Travel advice and subscribing for updates
The Australian Government’s Smartraveller website provides a range of information and advice to help you make well-informed travel decisions and stay safe while you’re overseas.
This includes travel advice for the United States , and advisories for more than 170 other destinations worldwide.
Smartraveller offers a free service that allows you to sign up to receive travel advice updates and news via email .
Following Smartraveller on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram is another easy way to stay up to date while travelling.
- Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs
The Hon Tim Watts MP
- Media Releases
- Transcripts
Make Smartraveller your first destination
- Media Release
Today the Australian Government is launching its new Smartraveller campaign, encouraging Australian travellers to make Smartraveller their first destination.
Each month, there are more than 1 million departures from Australia and, at any point in time, there are around 1,250 cases of Australians needing help overseas.
The best way to stay safe is to be prepared.
Whether you're a first-time or regular traveller, going on holiday, to visit family, or travelling for business, it's important that you are fully prepared.
Smartraveller has travel and cultural advice for over 175 destinations. You can subscribe to get the latest advice and alerts for your destinations.
Before planning your trip, check whether you have a valid passport, look into visa requirements, get the right travel insurance and, most importantly, read and subscribe to Smartraveller.
Many Australians are excited at the prospect of travelling again. So don't trip up on your next trip. Make Smartraveller your first destination.
For more information visit Smartraveller.gov.au
Media enquiries
- DFAT Media Liaison: (02) 6261 1555
Your guide to the structures , organisations and key people in the Australian Government
- Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Key Contacts
Travel Advice - Smart Traveller
• Travel advisories from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade we deliver a range of consular services for Australians travelling or living overseas. We deliver our services through Australian embassies, high commissions and consulates overseas. ___________________________________________________________________________ • Smartraveller provides official overseas travel advice. Our travel advice aims to inform you of the risks and how to avoid or handle difficulties overseas. Ultimately, though, it’s advice only and the decision to travel is yours. It’s also your responsibility to take care of your safety and wellbeing. ___________________________________________________________________________ • If you, or someone you know, needs urgent help or you have significant welfare concerns, emergency consular assistance is available 24 hours a day by calling the Consular Emergency Centre (CEC) in Canberra on: 1300 555 135 (within Australia) +61 2 6261 3305 (from overseas) ___________________________________________________________________________ • For non-urgent general enquiries, email [email protected]. 1300 555 135 http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/ Emergency consular assistance is available 24 hours Last updated: 19 November 2021
Quick feedback
Let us know what you think of this page. Your ideas and feedback are encouraged and will be used to help us prioritise design fixes and new features.
An official website of the United States government
Here’s how you know
Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
- Trusted Traveler Programs
- Global Entry
- International Arrangements
SmartGate for U.S. Citizens
The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service has extended the use of SmartGate to U.S. citizens. SmartGate is a simple way for eligible travelers arriving into Australia's international airports to self-process through passport control. SmartGate gives travelers a choice about how they are processed at passport control in Australia. Travelers can choose to be cleared by an Australian Customs and Border Protection officer or use SmartGate to self-process. Using SmartGate to self-process may be faster than waiting for a Customs and Border Protection officer, particularly during busy travel periods. SmartGate is a simple two-step process involving a kiosk and a gate.
There is no registration process for SmartGate. In order to use SmartGate, U.S. citizens must be:
- Traveling on a valid U.S. electronic passport, and
- At least 16 years old
SmartGate does not change the visa requirements or the visa process for travel to Australia. For more information about obtaining a visa to enter Australia, visit the Embassy of Australia website.
Visit the Smartgate website .
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Smartraveller
Visit the Smartraveller website regularly to check for international developments and subscribe to updates.
- Immunisation
- Travel health
Is there anything wrong with this page?
Help us improve health.gov.au
If you would like a response please use the enquiries form instead.
Situation in Haiti April 13, 2024
U.s. citizens in haiti, update april 12, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.
- Travel Advisories |
- Contact Us |
- MyTravelGov |
Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates
Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents, before you go.
Learn About Your Destination
While Abroad
Emergencies
Share this page:
Crisis and Disaster Abroad: Be Ready
What the Department of State Can and Can't Do in a Crisis
Information for U.S. Citizens about a U.S. Government-Assisted Evacuation
Traveler's Checklist
Safety and Security Messaging
Best Practices for Traveler Safety
Staying Connected
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
Traveler Information
LGBTQI+ Travelers
Adventure Travel
High-Risk Area Travelers
Travelers with Dual Nationality
Journalist Travelers
Faith-Based Travelers
Pilgrimage Travelers (Hajj and Umrah)
U.S. Students Abroad
Cruise Ship Passengers
Women Travelers
Travelers with Disabilities
Older Travelers
U.S. Volunteers Abroad
Travelers with Pets
Travelers With Firearms
Travel Agents
Travel Safety - Race and Ethnicity
U.S. Travelers in Europe's Schengen Area
Your Health Abroad
Insurance Coverage Overseas
Driving and Road Safety Abroad
Customs and Import Restrictions
Information for U.S. Citizens in Russia – Travel Options Out of Russia
Lodging Safety
Are you traveling or living outside the U.S.? STEP is a free service that sends you emails with updates from the local U.S. embassy or consulate. If there’s an emergency where you are, it helps us contact you with instructions on what to do.
Why join STEP?
- Get real time updates about health, weather, safety, and security in the country.
- Plan ahead using information from the local U.S. embassy.
- Help the embassy or consulate contact you if there’s an emergency like a natural disaster, civil unrest, or a family emergency.
What kind of messages does STEP send? Currently, STEP sends emails only. STEP can send you several types of information:
- Routine Messages : News and updates about the country you picked.
- Alerts : Messages about short-term security, terrorism, health, weather, or disaster situations that could impact your travels.
- Travel Advisories : We re-evaluate the situation in each country every 6-12 months. Advisories include a simple 1-4 rating system, details about specific risks in the country, and clear steps U.S. citizens should take to stay safe.
Join the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
After you set up your account, you can pick what types of messages you want to get.
Stay in touch during an emergency. Signing up for STEP helps the U.S. embassy get in touch with you if there’s an emergency. And, if your family or friends in the U.S. can’t reach you with urgent news while you’re traveling, we can use the information in STEP to try and contact you.
Become a Smart Traveler Now! STEP is an easy first step to being a smart traveler. You should also always research your destination , and consider additional ways to get safety and security information from the U.S. Department of State, like on social media.
Enroll in STEP
Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.
Recommended Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.
Learn about your destination
Make two copies of all of your travel documents in case of emergency, and leave one with a trusted friend or relative.
External Link
You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.
Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.
You are about to visit:
Countries, economies and regions
Select a country, economy or region to find embassies, country briefs, economic fact sheets, trade agreements, aid programs, information on sanctions and more.
International relations
Global security.
- Australia and sanctions
- Australian Safeguards and Non-proliferation Office (ASNO)
- Counter-terrorism
- Non-proliferation, disarmament and arms control
- Peacekeeping and peacebuilding
Regional architecture
- Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
- Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
- East Asia Summit (EAS)
- Australia and the Indian Ocean region
- Pacific Islands regional organisations
Global themes
- Child protection
- Climate change
- Cyber affairs and critical technology
- Disability Equity and Rights
- Gender equality
- Human rights
- Indigenous peoples
- People Smuggling, Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery
- Preventing Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment
- Australia’s treaty-making process
International organisations
- The Commonwealth of Nations
- United Nations (UN)
- World Trade Organization
Foreign Arrangements Scheme
Trade and investment, about free trade agreements (ftas).
- The benefits of FTAs
- How to get free trade agreement tariff cuts
- Look up FTA tariffs and services market access - DFAT FTA Portal
- Discussion paper on potential modernisation – DFAT FTA Portal
About foreign investment
- The benefits of foreign investment
- Investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS)
- Australia's bilateral investment treaties
- Australia's foreign investment policy
For Australian business
- Addressing non-tariff trade barriers
Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai
Stakeholder engagement.
- Ministerial Council on Trade and Investment
- Trade 2040 Taskforce
- First Nations trade
Australia's free trade agreements (FTAs)
- ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand (AANZFTA)
- Chile (ACLFTA)
- China (ChAFTA)
- Hong Kong ( A-HKFTA & IA)
- India (AI-ECTA)
- Indonesia (IA-CEPA)
- Japan (JAEPA)
- Korea (KAFTA)
- Malaysia (MAFTA)
- New Zealand (ANZCERTA)
- Peru (PAFTA)
- Singapore (SAFTA)
- Thailand (TAFTA)
- United Kingdom (A-UKFTA)
- USA (AUSFTA)
- Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
- European Union (A-EUFTA)
- India (AI-CECA)
- Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
- Australia-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
Trade and investment data, information and publications
- Fact sheets for countries and regions
- Australia's trade balance
- Trade statistics
- Foreign investment statistics
- Trade and investment publications
- Australia's Trade through Time
WTO, G20, OECD, APEC and IPEF and ITAG
Services and digital trade.
- Service trade policy
- Australia-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement
- Digital trade & the digital economy
Development
Australia’s development program, performance assessment.
- Development evaluation
- Budget and statistical information
Who we work with
- Multilateral organisations
- Non-government organisations (NGOs)
- List of Australian accredited non-government organisations (NGOs)
Development topics
- Development issues
- Development sectors
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
- Sustainable Development Goals
Where we deliver our Development Program
Humanitarian action.
Where and how Australia provides emergency assistance.
People-to-people
Australia awards.
- Australia Awards Scholarships
- Australia Awards Fellowships
New Colombo Plan
- Scholarship program
- Mobility program
Public diplomacy
- Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program
- Australia now
- UK/Australia Season 2021-22
Foundations, councils and institutes
- Australia-ASEAN Council
- Australia-India Council
- Australia-Indonesia Institute
- Australia-Japan Foundation
- Australia-Korea Foundation
- Council for Australian-Arab Relations (CAAR)
- Council on Australia Latin America Relations (COALAR)
International Labour Mobility
- Pacific Labour Mobility Scheme
- Agriculture Visa
Australian Volunteers Program
Supporting organisations in developing countries by matching them with skilled Australians.
Sports diplomacy
Australia is a successful global leader and innovator in sport.
A global platform for achievement, innovation, collaboration, and cooperation
About Australia
Australia is a stable, democratic and culturally diverse nation with a highly skilled workforce and one of the strongest performing economies in the world.
Australia in Brief publication
This is the 52nd edition of Australia in Brief, revised and updated in February 2021
Travel advice
To help Australians avoid difficulties overseas, we maintain travel advisories for more than 170 destinations.
- Smartraveller – travel advice
International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate
Prove your COVID-19 vaccinations when you travel overseas.
- Services Australia
The Australian Passport Office and its agents are committed to providing a secure, efficient and responsive passport service for Australia.
- Australian Passport Office
24-hour consular emergency helpline
- Within Australia: 1300 555 135
- Outside Australia: +61 2 6261 3305
- Getting help overseas
- Visas for Australians travelling overseas
- Visas to visit Australia
The 'smart' traveller
Speaker: Ian Kemish
AFTA General Conference - Sydney
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for inviting me to speak at the AFTA Conference today.
As the head of the Consular Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, I am pleased to be involved in such a major travel industry forum. I bring with me the best wishes of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Alexander Downer, and the Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Bruce Billson.
The Government believes in the value of travel - to Australia and to Australians.
It is important for Australia as a nation and also enriching for Australians, that we have links with other peoples and other nations.
- travel adds to the fabric of relationships with our neighbours through greater understanding
- people to people links - an often used phrase, but not simply rhetorical - the value of these is real - in a commercial sense, in a political sense and in a cultural sense.
Australians are travelling in unprecedented numbers - passport applications received over the past 12 months have increased by 17%.
In terms of actual numbers - we have issued 1,000,000 passports in the past year. To keep up with this demand - on several occasions in May we were issuing more than 5,000 passports a day.
Quite predictably, there was a downturn in the number of Australians travelling after major events including September 11, the Bali bombings and the SARS outbreak. But, the catch-up is happening now and we are expecting it will continue through to November this year, when the catch-up period will be complete.
Promisingly, Australians are not just travelling in significant numbers. There is strong evidence they are better informed and being much smarter travellers, which is what we are about. For example, the smartraveller website is getting an average of 160,000 page views per week, which is an excellent indication that more travellers are accessing our travel advice.
SAFE TRAVEL
Of course, we all want to encourage travel which is both safe and responsible - one of the core responsibilities of government is to share with the travelling public clear, credible information about risks.
I know the travel industry is also interested in promoting 'safe' travel. It makes good business sense because happy, safe travellers are more likely to be frequent travellers.
Unfortunately though, not all Australian travellers enjoy trouble free overseas visits.
Each year Australians make around 3.5 million trips overseas and the Department handles over 15,000 serious consular cases. This figure includes over 700 hospitalisations, 600 deaths and 100 evacuations of Australians to another location for medical purposes.
We have a network of staff in embassies and consulates across the world who respond to Australians in difficulty. This network is assisted by a team of officers in DFAT's Canberra office, which includes a 24 hour consular emergency centre.
Against a backdrop of 3.5 million trips a year, the number of consular cases might not seem that large. But even one Australian in difficulty is one too many and we are always looking for ways to reduce this number, particularly through the information we provide in our travel advisories.
Contemporary international environment presents security and safety concerns that until September 11 were unknown to current generations of Australians - international terrorism today is pervasive in a way which previous, often localised terrorist acts were not.
If you are in the travel industry today and do not appreciate this - then you are in denial. Of course, it is important to keep these risks in perspective; including by comparing them to the risks we face every day in life in Australia.
Part of the job of my division in the Department is to help Australians understand this new international dynamic. A significant part of our work is at the preventative end of scale: we want to see fewer Australians needing assistance and more Australians having fun, safe and successful business and holiday trips.
Our key objective is to see all Australian travellers being well-informed, responsible 'smart' travellers. The primary way in which Australians can be well-informed about risk is by accessing the Department's travel advisories.
We are not in the business of providing promotional travel information - that's your job.
PREPARATION OF TRAVEL ADVISORIES
As partners with us on the promotion of travel advisories, it might be helpful to give you a broad overview of how travel advisories are put together.
In preparing travel advisories DFAT draws on:
- assessments from Australian missions overseas about the security conditions in which they operate
- our experience of the common or recurring consular problems Australians are experiencing overseas
- Intelligence reports and in particular ASIO threat assessments
- the advisories prepared by our consular partners (US, UK, New Zealand and Canada) although we may reach different conclusions.
Travel advisories are under constant review and remain current on every day, not just the day after reissue.
TRAVEL ADVISORY MYTHS
I would like to take this opportunity to try and dispel some frequent misconceptions about travel advisories.
Firstly , our travel advisories are just that: advice .
They are not just about terrorism. In addition to information about security, they provide useful, practical tips on travelling such as on health, visa and local law and customs information.
Secondly , travel advisories are about one thing only: helping Australians to make informed decisions about travel
- They are not about banning travel
- They are not about undermining the interests of the travel industry.
- They are not influenced by commercial or political considerations.
Thirdly , contrary to what you may have heard in some media reporting, in the issuing of travel advice there is no "singling out" of countries.
DFAT maintains a travel advice, not travel warning on most countries that are popular destinations for Australians in all regions of the world.
For example, if you log on to the Department's smartraveller site you will see that there are advisories for more than 140 destinations. And, at present there are only six countries for which the Department is advising against all travel.
There are also travel advisories for a number of countries where the security risk is low but where there is a high volume of travel by Australians, such as New Zealand.
We are conscious that it is important to keep our travel advice in perspective. And, we are progressively trying to make our language even clearer - particularly at the lower end of the scale, and including by reference to the sort of risks that Australians might face here.
Fourthly , travel advisories are kept under constant review but as a matter of course every travel advice is reissued and reassessed every quarter . Obviously, if developments in a country require more regular updates we will respond through the travel advice. The travel industry needs to be clear about the regular review process.
Fifthly, and even more importantly, travel advisories do not lose their credibility just because a terrorist attack or a security risk, that we have brought to the attention of travellers, does not materialise.
There are many reasons why planned or intended terrorist attacks do not eventuate.
Some in the media misunderstand our travel advisory settings and I should add here that it is important to look at the advice itself - not the media interpretation of it.
Our experience is that travel advice is better understood by the general public than is sometimes thought. Most Australians realise that decisions about whether or not to travel is one for the individual traveller to make. Australians need to make their own choices on the basis of their own priorities, family situation etc.
When our travel advice recommends defer non-essential travel and Australians ask us whether they should travel - the decision about what constitutes essential travel is one for the individual to make.
We hear criticism from time to time that our advice does not assist the traveller in the practical management of risk; that the information we share about a threat is vague and generic in nature. That's because the information we see is often precisely that.
As you can imagine, it is extremely rare that a terrorist organisation conducts itself in such a way that Governments get access to the precision of their planning. Our information can be credible - that is, we know with good authority that something may be being planned in a region, but not specific . Rest assured that where we do have specific credible information that detail will be in the travel advice and we will move heaven and earth to bring it to the attention of Australians.
Where the threat is more generalised we will seek to ensure it is conveyed as accurately as possible to help travellers make their own informed decisions about risks.
Which brings me to my sixth point - there is no secret advice, the Department produces only one form of advice in the form of the travel advisories. An important principle behind our work is that the advice we provide to the Australian public is exactly the advice we provide to our own staff, to other government agencies or to the private sector. There are no double standards .
EVOLVING TRAVEL ADVISORIES
It is also important to note that travel advisories are:
- a very recent thing: they go back to about 1997 in their current recognisable form
- an evolving field of work
- not an exact science.
Like partner consular services (UK, US, Canada, New Zealand), we see travel advice as an evolving product, shaped by a range of issues including feedback from the travel industry and the travelling public.
We are always open to ways we can improve them, strengthen them and make them clearer to the travelling public.
We have made a practice of reviewing the presentation, format and general approach to travel advice on a regular basis.
The Government is very mindful of the need to ensure that advice remains credible in the public mind.
And, we are continually looking to improve the clarity of travel advice. In response to the feedback we have received from the travelling public and travel industry, we, in consultation with staff in our posts, are implementing a range of changes to travel advisories.
In particular, we are making the travel advisories clearer through introducing new sub-headings to differentiate safety and security threats, putting them in plainer English and introducing other textual changes.
It is also important to the ongoing credibility of travel advice that risks are kept in perspective. We are currently working to make it clearer in advisories for lower risk countries that the behaviour we recommend equates to that which is practised in Australia.
SMARTRAVELLER DISSEMINATION
Of course, there is not much point in the Department preparing these travel advisories if they are not known about or accessed.
The Department significantly improved the dissemination of travel advisories last year by launching the $9.7 million public information campaign, smartraveller .
The smartraveller campaign has a simple but vital message for all Australians - it is in your interest to consult the Department's travel advisories before going overseas.
This smartraveller message has been carried in smartraveller advertisements that you may have seen on television and in magazines and newspapers over the past year. During the past fortnight, you might have also heard some smartraveller radio advertisements featuring Ernie Dingo.
If you have been overseas recently, hopefully you have seen and perhaps even trialled the smartraveller kiosks located at the Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Darwin International Airports and at the Sydney and Canberra Passport Officers. These kiosks provide Australians with direct access to the smartraveller website, so they can print out the latest travel advice before departure.
As part of the smartraveller campaign we are keen to work even more closely with you = the travel industry to promote awareness and use of travel advisories.
PARTNERSHIPS WITH BUSINESS
Of course the unique partnership between the Government and the travel industry through the Charter for Safe Travel is an excellent way to advance our shared commitment to assisting Australians overseas travel safely. Cooperation between us is a world-first. Under the Charter, jointly launched by Mr Downer and AFTA Chief Executive Mike Hatton in June 2003, the travel industry is encouraging individuals to consult travel advice, and to take out appropriate travel insurance.
We currently have 1150 companies - travel agencies, airline, tour operators - as Charter for Safe Travel partners. Importantly, AFTA has made partnership with the Charter a condition of their membership. This membership shows our shared commitment to provide travellers with travel advice.
I would like to particularly acknowledge the excellent support we have received from Mike Hatton (Chief Executive, AFTA).
The Charter demonstrates a joint awareness that simple checks and preparations can minimise the risks for travellers and maximise the chances of a hassle-free journey.
A recent joint DFAT-AFTA survey of partners to the Charter has shown that travel agents are taking their membership of the Charter seriously as:
70% of respondents have increased their efforts to bring travel advisories to the attention of their customers, since becoming members.
The survey also established that:
Over 80% of respondents found the information within travel advisories on safety and security, local law and customs, entry and exit requirements, health issues, travel and health insurance, and consular assistance and registration to be either 'very useful' or 'useful'.
We know that a lot of travel agencies are going to the trouble of printing out travel advice for their customers, or have placed a line promoting the smartraveller website at the bottom of their itineraries. We appreciate this support.
I also commend those organisations and agencies that have allowed us to supply editorial on the smartraveller campaign in their publications and who have linked to smartraveller from their website. Again, the Department really appreciates your commitment.
For those of you who are not members of the Charter - we strongly urge you to sign on. This is very easy to do (it can be done through our smartraveller website) and it is good way of reassuring travellers of your safe travel status.
I would also like to inform you of a further recent initiative taken by the Department as part of the smartraveller campaign to enhance cooperation with industry. We have established a " Smartraveller Consultative Group " made up of representative industry bodies (such as AFTA) and the Government.
The purpose of the group is to provide a forum for advancing the aims of the Charter for Safe Travel, enable the travel industry to offer suggestions on improving the presentation, format and clarity of travel advice, and offer advice on the reach of key smartraveller messages.
As you will appreciate, it is not a forum for influence over the Government's treatment of risk, which remains our responsibility alone.
All these initiatives provide a strong foundation for further close cooperation with business operators and government in a way that benefits the travelling public. They will undoubtedly be taken into account by the Government in considering its response to a recent recommendation about taking this cooperation on travel advisories further.
The recommendation from the Bali Inquiry to establish a Code of Conduct outlining mandatory practices by agents in relation to travel advisories will be considered by the Government in coming weeks and of course, as also recommended by the Inquiry, will involve close consultation with industry.
CAMPAIGN SUCCESS
Our joint efforts in this area do appear to be having an impact. In addition to the joint DFAT/AFTA survey I referred to earlier we have been carefully monitoring public feedback about travel advice, including through independent research work conducted as part of the smartraveller initiative.
The results present a positive picture and demonstrate that the smartraveller campaign and the relationships we have developed with industry are motivating more and more Australians to access travel advice before they travel.
For example , an unprecedented number of Australians are accessing our advice on the internet:
- we are averaging 160,000 smartraveller page views a week
- we currently have 46,000 email subscribers to our travel advice
And, our call centre is averaging just under 3000 calls a month.
Prior to the commencement of the smartraveller campaign, only 37% of the general community were aware of the DFAT website, while this figure has increased to 60% amongst the general community and to 80% for departing travellers a year on in the campaign.
In conclusion let me say that, in spite of the troubles or perceived troubles around us that Australians remain keen travellers
The anecdotal evidence of the hardy Australian travelling spirit is backed up by the fact that DFAT is issuing record numbers of passports.
I strongly believe, the Government and tourism industry can work together to promote tourism without compromising the security and safety of Australians overseas.
While it is wonderful peace of mind for travellers and their families that there is a world-class consular support service on hand to help all Australian travellers - we should continue our joint efforts to help Australians avoid these pitfalls.
We want Australian travellers to be 'smart', responsible informed travellers.
Together we can ensure they are.
Travel to Australia: Tips and Information 2024 Guide
Everything you need to know about planning travel to Australia in our epic destination guide.
Australia is a vast and bountiful country that offers beauty, leisure and adventure at every turn.
It consists of not only gorgeous and unique landscapes and wildlife, but also the famous outback culture, quirky small towns and well-developed coastal cities making travel to Australia a must.
Road trips are a great way to see the country. The same vastness that makes a road trip across Australia seem daunting is the very reason to explore it by vehicle.
Wildlife is one of the main reasons to travel to Australia. Approximately 90% of the animals that are native to Australia cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Australia is also known for its world-class beaches . Whether you want to soak in the sun, catch a few waves or snorkel or scuba dive, there is plenty to do along the nearly 40,000 km of coastline!
And, of course, you could spend days or weeks exploring the stunning landscape of the Australian Outback .
In case you couldn’t tell, there are plenty of reasons to travel to Australia.
Now let us help you plan your trip!
There are so many exciting things happening in Australia right now, and it really is one of the biggest bucket list destinations on the planet! If you have any questions about travelling Australia that aren’t answered in this guide feel free to drop us an email.
Brisbane to Cairns Drive – The Perfect Road Trip Itinerary
Atherton tablelands waterfalls – the 10 best cascades to see, 16 best cairns day trips not to be missed [2024 guide], travelling in australia: at a glance.
Here are the basics of travel to Australia.
OTHER MAIN CITIES:
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane
Australian Dollar. 1 beer = $8-9AUD (See current exchange rates )
ENTRY / VISA:
You will need a visa to travel to Australia unless you are a citizen of New Zealand. Most travellers to Australia will qualify for a free visa entitling them to stay in the country up to one year. Be sure to check this list of these eligible countries to determine if you can apply online for your 3 month travel visa.
Generally speaking Australia is regarded as a very safe country. The crime rates are pretty low and most crime against tourists is petty theft. In big cities such as Sydney and Melbourne you should take the usual precautions.
ELECTRICITY:
The standard voltage is 230V at 50 Hz frequency. Socket Type 1 (Be sure to get your universal travel adapter before you leave)
TRANSPORTATION:
Australia is huge. So you will likely travel by a combination of domestic flights, trains and buses. Although rental cars are great options for exploring Australia.
Important Note! Before you book any international trip, we honestly recommend getting travel insurance. You never know when things will go wrong, and medical bills can add up quickly if you get sick or injure yourself overseas.
Our personal recommendation based on our own experience is World Nomads .
Top 5 Travel Experiences in Australia
With so much to see and do in Australia , it really is hard to pick the top experiences.
However, we think that to truly appreciate Australia you need to plan to add these 5 activities to your itinerary.
Go Snorkelling/ Diving
The underwater world is at its finest in the Great Barrier Reef. Whether you are certified to dive, prefer to snorkel or just want to experience the largest reef in the world by boat, a trip to the Great Barrier Reef should be near the top of your list of things to do when travelling in Australia.
Snorkel or dive the Great Barrier Reef .
Hike Incredible Landscapes
Whether taking an excursion to Tasmania or a day trip to one of the many beautiful national parks, there are many great hikes to do throughout Australia.
Hike throughout Tasmania !
Take an Epic Roadtrip
Australia is ripe for driving expeditions. Whether you are a hardcore overlander, prefer to drive by rental car or want to experience van life at its finest, Australia offers some of the best road trips in the world. Drive along the Great Ocean Road, head inland to Uluru or pick any two towns and drive.
Tour the most famous Australian road trip along the Great Ocean Road .
Catch a Wave
Bondi Beach is world-famous for its picturesque sand and clear blue water. Catch a wave on a surf or bodyboard or simply enjoy the beach for what it is. If you really want an experience world-class waves to surf your way up the Gold Coast.
Take a surf lesson at the famous Bondi Beach:
View Sydney from Above
Sydney Harbour is one of the world’s most iconic landmarks. Check out the busy city and bustling harbour by climbing to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The views of the city are sure to not disappoint!
See it all in this one-day Sydney itinerary .
Other Things to do in Australia
Swim with whale sharks . The Ningaloo Reef is the best place to swim with the gentle giants of the sea. A trip of this kind is not soon to be forgotten!
Explore the Blue Mountains . Just an hour outside of the busy streets of Sydney and you’ll find yourself surrounded by pristine wilderness .
Head out on a vineyard tour . Australian wine is some of the best in the world and you can sample several as your tour Margaret River .
Go Whale Watching. It is mystical and spiritual to encounter massive whales in the wild. Enjoy an experience from Hervey Bay among others in Australia.
Skydive . Sure you won’t see the entire country. But if you skydive at one of the most popular places in Australia you will see Rottnest Island and the beautiful surrounding waters.
Climb Mount Kosciuszko . This mountain in mainland Australia’s tallest peak at just over 2,200 meters. Add it to the list of continental peaks you have to summit.
Sail around the Whitsunday Islands . These islands are among the most diverse in the world offering rainforest hikes, white sandy beaches and the Great Barrier Reef. Touring these islands is an absolute must.
Take the train across the country . Splurge on a little scenic luxury trip and enjoy the countryside of Australia as you zip around the country, er continent.
Take a tour of Kangaroo Island . The island is Australia’s third-largest and taking a tour will reveal that it is home to a variety of animal species and a vast wilderness to explore .
Visit Wineglass Bay . There are many reasons to visit Tasmania and Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park is among the top. Be sure to give yourself enough time to explore the other great places to see in Tasmania .
Search for pearls in the sea . So you may not find any of your own, but Broome has a thriving pearl industry in its pristine waters and you are welcome to dive into the experience of making the world your oyster.
Hike the Larapinta Trail . This trail is among the top trails in all of the world and traverses the Northern Territory out of Alice Springs. Be sure to hike this trail as it is growing in popularity year after year.
Visit the Sydney Opera House . Perhaps the most iconic image of Australia, aside from a cuddly koala or kangaroo, that you can tour or take photos of from seemingly anywhere in Sydney.
Be Sure to Check Out These Other Amazing Things to do in Australia
READ MORE...
Warrumbungles Walks – The Ultimate Hiking Guide [2024]
Grampians Walks – Ultimate Guide to the Best Hikes [2024]
The Ultimate GUIDE to the Best MAGNETIC ISLAND BEACHES and Bays
The 18 BEST Lamington National Park Walks, Queensland
The 6 BEST NSW Road Trips – Epic Drive Itineraries [2024 Edition]
Best Places to Visit in Australia
There are plenty of amazing places to visit in Australia. Depending on your interests, trip duration and time of year you will find plenty of things to do during any length of stay.
Narrowing down the best places to travel in Australia is difficult. From picturesque beaches to arid desert, Australia offers a wide range of places to visit and things to see and do.
Here are our top 5 places to visit in Australia.
Here is where you will find Australia’s most famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera, the Harbour Bridge and its surrounded by plenty of national parks if you want a change from the city scenery.
Be sure to add these things to do in Sydney to your itinerary.
The capital of Queensland and one of Australia’s largest cities, Brisbane is a highly sought after destination for those coming Down Under. The city is rich with history, a vibrant food scene, beautiful views and so much to do.
Start planning with these awesome things to do in Brisbane .
Uluru is located in the centre of the country and is unique for being very isolated. Known for natural wonders such as the massive monolith Ayers Rock, Uluru is full of spectacular scenery and beautiful landscapes.
See our guide on the top things to do in Uluru .
Of all the cities in Australia, Melbourne is seen as the cultural one. It is full of international visitors and residents, which is surely a testament to its attractive vibe. The city is equally adored by patriotic Melbournians; they will be the first to tell you how amazing it is, and they are usually happy to impart details of their favourite spots.
Spend the perfect 3 days in Melbourne with this itinerary.
Tasmania is especially well known for its natural beauty in breathtaking Freycinet National Park, the Bay of Fires and Cradle Mountain. Simply put, there are so many things to do in Tasmania!
Plan your trip with the best 2-week Tasmania itinerary .
For more information on specific things to do in the top places to visit in Australia, reference our following city travel guides:
* City Guide * Itinerary * Day Trips
* City Guide * Itinerary * Day Trips
* City Guide * Itinerary * Day Trips
* State Guide * Places to Visit * Itinerary * Camping Guide
Gold Coast Adelaide Cairns Byron Bay Broome Noosa Blue Mountains Airlie Beach Kangaroo Island
Hervey Bay Esperance Fraser Island Port Stephens Great Ocean Road Uluru Exmouth Margaret River The Whitsundays Darwin
Be Sure to Check Out These Other Awesome Places to Visit in Australia .
Best Australia Travel Itinerary
Australia is huge and offers so many opportunities to explore its vastness. It would be easy to spend weeks or months in any one part of the country.
So trying to see the whole of Australia might seem overwhelming.
Depending on how long you have to travel to Australia, where you plan to visit and what you plan to do, you have plenty of options.
We’ve put together a few Australia itineraries that are sure to leave you wanting for nothing at the end of your visit.
2-Week Australia Travel Itinerary Highlights
If you only have 2 weeks you’re going to have to choose which side of Australia to visit and you’re going to miss out on a lot. But that’s OK because you can always plan a return trip!
The more popular side will be New South Wales + Queensland on the eastern shore of the continent. However, there is also plenty to see in Western Australia as well.
3-Weeks to 1 Month Australia Travel Itinerary Highlights
If you have between 3 weeks and a month to explore Australia then you can combine both the New South Wales + Queensland and Western Australia loops with some reasonably priced domestic flights to connect you in the bigger cities.
Additionally consider adding on the following cities/activities:
6 – 8 Weeks + Australia Travel Itinerary Highlights
Most people who travel to Australia will spend approximately 2 months visiting the country.
If you are trying to get a taste of the entire country, the quickest and most thorough way to see the country would be to follow this itinerary.
Australia Trip Planning
Best time to visit australia.
Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere and thus has opposite seasons from most of the world. This can be confusing, so make sure to plan accordingly!
Additionally, the country is so large and offers such varied climates and landscapes that the weather you experience depends on the region and time of year in which you’re travelling.
If you are planning to travel to Australia during summer (December – February), know that this is the most popular time to visit Australia.
But during fall and spring, the tourism and temperatures fall off. This makes this time of year perhaps the most ideal time to visit any place in Australia.
You can still enjoy most of the outdoor activities for which Australia is known without dealing with the large crowds and expenses of the busy tourist season.
This is also an ideal time to explore the Australian Outback or to swim with whale sharks along the western coast.
If you are interested in winter sports, Australia also offers plenty of opportunities to ski and snowboard. You can find yourself in great ski slopes within a few hours of landing at the airport.
So really Australia has it all! Depending on what you would like to see and do, you can plan to travel to Australia at any time of the year!
Australia Travel Budget Guideline
Travelling in Australia is not cheap, and many people are unprepared how expensive Australia really is.
However, if you plan accordingly you can find ways to have an amazing experience while not breaking the bank.
Be prepared with these Australia travel tips so that you do not end up spending more money than you should.
Some of the average costs you can expect in Australia are as follows:
Note that transportation costs will vary by how much you intend to travel and these include budgeting for various domestic flights in addition to standard metro transportation.
Budgeting Tips:
Here are some of our tips for spending less when travelling in Australia:
- Cook as many of your meals as possible
- Use local transport when available
- Couchsurf or look for AirBnB deals ( use our link to get $35 off your first Airbnb stay )
- Seek free wifi in public places
- Get a pre-paid phone plan from a supermarket. Telstra has the best coverage outside of major cities, but they are also the most expensive.
- Work for your room – some hostels let you work a couple of hours daily in exchange for free room
- Drink less (tough, we know!). The average price of a pint in Australia is AUD$8 -$9 and they can quickly add up!
- WWOOF – is a program that connects young travellers with organic farms. You work in exchange for free accommodation and board.
But there are a few things you should know about the different budgets at which you can choose to travel.
Note: Budgets shown as Single Traveller / Couples per day.
Budget Traveller ($60-90 Single / $100+ Couples)
If you’re a backpacker and you stay in hostels, use local transport and cook many of your meals – you could plan to spend around AUD$60-90/per day.
Mid-Range Traveller ($100-200 Single / $150+ Couple)
Couples will share some expenses, such as accommodation, but will also incur more individual expenses.
To stay on a budget you will want to follow the general budgeting tips but also look to possibly purchase a used vehicle or campervan for longer trips to Australia.
This can combine your transportation and accommodation costs.
Luxury Traveller ($350+ Single / $500+ Couple)
You can spend as much as you want to spend when you travel to Australia.
It is likely the biggest difference in your budget will be upgrading your accommodation, adding a few extra drinks with your meals or nights out and catching flights around the country instead of overnight buses.
Getting to and Around Australia
As an island nation, Australia is most accessible from flights arranged from many of the larger cities of Europe, North America, Asia and South Africa.
But depending on where you are travelling from, expect to spend a fair amount on the plane ticket and quite a bit of time in the air.
Our best advice is to do research and buy your ticket as soon as possible. Booking several months in advance will provide you the most consistently lowest fares.
Additionally, major airlines offer seasonal promotions and occasional discounts so stay alert!
One of the best ways to make sure you get the best deal is to sign up for email alerts to receive special offers from airlines such as Qantas, Virgin Australia, United and Delta.
It is also a good idea to browse for flights in incognito mode. Or alternatively, you can clear the cache in your browser periodically.
Many travel sites will charge you higher fares if they know you are visiting their sites frequently to search for flights.
Google Flights also offers some of the best initial research for fares from your destination.
However, be sure to check fares directly with the airline as there may be unspecified fees and regulations not listed in the Google Flights results.
Entry Requirements
You will need a visa to travel to Australia unless you are a citizen of New Zealand.
Most travellers to Australia will qualify for a free visa entitling them to stay in the country up to one year.
Be sure to check this list of eligible countries to determine if you can apply online for your 3-month travel visa.
Getting Around Australia
Transportation in and around Australia is as varied as the country itself.
However, because it is so large you will likely experience a combination of transportation options wherever you plan to travel in Australia.
Australia has a fantastic domestic air network that allows you to connect to points all across the country. Some of the airlines that offer great deals to hop across the continent include:
- Virgin Australia
- Tiger Airways
The wide selection in airlines and routes offers fairly competitive prices especially when it comes to the Sydney-Melbourne leg of travel.
If you’re flying out to a remote destination such as Uluru, Hamilton Island or Darwin – your best bet is to book well in advance. But then still expect fares to be a little pricey.
If you have the time and want a truly unique experience you can cross the country aboard the Indian Pacific railway . Expect some of the best service, food and scenery you can imagine when travelling in Australia by train.
This is the only way to cross the country by train. However, it is very expensive.
Bus is the best way to travel in Australia on a budget. Greyhound buses operate in most of the capital cities and will connect you to pretty much anywhere in the country you would like to go.
The prices for intercity bus travel are modest. Additionally, many companies offer discounts for students.
The bus is also a great way to travel in many of the larger cities.
Not only can you cover a lot of ground by using the public bus system in places like Sydney, Melbourne and Perth but also it will save you quite a bit of money to spend on other things.
Rental Cars
If you’d like to travel in Australia at your own pace, renting a car is your best option .
However, it can be pricey especially if you plan to pick up the vehicle in one city and drop it in another.
But nothing will beat the freedom you have to go to the places you want to see and do them at your own pace.
If you are really into exploring the country with the most amount of freedom, consider renting a campervan .
Campervans combine the flexibility of driving at your own pace and itinerary with the freedom to stop and sleep pretty much anywhere along your journey.
Many campervans come fully equipped to be able to prepare your own meals and be self-sustainable for days on end as you explore the country.
Petrol prices vary, depending on where you are travelling from. For example, they are lower than those in the UK and Europe, but higher than in many places in North and South America.
One thing to keep in mind is that distances between places in Australia are large. So it is very likely that you will be driving long distances while travelling in Australia.
The same vastness that makes a road trip across Australia seem daunting is the very reason to explore it by vehicle. Some of the best attractions are only reachable via car because they are remote and well off the beaten path.
Depending on how much time you are willing to commit to driving across the country, you could take weeks or months to absorb the landscape, wildlife and culture of the Australian people.
The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars , which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.
Apps and Technology
Technology can help you stay safe and make the most of your travels to Australia.
Here are a few we think you should definitely acquaint yourself with prior to your travels:
- XE Currency – Transfer, monitor and calculate currency as the need arises. This app may not be totally necessary as you are typically tied into rates the banks charge for services. But it is handy to have around.
- Express VPN – This will protect your sensitive information wherever you travel – not just in Australia. Be sure to have this to keep your online information secure as you travel.
- The Happiest Hour – This app helps you find the best drink deals wherever you are travelling in Australia
- BeachSafe – Search every beach in Australia and know the hazards before you get in the water.
- Uber – Yep, you know what to use Uber for. Catch rides in any major Australia city for a fraction of taxi fares.
Best Things to Eat in Australia
Australia has a variety of dishes to represent the varied cultural and historical aspects of the country.
While known more for its beer than its food, there are several types of food that you do not want to miss when travelling in Australia.
Here are a few of the best options to explore:
The Lamington – This is the national cake of Australia. It is a square-shaped sponge cake that comes with chocolate icing and has coconut sprinkled all over it. Sometimes it has jam in the middle.
Vegemite on toast – Vegemite is a brown food paste that doesn’t look appetising at all. But Australians swear on it. It is most popularly used like jam on toast.
Grilled Kangaroo – While many people visit Australia to view wildlife such as kangaroo , it is also a pretty popular meal. While it tends to dry out so it’s usually cooked from rare to medium, it is delicious when served with rosemary, plums, oranges, peppers, juniper, garlic and red currant.
Meat pies – Meat pies are every Australian’s favourite childhood snack. It is nearly always on the menu, whether it be as an appetiser at a restaurant, house party or sporting event. You’ll find meat pies usually served with mashed potatoes and gravy.
Fish & Chips – One thing is for sure, Australia has plenty of fresh, delicious fish to create this traditional meal. Regardless of what part of the country you visit, it’s likely you’ll find this plate anywhere in Australia to compliment a nice cold beer.
Places to Stay in Australia
Australia has a variety of types of accommodations for which you will find suitable for most budgets. In general, expect to pay more for a night in Australia than most other countries in the world.
But for what you are searching, it is likely you will find the perfect place and price.
Types of Accommodations
As in nearly all other places in the world, accommodation is Australia is varied and depends on your desires, budget and location.
When travelling in Australia you can find accommodation that ranges from bed and breakfasts to hotels, hostels and homestays.
Australian Bed & Breakfast & Guesthouses
You can find family-run guesthouses popping up all over Australia. They can vary a lot by style, from converted barns, bungalows to townhouses.
Rates vary as well depending on the location of the guesthouse and facilities offered.
They offer reasonably priced comfortable rooms and you can also enjoy the family feel, the home-cooked dinners and rely on information provided by the owners.
Hostels are the most popular way for budget travellers to find accommodation while travelling in Australia. However, they are no longer just for students and younger people.
Many hostels in the country offer the kind of amenities that attract people from all walks of life. Usually, they offer shared dorms, cooking facilities, communal area with TV, 24-hour reception and laundry facilities.
Additionally, hostels are a great way to meet people and learn about other places to visit and things to do in Australia.
Hotels can be considerably expensive in Australia. Even ones that are not deemed as luxury or boutique hotels can carry a pretty heavy cost.
If you’re looking for maximum comfort then staying in a hotel is the right choice. But be prepared to shell out for that comfort when travelling in Australia.
Camping & Caravan Parks
One of the most popular ways to see Australia is to travel by camper van.
Rent a camper or a caravan and you can go camping anywhere! Whether it be in national parks or outside of the city limits.
The best thing is that you will be able to experience the country more fully and save money that you’d otherwise spend on accommodation.
Another good option in recent years is AirBnB, and there are more and more amazing places popping up to stay for very affordable prices every day.
As is typical in many destinations where Airbnb accommodations are popping up, you’ll likely find great value and a little more personal space with an Airbnb stay.
If you’re looking for an awesome place to stay in the area, we personally love using Airbnb. If you’ve never used the platform before, sign up using this link to get USD$35 off your first booking .
Australia Travel Tips
General australia travel tips.
While there are many basic travel tips we suggest you use when travelling to Australia, there is also plenty of Australia-specific tips that will make your visit the best it can be.
Here are a few we recommend you consider as you plan your trip to visit Australia:
- Time . One of the most common mistakes that first time travellers make is trying to experience Australia within 2-3 weeks. This is a continent not just a country. It is best to choose just two or three areas to focus on your first visit. Otherwise, you will risk spending most of your holiday in transit.
- Cost . Australia is very expensive, make sure to either cut down your costs or apply one of our tips to get a decently priced accommodation – also make sure to bring twice as much money than how much you originally intended to.
- Tipping . Tipping for services in Australia is not mandatory and most of them are not used to it. Only tip if you exceptionally enjoyed the service.
- Sun Protection . The sun is very harsh – pack a lot of sunscreens!
- Distances . The distances between major cities are bigger than in Europe or the US. Once you’re out of the city you already feel like you’re in the wild!
- Seasons . Australia is in the southern hemisphere which means that all seasons are completely opposite of the northern hemisphere. That’s true for the southern part of the country but not the north. Which in returns means that it’s ideal to visit Sydney from November – April but it’s the exact opposite if they want to visit the Great Barrier Reef!
READ MORE: Our comprehensive list of Australia travel tips to make your journey safer, more enjoyable and more affordable!
Australia Packing List
We always travel with a core packing list wherever we go. And when it comes to Australia, many factors will affect what else you need to bring along with you.
Check out our travel essentials and be sure to add any of the other additional items listed below.
Staying Safe in Australia
Generally speaking, Australia is regarded as a very safe country.
The crime rates are pretty low and if by any chance tourists end up being victims of crime it’s usually a case of pickpocketing.
In big cities such as Sydney and Melbourne you should take the usual precautions:
- Do not walk alone at night in poorly lit areas
- Don’t leave your valuables unattended
- Don’t carry your wallet in your back pocket
The biggest danger when travelling in Australia actually comes from natural hazards and animals.
Every year dozens of tourists drown on one of Australia’s busy beaches because of strong waves and riptides. Wildlife attacks account for a handful more incidents.
But in general, you should feel very safe when you travel to Australia.
Medical System in Australia
The public health care system in Australia is called Medicare. Australian hospitals are renowned for world-class medical facilities and the highest standards of care.
The Australian government has Reciprocal Healthcare Agreements with a couple of countries which allow travellers access to subsidised health services.
Since there’s always a risk from natural hazards, dangerous animals and simple accidents while exploring the country, it is always advised to buy travel insurance.
Travel insurance will cover loss, theft, accidents and various medical problems.
It is especially recommended if you plan on doing activities that carry a certain degree of risk such as scuba diving, travelling to remote areas, bushwalking etc.
Staying Connected in Australia
Staying connected in Australia is harder than you think it would be. The country is known for abysmally slow internet.
So if you’re trying to keep up with work while you are on the road, it may be a bit difficult.
But there are definitely economical ways to stay connected while you travel in Australia.
We feel like your money will go a lot further if you consider a few other options.
Good Idea: Rent a Portable WiFi Device
There are a variety of portable WiFi device rental companies throughout Australia.
Most plans include unlimited data use – although this is typically limited 4G which then reduces to 3G after some small consumption.
Remember that the internet in Australia is notoriously slow so be patient and prepared to spend around $5 -$10 per day for the services.
Reserve your mobile WiFi device .
Better Idea: Access Free WiFI
One of the best, and certainly the most affordable, ways to stay connected when you travel to Australia is by taking advantage of the many free WiFi hotspots throughout the country.
Of course, these are most commonly found in densely populated cities and at private establishments like McDonald’s.
But if you time your desire to surf the web with the need to grab a bite to eat or a cup of joe then it will still likely work out cheaper than either purchasing a SIM card or renting a mobile WiFi device.
Best Idea: Purchase a SIM Card
SIM Cards make staying connected during international travel much easier. You can purchase prepaid SIM cards in Australia to use in any unlocked mobile device.
These will give you the greatest flexibility in staying connected while you travel.
Purchase a SIM card today .
Be a Responsible Traveller in Australia
As with most countries, when travelling to Australia there are several things you can do to be a responsible traveller.
Consider the following:
- Mind your use of plastics. This includes straws, bags and bottles. Consider carrying a reusable straw, waterbottle and bags for shopping.
- Buy local. Supporting smaller merchants helps local economies.
- Choose sustainable tour operators. This is especially true for all tours into nature preserves, those that deal with animals, or those that will take you to enjoy the Great Barrier Reef.
- Leave it better than you found it. Pack out any of your waste, mind the local rules, stay on trails and don’t touch or feed the wild animals.
- Avoid activities that involve touching wild animals. If a tour has to. pursue an animal in the wild, it is likely presenting more harm and discomfort to the animal than if you are approached by the animal.
Books to Read About Australia
You’ve seen Crocodile Dundee and think you know everything about Australia? Chances are you don’t!
But even if you are well-read, here are a few suggestions that might be worth your time while you’re on the plane to Australia.
- The Songlines (Bruce Chatwin) – Set in the Australian Outback, this novel documents the source of the “Dreaming Tracks” of the Aborigines. Buy here .
- The Secret River (Kate Grenville) – Historical fiction about the settlement of New South Wales by an English convict in the early 1800s as part of his sentence. Buy on Amazon .
- In A Sunburned Country (Bill Bryson) – Half scientific, half anecdotal account of the famous writer who set out to explore all of the wilderness of life in Australia. Buy on Amazon .
- The True History of the Kelly Gang (Peter Carey) – A historical fiction tale about the famous Ned Kelly from the perspective of letters written to his young daughter while he was on the run. Buy on Amazon .
- The Harp In The South (Ruth Park) – An Australian classic about life in Sydney during the Great Depression. Buy on Amazon.
Booking Resources
I know, I know – we’ve already mentioned these resources a bunch in this travel guide.
But here’s the thing… we know you’re going to want and need these resources to help you save money and have a more enjoyable trip!
DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products that ourselves or our fantastic editorial team have personally experienced, and regularly review these. Thanks for your support, kind friend!
Table of Contents
Read our australia posts, 7 day gold coast itinerary (2024 guide), the perfect sydney itinerary for 3-5 days, the ultimate western australia road trip itinerary, mt field national park – travel guide and itinerary [2024], the ultimate travel guide to the tasman peninsula [2024], queensland road trips – 11 best drive itineraries [2024], the perfect 1, 2 or 3 week australia itinerary [2024], climbing mount kosciuszko – the roof of australia, the ultimate guide to the 10 best kiama beaches, the 12 best perth beaches – a local’s guide [2024], the best port stephens beaches – nelson bay and beyond, the 9 best cairns waterfalls (less than 1-hour from town).
Smart ticketing launches as alternative to go cards on Brisbane ferries but not yet activated on buses
Smart ticketing will begin on Brisbane ferries from today following delays in the rollout of the new payment method.
The new scheme allows commuters to tap on and off their public transport services using a debit card, credit card or smart device — making it an alternative to go cards.
In addition to ferries and CityCats, commuters can already use smart ticketing on South-East Queensland trains and trams but it is yet to begin on buses.
The activation of smart ticketing on ferries will only initially apply to full-paying adult fares, with people travelling on concession fares urged to still use their go cards.
Transport Minister Bart Mellish said the beginning of smart ticketing on ferries was an "exciting milestone" for the new system.
"Whether you're a tourist exploring Brisbane from the river or you're a commuter getting to and from work every day, it is now easier than ever to pay for your journey on one of our iconic ferries," he said.
"Customers have told us they have enjoyed the ease of paying for their journey on trains and trams in the same way they might pay for a coffee with tap-and-go on their bank card, mobile phone or smart watch.
"That same ease of payment is now available to adults catching a Brisbane River ferry."
'We are taking our time to get it right'
Smart ticketing began on Gold Coast light rail in late 2020 before a staged rollout on trains commenced in mid-2022 – more than 13 million trips have been taken using the new technology.
The government had previously indicated that smart ticketing would be operational on buses and ferries from 2023 but it did not meet the time frame.
All buses now have smart ticketing technology installed on board, with the government promising that trials will begin operator by operator later this year.
Acting head of Translink Pete Milward thanked customers for their patience as the ticketing system was deployed across the South-East.
"We know bus users are keen to trial the technology as well, but we are taking our time to get it right and we look forward to announcing the first bus trials in due course," he said.
Last financial year more than 153 million trips were taken on South-East Queensland public transport, including 4.2 million ferry trips and 97.2 million bus journeys.
Adult commuters who want to use a go card on ferry, train and tram services can still do so.
ABC Brisbane in your inbox
- X (formerly Twitter)
Related Stories
Queensland government's $371m public transport smart ticketing rollout hit with delays.
'It's your money': Queensland commuters urged to reclaim funds on dormant go cards
Commuters get back on board as public transport patronage jumps by millions
- Local Government
- Public Transport
- State and Territory Government
Australians are open to self-driving vehicles, but want humans to retain ultimate control
Professor of Future Urban Mobility, Swinburne University of Technology
Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology
Disclosure statement
Hussein Dia receives funding from the Australian Research Council, the iMOVE Australia Cooperative Research Centre, Transport for New South Wales, Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, Victorian Department of Transport and Planning, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, and Beam Mobility Holdings.
Ali Matin acknowledges the PhD scholarship and financial support he is receiving from Swinburne University of Technology.
Swinburne University of Technology provides funding as a member of The Conversation AU.
View all partners
A mob set fire to a Waymo self-driving taxi in San Francisco last month as residents’ anger about the cars boiled over.
Self-driving “robotaxis” run by Waymo and other operators such as Cruise have been causing major concerns in the United States by failing to react properly to certain traffic situations.
So how do Australians feel about automated vehicles? To find out, we surveyed 562 people about their views on self-driving vehicles.
Overall, our findings showed good public support. Nearly half of our respondents saw autonomous vehicles as a desirable trend and travel option for Australians.
However, three-quarters wanted these vehicles to retain the option of being driven by a person. It’s notable, too, how many respondents were undecided – consistently around a third or more – about the issues put to them.
Read more: We were told we'd be riding in self-driving cars by now. What happened to the promised revolution?
So why the anger in the US?
Last October, a robotaxi operated in San Francisco by Cruise struck a pedestrian who had been knocked into its path by another vehicle. Instead of making an emergency stop, it dragged her about six metres along the road. Days later, the company said it would suspend all operations to examine its process and earn back public trust.
Waymo has also had some safety slips . Two Waymo cars crashed into the same pickup truck while it was being towed in Phoenix, Arizona, last December.
Read more: Driverless cars: what we've learned from experiments in San Francisco and Phoenix
Tesla Autopilot has not been immune to repeated errors either. Last December, Tesla recalled more than 2 million vehicles to fix an Autopilot flaw. The recall followed an investigation by US regulators.
In a further blow to the industry, Apple is reported to have cancelled its secretive “ Titan ” project to build a self-driving electric car. Billions of dollars were reportedly sunk into the decade-long project.
Read more: Tesla's recall of 2 million vehicles reminds us how far driverless car AI still has to go
Public acceptance of vehicles depends on trust
The industry now recognises that creating self-driving vehicles is a much harder technical challenge than previously thought. As recent incidents show, public acceptance and trust are also going to be crucial for their success.
In our representative survey of 562 respondents from Melbourne, the overall results showed good public support.
Around 47% of respondents had a positive view of these vehicles as a desirable trend and travel option for Australians. Only 18% disagreed, though 35% were undecided. Another 47% said vehicle automation would reduce their driving workload.
Sentiment about the benefits of these vehicles was also positive. A majority (51%) believed automated vehicles will provide them with more time to complete other tasks while travelling.
There was also good support for the potential of these vehicles to improve safety and reduce vehicle emissions if they are electrified.
People do not want to surrender all control
Highly automated vehicles do not require any human intervention. Overall, however, respondents did not favour this level of vehicle autonomy.
A large majority (74%) felt these vehicles must have the option of being driven by a person. Giving complete driving responsibility to a computer would make 62% of respondents feel stressed. Around 70% said they would like to control where and when to use the automated functions, and which functions to use.
Around 72% believed automated vehicles must be made identifiable by, for example, a specific label, licence plate or sign.
More than half (55%) thought it was unsafe for children to travel without an adult in a self-driving car.
These findings suggest most people are hesitant about entrusting all driving tasks to automation.
What other concerns do people have?
Around 80% of respondents were concerned about legal and financial liability in the event of a malfunction or crash. They had similar concerns about technology and system failures.
Respondents also raised concerns about how automated vehicles perform in bad weather conditions. Other issues included cyber security and data privacy.
Respondents emphasised concerns about the safety of automated vehicles in mixed traffic. Almost a third were strongly concerned about riding in a self-driving vehicle next to other automated vehicles.
Respondents also had concerns about how these vehicles will interact with other road users. Around 47% were strongly concerned about the safety of self-driving trucks in mixed traffic.
Respondents were more confident about the safety of automated public transport buses.
Read more: Driverless cars: stopping dead seems to be a default setting when they encounter a problem — it can cause chaos on roads
Ranking the barriers to public acceptance
We asked respondents to rank the barriers to public acceptance on a scale of 1 to 7 (1 is most significant and 7 least significant).
The most prominent concern (46% of respondents ranked it first) was technical reliability or trust in the technology. It ranked as the number-one barrier to public acceptance.
The high price tag of automated vehicles ranked second (31% of respondents). Legal issues (25%) ranked third. Then, in order, came concerns about cyber security, potential erosion of privacy, and technology maturity. Respondents ranked lack of regulations as their least concern – 38% put it in seventh position.
Around 40% of respondents showed a strong willingness to buy an automated vehicle. Their main reasons were to reduce their carbon footprint and for safety.
Almost 47% said competitive purchase costs and lower insurance premiums would increase incentives to buy an automated vehicle. Premiums could fall because some studies expect these vehicles to be safer than human drivers.
What’s next?
These findings enrich the debate on automated vehicle adoption in Australia by offering an understanding of public sentiment. The factors that sway public willingness to embrace these vehicles must be acknowledged. Policymakers, manufacturers and other stakeholders can then focus on resolving the concerns and responding to public desires.
Strategies such as live demonstrations and dedicated travel lanes and routes can help build trust. Financial incentives and policy to resolve legal liabilities are also likely to help foster the uptake of automated vehicles.
While fully autonomous vehicles remain elusive , many automated vehicle technologies available today can still be built into our cars to help improve safety, reduce driving load and emissions, and improve air quality.
Read more: 'Self-driving' cars are still a long way off. Here are three reasons why
Automated vehicles can play an important role in a sustainable transport future. But unless public concerns and barriers are addressed, travellers will remain sceptical of vehicle automation, and adoption of these vehicles will stall.
- Autonomous vehicles
- Road safety
- Self-driving buses
- automated vehicles
- Self-driving vehicles
- car technology
- autonomous cars
- Vehicle safety
- Better Cities
Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy
GRAINS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION CHAIRPERSON
Technical Skills Laboratory Officer
Faculty of Law - Academic Appointment Opportunities
Audience Development Coordinator (fixed-term maternity cover)
Search Smartraveller
Latest update
Exercise a high degree of caution in Indonesia overall due to security risks.
Higher levels apply in some areas.
Indonesia (PDF 699.19 KB)
Asia (PDF 2.21 MB)
Local emergency contacts
Fire services, ambulance and rescue services, medical emergencies.
Call 110 or 112.
Tourist Police, Bali
Call (+0361) 759 687.
Tourist Police, Jakarta
Call (+201) 526 4073.
Advice levels
Exercise a high degree of caution in Indonesia overall.
Reconsider your need to travel to the provinces of Papua (Papua), Papua Highlands (Papua Pegunungan), Central Papua (Papua Tengah) and South Papua (Papua Selatan).
Reconsider your need to travel to the provinces of Papua, Papua Pegunungan, Papua Tengah and Papua Selatan due to the risk of serious security incidents or demonstrations that may turn violent.
- There's an ongoing risk of terrorist attack in Indonesia. Be alert to possible threats. Take official warnings seriously and follow the advice of local authorities. Popular tourist areas may be the target of terrorist attacks.
- Public protests and events that draw large groups of people occur regularly and can turn violent with little notice. Expect traffic delays and restricted access to locations if there are protests. Avoid protests and demonstrations and monitor local media for the latest updates.
- Many of Indonesia's volcanoes are active and can erupt without warning. Adhere to exclusion zones around volcanoes, which can change at short notice, and follow the advice of local authorities. Domestic and international flights can be disrupted. Monitor Indonesia's Volcano Observatory Notice for the latest volcanic activity (Bahasa Indonesia and English), Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System and the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre for updates.
- There's been tension, including demonstrations and violence, in certain towns in the provinces of Papua, Papua Pegunungan, Papua Tengah and Papua Selatan in recent years. Armed groups have stated that they're targeting foreigners, including Australians. Our ability to provide consular support in these provinces is limited. Armed groups have shot at aircraft, including commercial planes, in remote airports in Papua Pegunungan and Papua Tengah provinces.
- Petty and violent crime occurs in Indonesia. Opportunistic crime, such as pickpocketing occurs. Drinks may be spiked or mixed with toxic substances. Crimes involving taxis and taxi drivers occur. Solo women are at higher risk. Be alert in taxis, public transport, crowds, bars and nightclubs.
- Legal disputes over real estate are common, including in Bali. Before entering into an agreement or providing financial details, do your research and get legal advice.
- Natural disasters such as severe weather, floods, landslides, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis occur regularly. Weather conditions can change quickly during the wet season (October – April). Regularly check weather reports, monitor media and speak to your travel provider before continuing with planned activities. Follow the advice of local authorities.
- When undertaking adventure activities, ensure that functioning safety equipment is available, that you have travel insurance and that your policy covers you for these activities.
Full travel advice: Safety
- The standard of medical facilities in Indonesia is generally lower than in Australia. Many regional hospitals only provide basic facilities.
- Some medications, including prescription medications, drugs for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), all cannabis-based products including medicinal cannabis, cannabis-based oils and creams, hemp-based products, CBD, THC, hash and edibles, are illegal in Indonesia. Harsh penalties, such as arrest and jail time, can apply even if you have a prescription. Make sure your medication is legal in Indonesia .
- Purchasing prescription medication online or over the counter in Indonesia without an Indonesian prescription is illegal. Ensure you provide a valid prescription from an Indonesian doctor before purchasing prescription medication and confirm that it's accepted by the seller before your purchase.
Full travel advice: Health
- Indonesia has revised its criminal code, which includes penalties for cohabitation and sex outside of marriage. These revisions will not come into force until January 2026.
- Penalties for drug offences include heavy fines, long prison sentences and the death penalty. Police target tourist destinations.
- Some medications are illegal in Indonesia. Harsh penalties can apply even if you have a prescription. It is also illegal to purchase prescription medications online or over the counter without an Indonesian prescription. Ensure you have a valid Indonesian prescription. See ' Health '.
The death penalty exists for some crimes in Indonesia.
- Standards of dress and behaviour are conservative in many parts of Indonesia. Learn about local customs. Take care not to offend.
- Aceh province upholds aspects of sharia law. Sharia law applies to everyone, including travellers. Inform yourself about the laws, and be careful not to offend or break local laws. If in doubt, seek local advice.
Full travel advice: Local laws
- The Idul Fitri holiday period will take place from 10 April. Many people will travel across Indonesia until 22 April, with many expected to move in and out of the greater Jakarta area. This may impact traffic and public transport, including airports, seaports, highways, toll roads, train and bus stations across Indonesia. Airports are expected to be busy. Plan your travel carefully and prepare for significant delays. Contact your travel provider for up-to-date details.
- The Bali Provincial Government has introduced a new tourist levy of IDR 150,000 per person to foreign tourists entering Bali. The tourist levy is separate from the e-Visa on Arrival or the Visa on Arrival. Cashless payments can be made online prior to travel or on arrival at designated payment counters at Bali's airport and seaport. See the Bali Provincial Government's official website and FAQs for further information.
- If you're travelling to Indonesia for tourism, official government duties or business meetings, you can apply for an e-Visa on Arrival (e-VOA) online at least 48 hours before your travel to Indonesia. This also applies if you're transiting through Indonesia at international airports, seaports and land crossings. You can get a Visa on Arrival (VOA) at some international airports, seaports or land crossings.
- To apply for the e-VOA or VOA, you must have an ordinary (non-emergency) passport with at least 6 months of validity from the date you plan to enter (we also recommend having at least 6 months of passport validity from the date you plan to leave Indonesia, to avoid any issues for your departure or onward travel) and a return or onward flight booking to another country.
- You may need to apply for a visa in advance to enter Indonesia for purposes not covered by the e-VOA or VOA. Check the latest entry requirements with your travel provider or an Embassy or Consulate of Indonesia before travel. Entry, exit and transit conditions can change at short notice. Monitor media for the latest updates.
- You'll be required to complete an e-customs declaration for arrival. You can complete this within 3 days of departure to Indonesia.
- Travel requirements may change at short notice, including travel to Bali and Jakarta by air, land or sea. Contact your travel provider and monitor media for up-to-date details.
Full travel advice: Travel
Local contacts
- The Consular Services Charter tells you what the Australian Government can and can't do to help when you're overseas.
- For consular help, contact the Australian Embassy, Jakarta , the Australian Consulate-General, Bali , the Australian Consulate-General, Makassar or the Australian Consulate-General, Surabaya .
- To stay up to date with local information, follow the Embassy's social media accounts.
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Full advice
The terrorist threat in Indonesia is ongoing. Attacks could happen anywhere and anytime. This includes places that foreigners visit.
Be alert to possible threats. Take official warnings seriously and follow the advice of local authorities. Remain respectful of religious and local customs.
Indonesian authorities continue to investigate and disrupt terrorist groups in Indonesia, including Bali.
Terrorist attacks are motivated by extreme beliefs. Both local grievances as well as events in other parts of the world could motivate extremists in Indonesia towards violence.
Recent terrorist attacks
In December 2022, an explosion occurred at a police station in Bandung, Jawa Barat, killing 2 and injuring 11.
In March 2021, 2 suicide bombers attacked a church in Makassar, injuring dozens.
In the past, police have said that terrorist suspects remain at large and may seek Western targets.
Indonesian security agencies continue to conduct operations against terrorist groups.
Terrorists in Indonesia may carry out small-scale violent attacks with little or no warning.
Be alert in places of worship, especially during periods of religious significance.
Terrorists have targeted places of worship in:
As well as places of worship, other possible targets by terrorists include:
- Indonesian government facilities, premises and symbols associated with the Indonesian Government
- police stations and checkpoints
- bars, nightclubs, cafes and restaurants
- cinemas and theatres
- shopping centres, public transport and transport hubs
- airports and airlines
- clubs, including sporting clubs
- tourist areas and attractions, tour buses and tour groups
- outdoor recreation events
Supporters have committed additional acts of violence in response to high-profile extremists being detained or killed.
To protect yourself during a terrorist attack:
- leave the area as soon as it's safe
- follow the advice of local authorities
- don't gather in a group after an attack
- don't gather in a group if you're evacuated from a building
Security remains at a high level at:
- the Australian Embassy in Jakarta
- the Consulates-General in Bali, Makassar and Surabaya
More information:
Civil unrest and political tension
Most events are announced before they happen; however, protests may occur with little or no notice.
Protests and events are often held near major government buildings and embassies in Jakarta, including the Australian Embassy.
Protests may also occur at any of Australia's Consulates-General in Surabaya, Bali and Makassar, at government buildings, or the offices of international organisations in Indonesia.
You can expect traffic delays and restricted access to locations if there are protests.
Phone or email ahead for an appointment before going to the Embassy or the Consulates-General (see Local contacts ).
Demonstrations and acts of violence can happen when courts try and sentence extremists.
Conflict between different communities can sometimes occur, including in the provinces of Papua, Papua Pegunungan, Papua Tengah and Papua Selatan. Our ability to provide consular support in these provinces is limited.
Local violence can also be directed at minority groups in other parts of Indonesia, including in Java.
If you're found to endanger security or public order, you may be prosecuted under Indonesia's Immigration laws, which may result in imprisonment or deportation.
To protect yourself from possible violence:
- avoid protests and demonstrations
- monitor local media for the latest security updates
- plan your activities to avoid potential unrest on significant dates
- be prepared to change your travel plans
- Demonstrations and civil unrest
Armed conflict
The provinces of Papua, Papua Pegunungan, Papua Tengah and Papua Selatan experience regular violent clashes involving armed groups, civilians, Indonesian police, and the military. Armed groups have stated that they are targeting foreigners, including Australians. Our ability to provide consular support in these provinces is limited.
Many people have been killed and injured in clashes. This includes members of security forces, armed groups and civilians. Violent attacks have occurred in several areas of these provinces, including in and around Jayapura. There's a risk of more attacks.
On 23 February 2023, a riot broke out in Wamena, Papua Pegunungan, when a crowd attacked Indonesian security personnel following the arrest of two people accused of child kidnapping. 12 civilians and rioters were killed.
Violent attacks have occurred around the Freeport Mine in Papua Tengah.
Armed groups have:
- taken a New Zealand pilot hostage in Paro, Papua Pegunungan
- shot at aircraft, including commercial planes, at Beoga airport in Pupua Tengah province and Nop Goliat Dekai airport in Papua Pegunungan province.
- killed people in attacks, including one Australian
- attacked vehicles using the road between Grasberg and Timika
- killed people in violent attacks in Puncak Jaya District, Papua Tengah
- more attacks are possible and could target infrastructure and national institutions.
A range of crimes, including violent crime, occur in Indonesia. Crimes can happen in popular tourist locations in Bali.
To protect yourself from crime:
- be aware of your surroundings
- be alert in crowds
- understand the potential crime risks
Theft, robbery and bag and phone snatching have occurred. These crimes can sometimes involve violence. Opportunistic crime such as pickpocketing occurs.
Be careful of thieves:
- on motorcycles targeting pedestrians
- in upmarket shopping malls
- in crowded public transport
- at traffic lights targeting people in stopped cars
- at bars and nightclubs
- when entering accommodation, including villas in Bali
Keep bags and valuables out of sight in vehicles.
If you're travelling on foot, walk:
- on footpaths
- away from the curb
- with your bag held away from traffic
Sexual assault
If you're a victim of sexual assault :
- get immediate medical assistance. If you have any doubts about seeking medical assistance after a sexual assault, contact your nearest Australian Embassy or Consulate in Indonesia (see Local contacts ) as quickly as possible.
- make a full statement to local police, in person, so they can conduct a criminal investigation. You may wish to seek consular help before you visit the police station. Contact your nearest Australian Embassy or Consulate (see Local contacts ).
Local police can only investigate a crime after you've left Indonesia if you've reported it.
Your sworn statement, or statements by witnesses, can be used as evidence in criminal court proceedings.
You don't always need to be in Indonesia for trial. Neither do witnesses who live outside of Indonesia.
Counselling support
Should you wish to speak to a counsellor, you can call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your nearest Australian Embassy or Consulate (see Local contacts ). They can connect you to counselling hotlines and services.
- Reducing the risk of sexual assault
Bars and nightclubs
Be alert in bars and nightclubs. Drink-spiking and snatching of valuables may occur if you're not alert.
Drinks may be contaminated with drugs or toxic substances. See Health .
Don't leave your food or drinks unattended.
Never accept drinks, food, gum, cigarettes, vapes or e-cigarettes from people you've just met.
- Partying safely
Credit card and ATM fraud
Credit card, online banking and ATM fraud occurs in Indonesia.
Check your bank statements.
Make sure your bank doesn't block your cards. Tell your bank you'll be visiting Indonesia.
Never let your card out of your sight. This includes when you pay in restaurants.
Shield your PIN from sight.
Some vendors install hidden cameras and use card skimmers.
Don’t click on unknown links in WhatsApp or mobile phone text messages, particularly if your phone is linked to mobile banking.
Use ATMs at controlled and secure places, such as:
- shopping centres
Scams and confidence tricks
Beware of scams and confidence tricks.
Only exchange money at authorised money changers. Authorised money changers can also be found on the Bali Foreign Exchange website . Unauthorised money changers have been known to scam foreign tourists in Bali and elsewhere.
All types of gambling are illegal in Indonesia.
Australians have lost large sums of money in card game scams run by organised gambling gangs, particularly in Bali. See Local laws
Some tourists have been robbed or planted with drugs after taking new acquaintances back to their hotel rooms. In some cases, their drinks were spiked.
Legal disputes over the purchase of real estate are common, including in Bali, involving:
- holiday clubs and resorts
- timeshare schemes
Before entering into an agreement or providing financial details:
- thoroughly research the proposal
- get legal advice and know your rights, especially before you sign any documents
Using taxis
Only use licensed official metered taxis. Crimes involving unregistered taxis include:
- taxis departing before the passenger can take their baggage from the vehicle
- taxi drivers robbing or temporarily holding passengers, including in urban areas
- taxi drivers forcing passengers to withdraw money at ATMs before releasing them
Lone female travellers are at higher risk of crime.
If you're in an incident involving a taxi, leave the taxi and the immediate area if it's safe to do so.
To protect yourself from overcharging and scams:
- only travel in licensed taxis with signage, a "taxi" roof sign and meters working
- ensure the driver's identification card is visible
- book via your phone, on an official taxi company mobile app, from inside an airport, or at stands at major hotels
See Travel .
Cyber security
You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you're connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.
Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.
- Cyber security when travelling overseas
Kidnapping occurs across the world with political, ideological and criminal motives. Foreigners, including Australians, have been kidnapped overseas while travelling. Kidnaps can happen anywhere, anytime, including destinations that are typically at lower risk.
On 7 February 2023, a New Zealand pilot was taken hostage by an armed group in Paro, Papua Pegunungan.
The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers.
Adventure activities
Many businesses don't follow safety and maintenance standards. This includes transport and tour operators, water sports providers, hotels, restaurants and shops.
It may affect adventure activities, such as:
- bungee jumping
- scuba diving and snorkelling
- chairlift or gondola rides
In the past, Australians have been seriously injured or died while participating in adventure activities. If you require intensive care medical treatment, emergency surgery or medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
If you plan to do an adventure activity :
- check if your travel insurance policy covers it
- ask about safety, search and rescue procedures
- ask about and insist on minimum safety requirements
- always use available safety gear, such as life jackets or seatbelts
- check with your travel provider on vessel capacity limits before embarking on sea, land or air travel
- check weather and ocean conditions, and whether the vessel has had any mechanical issues, on the day and before continuing with water activities or sea travel
- check where the nearest medical facilities are
If proper safety equipment isn't available or you're unsure of the provider's safety or maintenance procedures, use another provider.
Trekking and climbing
Some mountain treks suit only experienced climbers. Travel with a guide and check the level of difficulty beforehand.
Many trekking options may be on or around an active volcano. Many of Indonesia's volcanoes are active and can erupt without warning. Volcanic and seismic activity may continue for some time. Adhere to exclusion zones around volcanoes, which can change at short notice, and follow the advice of local authorities. If you're planning to travel to an area near an active volcano, check with local authorities before climbing and check:
- Bureau of Meteorology Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre
- MAGMA Indonesia (Bahasa Indonesia) for daily updates on status and alert levels
- National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB) (Bahasa Indonesia)
- Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
Swimming safety
People have drowned in coastal areas, including in Bali, due to rough seas, strong currents, or from swimming, snorkelling or scuba diving in areas where there is frequent passage of boats, resulting in collisions.
Local beach rescue services may not be of the same standard as in Australia.
Saltwater crocodiles are in rivers throughout Indonesia. Avoid swimming around river estuaries and seek local advice in other locations.
If you plan to spend time in or on the water:
- regularly check weather reports as sea conditions can change rapidly
- take warnings seriously
- check media and local sources for information about potential dangers
- speak to your travel provider about safety equipment and weather conditions before continuing with planned activities
- take a friend or family member with you when you undertake swimming or water activities
- be careful when swimming, snorkelling or scuba diving near motor-powered boats or where there is frequent passage of boats
- ensure you have travel insurance and that your policy covers you for planned activities
Ensure you have travel insurance and that your policy covers you for planned activities.
Climate and natural disasters
Indonesia experiences natural disasters and severe weather , including:
- landslides and mudslides
- volcanic eruptions
- earthquakes
- storms resulting in turbulent sea conditions
- tsunamis and high wave events
If there's a natural disaster or severe weather:
- always carry your passport in a waterproof bag
- keep in contact with family and friends
- check the media and local sources for information
- don't undertake sea, land or air travel if it's not safe to do so
- Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) (English and Bahasa Indonesia)
- BMKG Multi-Hazard Early Warning System app (English and Bahasa Indonesia)
Floods and mudslides
Floods , landslides and mudslides occur regularly during the wet season from October to April, with some severe events resulting in injury, displacement, death or damaged infrastructure.
Heavy rains can cause significant flooding in urban areas, including the greater Jakarta region, causing disruption to transportation. Monitor the local media for updates.
Walking and driving in flooded areas can be dangerous. Flood waters may hide uncovered drainage ditches.
Volcanic activity may escalate with little or no notice, leading to flight disruptions and airport closures, including in surrounding provinces. Contact your airline for the latest flight information.
There are 147 volcanoes in Indonesia. 76 of them are active volcanoes and could erupt at any time.
Volcanic alert levels and exclusion zones may rise quickly. You may be ordered to evacuate at short notice. Volcanic activity can disrupt domestic and international flights. There are 4 volcano alert levels in Indonesia; 1 - normal, 2 - advisory, 3 - watch, 4 - warning.
Before you travel to areas that are prone to volcanic activity, monitor media and ensure you read the Indonesian Government's latest advice on current volcanic activity, including:
- Volcanic Activity Report by Indonesia's Multiplatform Application for Geohazard Mitigation and Assessment (MAGMA) (Bahasa Indonesia)
- Volcano Activity and Observatory Notices (English and Bahasa Indonesia)
- MAGMA Indonesia Map of Latest Volcano Levels and Climate Information (Bahasa Indonesia)
- Bureau of Meteorology's Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre
If there's volcanic activity:
- avoid the area
- take official warnings seriously and adhere to exclusion zones
- follow the instructions and advice of local authorities
- follow evacuation orders
- read our advice on Volcanic eruptions while travelling
Volcanic ash can cause breathing difficulties. The risk is higher for people with chronic respiratory illnesses, including:
Recent and frequent volcanic activity has included:
- Mount Ile Lewetolok in East Nusa Tenggara (Nusa Tenggara Timur)
- Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki in East Flores Regency, Nusa Tenggara Timur
- Mount Marapi in West Sumatra
- Mount Anak Krakatau, to the south of Sumatra
- Mount Merapi, near Yogyakarta
- Mt Dukono in North Sulawesi
- Mount Semeru, near Malang, East Java
- Mount Agung in Bali
- Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra
Some trekking routes are on or near active volcanoes, including Mount Agung and Mount Batur in Bali, Mount Marapi in West Sumatra, Mount Merapi near Yogyakarta, Mount Rinjani in Lombok, Mount Bromo and Mount Ijen in East Java. See 'Trekking and climbing'.
If you're planning to travel to an area near an active volcano, make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance and check if any restrictions apply.
If a volcanic eruption occurs:
- make a backup plan in case you're affected
- contact your airline or travel insurer to confirm flight schedules and get help
- keep in touch with family and friends
- Learn more about volcanic eruptions (Geoscience Australia)
- See practical advice and information about volcanic eruptions (US CDC)
- See worldwide volcanic activity reports in real-time (GDACS)
Earthquakes
Indonesia is in an active earthquake region. It has a high level of earthquake activity, that sometimes triggers tsunamis.
There are approximately 4,000 earthquakes across Indonesia every year. Around 70 to 100 of these are over 5.5 magnitude.
Earthquakes can cause death, injury and significant damage to infrastructure.
Strong earthquakes can occur anywhere in Indonesia. They are less common in Kalimantan and south-west Sulawesi.
To stay safe during an earthquake:
- know the emergency plans at your accommodation
- take precautions to avoid exposure to debris and hazardous materials, including asbestos
- MAGMA Indonesia (Bahasa Indonesia)
- Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (Bahasa Indonesia) or BMKG Multi-Hazard Early Warning System app (English and Indonesia)
- Indonesia's Centre for Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation (Bahasa Indonesia)
- US Federal Emergency Management Agency advice on what to do before, during and after an earthquake (English)
Forest fires and smoke haze
During the dry season in April to November, widespread forest fires can cause smoke haze resulting in poor air quality across parts of Indonesia, particularly the Riau Islands, central Sumatra and Kalimantan.
Smoke haze could affect your health and travel plans.
Keep up to date with local information and seek medical advice on appropriate precautions.
- ASEAN Regional Haze Situation
- Smartraveller advice on Bushfires
Tsunamis and high wave events
The Indian and Pacific Oceans experience more frequent, large and destructive tsunamis than other parts of the world.
There are many large earthquakes along major tectonic plate boundaries and ocean trenches.
High wave events can happen throughout coastal regions and between islands. They're caused by strong weather conditions and storms.
If you plan to surf, undertake water activities or travel by sea, check local conditions regularly.
If there’s a tsunami or high wave event:
- don't travel by sea if it's not safe to do so
- Indonesia Tsunami Early Warning Centre issues warnings when a potential tsunami with significant impact is expected
- Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency with the latest list of earthquakes with a magnitude greater than 5.0 on the Richter scale (Bahasa Indonesia) or BMKG Multi-Hazard Early Warning System app (English and Bahasa Indonesia)
- US Federal Emergency Management Agency page on what to do before, during and after an earthquake
Piracy occurs in the coastal areas of Indonesia.
The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) issues weekly piracy reports.
If you decide to travel by boat in these regions:
- check IMB piracy reports
- get local advice
- arrange security measures
- Travelling by boat
- Going on a cruise
- International Maritime Bureau
Travel insurance
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave.
Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including emergency treatment and medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.
Before you travel, confirm:
- what activities and care your policy covers
- that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away, including on all forms of transport you plan to take
- whether it covers medical evacuation in the event of hospitalisation or injury
- any exclusions to your policy
Physical and mental health
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
- have a basic health check-up
- ask if your travel plans may affect your health
- plan any vaccinations you need
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
If you have immediate concerns for your welfare or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.
- General health advice
- Healthy holiday tips (Healthdirect Australia)
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
Some drugs used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are illegal in Indonesia.
If you plan to bring over-the-counter or prescription medication, check if it's legal in Indonesia by contacting the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra well in advance of your planned travel. Take enough legal medicine for your trip and carry it in its original packaging. Purchasing prescription medication online in Indonesia without an Indonesian prescription is illegal. Ensure you provide a valid prescription from an Indonesian doctor before purchasing prescription medication and confirm that it's accepted by the seller prior to your purchase.
Carry a copy of your prescription and a letter from your doctor stating:
- what the medicine is
- your required dosage
- that it's for medical treatment or use
If you're caught with illegal medicine, you could face detention, fines or harsher penalties. You could face charges even if an Australian doctor prescribed the medication.
Ask the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra for advice before you travel.
Medicinal cannabis and cannabis-based products
Cannabis-based products such as cannabis oil and creams, hemp, CBD, THC, hash and edibles remain illegal in Indonesia, including for medicinal purposes. A medical prescription does not make it legal. If you take such products to Indonesia or purchase or use them in Indonesia, you can be arrested and face imprisonment, fines, deportation or the death penalty.
- Medications
Health Risks
Critical care for Australians who become seriously ill, including in Bali, is significantly below the standard available in Australia. Medical evacuation may not be possible.
The Australian Government cannot guarantee your access to hospitals and other health services in Indonesia.
Medical evacuation to Australia for medical conditions, is possible but is very expensive and may not be covered by travel insurance. Check your policy before you travel.
Ban on sale of liquid/syrup medication
The Indonesian Ministry of Health (MoH) has advised local health workers and pharmacists to stop selling liquid/syrup medication, including commonly used medications containing paracetamol and cough syrups. MoH and the Indonesian Paediatrician Association (IDAI) received reports of a sharp increase in cases of Atypical Progressive Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in children , especially under the age of 5 years.
Insect-borne illnesses
Insect-borne illnesses are common throughout the year.
To protect yourself from disease:
- research your destination
- ask locals for advice
- make sure your accommodation is mosquito-proof
- use insect repellent
- wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing
Dengue occurs throughout Indonesia, including Bali, Jakarta and other major cities.
Dengue is common during the rainy season.
Australian health authorities have reported an increase in dengue infections in people returning from Bali in recent years.
There are now two dengue vaccines, but they are not currently available in Australia. For further information, contact your doctor.
Zika virus can occur in Indonesia.
Protect yourself from mosquito bites.
The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care advises pregnant women to:
- discuss any travel plans with their doctor
- consider deferring non-essential travel to affected areas
Malaria , including chloroquine-resistant strains, is widespread in rural areas, particularly in the provinces of Papua, Papua Pegunungan, Papua Tengah, Papua Selatan, Papua Barat Daya, Papua Barat, Maluku and Nusa Tenggara Timur. There is no malaria transmission in Jakarta.
- Consider taking medicine to prevent malaria.
Japanese encephalitis and filariasis
Japanese encephalitis and filariasis occur in Indonesia, especially in rural agricultural areas.
Japanese encephalitis has been present in Australian travellers returning from Indonesia, including Bali.
Vaccination is recommended for certain groups of travellers.
- Infectious diseases
Drink poisoning
People have been poisoned by alcoholic drinks contaminated with harmful substances, including methanol and arak (a traditional rice-based spirit). Locals and foreigners, including Australians, have died or become seriously ill from poisoned drinks.
Cases of drink poisoning have been reported in Bali and Lombok.
Contaminated drinks have included:
- local spirits
- spirit-based drinks, such as cocktails
- brand name alcohol
To protect yourself from drink poisoning:
- consider the risks when drinking alcoholic beverages
- be careful drinking cocktails and drinks made with spirits
- drink only at reputable licensed premises
- avoid home-made alcoholic drinks
Labels on bottles aren't always accurate.
Symptoms of methanol poisoning can be similar to drinking too much. However, they are usually stronger.
Symptoms of methanol poisoning include:
- vision problems
Vision problems may include:
- blindness, blurred or snowfield vision
- changes in colour perception
- difficulty looking at bright lights
- dilated pupils
- flashes of light
- tunnel vision
If you suspect that you or someone you're travelling with may have been poisoned, act quickly. Urgent medical attention could save your life or save you from permanent disability.
Report suspected cases of methanol poisoning to the Indonesian police.
Magic mushrooms
Don't consume magic mushrooms. They're illegal.
Australians have become sick or injured after taking magic mushrooms.
Australians have been in trouble with local police after taking magic mushrooms, particularly in Bali.
Magic mushrooms can cause major health problems, including:
- erratic behaviour
- severe hallucinations
Rabies is a risk throughout Indonesia, especially in:
- Nusa Tenggara Timur, including Labuan Bajo
- South Sulawesi
- West Kalimantan
- Nias, off the west coast of Sumatra
To protect yourself from rabies:
- avoid direct contact with dogs
- don't feed or pat animals
- avoid contact with other animals, including bats and monkeys.
Talk to your doctor about getting a pre-exposure rabies vaccination.
If bitten or scratched by an animal:
- immediately use soap and water to wash the wound thoroughly for 15 minutes
- seek urgent medical attention.
Rabies treatment in Indonesia may be limited, including the rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin availability. If you're bitten, you may need to return to Australia or travel to another country for immediate treatment.
You're at risk of contracting rabies if you visit a market where live animals and fresh food are sold because:
- live rabies-positive dogs may be present
- rabies-positive dog meat may be sold as food
Selling dog meat for human consumption is a breach of government disease control regulations.
Avoid contact with monkeys, even in places where you're encouraged to interact with them. This includes:
- popular markets
- tourist destinations
- sanctuaries
Legionnaires' disease
Cases of Legionnaires' disease have been reported in people who have travelled to Bali. Travellers who are unwell with flu-like symptoms within 10 days of returning from Bali are advised to consult their GPs.
- Legionnaires' disease warning for Bali travellers (Western Australian Government Department of Health)
- Legionnaires’ disease (Better Health Channel, Victorian Government Department of Health)
- Legionnaires' disease (World Health Organization)
Cases of poliovirus (type 1) have been reported in the provinces of Papua, Papua Pegunungan, Papua Tengah and Papua Selatan. Poliovirus (type 2) cases have been reported in the provinces of Aceh, East, West and Central Java. There may be unreported cases in other provinces in Indonesia.
Ensure that you're vaccinated against polio.
- Factsheet on poliovirus types (World Health Organization)
- Health emergencies information for Indonesia (World Health Organization)
Periodic outbreaks of measles continue to be reported in Indonesia, including Bali.
You need 2 doses of vaccine 4 weeks apart to be fully vaccinated against measles.
If you have symptoms of measles, seek medical attention.
Measles is highly infectious. Call before attending a healthcare facility.
Nipah Virus and Yellow Fever
There are no cases of Nipah virus or Yellow Fever in Indonesia. You may be temperature checked on arrival at international and domestic airports. If you have fever symptoms, you may be referred to the airport clinic for further tests and asked to seek medical treatment. See your doctor or travel clinic before you travel to plan any vaccinations you need.
HIV/AIDS is a risk for travellers. Take steps to reduce your risk of exposure to the virus.
Other health risks
Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases are widespread. These include:
- tuberculosis
Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.
To protect yourself from illness:
- boil drinking water or drink bottled water
- avoid ice cubes
- avoid raw food, such as salads
To minimise the risk of food poisoning, only eat meat from reputable suppliers.
Seek urgent medical attention if you suspect food poisoning or have a fever or diarrhoea.
Seafood toxins
You can become sick from naturally occurring seafood toxins, including:
- ciguatera fish poisoning
- scombroid (histamine fish poisoning)
- toxins in shellfish
Avoid temporary black henna tattoos. The dye often causes serious skin reactions.
Before you get any tattoo, check the hygiene and safety of your tattoo provider.
Medical care
Medical facilities.
The standard of medical facilities in Indonesia is generally lower than Australia. Many regional hospitals only provide basic facilities.
Hospitals expect families to provide support to patients, including all financial support.
Psychiatric and psychological services are limited in Indonesia. Hospital staff may use physical restraints on patients.
When diving in Indonesia, there is a risk that you may experience decompression illness. An illness may occur when a diver ascends to the water surface too quickly and may have severe consequences. Understand the risks before you dive.
Decompression chambers are available in various areas, including the following locations:
- Bali's Sanglah General Hospital
- Siloam Hospital in Labuan Bajo
- Hospitals in Jakarta, Balikpapan, Bintan, Medan, Makassar, Raja Ampat (Waisai), Maluku, Tual and Manado near popular dive sites
Before admitting patients, hospitals usually need:
- guarantee of payment from the patient or their next of kin (family or friend)
- confirmation of medical insurance
- deposit payment
There's no reciprocal healthcare agreement between Australia and Indonesia.
The Australian Government cannot provide guarantee of payment, confirmation of medical insurance or a deposit payment for services.
If you become seriously ill or injured, you may need to be evacuated to a place with better care. Medical evacuation can be very expensive. Check your insurance policy before you travel. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs. It's best to check with your travel provider on the location and functionality of decompression chambers and other medical facilities available in the area before undertaking remote travel.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
Indonesian Parliament has passed revisions to its criminal code, which includes penalties for cohabitation and sex outside of marriage. These revisions will not come into force until January 2026.
Indonesia has signed into law revisions to the Electronic and Information Transactions Law (ITE Law). Tough penalties apply for defamation, hate speech, spreading hoaxes and uploading immoral content to the Internet. The law applies both within and outside Indonesia.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter . But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
- Arrested or jailed
Penalties for drug offences are severe. They include the death penalty.
You may face heavy fines or jail for consuming or possessing even small amounts of drugs, including marijuana. Cannabis-based products such as cannabis oil and cream, hemp, CBD, THC, hash and edibles remain illegal in Indonesia, including for medicinal purposes. A medical prescription does not make it legal. If you take such products to Indonesia or purchase or use them in Indonesia, you can be arrested and face imprisonment, fines, deportation or the death penalty.
Some prescription medications that are available in Australia are illegal in Indonesia. Purchasing prescription medication online or over the counter in Indonesia without an Indonesian prescription is illegal. Ensure you provide a valid prescription from an Indonesian doctor before purchasing prescription medication and confirm that it's accepted by the seller before your purchase.
Magic mushrooms are illegal. Indonesian police work to prevent their distribution.
Police target illegal drug use and possession across Indonesia. Police often target popular places and venues in Bali, Lombok and Jakarta.
- Carrying or using drugs
Local labour laws can change at short notice. This can affect expatriate workers.
Under Indonesian law, you must always carry identification. For example, your:
- Australian passport; and
- Resident's Stay Permit (if applicable)
Gambling is illegal.
Property laws are strict, seek legal advice before acquiring property in Indonesia.
It's sometimes illegal to take photographs in Indonesia. Obey signs banning photography. If in doubt, get advice from local officials. See Safety .
Australian laws
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
- Staying within the law and respecting customs
Local customs
Standards of dress and behaviour are conservative in many parts of Indonesia. Take care not to offend.
Find out what customs apply at your destination.
If in doubt, seek local advice.
LGBTI information
Same-sex relationships are legal in Indonesia, except in the province of Aceh. Same-sex relationships in Aceh may attract corporal punishment. Visible displays of same sex relationships could draw unwanted attention.
Some laws and regulations can be applied in a way that discriminates against the LGBTI community, including for pornography and prostitution.
- Advice for LGBTI travellers
The Islamic holiday month of Ramadan is observed in Indonesia. Respect religious and cultural customs and laws at this time.
During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking may be illegal in public during this time. If you're not fasting, avoid these activities around people who are. Seek local advice to avoid offence and follow the advice of local authorities.
Explore our Ramadan page to learn more, including dates for Ramadan.
Aceh is governed as a special territory, not a province, and has a degree of special autonomy.
Some aspects of sharia law are upheld. This includes regulations and punishments that don't apply in other parts of Indonesia.
Local sharia police enforce sharia law.
Sharia law applies to anyone in Aceh, including:
- foreigners (expats and travellers)
- non-Muslims
Sharia law doesn't allow:
- drinking alcohol
- prostitution
- same-sex relationships
- extra-marital sex
- co-habitation before marriage
It also requires a conservative standard of dress.
Learn about the laws in Aceh. If in doubt, seek local advice.
Dual citizenship
Indonesia doesn't allow dual nationality for adults, and you may be prosecuted by Immigration authorities should you be found to hold valid passports of two nationalities. If you entered Indonesia on your non-Australian citizenship passport, Indonesian Immigration will require you to exit Indonesia on that nationality's passport.
A child of Indonesian and Australian parents can maintain citizenship of both countries until the age of 18 years. Before a dual Australian-Indonesian citizen minor travels from Indonesia, additional identity documentation may be required from Indonesian Immigration. Check with Indonesian Immigration or the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra well in advance of your planned travel.
- Embassy and Consulate of Indonesia
- Information on limited dual citizenship
- Dual nationals
Visas and border measures
Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering.
Bali Tourism Levy
The Bali Provincial Government has introduced a new tourist levy of IDR 150,000 per person to foreign tourists entering Bali. The tourist levy is separate from the e-Visa on Arrival or the Visa on Arrival. Cashless payments can be made online prior to travel or on arrival at designated payment counters at Bali's airport and seaport. Exemption from payment of the levy applies to transit passengers and certain visa holders. See the Bali Provincial Government's official website and FAQs for further information.
e-Visa on Arrival and Visa on Arrival
You can apply for an e-Visa on Arrival (e-VOA) no later than 48 hours prior to travelling to Indonesia if you are travelling for tourism, business meetings, purchasing goods or transiting only. Check the e-VOA requirements from Indonesian Immigration before applying.
You can still apply for a regular Visa on Arrival (VOA) at certain international airports, seaports and land crossings, including Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, Makassar, Lombok, Batam, Medan, Manado, Aceh, Padang, Tanjung Pinang and Yogyakarta, if you do not apply for an e-VOA at least 48 hours in advance of your travel to Indonesia.
The e-VOA or VOA can be used for tourism, official government duties, business meetings, or to transit through Indonesia. You cannot transit in Indonesia without an e-VOA or VOA.
Additional requirements apply if you are travelling on government duties.
For the latest list of entry points for the e-VOA or VOA, refer to the Directorate General of Immigration's list of land border crossings, international airports, and international seaports .
The e-VOA and VOA cost IDR 500,000 (approximately $A 50), with the e-VOA charging a small online processing fee.
For the VOA, some airports, including Jakarta's international airport, are only accepting cash payment. Card payment facilities are available at Bali's international airport. ATM facilities may be in high demand. Be prepared to pay in cash if required.
The visa is valid for a 30 day stay and can be extended once (for a maximum of 30 days) by applying at an immigration office within Indonesia. Ensure you extend your visa within the initial 30 days to avoid an overstay fine and deportation.
To apply for a regular VOA, you must show:
- your ordinary (non-emergency) passport with at least 6 months of validity from the date you plan to enter (we also recommend having at least 6 months passport validity from the date you plan to leave Indonesia, to avoid any issues for your departure or onward travel)
- a return flight booking to Australia or onward flight booking to another country
Contact your travel agent, airline, or your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Indonesia for details.
Other visas
If you're entering Indonesia from a port or airport that does not issue a visa on arrival, or you're visiting Indonesia for a purpose not allowed under the e-VOA or VOA conditions, you must apply for a visa in advance of travel. Check the Indonesian Immigration website for further information, or contact your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Indonesia .
Overstaying your permit may result in fines, detention and/or deportation.
- check your visa and permit, and contact the Directorate General of Immigration (DGI) for advice specific to your needs
- if you use an agent to extend your visa or stay permit, use only reputable companies
- if you have specific enquiries on visas or stay permits, contact DGI's Customer Service team via WhatsApp on +62 821 1295 3298
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate for details about visas, currency, customs and entry rules.
You can't work or conduct research in Indonesia unless you have the appropriate visa. Fines of IDR1,000,000 (approx. $A 100) per day apply for the maximum 60 day overstay period.
If you breach Indonesian immigration regulations, you may face:
- deportation
- re-entry bans
You may not be allowed to enter Indonesia if you have a criminal record. This is regardless of how long ago the offence took place. If you're concerned, contact an Embassy or Consulate of Indonesia before you travel.
Indonesian Immigration and visa decisions are final. The Australian Government can't help you.
- Embassy or Consulate of Indonesia
Border measures
You'll be required to complete an e-customs declaration for arrival . You can complete this within 3 days of departure to Indonesia.
Check entry requirements with your travel provider or the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Indonesia before you travel.
You may be temperature checked on arrival at international and domestic airports. If you have fever symptoms, you may be referred to the airport clinic for further tests and asked to seek medical treatment. See your doctor or travel clinic before you travel to plan any vaccinations you need.
Departure from Indonesia
Indonesia, including Bali, currently has an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease affecting animals. In preparing to travel to Australia, read Smartraveller's advice on biosecurity and border controls . Measures include cleaning dirty shoes, clothing or equipment before boarding your flight to Australia and not packing meat or dairy products. On your Incoming Passenger Declaration, you must declare any meat, dairy or animal products and any of your travel in rural areas or near animals (e.g., farms, zoos, markets).
Other formalities
If you're staying in a private residence, not a hotel, register when you arrive with both:
- the local Rukun Tetangga Office
- local police
If you plan to be in Indonesia for more than 30 days:
- register with the local immigration office
- make sure you have the right visa
- Embassy of Indonesia in Canberra
Indonesia won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave Indonesia. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over. You can end up stranded or returned back to your previous port overseas at your own cost, if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months from the date you enter and the date you plan to leave Indonesia.
Indonesia does not accept entry with an emergency passport, even if it is valid for more than 6 months. Ensure you enter Indonesia on a valid ordinary, official, or diplomatic passport.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply these rules inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport .
Lost or stolen passport
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:
- In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service .
- If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian Embassy, Consulate or High Commission.
Damaged Passports
Indonesian authorities have strict standards for damaged passports, and travellers have been refused entry into Indonesia with a damaged passport. Normal wear and tear, including water damage, minor tears or rips to the pages, can be considered damaged.
It's important that:
- there are no tears or cuts in the passport pages, especially the photo page
- everything on the photo page is legible and clear
- there are no marks across your photo or in the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) on the photo page
- no pages have been removed
- there is no alteration or tampering
If you're not sure about the condition of your passport, call the Australian Passport Office on 131 232 or contact your nearest Australian embassy or consulate overseas . We may need to see your passport to assess it.
- Passport Services
- Damaged and faulty passports
- Using and protecting your passport
Passport with ‘X’ gender identifier
Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.
The local currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR).
Declare cash in excess of IDR100,000,000 or equivalent when you arrive and leave. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.
IDR100,000,000 is worth about $A10,000.
Local travel
Idul fitri 2024.
The Idul Fitri holiday period will take place from 10 April. Many people will travel across Indonesia until 22 April, with many expected to move in and out of the greater Jakarta area. This may impact traffic and public transport, including airports, seaports, highways, toll roads, train and bus stations across Indonesia. Airports are expected to be busy. Plan your travel carefully and prepare for significant delays. Contact your travel provider for up-to-date details.
Travel Permits
You may need a travel permit or Surat Keterangan Jalan to travel to some areas of the Papua provinces.
Check if you need a permit with the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Indonesia or with your travel provider.
Mobile Phone Reception and Wi-Fi
Mobile phone reception and Wi-Fi are not always available, including in remote areas and some resort islands.
If you plan to stay in Indonesia for more than 90 days and would like to use your mobile phone purchased overseas, you'll need to register your mobile phone IMEI number with Indonesian Customs within the first 60 days of your stay.
If you plan to stay in Indonesia for less than 90 days, you can visit the local cellular operator/provider booth at the airport to get an access period to use the Indonesian cellular network, which is only valid for 90 days and includes data roaming.
A customs payment may be required, or a tourist SIM card can be purchased for short-term stays. You can use Wi-Fi networks without registration.
To stay in communication and avoid mobile service interruptions:
- check mobile coverage with your service provider
- register your mobile device with Indonesian Customs on arrival if you plan to connect to the mobile network
Driving permit
To drive in Indonesia, you need either:
- an Indonesian licence
- an International Driving Permit (IDP)
Check that your licence or permit is appropriate for the type of vehicle you're driving.
Your Australian licence isn't enough.
Your travel insurer will deny any claims you make if:
- you're unlicensed
- you don't hold the correct class of licence
Road travel
Traffic can be extremely congested.
Road users are often unpredictable or undisciplined.
You're more likely to be killed in a motor vehicle accident in Indonesia than in Australia. Drive defensively. Some traffic incidents can escalate into violent disputes quickly.
Consider hiring a taxi or a driver who is familiar with local roads and traffic conditions.
- Driving or riding
Motorcycles
Motorcycle accidents have killed and injured foreigners, including Australians. This includes in tourist areas, particularly Bali, Lombok and the Gili Islands.
If you're riding a motorbike and there's an accident, you'll often be assumed to be at fault. You may be expected to compensate all parties.
If you hire a motorbike:
- make sure your insurance policy covers you
- check if any policy restrictions apply, for example if you're not licensed to ride a motorcycle in Australia
Always wear a helmet.
Public transport
Buses, trains and the metro rail can be crowded, particularly:
- around public holidays
- during peak commute times
Safety standards may not be observed.
- Transport and getting around safely
Only use licensed official metered taxis.
- only travel in licensed taxis with signage, a "taxi" roof sign and meters
- book via phone or an official taxi company mobile app
You can book licensed official metered taxis
- on the taxi company's official mobile app
- from inside airports
- at stands at major hotels
Unofficial operators can have taxis that look similar to those run by reputable companies. Make sure the taxi meter is working before you get into the taxi.
See Safety .
Rail travel
Inter-city rail networks operate on the islands of Java, Sumatra and Sulawesi.
Commuter trains operate in Java, including Jakarta.
Trains can be crowded, particularly:
- during peak commuter times
Travel between islands
Travel by ferry or boat can be dangerous.
Passenger and luggage limits aren't always observed.
Equipment may not be properly maintained, and they may not have GPS or emergency communications equipment.
There may not be enough life jackets. It's unlikely that the crew will have life jackets for children.
In March 2024, a ferry sank in the Thousand Islands off the coast of Jakarta, resulting in one death, and a liveaboard boat caught fire and sank in Raja Ampat, Papua Barat Daya, requiring several passengers to be rescued.
In August 2023, two crew died after a boat carrying passengers sank in the Banyak Islands, Aceh, and three people went missing after a ship sank in the Thousand Islands off the coast of Jakarta.
In July 2023, 15 people died after a ferry sank off Sulawesi Island.
In January 2023, 23 passengers and 6 crew were rescued after an inter-island ferry sank while returning from Nusa Penida to Sanur Beach, Bali.
In May 2022, 19 people died after a ferry sank in the Makassar Strait.
In June 2018, a ferry sank on Lake Toba in Sumatra and 100s of people died.
If you plan to travel by sea between islands:
- make sure any ferry or boat you board has appropriate safety equipment, GPS and communication equipment, and life jackets
- wear a life jacket at all times
- take enough life jackets for all children travelling with you
- ask your tour operator or crew about safety standards before you travel
- check sea, weather conditions and forecasts before embarking on boat or ferry travel, and delay travel if conditions are not safe
If appropriate safety equipment isn't available, use another provider.
Avoid travelling by water after dark unless the vessel is properly equipped. Avoid travel during wet weather or storms.
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Indonesia's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that have operating bans or restrictions within the EU. See the EU list of banned airlines .
Australian travellers should make their own decisions on which airlines to travel with.
Emergencies
Depending on what you need, contact your:
- family and friends
- travel agent
- insurance provider
Search and rescue services
Medical emergencies and ambulance.
SMS 1717 for Jakarta Police
Police Stations in Bali
Refer to the Bali Tourism Board’s list of police stations in Bali
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Consular contacts
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
Australian Embassy, Jakarta
Jalan Patra Kuningan Raya Kav. 1-4 Jakarta Selatan 12950
Phone: (+62 21) 2550 5555 Email: [email protected] Website: indonesia.embassy.gov.au Facebook: Australian Embassy Jakarta, Indonesia X: @DubesAustralia Instagram: @KeDubesAustralia
Make an appointment online or call (+62 21) 2550 5500 or (+62 21) 2550 5555.
Australian Consulate-General, Bali
Jalan Tantular 32 Renon Denpasar Bali 80234
Phone: (+62 361) 2000 100 Email: [email protected] Website: bali.indonesia.embassy.gov.au X: @KonJenBali Instagram: @konjenbali
Australian Consulate-General, Makassar
Wisma Kalla Lt. 7 Jalan Dr Sam Ratulangi No. 8 Makassar South Sulawesi 90125
Phone: (+62 411) 366 4100 Email: [email protected] Website: makassar.consulate.gov.au Facebook: Australian Consulate-General, Makassar, Sulawesi X: @KonJenMakassar Instagram: @konjenmakassar
Australian Consulate-General, Surabaya
Level 3 ESA Sampoerna Center Jl. Dokter.Ir. H. Soekarno No. 198 Klampis Ngasem, Sukolilo, Surabaya
Phone: (+62 31) 9920 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: surabaya.consulate.gov.au Instagram: @KonJenSurabaya
Check the websites for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
24-hour Consular Emergency Centre
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
- +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
- 1300 555 135 in Australia
Travelling to Indonesia?
Sign up to get the latest travel advice updates..
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.
IMAGES
COMMENTS
The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance. +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas. 1300 555 135 from within Australia. For how we can help you overseas see the Consular Services Charter.
Emergency consular assistance. The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance. +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas. 1300 555 135 from within Australia. For how we can help you overseas see the Consular Services Charter.
Read our information on Australia's current re-entry and quarantine measures. From 22 January 2021, if you're travelling to Australia, you must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test to your airline when checking in for your flight at the departure point (exemptions apply). You must be tested 72 hours or less prior to the ...
1300 555 135 within Australia +61 2 6261 3305 from anywhere in the world. Read more about getting help overseas on Smartraveller. Travel advice. We maintain travel advisories on Smartraveller for over 175 destinations, assigning an overall advice level to each. The advice levels reflect the risks for Australian travellers in each destination.
Today the Australian Government's official travel and cultural advice service, Smartraveller, released its latest advertising campaign. With more than 1 million monthly departures from Australia, the Smartraveller campaign aims to help all Australians travelling overseas to be as prepared as possible by visiting the website and subscribing to updates.
The Australian Government's Smartraveller website provides a range of information and advice to help you make well-informed travel decisions and stay safe while you're overseas. This includes travel advice for the United States, and advisories for more than 170 other destinations worldwide. Smartraveller offers a free service that allows you to sign up to receive travel advice updates and ...
Yes, but Smart Traveller has warned that it is up to airlines — not the Federal Government — to decide who it sells tickets to, and that this could affect your flight into Australia.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday ...
Media Release. 22 March 2023. Today the Australian Government is launching its new Smartraveller campaign, encouraging Australian travellers to make Smartraveller their first destination. Each month, there are more than 1 million departures from Australia and, at any point in time, there are around 1,250 cases of Australians needing help overseas.
Travel Advice - Smart Traveller • Travel advisories from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade we deliver a range of consular services for Australians travelling or living overseas. We deliver our services through Australian embassies, high commissions and consulates overseas. _____ • Smartraveller provides official overseas travel ...
There are travel zones where COVID-19 border restrictions have eased, either in Australia, internationally or both. Travel zones may involve: excluding certain destinations from Australia's outward travel ban; allowing quarantine-free travel to and from certain destinations; reducing or removing COVID-19 testing requirements.
Arriving travellers completing an incoming passenger card disclose lots of personal information, such as their full name, passport number, intended address in Australia, and declarations relating ...
The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service has extended the use of SmartGate to U.S. citizens. SmartGate is a simple way for eligible travelers arriving into Australia's international airports to self-process through passport control. SmartGate gives travelers a choice about how they are processed at passport control in Australia.
Smartraveller Travel Advice. Smartraveller has the latest, authoritative travel advice so you can be informed and prepared about overseas travel. Subscribe to receive travel advice updates - by simply supplying your name and email address - straight to your inbox. You can now also subscribe to the new SMS service - by supplying your mobile ...
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has launched an iPhone App and Facebook page as the latest additions to the Australian Government's Smartraveller consular campaign. The new initiatives aim to make smarter travel easier for increasingly tech-savvy and mobile Australian travellers. The iPhone app, which puts Australia at the ...
Visit the Smartraveller website regularly to check for international developments and subscribe to updates. Listen. Print. Share. Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Consular assistance. 1300 555 135. Smartraveller.
Signing up for STEP helps the U.S. embassy get in touch with you if there's an emergency. And, if your family or friends in the U.S. can't reach you with urgent news while you're traveling, we can use the information in STEP to try and contact you. Become a Smart Traveler Now! STEP is an easy first step to being a smart traveler.
Our key objective is to see all Australian travellers being well-informed, responsible 'smart' travellers. The primary way in which Australians can be well-informed about risk is by accessing the Department's travel advisories. ... We want Australian travellers to be 'smart', responsible informed travellers. Together we can ensure they are ...
Every year dozens of tourists drown on one of Australia's busy beaches because of strong waves and riptides. Wildlife attacks account for a handful more incidents. But in general, you should feel very safe when you travel to Australia. A sunset on the beach is the best ending for a day in Jervis Bay.
Check out the Global Airport Rewards Programmes online at the Smart Traveller. Download our app today and get personalised e-membership .
Smartraveller is for Australians planning to travel, or already travelling or living, overseas. Our purpose is to help Australians travel overseas safely, reduce their risks and avoid problems. Explore this page to learn about: the Smartraveller website. Australia's consular services.
Smart ticketing began on Gold Coast light rail in late 2020 before a staged rollout on trains commenced in mid-2022 - more than 13 million trips have been taken using the new technology ...
Around 47% of respondents had a positive view of these vehicles as a desirable trend and travel option for Australians. Only 18% disagreed, though 35% were undecided. Another 47% said vehicle ...
The standard of medical facilities in Indonesia is generally lower than in Australia. Many regional hospitals only provide basic facilities. Some medications, including prescription medications, drugs for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), all cannabis-based products including medicinal cannabis, cannabis-based oils and creams, hemp-based products, CBD, THC, hash and edibles, are ...