COVID-19 rules: New South Wales
A quick guide on what you can and can’t do in New South Wales.
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Police border restrictions
As the country deals with another wave of COVID-19 infections, Australian state governments have decided to implement increasing and ever changing restrictions.
In NSW, on Monday 18 October 2021, some restrictions were eased further after the state hit its 80% (aged 16 and over) double-dose vaccination target.
As of October 19 2021, according to the NSW Government website, travel restrictions still apply.
To help our readers decipher the rules, we’ve put together this guide which breaks down what residents of NSW can and can’t do – as well as broader guidelines currently in place.
Rules for fully vaccinated people in NSW
The NSW Government website categories movements in different ways:
General travel
The rules state “you need a reasonable excuse” to conduct travel between “Greater Sydney” and “regional or rural NSW”. The rule is applicable both ways.
The Greater Sydney area includes the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Shellharbour and Wollongong local government areas.
Reasons deemed “reasonable” enough to leave Greater Sydney include:
- for work if it is not reasonably practicable for the person to work at their place of residence
- picking up and dropping off children whose parents/caregivers share care of their children
- feeding animals and attending to their welfare
- going to a medical or legal appointment
- giving care or assistance to a vulnerable person
- for compassionate reasons
- moving house or business premises or inspecting property;
- to obtain goods and services if they are not reasonably available in Greater Sydney; or
- in the event of an emergency to provide assistance or avoid the risk of illness, injury or harm.
Holiday homes and permitted travel
The rules differ depending on where you live.
If you live in Greater Sydney, you can only visit a holiday home or short-term accommodation within Greater Sydney. You cannot travel to regional or rural NSW for holidays or recreational visits, including day-trips.
There is a handy map on the NSW Government website which outlines where you can, and can’t go.
For example, a fully-vaccinated resident of the Blacktown local government area is allowed to visit a holiday home in the blue mountains region, but not in parts of the Southern Highlands district of NSW.
If you live outside Greater Sydney, you can holiday in any local government area of your choice, other than Greater Sydney. For example, if you reside in the local government area of Shoal Haven, you can holiday in Coffs Harbour.
Ride sharing
If you are fully vaccinated, you are allowed to travel with people from other households.
Fully vaccinated travelers must be able to produce a vaccination certificate for inspection.
Rules for people who are not fully vaccinated
If you’ve had one or no doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, extra rules and restrictions apply.
Sharing a vehicle
Unless you are the under the age of 16, you can only travel in a vehicle with other people from your immediate household.
Exceptions include in an emergency situation or for compassionate reasons.
Holiday homes and permitted travel
If you are not fully vaccinated, you can take only holiday within your local government area, and not throughout Greater Sydney.
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