exemption must apply for a G2G Pass to be permitted entry into WA.
• Exemptions apply to FIFO workers and their families for entry into WA and are subject to strict quarantine requirements at the expense of the person’s employer.
• Anyone person who is granted entry into WA will be required to have a COVID test on day 11 of their time in WA or at any point when symptoms develop.

The Quarantine (Closing the Border) Directions can be found here. More information for Western Australia can be found here. Template: Exemption letter for all states and territories AMMA has prepared, for the general use of its members, a template letter to provide FIFO employees to assist with their interstate travel to and from work during the COVID-19 travel restrictions enacted by various state and territory governments. AMMA members may use this letter as they see fit, to assist with documentation to be held on the person of any resources and energy sector FIFO employees travelling between states / territories. Important note: the exemption letter will not on its own satisfy the strict border control measures put in place by Western Australia and Queensland. Further processes, provision of evidence and applications for permits / exemptions may apply. AMMA will keep this template letter available until more states and territories begin formally implementing their stricter policies. Download the template here. Broad exemptions for maritime crew AMMA has consulted various state and territory governments to gain clarity on possible broad exemptions for maritime crew required to travel interstate to board vessels. Given the unique nature of the industry, the treatment of resource sector maritime crew has been a particularly sensitive issue for AMMA and its members. This follows a statement being issued by the COVID-19 National Cabinet (comprising the Prime Minister and Premiers from each state and territory) regarding “updated quarantine arrangements for non-cruise maritime and air crew”. Some states and territories have issued or amended their official travel directions to reflect this position. For those that have not, maritime crew will continue to be subject to the travel directions summarised above. Designated Areas” (remote Indigenous communities) On 26 March 2020 the Australian Government issued the Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements for Remote Communities) Determination 2020. The legislation intends to protect remote Indigenous communities by making it a requirement that people self-isolate for 14 days prior to entering a “designated area”. A number of designated areas are listed in the legislation, located in Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia and the Northern Territory. Part 1 of the legislation, under “Definitions”, includes as persons exempt from these requirements those engaged in “essential services” which includes mining, oil and gas, ancillary operations and involved in transporting crew for these services. AMMA members seeking to move essential employees through a designated area should review the requirements and exemptions carefully. The legislation can be found here. The relevant Minister’s statement can be found here. For a copy of AMMA’s COVID-19 Employer Guide and more information about border control measures or quarantine requirements contact [email protected].