The Queensland Government had spent $19 million on quarantine for some 6000 returning travellers by June 10. Most travellers are being accommodated at hotels near Brisbane Airport.

The average amount of $3166 is understood to be in the upper range of what state Cabinet will consider making travellers pay. It is unclear when the measure would come into effect, or whether the bill would differ between individuals, couples and families.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk recently said her government was “looking in the future” for returning overseas travellers to pay that bill. Deputy Premier Steven Miles at the weekend acknowledged the National Cabinet discussions on the issue and said the Government was focussed on Queensland’s economic recovery.

The NSW Government – which by last week had quarantined more than 27,500 people in hotels – has flagged invoicing other states. It has spent more than $16 million to date but has privately argued it is over-exposed because Sydney is a gateway to other states.

Victoria, where there has been community transmission and the virus has also managed to escape quarantine, expects to spend $30 million on accommodation for travellers. That would amount to about $2000 per person.

In March, a National Cabinet meeting agreed the states and territories would cover the cost of hotels needed for quarantine. However, the Northern Territory later opted to bill travellers for accommodation and food, and the changing circumstances have prompted a rethink. The NT policy included arrivals from interstate but it has today dropped the requirement that they be quarantined.