Victoria’s Cross Border Commissioner

Common questions about border restrictions for Victorians

Are there restrictions in place along Victoria’s borders between other states?

There are restrictions on the movement of Victorians across our borders with South Australia and New South Wales.

What are the restrictions between New South Wales and Victoria?

The Victorian Premier, the Prime Minister and the Premier of New South Wales agreed to close the border between Victoria and New South Wales from 8 July 2020.

From midnight Wednesday 22 July there are further changes to the border conditions; a border zone, defined along the Murray River, will be established. Entry to NSW from Victoria will be restricted, and exemptions for NSW residents travelling from the Victorian side of the border zone will be limited.

Permits issued up until the commencement of the border zone will expire at midnight 21 July. Individuals eligible under the new rules you'll need to apply for a new permit. This closure is being enforced by NSW Police.

The New South Wales Government has established a strict new border zone defined along the Murray River. Permit conditions to cross the border will be tightened and stronger enforcement powers will further restrict entry into NSW from Victoria. Under the new border zone, exemptions for New South Wales residents travelling from the Victorian side of the border zone will also be limited.

The Victorian Government is working with the New South Wales Government to manage specific impacts on border communities as well as industries that need to cross the border, including freight and other critical services.

Information about these restrictions, permits, freight operations and other critical services, as well as provisions for residents of New South Wales border regions under these new conditions, is available on the Service NSW website or you can call their information line on 13 77 88.

No permit or approval is required to enter Victoria from another state – however you will need to adhere to the restrictions and directions that are in place to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Victoria.

For the most up to date information about coronavirus (COVID-19) and current restrictions in Victoria visit the Department of Health and Human Services website. People in Victoria can also call the coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline on 1800 675 398.

How are restrictions on travel from Victoria into New South Wales being enforced?

The restrictions are being enforced by New South Wales Police and the permit process is being managed by Service NSW.

To apply for a permit and for more information go to Service NSW. More details about restrictions will be available on the New South Wales Government coronavirus (COVID-19) website or call their dedicated coronavirus (COVID-19) information line on 13 77 88.

What are the restrictions between South Australia and Victoria?

Restrictions on the movement of Victorians into South Australia (SA) are also in place.

From Wednesday, 29 July the SA border restrictions will be tightened and the only Victorians permitted to enter SA will be those defined as essential travellers, including members of cross border communities. South Australians will no longer be able to return to SA from Victoria.

A pre-approval process is also now in place for all interstate travellers wishing to enter SA. For more information about SA’s border restrictions visit the South Australian Government website or call their dedicated coronavirus (COVID-19) information line on 1800 253 787.

Enforcement of the SA border will remain a matter for SA police.

What support is in place for businesses affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, including within Victoria’s border communities?

The Victorian Government is providing unprecedented economic support to help Victorian businesses and workers through to the other side of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The new $534 million Business Support Package includes a $40 million Regional Tourism Accommodation Support Program. This program provides direct financial support to accommodation businesses in regional Victoria impacted by cancellations due to Stay at Home restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire and state border closures.

Applications for this program are open from 13 July 2020 until the end of the current Stay at Home restrictions or when funds are exhausted.

Accommodation business are strongly encouraged to download and read the Regional Tourism Accommodation Support Program Guidelines available from Business Victoria.

The $50 million Agriculture Workforce Plan is also supporting regional businesses across Victoria during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Plan helps workers who have lost their jobs as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19) find new work with employers in the agriculture sector in need of additional workforce support. Under the Plan, eligible businesses can also apply for grants to help meet the costs of adapting workplaces to comply with requirements as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Business Victoria is also providing coronavirus (COVID-19) business support and has a business support and financial assistance finder tool to help businesses find a range of Australian and Victorian Government support based on their circumstances.

For advice and support for Victorian businesses, please call Business Victoria’s dedicated coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline on 13 22 15.

The Australian Government also provides information about Australian Government support for businesses and workers.