As the government prepares for the announcement of a plan to reopen the borders, technology that allows Australians to travel abroad with a internationally recognized vaccine certificate will be available within weeks.
Rebecca Skinner, chief executive of Services Australia, testified before the Senates Covid Committee on Thursday that the department had created a visible digital seal to indicate vaccine status and it would be ready by October end.
We plan to have all the technology in place before we make any policy decisions.
We don't want to find ourselves in a situation where technology isn't available for policy decisions.
The visible digital seal (VDS), a project that will enable Australians to confirm their vaccination status with Home Affairs will create a digital record for travel and use by third parties such as airlines and other nations.
Services Australia stated that if an individual requests it through the Medicare app, they will send the Passport Office a person's vaccination status.
They will then take the data and verify it. Then they will attach a visible digital seal to the certificate, which they will send back to Charles McHardie, from Charles McHardie's departments.
The certificate will be available in your Medicare Express Plus app and you can then download it to your smartphone.
It can be used at departure gates, etcetera.
VDS technology has been internationally recognized and developed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. It uses cryptographic technology that is already in use for ePassport authentication and is used by more than 145 nations.
The four-stage plan for reopening the country was approved by the leaders of the states and territories. 70% adult vaccination rates will allow governments and other government officials to reduce restrictions on residents who are not vaccinated (TBD). At 80%, the federal government will remove all restrictions on travel from vaccinated Australians.
Scott Morrison, the prime minister, stated that he will reopen the borders of the country once the double-dose vaccination rate for all states is at 80% and states have implemented home quarantining plans.
Morrison stated earlier this week, that the closed borders that had been in effect since March 2020 would soon be lifted.
Morrison, CBS News's Sunday correspondent, said that we will soon see our international borders. This will include Australians returning home and those who have been vaccinated for overseas travel.
He said it could happen even before that due to the growing vaccine rates.
Around 40,000 Australians have applied to the Department of Foreign Affairs to be eligible for government repatriation flights home.
Home quarantine arrangements have been tested by the New South Wales and South Australian governments. This will allow travellers who are vaccinated to quarantine at their own home rather than paying for hotel quarantine.
The ACT and NSW are on track for a 80% double-dose vaccination rate by the second half October. Victoria will reach the target by November 5.
Morrison confirmed that certain states may open up to international arrivals earlier than others, especially Covid-free states with hard borders still in place.
Mark McGowan (WA premier) indicated that the state might keep its border closed well into 2022. Tasmania, however, stated it would like a 90% vaccination rate before opening up.
Services Australia was also questioned about the development of digital vaccine proof that would be given to states for use with check-in apps.
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Kimberley Kitching, a Labor senator, criticized the plan, which would see eight different systems across the country with each state having its unique check-in system.
McHardie stated that this was the best approach because each state will have its own public health laws and requirements. Integrating proof of vaccination into existing systems is the easiest way to streamline the process.
McHardie stated that our approach was to minimize friction, especially for high-volume venues, for staff and customers. We also took advantage of all the check-in apps currently available in all jurisdictions.
We thought it was important to integrate the capabilities of Services Australia, allowing citizens to prove they have been vaccinated. Then integrate this into state-based check in apps.
