To limit the spread of COVID-19, some individuals and families , who do not meet the Australian Government’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements, may have to spend a period of time in quarantine at a hotel (or other facility) after returning home from overseas or interstate.  As a result, many people are left with large bills for their stay in quarantine and could struggle to pay this debt.  This guide will help you understand these debts, and what options are available if you cannot afford to pay.

See smarttraveller.gov.au for the latest information and requirements about COVID-19: Re-entry and quarantine measures for more information.
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Four things you need to know

1. The charges for mandatory quarantine are, in most cases, the responsibility of the individual in quarantine, with an adult being responsible for the costs of children
2. Mandatory hotel quarantine bills are a debt to a State or Territory Government, not a private debt held by the hotel where you were in quarantine
3. If you cannot afford to pay the fees in one go, you can request a repayment plan, or to have the bill waived if you cannot afford to pay anything.
4. Each State and Territory have different quarantine charges and different policies for repayment plans and debt waivers, so it is important to check the policy of your relevant State or Territory Government.