From 22 July, new restrictions apply. If you’re eligible, you can apply for a new permit containing a QR code. Permits issued before 4pm on 21 July expire at 11:59pm on 21 July, except those issued under compassionate grounds, which remain valid until the expiry date.

Until further notice, you’ll need a border entry permit to enter NSW if you have been in Victoria in the last 14 days, except if you’re entering NSW:

• as an emergency or law enforcement services worker
• to access emergency medical, hospital, dental or veterinary care
• to avoid injury or escape a risk of harm. 

All NSW residents are strongly urged not to travel to Victoria. If travel is essential, then permits are in place to help contain the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health and jobs of NSW residents.

Both adults and children are required to get a permit to travel from Victoria to NSW.

The permit is valid for 14 days from the date of issue (3 days for interstate residents transiting through NSW) and applies to all borders: land, air and sea, as well as river crossings. 

In almost all cases, permits are issued subject to conditions. Your permit will indicate if you need to self-isolate for 14 days, get tested for COVID-19, abide by a COVID-19 safety plan, or any other conditions. 

You can apply for a permit online.

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for a permit, you must be one of the following: 

• a NSW resident
• a border zone resident – check your border zone eligibility
• a border resident in a remote community – list of exempt remote communities
• a person transiting through NSW by road, rail or air
  • if you are travelling from VIC to QLD, you will need a NSW border entry permit and a QLD border declaration pass
  • if you are travelling from VIC to ACT, you will need a NSW border permit and an exemption to enter ACT
• a person transiting through Victoria after being a passenger on the vessel known as the Spirit of Tasmania
• a person transiting through Victoria from South Australia by road or rail 
• a member of parliament or staff member
• a consular official
• a student or staff member residing at a boarding school or attending university/college
• a student, parent, staff member or visitor (includes cleaners, bus drivers etc.) attending a NSW school (including a day student at a boarding  school)
• a person providing critical services, including:
  • Commonwealth defence and security services
  • maintenance and repair of critical infrastructure
  • medical, hospital, dental or veterinary care
  • aged care services
  • COVID-19 environmental cleaning on a commercial basis that is not available locally
  • mining, agriculture, energy or manufacturing
  • construction to prevent harm, damage, infrastructure or service failure or where there is no NSW resident with the relevant expertise
  • movement of freight on a commercial basis
  • movement of persons on a commercial basis. 

You’re also eligible for a permit if you are entering:

• for child access and care arrangements
• for essential medical treatment with a medical practitioner or hospital that you can’t obtain in Victoria or remotely
• to attend court or to meet other legal obligations
• on compassionate grounds for exceptional circumstances (e.g. a family member is in palliative care and close to end of life).  You will need to apply to NSW Health for a compassionate permit exemption codebefore applying for your border entry permit. All cases are reviewed by a medical team for eligibility.

Note: 

• You won’t be eligible for a permit if Victoria’s current public health restrictionsprevent you from travelling. 
• You don’t need a permit, if you’re entering NSW:
  • as an emergency or law enforcement services worker
  • to access emergency medical, hospital, dental or veterinary care
  • to avoid injury or escape a risk of harm. 

WHAT YOU NEED

• your personal details (name and date of birth)
• your contact details (residential address, phone number and email address)
• your exemption category
• a declaration on your COVID-19 exposure and overseas travel in the last 14 days
• the address where you intend to stay in NSW. 

HOW TO APPLY

1. Before applying for a permit, you must check Victoria’s current public health restrictionsand comply with the travel restrictions. 
2. Check the eligibility requirements. 
3. Select the ‘Apply online’ button.
4. Follow the prompts to complete the online form.

After applying, you’ll receive an email with your NSW border entry permit. Please have your permit with you when crossing the border. 

MORE INFORMATION

• You should carry any supporting evidence associated with your travel when crossing the border. 
• You may be allowed into NSW if you have supporting evidence but have not been able to get a permit, however this is not guaranteed. Visit Compassionate permits for travellers from Victoria to NSWfor more information.