Australia welcomes back international tourists after nearly two years

Passengers are welcomed as they arrive at Sydney International Airport on Monday (Dean Lewins/AAP/AP)

International tourists and business travellers are arriving in Australia with few restrictions for the first time in almost two years after some of the strictest pandemic measures of any democracy were lifted.

Vaccinated travellers were greeted at Sydney’s airport by jubilant well-wishers waving toy koalas and favourite Australian foods including Tim Tam chocolate biscuits and jars of Vegemite spread.