Confusion and crowds at Sydney airport as 'life-saving' self-isolation begins

Sydney Airport is jammed with frustrated passengers who landed hours after Australia's tough new coronavirus travel measures were rolled out.

From midnight new arrivals in Australia must self-isolate for 14 days, with fines reaching tens of thousands of dollars for anyone who refuses.

9News has obtained photographs from behind border control in Sydney Airport, showing large crowds of people trying to enter the country.

READ MORE: Coronavirus live updates: Strict penalties in NSW for failure to comply with mass gathering bans

Actress Toni Collette landed in Sydney this morning and was supportive of the tough new measures, 9News reporter Emma Partridge said.

"It is mayhem in customs," Partridge said.

"But all the passengers getting off flights this morning are relatively calm.

"There is frustration but … everybody wants to make sure they can do what they have to do to ensure everybody's health."

READ MORE: How do I self-isolate after landing in Australia?

Speaking on Today, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australians returning home from overseas represented one of the biggest risks to the spread of COVID-19.

"These are strong measures … some of the strongest in the world," he said.

He said self-isolation would "save more lives".

"That's why when you are coming home from overseas there will be a 14-day isolation," Mr Morrison said.

There are fears for what the restrictions will mean for the Australian tourism sector, which has been hit hard by bushfires and drought.

A fund of $1 billion has been set aside from the Federal Government's stimulus package to support the tourism industry.