Australia will soon be one step away from realising the federal government's vision to have all state and territory borders open by Christmas.
Western Australia confirmed on Tuesday - the same day that thousands streamed into Queensland as the Sunshine State reopened to NSW and Victoria - that it would reopen its borders to the east from December 8.
From that point, only South Australians will remain locked out of other states. WA remains closed off to all South Australians, while Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania are restricting travel from the COVID-19 hotspot areas associated with Adelaide's 33-strong Parafield cluster.
More than 10 cases connected to the Parafield cluster remain active.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison declared Australia "was not built for borders" and reiterated his desire to see a fully open Australia by December 25.
"On the record of the achievements so far, we are well and truly on that path and so I thank the premiers and the chief ministers for the way we have worked together patiently," Mr Morrison told parliament on Tuesday.
"There's been a few disagreements but the outcome is what matters."
WA Premier Mark McGowan on Tuesday said the WA-SA border controls will be reviewed next week and won't change until at least December 11.
He also warned he'd reintroduce border controls if deemed necessary.
Travellers entering WA from NSW and Victoria will still be required to undergo health screening and a temperature check at the airport, complete a G2G pass outlining recent travel and take a COVID-19 test if necessary.
Victoria last week reached the 28-day benchmark for the community elimination of COVID-19, while NSW is four days away.
Queensland, meanwhile, is hoping the resumption of interstate travel will drive a domestic tourism boom over the summer months.
About 6000 people are believed to have travelled north on Tuesday.
"Queensland's health-led economic recovery is set to really take off ... and with that will come more jobs," Deputy Premier Steven Miles said.
Australia recorded nine new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday - eight in returned travellers in hotel quarantine and one old case in South Australia.
Australian Associated Press
