Canada

Foreign nationals from all countries except the United States (US) are barred from entering Canada. There’s a small number of designated exceptions, including air crew, transit passengers, Canadian permanent residents, diplomats or immediate family members of Canadian citizens.

If you’re permitted to enter Canada, you must demonstrate you have a suitable plan to isolate or quarantine for 14 days. If you don’t have a suitable plan, you must go to a place designated by the chief Public Health Officer of Canada.

You must wear a face mask or covering while travelling to your final destination, at Canadian airports, including screening checkpoints and where physical distancing requirements aren’t possible, or if you’re instructed to wear one by an airline or a public health official. If you don’t have your own face mask, you won’t be allowed to fly to or from Canada.

Canadian officials encourage you to wear a face mask on all types of public transport.

All airlines and intercity trains in Canada will check your health before you board. This includes asking you health questions and looking for visible signs of illness.

Travel to Australia

Direct flights between Canada and Australia are currently suspended.

You may be able to fly to Australia via the US, Qatar or other hubs. Ensure you meet third country transit requirements before you depart Canada.

Australian citizens will be allowed to enter Australia without a valid Australian passport. You’ll need to tell airline staff that you’re an Australian citizen and don’t need a visa to enter Australia, even if you’re a dual national. The airline will contact the Australian Border Force to confirm your citizenship.

Get to the airport early in case of any delays.

Travel via Canada

You can transit Canada to a third country, including Australia. However, the Canadian airport you travel through must have transit facilities to permit you to connect to your next flight without having to clear customs or immigration to enter Canada.

Travel via the United States

Australians can’t transit through the United States from Canada using land, rail and ferry crossings.

You may be able to return to Australia with a flight itinerary that transits through the United States. This may change at short notice as the US and Canadian Governments introduce new COVID-19 border control measures. 

Contact the US Pre-clearance Office at the Canadian airport you’re departing from before you go to confirm that you’ll be permitted to board your flight in Canada and transit through the United States.

If you’re travelling through the US, you must meet US entry and transit requirements. Check with an embassy or consulate of the United States.

More information:

Read the original advice at SmartTraveller.gov.au by Australian Government