Cross border issues

Restrictions along Victoria’s borders with New South Wales and South Australia

Restrictions on the movement of Victorians across our borders with neighbouring states South Australia (SA) and New South Wales (NSW) are now in place.

The Victorian Government is working with other state governments to manage specific impacts on border communities as well as industries that need to cross the border.

For more information about the NSW border restrictions and cross border management in that state, including entry permits, visit the NSW Government website or call their dedicated coronavirus (COVID-19) information line on 13 77 88.

For more information about the South Australian border restrictions, visit the South Australian Government COVID-19 website, or call their dedicated coronavirus (COVID-19) information line on 1800 253 787.

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.

Issues reported to the Cross Border Commissioner are usually one of three types:

Some are about different rules – like the varying rules for L and P plate drivers, or multiple licensing for tradespeople. Fixing these usually means changing rules.
Others are the result of different policies and practices – state A does it this way, state B does it that way. Both might be reasonable, but when you live in the middle of the two, it can get messy.
The third type are opportunities for joint effort. For example: “Wouldn’t it be better if we could market our tourism offerings together rather than separately?” It’s not about rules, it’s about working together.

So far, some common issues are:

Rules for L and P Plate drivers – learning to drive is hard enough, yet our young drivers are also faced with a complicated and difficult to comprehend system of different rules and conditions, which change when they drive across a border.
TAFE access – both rules and practices can make it hard for a business to access TAFE training for their apprentices and trainees over the border which is often where the most convenient, or even the only feasible, service is provided.
Responsible Service of Alcohol – despite a national accreditation being introduced for the Responsible Service of Alcohol, there are rules and practices in each State that make it impractical to use the accreditation interstate.

Contact the Commissioner

Email enquiries@crossborder.vic.gov.au
Write to us at PO Box 1332, Wodonga VIC 3689
Call 0436 642 436

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