Anyone entering New South Wales from Queensland is now required to fill in a border declaration pass.
It is a first for residents on the border – who now need passes to enter both Queensland and NSW.
Anyone entering NSW who has visited Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia or the Northern Territory after June 30 must complete and carry a NSW border pass.
Cross-Border Commissioner James McTavish says anyone who enters Queensland must follow the same lockdown provisions when they return home to NSW.
"Everyone who is going between jurisdictions needs to have a NSW permit," he said.
Commissioner McTavish said for those who were working across the border and cannot work from home, they could cross into Queensland with a pass.
"On return to NSW, whether they're in Lismore or Tweed, they're subject to the same stay-at-home provisions as if they were living on the Gold Coast, which means they can only leave home for those essential services," he said.
Confusion for border residents
Warren Polglase, chairman of Tweed Heads Chamber of Commerce, criticised the government's messaging and said the lockdown was "mystifying and confusing" for businesses on the border.
"There is genuine concern but there is so much information you can't understand," he said.
"There's a lot of concern about, 'What do I do and how do I go about it or will I be breaking laws?'
"It's very difficult to interpret exactly what's going on.
Member for Tweed Geoff Provest said Queensland's lockdown ignited "fear and confusion" in the Tweed.
"It's pretty easy to cross the border and Queensland is policing that at the moment," he said.
"I am a bit disappointed in the Queensland government without putting out clear guidelines and communicate that out there.
New pass 'a joke'
Car detailer James Lord said the new pass system was "a joke".
"The amount of times I do cross the border it will be a pain in the neck," he said
"If I have to do it every day, I won't bother going up that side of the border.
