07/01/2011

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

Travel Summary

 

• There is a general threat from terrorism in Australia. Attacks cannot be ruled out and could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. See Safety and Security - Terrorism.
  
  
• Over 664,000 British nationals visit Australia every year (Source: Tourism Australia). Most visits to Australia are trouble–free. See General - Consular Assistance Statistics. Australia is a vast country; you should plan your journeys carefully, particularly if travelling to remote areas, bushwalking or going swimming.
  
  
• December has seen heavy rain and flooding throughout Australia.  In eastern Australia, four people have died and several States and Territories are on high alert. More than 100 people have been rescued from floods in Carnarvon in northern Western Australia, and several others have been stranded following several days of torrential rainfall.  See Natural Disasters - Flooding.
  
  
• The England cricket team is touring Australia from 5 November 2010 to 6 February 2011.  If you are travelling to Australia to follow the team, see our separate information for travelling cricket fans.
  
  
• British nationals are required to obtain visas for entry into Australia. You should ensure that you have a return or onward air ticket. Beware of scam adverts offering to sell information claiming to help you extend a working holiday visa; several British (and other foreign) nationals have had their visas cancelled as a result. See Entry Requirements.
  
  
• Take extra health precautions if travelling in the Northern Territory, parts of Western Australia, and parts of Queensland. See Health.
  
  
• Australia is prone to seasonal natural disasters including tropical cyclones, flash flooding, dust storms and bushfires (forest fires). The Cyclone Season normally runs from November to April. Bushfires are common in the summer months from November to February, but can happen unexpectedly at any time of year. In early February 2009, Victoria suffered its worst ever bushfire outbreak. See Natural Disasters - Bushfires.
  
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See the General - Insurance.

Safety and security

Safety and Security - Terrorism
There is a general threat from terrorism in Australia. Attacks could be indiscriminate including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. 

In February 2010, former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd launched Australia’s latest white paper on Counter-Terrorism. He described the threat to Australia as persistent and permanent, and outlined the government’s response. See the full text of the white paper at http://www.dpmc.gov.au/publication/counterterrorism/index.cfm

See our Terrorism Abroad page.

On 4 August 2009, the Victorian and Australian Federal Police co-ordinated searches of 19 properties in Victoria and made four arrests in connection with counter-terrorism operations. Those arrested were charged with the preparation or planning of a terrorist act, and they will stand trial in 2010.  

In November 2005, the Australian police arrested 16 people in Sydney and Melbourne in a counter-terrorism operation designed to disrupt preparations for a terrorist attack. Three more were arrested on terrorism charges in Melbourne in March 2006. The trial against those arrested in Melbourne concluded on 15 September 2008 with six convictions and four acquittals. The case against those from Sydney concluded on 16 October 2009 with five convictions.

Safety and Security - Crime
Before you travel, make a copy of your passport personal details page. Take one copy with you, store it separately from the original, and leave one copy with friends or family at home (or upload it onto a secure online data storage site); this will help a speedier turnaround if your passport is lost or stolen.

• Like any other part of the world, be particularly careful with personal possessions and travel documents in cities and other popular tourist destinations.
• Keep your valuables (such as cameras and MPS players) and passport in a safe place. Avoid carrying everything in one bag.
• Do not leave bags unattended in internet cafes, pubs or clubs.
• Luggage and other personal items left in unattended vehicles and identifiable hire cars and camper-vans may also be targeted, including at theme park car parks.
• Take particular care when walking at night in some of the busy tourist areas of Sydney, such as Kings Cross, down town George Street, Hyde Park and Centennial Park.  
• Be alert when you are withdrawing cash from cash machines.  Check that a card-reading device has not been attached, and ensure that no-one can see you enter your PIN number.
• Theft from safe deposit boxes is common in the cheaper hotels and hostels.  
  Beware of online lettings scams in which prospective tenants are asked to transfer a deposit to an overseas bank account in return for keys to a rental property in Australia. A number of British and other foreign travellers have fallen victim to such scams.
• Beware of unsolicited emails claiming you have won a lottery or have an unexpected employment offer. As elsewhere, these and other online scams are quite common. Further guidance is available on the Metropolitan Police website.  
  

Some street crime and house burglaries occur in all Australian cities but, on the whole, the level of crime is no higher than in the UK.  Proof of age cards are available at little cost from Roads & Traffic Authority (RTA) offices in Australia and are an accepted form of ID for many everyday services, such as opening bank accounts or entering licensed premises. By obtaining such a card soon after you arrive, you will not need to carry your passport with you unless travelling – thereby greatly reducing the risk, and cost, of it being lost or stolen. Further guidance is available on the Australian Government website.

If your passport is lost or stolen, there are no facilities to issue full validity UK passports in Australia; these are all issued at our Regional Passport Processing Centre in New Zealand. There is also no facility outside the UK to fast track full validity UK passports.

If your need to travel falls within the minimum passport processing time of four weeks, you should call your nearest British Consulate http://ukinaustralia.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals - which lists Consular offices in Australia and they will do their best to help you. You may be eligible for an Emergency Travel Document (ETD). We make every effort to ensure compassionate cases are processed quickly.

See our victims of crime abroad page.

Be aware that alcohol and drugs can lead to you being less alert, less in control and less aware of your environment. If you are going to drink, know your limit. Remember that drinks served in bars overseas are often stronger than those in the UK. There have been cases of serious sexual offences against British nationals in Australia. For more guidance about this see rape and sexual assault abroad.

Safety and Security - Local Travel
Australia is a huge country. You should take regular rest breaks when driving long distances - there are many rest stops provided. There are extremely remote outback areas, which can present unexpected hazards. If you intend travelling to such areas you should plan your trip with care and seek and follow local advice on what precautions to take. In addition, when travelling to remote tourist areas of the outback, it is essential to leave your route details and expected time of return with the relevant local tourist authorities or police, your hotel/hostel, or with friends and relatives. Ensure that you also notify them if your travel plans change and when you finally return. Many tourists are reported missing, only to be found safe and well at their next destination. If you are hiring a car immediately on arrive, be extra careful - you will be jetlagged and tired from your flight.

If you intend bushwalking in or exploring national parks you must be aware that the majority of these are in remote areas and it can take hours to reach help. This has resulted in a number of deaths. The terrain and intense heat can have a severe impact in reducing your capabilities, and take plenty of water and a means of rigging up a shelter from the sun. The NSW Police Force website provides further advice on bush safety, most of which applies throughout Australia.

Australia is home to a number of dangerous animal species, from crocodiles, jellyfish and sharks to poisonous insects and snakes. The West Tropics Management Authority website has information on dangerous marine life and dangerous animals.

The Tourism Australia website has extensive information on travelling around the continent. The Australian Government’s National Visitor Safety Handbook [http://beachsafe.org.au/Visiting_the_beach/Tourist_Safety] also contains comprehensive travel safety advice on Australia.

Safety and Security - Beach safety
Rip currents are the leading surf hazard for all beach users. They can occur at any beach, and can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea. Rip currents are directly responsible for 20 coastal drowning deaths and over 15,000 rescues in Australia each year (source: Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA)). There are more British victims than any other foreign nationality, with as many as 400 British nationals rescued and up to four drownings each year.

To enjoy Australia’s beaches safely, take the following simple precautions:

• Always swim between the red and yellow flags - these indicate it is a supervised location where a lifesaving service is currently on duty.
• Do not swim at unsupervised locations.
• Read the safety signs - they indicate current and typical hazards for that location.
• Ask a lifeguard for advice - they are there to provide safety advice and make your experience safe and enjoyable. 
• Always swim with a friend; never alone.
• If you get into trouble, stay calm and attract attention by calling and waving your arm above your head.
• Never swim after consuming alcohol or drugs – they impair your ability and judgement in the water.

Further guidance on beach safety is available on the SLS website: www.sls.com.au/be-safe

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Swimming Safety
Be aware of your own limitations in terms of your physical health and your swimming ability in the given conditions.

Take care when swimming in, or crossing, rivers and pools as these can be subject to sudden flash flooding as a result of heavy rain elsewhere in the area. There have also been cases of British nationals being injured by diving into water, which was too shallow. Make sure that there is sufficient depth of water before diving, and always follow warning signs if present.

See our river and sea safety page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road Travel
Like the UK, Australia drives on the left. However, as with any foreign country, driving laws are different to the UK's, and you should familiarise yourself with these.

In 2009 there were 1,504 road deaths in Australia (source:  DfT). This equates to 6.8 road deaths per 100,000 of population compared to the UK average of 3.8 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2009 (DfT).

As a visitor, you may drive in Australia on a valid UK driving licence, which covers the class of vehicle you use. You must carry your licence when driving, in addition to a valid passport. An international driving permit is not sufficient and must be accompanied by a separate valid driving licence. There is an on-the-spot fine for not having your licence with you. You should also ensure that you are adequately covered for insurance purposes, including if you borrow a car from a friend or relative.

If you intend to stay in Australia and you hold a permanent visa, you are no longer considered a visitor. You are allowed to drive on a current overseas licence for a maximum of three months, after which you must apply for a local licence. The local authorities will only accept your UK driving licence if the names match exactly those in your passport; if they do not, you should obtain a replacement licence from the DVLA before applying for a local licence. If you plan on driving in Western Australia, or are applying to do so, and you suffer from a permanent or long term injury or illness that is likely to impair your ability to drive a motor vehicle, you are required by law to report this to the Western Australia Department of Transport. For information on what you need to report, and how, see the Western Australia Department of Transport website. Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is illegal. The penalties can be severe.

Seat belts must be worn at all times while driving in Australia. Weather hazards can seriously impair driving as road conditions can change rapidly. Sudden storms and strong winds can make driving difficult. Take particular care when driving on unmetalled roads, 4WD tracks and desert/beach roads. In July 2010, Northern Territory Police issued a warning for tourists to stay off unsealed tracks in remote areas of Central Australia following several reports of stranded motorists.

Following two deaths (one of whom was British) and 18 injuries (seven of them British) in two 4WD accidents, from 1 July 2010 all vehicles on Fraser Island must observe a maximum speed of 80km/h on beaches and 30km/h in towns. All 4WD vehicles must carry no more than eight occupants (including the driver) and all luggage must be carried inside the vehicle. Drivers should avoid driving at night and be aware of beach hazards such as ditches created by the surf. Fraser Island is unique but remote, and emergency services can take many hours to reach someone who is injured. Visitors should carry a well-stocked first-aid kit and personal medication as there is no pharmacy on the island. For further advice, and current driving conditions, visit www.derm.qld.gov.au/fraser.

See our Driving Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Air Travel
The revised EU-wide security measures that came into effect for all passengers departing from UK airports in November 2006 have also been implemented in Australia. For more details about this please see DfT Airline Security.

Safety and Security - Political Situation
Australia Country Profile

Local laws and customs

The Australian authorities will take action against anyone who imports or is found to be trafficking illegal substances. Prosecution can lead to a lengthy jail sentence and non-Australian nationals are usually deported at the end of their sentence. Deportation may lead to a ban on returning to Australia for several years. Laws, and the penalties for breaking them, can differ from State to State.
 
Australia has an established tradition of tolerance towards homosexuality, however there are still isolated incidents of homophobic related crimes. Gay and lesbian travellers should be aware of local sensitivities particularly when visiting rural communities.
 
Travellers spending a gap year in Australia (or elsewhere) may like to view www.gogapyear.com.

Local Laws and Customs - Quarantine Procedures
Australian authorities are rigorous in their efforts to keep out any pests and diseases that could affect plant, animal and human health. All luggage is x-rayed on arrival, whether arriving by plane with visitors or by mail. Any items of quarantine concern are further inspected, treated and, if necessary, confiscated and destroyed.
 
Before landing you will be given an incoming passenger card on the plane, on which you must declare any food or goods of plant or animal origin. These goods include nuts, dried fruit and vegetables, herbs and spices, biscuits, cakes and confectionery, teas, coffees and milk-based drinks and sporting equipment (including camping gear), amongst others. A full list of items which must be declared, as well as prohibited goods, can be found on the Australian Quarantine & Inspection Service website. Breaches of quarantine regulations can result in large fines.
 
You must also declare on the passenger card if you have 'visited a rural area, or been in contact with, or near, farm animals outside Australia in the past 30 days'. As a result of these quarantine procedures, you should expect some delay on arrival. See our Your Trip page.

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements - Visas
Visas are required for all travel to Australia. British citizens can obtain the following types of electronic visitor visa:

• an eVisitor visa direct from the Department of Immigration & Citizenship. There is no visa application charge or service fee for this;
• an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) via their travel agent or airline. There is no visa application charge, but a service fee of A$20 applies

Information on all other types of visa is available from the Department of Immigration & Citizenship, or from the Australian High Commission in London

Entry Requirements - Passport Validity
Australia does not have a minimum passport validity requirement for incoming passengers.  But if you intend onward travel to other countries in the region, please note you are advised that entry into some countries may be refused, and airlines may not carry you, if your passport has less than six months validity. This also affects passengers transiting some countries en route to/from Australia (i.e. if they pass through immigration and enter the transit country), such as Singapore.  See the Travel Advice for Singapore. For further information on entry requirements you should check with the Embassy or High Commission in London of the country you intend to visit/transit.

Entry Requirements - Staying in, and leaving, Australia
Ensure that you hold sufficient funds for the whole of your stay in Australia, and have access to emergency funds in case you do run out of money. Ensure that you have a return or onward air ticket (this is in any case mandatory for certain Australian visa categories). Do not rely on obtaining money from sources such as tax refunds to fund a return flight.

Beware of scam adverts offering to sell information claiming to help you extend a working holiday visa. Second year working holiday visas are available if you have worked in a rural area (e.g. fruit-picking) for three months during the first year of your working holiday. Some British (and other foreign) nationals have falsely claimed to have worked on farms using information/documents bought from scam advertisers. As a result, they have had their visas cancelled and been excluded from returning to Australia for three years.

Health

There have been confirmed human cases of the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) in Australia. You can check for updates on the situation in Australia by calling Australia’s Swine Flu Hotline on 1802 007, or by visiting the Australian Government’s Health Emergency website. 

Australia is a huge country. Take regular rest breaks when driving long distances - there are many rest stops provided. There are extremely remote outback areas, which can present unexpected hazards. If you intend travelling to such areas plan your trip with care and seek and follow local advice on what precautions to take. In addition, when travelling to remote tourist areas of the outback, it is essential to leave your route details and expected time of return with the relevant local tourist authorities or police, your hotel/hostel, or with friends and relatives. Ensure that you also notify them if your travel plans change and when you finally return. Many tourists are reported missing, only to be found safe and well at their next destination. If you are hiring a car immediately on arrival, be extra careful - you will likely be jetlagged and tired from your flight.

Reciprocal healthcare arrangements exist between Australia and the UK. Under these, British citizens resident in the UK and travelling on a British passport are entitled to limited subsidised health services from Medicare Australia for medically necessary treatment while visiting Australia. This does not cover pre-existing conditions, or treatment that does not require prompt attention. These provisions do not apply to non-visitors, for example those who are studying in Australia. You should check Medicare Australia for further details.

Other exclusions under the reciprocal agreement include pharmaceuticals when not a hospital in-patient, use of ambulance services and medical evacuations. The latter, in particular, are very expensive - with reported cases exceeding £100,000 for medical evacuations to the UK. You should take out comprehensive medical insurance before you travel to Australia as, if you are not covered under the reciprocal arrangements, costs for treatment can be high. See the General - Insurance section of this advice for more details in insurance

Dengue, Murray Valley Encephalitis (MVE) and Ross River Fever occur periodically in northern parts of Australia (the Northern Territory, North Queensland and northern Western Australia). All three viruses are transmitted by mosquitoes. There is no vaccination against them, but there are preventative measures that you can take, as advised on the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) website. A man died from MVE in Darwin in 2009. The dengue season officially begins each February. An outbreak in northern Queensland in 2009 led to over 900 confirmed cases in and around Cairns and Townsville. One elderly lady in Cairns died from dengue-related complications. A further 629 dengue cases were reported in Australia from January-October 2010.  34 cases of local transmission have been reported in and around Cairns and Townsville since July 2010, but the Queensland Government advises that as dengue-carrying mosquitoes usually breed in urban areas, the usual tourist activities in North Queensland - such as reef and rainforest trips - carry a low risk.

There were 77 confirmed cases of Whitmore disease (melioidosis) in the Northern Territory in mid-2010, mainly in greater Darwin, but with cases reported in the Katherine and East Arnhem regions too. One case occurred as far south as Tennant Creek. Heavy rains increase the risk of a melioidosis outbreak, as the bacteria that cause it are found in surface water and mud, and may become airborne. Those most at risk are those with underlying conditions that impair the immune system such as diabetes. Please visit the NT Department of Health and Families website – http://www.health.nt.gov.au - for more information.

In 2009 much of Australia experienced the worst whooping cough (pertussis) outbreak in many years. Babies are the main victims of the potentially fatal and highly infectious disease, because they are too young to be (fully) immunized. South Australia experienced its worst outbreak on record, with almost 3,500 cases in 2009, compared with 859 in 2008 and 318 in 2007. A four-week old NSW baby who died in March 2009 was the first fatality from the disease in a decade.

For more information, see the NSW Health website at: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au. It was reported that two other children died in 2009.

There was also a higher than normal incidence of cryptosporidiosis, a diarrhoeal disease caused by a parasitic infection of the intestine, in New South Wales in 2009. NSW Health reported 201 cases in February 2009, compared to 106 cases in January and 45 cases in December 2008. The highest rates of infections were in children under five. For more information, visit the NSW Health website, as above.

In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 18,000 adults aged 15 or over in Australia were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.2% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. See our HIV and AIDS page. 

Seek medical advice before travelling to Australia and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Heath Network and Centre NaTHNaC or NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. 

See our Travel Health and Eat and Drink Safely pages and the UK Department of Health website.

Natural disasters

Natural Disasters – Flooding
Depending on the season flash flooding of large areas can occur suddenly. December has seen heavy rain and flooding throughout Australia. In eastern Australia, four people have died, and several States and Territories are on high alert. More than 100 people have been rescued from floods in Carnarvon in northern Western Australia, and several others have been stranded following several days of torrential rainfall.  Some areas have suffered their worst flooding for 50 years, and have been declared natural disaster zones. The situation changes daily; please listen for and follow local advice on what precautions to take. Further information is available from the State Emergency Service in each State/Territory.

Natural Disasters - Tropical Cyclones
Tropical Cyclones occur in some parts of Australia, mainly Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia. The Cyclone season normally runs from November to April. Monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). You can also access the Australian Bureau of Meteorology website for updates. For further information see Tropical Cyclones.

Natural Disasters - Dust Storms
Dust storms occur regularly in Australia, but usually only in outback areas.

Natural Disasters - Bushfires
Be aware of the risk of bushfires, especially at the height of the Australian summer (November to February), but they can happen unexpectedly at any time of year if there are (unseasonable) high temperatures and strong winds. In early February 2009, Victoria suffered its worst ever bushfire outbreak, with 173 people confirmed dead, up to 500 injured, and nearly 2000 homes destroyed. You should check with local State authorities for current bushfire information: Victoria; South Australia and New South Wales.

General

General - Insurance
You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You are advised to consider taking out separate medical insurance for the whole of your overseas visit, including any time spent in Australia. It is also advisable to have cover for unexpected losses such as cancelled flights, stolen cash, cards, passport or luggage. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See our Travel Insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then see our When Things Go Wrong page.

General - Mobile phones
The mobile phone network generally works well in cities and large towns but coverage on the edge of built-up and  rural areas can be very limited or non-existent. You can use your UK mobile phone in Australia if global roaming has been activated, but making and receiving calls can be expensive. Many visitors prefer to buy an Australian SIM card on arrival. Australian SIM cards are available at some Australian airports, and at convenience stores and supermarkets.

General - Consular Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.

General - Consular Assistance Statistics
Over 664,000 British nationals visit Australia every year (Source: Tourism Australia). Most visits to Australia are trouble–free. 378 British nationals required consular assistance in Australia in the period 01 April 2009 – 31 March 2010 for the following types of incident: 77 deaths; 42 hospitalisations; and 124 arrests, for a variety of offence. During this period lost or stolen passports were by far the most frequent problem encountered by British nationals in Australia (980 cases).