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Quarantine fees

29 October 2021

Information about quarantine fees

The NSW Government is charging travellers who complete their quarantine in a dedicated accommodation facility. The quarantine fee reduces the financial burden of COVID-19 on NSW taxpayers. It is not specifically for covering the cost of the hotel or meals.

From 1 November 2021, a fee will not be applicable to overseas arrivals who meet the criteria contained on the NSW Government Quarantine page, including being fully vaccinated, and are not required to enter quarantine accommodation.

To ensure the continued safety of NSW residents, those travellers arriving from overseas who do not meet the criteria will still be required to complete mandatory quarantine in a dedicated facility and pay the associated fee.

Important: If you arrived in NSW, Australia, between 19 October 2021 and 31 October and meet the criteria referenced above, you will be able to leave quarantine on 1 November 2021. You will still be required to pay a proportion of the quarantine services fee for the days that you were in the quarantine program.

Fee waivers can only be applied in the circumstances which are outlined below. To apply for a fee waiver, submit your documents and contact information online.

Does the quarantine fee apply to me?

All travellers (NSW residents, non-NSW residents and international arrivals) required to quarantine in a dedicated accommodation facility under a public health order will be liable for and charged a quarantine fee. Refer to NSW Government for more  information on who will be charged for quarantine fees.

The quarantine fee does not apply:

  • For international travellers,
    • if you purchased your international one-way or return flight to NSW Australia prior to 11:59pm 12 July 2020 (AEST), or
    • if you arrived in NSW Australia prior to 12:01am (AEST) on 18 July 2020, or
    • If you travelled directly from New Zealand to NSW after 16 October 2020 unless you have been in a NZ COVID-19 Hotspot, or
    • If you arrived on or after 1 November 2021 and were not required to enter quarantine.
  • For domestic travellers from Victoria,
    • if you purchased your flight to NSW prior to 5:00pm 5 August 2020 (AEST), or
    • if you landed in NSW prior to 12:01am 7 August 2020 (AEST), or
    • if you entered NSW after 12.01am on 23 November 2020 (AEDT), or
    • if you are a NSW resident returning within the Moratorium period, or
  • If you are in transit from a flight to another state or territory, via NSW, and are here for less than 48 hours. Refer NSW Government for further quarantine rules.

Unaccompanied minors travelling to Australia without a parent or guardian. If they are joined in the dedicated quarantine accommodation facility by a parent, guardian or responsible adult who is already in Australia, that person will not be charged a fee. ​

What if I purchased my flight prior to the relevant quarantine announcement? (Eligibility)

You will still be required to quarantine in government arranged accommodation.

If you purchased your flight prior to the deadline and your airline changed the flight date or cancelled your flight, you may be able to apply for a waiver:

  • where you can supply evidence that your original flight was clearly purchased prior to the deadline, and
  • you provide written confirmation from your airline or travel agent clearly showing that your airline changed the flight date or cancelled your flight.

Any flights purchased prior to the deadline that were cancelled or rescheduled by the traveller themselves may not be eligible for a quarantine fee waiver.

Documents required for each traveller are:

  • Proof of Identification (passport / drivers licence / photo card / birth certificate)
  • Purchase receipt for flights*
  • Flight confirmation from airline or travel agent*
  • Flight change or cancellation from airline or travel agent*

* Note that your documents must list all members of the group that landed in Sydney

To help process your inquiry quickly, please also provide us with a contact phone number and proof of identity for each traveller.

Please submit your documents and information online. Please refer to the Conditions and Requirements section prior to applying.

Apply for a quarantine fee waiver

You will not receive an invoice if your fee waiver is approved, prior to your departure from the quarantine accommodation.

Please note, you can provide the required documents to Revenue NSW after an invoice is issued and if eligible, the invoice will be waived.

If you believe you have received an invoice in error, please contact us.

How much will I be charged?

From 21 February 2022, the length of time required to remain in quarantine was changed from 14 days to 7 days.

The maximum fee travellers will be charged from 21 February 2022 is $1500 for one adult.

The maximum fees for additional occupants are:

  • additional adults: $500 each
  • children under 18 years of age: $250 each
  • child under 3 years of age: no additional cost.

All charges are in Australian dollars.

Important: the length of the stay and the fee remains unchanged for those travellers who entered quarantine before 21 February 2022, which are $3000 for one adult with the additional occupants being charged the following fees:

  • additional adults: $1000 each
  • children under 18 years of age: $500 each
  • child under 3 years of age: no additional cost.

Example calculations

  • A group or family of 2 adults and 2 children (over the age of 3) in one suite or apartment would pay $5000 for 14 days or $2500 for 7 days.
  • A group or family of 2 adults and 4 children over the age of 3 would pay $6000 for 14 days or $3000 for 7 days.

Subsidies may apply to fees for Pacific Labour Scheme (PLS) or Seasonal Worker Program (SWP) employees.

Am I entitled to a fee waiver?

You can apply for your fee to be waived if you purchased your airfare prior to the relevant quarantine announcements and you provide the required documents to Revenue NSW.

To apply for a fee waiver, submit your documents and contact information online. You should refer to the Conditions and Requirements and eligibility requirements before applying.

Please note that if you cancelled or changed your flight you may not be eligible.

Apply for a quarantine fee waiver

If you believe you have received an invoice in error, please contact us.

Even if the quarantine fee does not apply to you, you will still be required to quarantine.

Conditions and requirements

The names of the travellers on the flight’s confirmation and other supporting documents must match the names of travellers that travelled to Australia and quarantined. Names will be compared to passports and travel documentation. Additional eligibility requirements are outlined here.

How will I be invoiced?

After you check out of quarantine, you will receive an invoice from us.

This will be sent to you by email or post.

You will have 30 days to pay the invoice which will be identified on the invoice.

You may be subject to penalties if you do not pay your fees on time. Please see the section on What if I find it difficult to pay? If you think you may be unable to pay on time.

If you entered under the Pacific Labour Scheme or the Seasonal Workers Scheme your employer should receive the invoice.

If you entered as air crew your employer should receive the invoice.

How can I pay?

You have the following options and further details will be on your invoice.

  • Online payment with a Visa or Mastercard
  • Telephone payment with a Visa or Mastercard
  • BPAY
  • Pay at an Australia Post outlet
  • You will also be able to set up a payment plan.

For further information contact us.

Do I have to pay?

If you quarantined in a designated accommodation facility you are liable for paying the quarantine fee.

We can only help you if your personal, financial, or medical circumstances have left you with insufficient means to pay your fee. S64 State Debt Recovery Act 2018.

What if I find it difficult to pay?

Once you have received your invoice, please contact us as soon as possible if you think you will have difficulty paying the fee by the due date.

We can grant an extension of up to 14 days and can assist you to establish a payment plan.

When you contact us please have your invoice number at hand.

What if I don’t think I can pay at all?

If the 14-day extension and payment plans are not affordable, please contact us. We will work with you to determine your capacity to pay the fees. This involves our team asking you questions about your financial and personal circumstances that may affect your ability to pay.

You will be required to provide supporting evidence of your financial circumstances. We will work with you on options to resolve your fees.

Travel insurance

Contact your travel insurance company directly to find out whether your insurance policy covers your quarantine accommodation fee.

For related information on this topic, see the NSW Fair Trading website for guidance on travel cancellations

Need financial help?

You can get help from a financial counsellor by contacting the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.

Financial counsellors provide free, independent and confidential advice to help you manage your debts or negotiate with creditors.

Unlike financial planners or advisors, they don't provide investment advice or recommend products, and they don't receive commissions.

The National Debt Helpline website also has step-by-step guides and useful information on how to deal with specific types of debts.

Where can I get further information?

You can find further information about the quarantine fee on the NSW Government’s website.

If you have further questions about the quarantine fee, please contact us on 1300 433 476 (8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday) or email [email protected].

Please submit your waiver documents online.

Apply for a quarantine fee waiver

  • For COVID-19 or general enquiries
    Phone Service NSW on 13 77 88 (available 24/7) or +61 2 8894 1555 from Monday to Friday between 7am and 7pm (AEST).
  • For translation and interpreter services
    Phone 13 14 50 and ask the interpreter to phone 1300 433 476 (if you have a fee enquiry) or 13 77 88 (if you have a general enquiry).

If you have concerns or complaints about your quarantine accommodation or meals, please contact the reception desk of your accommodation or quarantine facility.

Refer to NSW Government for latest news and updates on COVID-19

Special arrangements

A NSW resident who had not completed 14 days quarantine in Victoria needed to enter NSW via Sydney airport prior to 23 November 2020. Only NSW residents that have completed quarantine can fly into another NSW airport.

The Moratorium period for NSW residents returning from Victoria commenced 12:01am 7 August 2020 (AEST) and ceased at 12:01am on 11 September 2020. The quarantine fee was automatically waived for people who entered hotel quarantine during this period.

Special arrangements were in place for border communities and critical service workers in the border region for entry into NSW prior to 23 November 2020.

Find out more about NSW-Victoria border restrictions if you have travelled from Victoria to Sydney prior to the NSW-Victorian border reopening on 23 November 2020.