All people travelling to the Northern Territory (NT) after midnight on 3 April 2020 will be required to pay a fee to cover the costs of the mandatory 14-day quarantine period.

This includes Territorians returning home.

Individuals are required to pay a contribution to the cost of quarantining at a rate of:

• $2,500 per person or
• $5,000 for a family of two or more people sharing accommodation.

Additional costs may be incurred if accommodation is not shared.

What the fee covers

The fee contributes to the cost of:

• accommodation
• food
• medical support
• policing
• security.

Exemptions

The NT quarantine fee will not apply if you have a travel exemption approved by the CHO.

This includes people approved to quarantine in an alternative location including your own home.

If you enter into quarantine while waiting for an exemption, including approval to quarantine in a place other than a hotel, you will not be required to pay the quarantine fee if your exemption is approved.

If you receive an invoice for the quarantine fee, call the number on the invoice and provide proof of your exemption. The invoice will then be cancelled.

If you have already paid for quarantine accommodation in another state

If you have already paid for commercial accommodation to undertake quarantine in another state or territory, you are still required to undertake 14 days of quarantine in the NT but you won't be charged the quarantine fee. However, you will still be sent an invoice.

You will need to call the number on the invoice and provide evidence of your payment for accommodation in another state or territory and the invoice will be cancelled.

What happens when you cross the border

All travellers arriving in the NT from interstate or overseas will be met by police or defence personnel and will be required to:

• sign a declaration and
• provide their personal and contact details.

You will also be required to sign a deed upon entry agreeing to pay the quarantine fee.

You will then be directed to a second biosecurity checkpoint closer to town where you will be advised of your designated quarantine accommodation.

If you are travelling with a pet, arrangements must be made to accommodate your pet prior to arriving in the NT and entering your designated quarantine accommodation. Arrangements are at your own expense. It is the owners responsibility to ensure all vaccinations are current.

If you have already booked and paid for accommodation

If you have already booked and paid for accommodation before entering the NT, you will need approval from the CHO to be able to stay there.

If the CHO approves the accommodation, and it has already been booked and paid for prior to 4 April 2020, you may be able to apply for an exemption to the quarantine fee.

When and how to pay the fee

If you are undertaking mandatory quarantine, you will receive an invoice with your quarantine fee.

The fee will be due 30 days from the invoice date.

Payments can be made online or in person at a Receiver of Territory Monies. You can find these details on the invoice.

You will not need to pay when you check in at your quarantine accommodation.

If you are on a low income

Anyone undertaking mandatory quarantine will receive an invoice for the full quarantine fee of $2,500 per person or $5,000 for families of two or more people sharing accommodation.

People with a low income may be eligible for a reduced quarantine fee of:

• $1,250 per person or
• $2,500 per family of two or more people sharing accommodation.

The low income threshold requirements are:

• singles - $52,706
• families - $68,894

Low income earners will be required to provide their tax return or a statement from Centrelink.

Payment plan

If you are unable to pay the full amount of the invoice in one transaction, you will be able to set up a payment plan.

You will need to call the number on the invoice to discuss and arrange payment options.

Low income earners are also able to use payment plan options.