Travel Summary
- There have been confirmed human cases of the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) in Australia. You can check for updates on the situation in Australia by calling Australia’s Swine Flu Hotline on 1802 007, or by visiting the Australian Government’s Health Emergency website at www.healthemergency.gov.au. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. Australian authorities have implemented flu screening measures at airports, including advising incoming passengers before landing that if they feel unwell with flu symptoms they should ensure they seek immediate medical attention.There is a dedicated Swine Flu page on the FCO website. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at http://www.dh.gov.uk.
- There remains a general threat from terrorism in Australia. Attacks cannot be ruled out and could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. On 4 August 2009 the Australian authorities arrested a number of suspects alleged to be planning an attack on an Australian military base. As a result of previous, unconnected investigations into terrorist networks, several people have been convicted of terrorism offences. See the Terrorism section of this advice for more details.
- Over 670,000 British nationals visit Australia every year (Source: Tourism Australia). Australia is a vast country; you should plan your journeys carefully, particularly if travelling to remote areas, bushwalking or going swimming. Most visits to Australia are trouble–free. 1,235 British nationals required consular assistance in Australia in the period 01 April 2006 – 31 March 2007. The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Australia during this period were lost or stolen passports (2,006 cases); deaths (76 cases) and hospitalisations (47 cases); and arrests, for a variety of offences (47 cases).
- British nationals are required to obtain visas for entry into Australia. You should ensure that you have a return or onward air ticket. See the Entry Requirements section of this advice for more details.
- Take extra health precautions if travelling in the Northern Territory, parts of Western Australia, and parts of Queensland. By April 2009 a seasonal outbreak of dengue fever in northern Queensland had resulted in over 900 confirmed cases and one death. See the Health section of this advice for more details.
- Australia is prone to seasonal natural disasters including tropical cyclones, flash flooding and bushfires (forest fires). The Cyclone Season normally runs from November to April. Heavy rain caused severe flooding in south-east Queensland and Northern New South Wales between March and May 2009. Bushfires are common in the summer months from November to February. In early February 2009, Victoria suffered its worst ever bushfire outbreak. See the Natural Disasters section of this advice and Tropical Cyclones for more details.
- We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
Safety and security
You should be aware that a general threat from terrorism remains in Australia. Attacks could be indiscriminate including in places frequented by expatriates and foreigner travellers. For further information see Terrorism Abroad.
On 4 August 2009, the Victorian and Australian Federal Police co-ordinated searches of 19 properties in Victoria and made four arrests in connection with counter-terrorism operations. Charges are being laid which relate to the preparation or planning of a terrorist act.
In November 2005, the Australian police arrested 16 people in Sydney and Melbourne in a counter-terrorism operation designed to disrupt preparations for a terrorist attack. Three more were arrested on terrorism charges in Melbourne in March 2006. The trial against those arrested in Melbourne concluded on 15 September 2008 with six convictions and four acquittals. The case against those from Sydney is ongoing.
- Like any other part of the world, be particularly careful with personal possessions and travel documents in cities and other popular tourist destinations.
- Avoid carrying everything in one bag.
- Luggage and other personal items left in unattended vehicles and identifiable hire cars and camper-vans may be targeted, including at theme park car-parks.
- Take particular care when walking at night in some of the busy tourist areas of Sydney, such as Kings Cross, down town George Street, Hyde Park and Centennial Park.
- Be alert when you are withdrawing cash from cash machines.
- Thefts from safe deposit facilities at cheaper hotels and hostels are common.
- Beware of online lettings scams in which prospective tenants are asked to transfer a deposit to an overseas bank account in return for keys to a rental property in Australia. A number of British and other foreign travellers have fallen victim to such scams.
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
Political Situation
Australia Country Profile
Local Travel
Australia is a vast country. You are recommended to take regular rest breaks when driving long distances - there are many rest stops provided. There are extremely remote outback areas, which can present unexpected hazards. If you intend travelling to such areas you should plan your trip with care and seek and follow local advice on what precautions to take. In addition, when travelling to remote tourist areas of the outback, it is essential to leave your route details and expected time of return with the relevant local tourist authorities or police, your hotel/hostel, or with friends and relatives. Ensure that you also notify them if your travel plans change and when you finally return. Many tourists are reported missing, only to be found safe and well at their next destination.
If you intend bushwalking in or exploring national parks you must be aware that the majority of these are in remote areas and it can take hours to reach help. This has resulted in a number of recent deaths. The terrain and intense heat can have a severe impact in reducing your capabilities, and you should take plenty of water and a means of rigging up a shelter from the sun. The NSW Police Force website provides further advice on bush safety, most of which applies throughout Australia: http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/community_issues/crime_prevention/programs/trek
Australia is home to a number of dangerous animal species, from crocodiles, jellyfish and sharks to poisonous insects and snakes. The West Tropics Management Authority website has information on dangerous marine life: http://www.wettropics.gov.au/vi/vi_marine.html and dangerous animals: http://www.wettropics.gov.au/vi/vi_animals.html.
The Tourism Australia website: www.australia.com has extensive information on travelling around the continent.
Rip currents are the leading surf hazard for all beach users. They can occur at any beach, and can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea. Rip currents are responsible for around 15,000 beach rescues and up to 120 drownings each year in Australia (source: Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA)). There are more British victims than any other foreign nationality, with as many as 600 British nationals rescued and up to four drownings each year.
To enjoy Australia’s beaches safely, take the following simple precautions:
- Always swim between the red and yellow flags, as these indicate it is a supervised location where a lifesaving service is currently on duty.
- Do not swim at unsupervised locations.
- Observe and obey safety signage which indicates current and typical hazards for that location.
- Ask a lifeguard or lifesaver for advice on conditions; they are there to make your experience safer and more enjoyable.
- Always swim with a friend; never swim alone.
- If you get into trouble, stay calm and signal for help by calling and waving your arm above your head.
Further guidance on beach safety is available on the SLSA website at http://www.slsa.com.au/default.aspx?s=_factsheets
Swimming safety
Be aware of your own limitations in terms of your physical health and your swimming ability in the given conditions. Never swim while, or after, consuming alcohol.
Take care when swimming in, or crossing, rivers and pools as these can be subject to sudden flash flooding as a result of heavy rain elsewhere in the area. There have also been cases of British nationals being injured by diving into water which was too shallow. You should ensure that there is sufficient depth of water before diving, and always follow warning signs if present.
For more general information see River and Sea Safety.
Road Travel
In 2008 there were 1,464 road deaths in Australia (source: Australian Transport Safety Bureau). This equates to 6.9 road deaths per 100,000 of population and compares to the UK average of 5.0 road deaths per 100,000 of population in 2007 (source: DfT).
As a visitor, you may drive in Australia on a valid UK driving licence, which covers the class of vehicle you use. You must carry your licence when driving, in addition to a valid passport. An international driving permit is not sufficient and must be accompanied by a separate valid driving licence. There is an on-the-spot fine for not having your licence with you. You should also ensure that you are adequately covered for insurance purposes, including if you borrow a car from a friend or relative.
If you intend to stay in Australia and you hold a permanent visa, you are no longer considered a visitor. You are allowed to drive on a current overseas licence for a maximum of three months, after which you must apply for a local licence. The local authorities will only accept your UK driving licence if the names match exactly those in your passport; if they do not, you should obtain a replacement licence from the DVLA before applying for a local licence.
Seat belts must be worn at all times while driving in Australia. Weather hazards can seriously impair driving – road conditions can change rapidly. Sudden storms and strong winds can make driving difficult. Take particular care when driving on unmetalled roads, 4WD tracks and desert/beach roads. In April 2009 a 4WD troop carrier crashed and overturned on a beach on Fraser Island, killing two people (including one British man) and injuring nine others (including four Britons).
If you are returning to the UK from Australia via Osaka, Japan you must pay airport tax of 2,650 Yen (approx £17.00) in order to board the Osaka-London flight.
Local laws and customs
Australia has an established tradition of tolerance towards homosexuality, however there are still isolated incidents of homophobic related crimes. Gay and lesbian travellers should be aware of local sensitivities particularly when visiting rural communities.
Travellers spending a gap year in Australia (or elsewhere) may like to view www.gogapyear.com.
Quarantine Procedures
Australian authorities are rigorous in their efforts to keep out any pests and diseases that could affect plant, animal and human health. All luggage is x-rayed on arrival, whether arriving by plane with visitors or by mail. Any items of quarantine concern are further inspected, treated and, if necessary, confiscated and destroyed.
Before landing you will be given an incoming passenger card on the plane, on which you must declare any food or goods of plant or animal origin. These goods includes nuts, dried fruit and vegetables, herbs and spices, biscuits, cakes and confectionery, teas, coffees and milk-based drinks and sporting equipment (including camping gear), amongst others. A full list of items which must be declared, as well as prohibited goods, can be found on the Australian Quarantine & Inspection Service website. Breaches of quarantine regulations can result in large fines.
You must also declare on the passenger card if you have "visited a rural area, or been in contact with, or near, farm animals outside Australia in the past 30 days". As a result of these quarantine procedures, you should expect some delay on arrival.
Entry requirements
- an eVisitor visa direct from the Department of Immigration & Citizenship at: http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/evisitor/.There is no visa application charge or service fee for this;
- an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) via their travel agent or airline. There is no visa application charge, but a service fee of A$20 applies
Staying in, and leaving, Australia
You should ensure that you hold sufficient funds for the whole of your stay in Australia, and have access to emergency funds in case you do run out of money. You should also ensure that you have a return or onward air ticket (this is in any case mandatory for certain Australian visa categories). Do not rely on obtaining money from sources such as tax refunds to fund a return flight.
Health
There were over 3,300 cases of pertussis (whooping cough) in New South Wales in January and February 2009 compared to 448 cases in the same period last year. One baby died of the disease in March. For more information, see the NSW Health website at http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/2009/index.asp. Queensland Health has also warned of two to three times the normal level of incidence of the disease. The number of cases nationally is at its highest level in four years.
There has also been a higher than normal incidence of cryptosporidiosis, a diarrhoeal disease caused by a parasitic infection of the intestine, in New South Wales. NSW Health reported 201 cases in February, compared to 106 cases in January and 45 cases in December 2008. The highest rates of infections were in children under five. For more information, visit the NSW Health website, as above.
Natural disasters
Tropical Cyclones occur in some parts of Australia, mainly Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia. The Cyclone season normally runs from November to April. You should monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). You can also access the Australian Bureau of Meteorology website for updates. For further information see Tropical Cyclones.
You should be aware that (depending on the season) flash flooding of large areas can occur suddenly. You should plan your trip with care and seek and follow local advice on what precautions to take. Heavy rain caused severe flooding in south-east Queensland (including the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast) and northern New South Wales between March and May 2009. For current information, see The State of Queensland (Department of Emergency Services) - www.emergency.qld.gov.au and the New South Wales State Emergency Service - www.ses.nsw.gov.au.
You should be aware of the risk of bushfires at the height of the Australian summer (November to February). Bushfires are common in the summer months from November to February. In early February 2009, Victoria suffered its worst ever bushfire outbreak, with 173 people confirmed dead, up to 500 injured, and nearly 2000 homes destroyed. You should check with local State authorities for current information. For Victoria see: http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au; for South Australia see: http://www.cfs.org.au and for New South Wales see: http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.
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