This page is intended to provide information specific to the transport industry, particularly cross-border Service operators, with regards to South Australian declarations and requirements.

Regular email updates will be provided. It contains links for further information and will be monitored to respond to your questions and feedback.

Road Border Entry Requirements

All Commercial Transport and Freight Service operators into South Australia are required to complete a cross border registration form at least 72 hours prior to arrival. Those who completed Essential Traveller cross border registrations are NOT required to update their cross border status and can still travel on their current approvals.

All Commercial Transport and Freight Service essential travellers approved to enter SA from NSW or the Greater Brisbane Areas must produce evidence of having a COVID-19 test, or a COVID-19 test result, that is not more than seven days old, upon request from an Authorised Officer (eg SA Police Officer), or obtain a test within 24 hours of entering SA.

Those Commercial Transport and Freight Service operators approved to enter SA from High Community Transmission Zones must not, without the approval of the Chief Executive of the Department for Health and Wellbeing, the South Australian Chief Public Health Officer or a deputy, enter a disability care, correctional or residential aged care facility, or a health care facility while they are in SA.

There are no restrictions on travellers who have completed a cross border registration from low community transmission zones such as NT, WA, VIC, TAS, ACT and QLD except Greater Brisbane Areas, provided that they have not been in any place other than the low community transmission zone within the last 14 days. There is no requirement to self-quarantine while waiting for test results, unless displaying symptoms of COVID-19.

Testing

All Commercial Transport and Freight Service operators entering SA from High Community Transmission Zones must produce evidence of having a COVID-19 test, or a COVID-19 test result, that is not more than seven days old, upon request from an Authorised Officer (eg SA Police Officer), or obtain a test within 24 hours of entering SA.

Other Essential Travellers and Exempt Arrivals entering SA from High Community Transmission Zones are required to have a COVID-19 test on day 1, day 5 and day 12 of their arrival into SA. Cross Border Community Members of the 100km Cross Border Corridor can opt to provide evidence of a test or display a test result within the last 7 days in lieu of the day 1, day 5 and day 12 testing regime.

Commercial Transport and Freight Service operators are not required to have a COVID-19 test before entering SA if arriving from low community transmission zones.

A list of testing sites can be found here.

Self-isolation

There is no requirement to self-quarantine while waiting for test results, unless displaying symptoms of COVID-19.

Maritime Crew - Requirements Updated

Maritime crew arriving into South Australia from overseas are deemed not to arrive if they do not disembark the vessel. A crew member who has been on a vessel within the preceding 14 days, with no one else embarking, is cleared to disembark providing they submit to a COVID-19 test within 48 hours with a negative result and is cleared to disembark by a Human Biosecurity Officer for SA. If the conditions noted cannot be met either through arrival on a vessel, or an aircraft, the crew member must reside and remain, quarantined and segregated from others, at a location determined by an Authorised Officer for a 14-day period starting at the time of their arrival. No person may embark a vessel that has arrived in SA before it is cleared by a Human Biosecurity Officer without wearing PPE as approved by the Department of Health and Wellbeing.

Fact Sheets have been provided to detail;

• An overview of Australia’s requirements for maritime crew, with information to state and territory websites for specific maritime exemptions.
• Updates to PPE recommendations for marine pilots.

Medicare Rebate for Freight Operators

The Australian Government announced a $2 billion extension in funding for Medicare-subsidised telehealth and pathology services for a further six months, to 31 March 2021. This includes an extension to the Medicare rebate for asymptomatic testing of freight operators at private COVID‑19 testing clinics. The Medicare item has been expanded to include testing of rail crew.

The 18 September 2020, update of the Medicare Benefits Scheme is available at: www.mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/news-200901

If you have an enquiry, please email DPTI.OutbreakResponseCoordinator@sa.gov.au.

See previous email alerts/updates

For further information, please see the following links

SA.GOV.AU

• COVID-19 Information
• Cross border travel
• Travel restrictions
• Expanded COVID-19 testing

SA Health

• Testing for COVID-19

SAPOL

• Cross border travel application