Speaking with SBS, Mr Frydenberg hinted that international travel likely wouldn’t resume until 2022, adding the official “assumption” about overseas travel would be revealed in the budget.

“We have an assumption in the budget that will be revealed on Tuesday night, but it will be next year,” he said.

The budget is expected to contain more details about when the travel ban will be lifted.

It comes as Prime Minister Scott Morrison rejected the suggestion he wanted to keep international borders closed in order to completely eliminate COVID-19 from Australia.

“Australia’s COVID suppression strategy has not changed to an ‘elimination’ strategy nor is ‘zero cases’ our goal,” he said on Facebook.

“There will always be cases as we return Australians home from overseas. International borders will only open when it is safe to do so.”

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The Morrison Government has conceded the big question remains the threat that people who are vaccinated may still be able to catch and spread COVID, even if the vaccine means it will no longer kill them.

Booster shots may also be required to improve the immunity of travellers who go to regions with new variants that are immune to the first generation vaccines.

It’s that uncertainty that’s driving delays and caution over the reopening of Australia’s international borders that will likely be delivered in a staggered changes that test the impact of each small step to return to normal.

A new 2022 deadline to reopen borders to be confirmed in Tuesday’s budget represents a significant delay to the original plan to reopen borders in October, 2020.

Finance Minister Simon Birmingham cautioned on Monday that there are “many uncertainties” as the Morrison Government works on a road map to reopening Australia to the world and safety will be first and foremost.

“Border closures have been, arguably, the single biggest factor in keeping COVID out of Australia and in doing so not just saving Australian lives but saving Australian jobs,’’ Senator Birmingham said.

“So we are going to maintain those tough border settings until it is clearly safe for us to do so. And where we take cautious steps, as we have done with New Zealand, it will be on health advice. Right now, sadly, it’s a bit of a grim picture in some parts of the world. That means it will be a very cautious approach.

“There are many uncertainties in relation to COVID. Anyone who says they can predict how a once in a century pandemic unfolds is kidding themselves. What we’ve managed to do is to keep Australia safe.”

While the news is a blow to Qantas’ plans to resume international flights later this year, the confirmation of the timetable is good news for business leaders calling for a clearer road map.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has confirmed the 2021 budget will aim for the reopening of the international border next year but even that date could be subject to change.

– with Samantha Maiden