Vacation Reviews

Australia

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Australia is a highly developed, stable democracy with a federal-state system. Tourist facilities are widely available. Read the State Department Background Notes on Australia for additional information.

SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (STEP) / EMBASSY LOCATION: If you are going to live in or visit Australia, please take the time to tell our Embassy or Consulates about your trip. If you enroll, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. Here’s the link to the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) or Queanbeyan: For emergency services (e.g., the arrest, death or serious injury of an U.S. citizen), please contact the U.S. Embassy in Canberra. The Embassy is located at Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600, telephone (61) (2) 6214-5600, fax (61) (2) 6214-5970. For emergency services (e.g., the arrest, death, or serious injury of a U.S. citizen) after 5:00 p.m. weekdays, holidays and weekends, please call (61) (2) 411-424-608. NOTE: Passports and other routine citizen services for Canberra and the rest of the ACT are provided by the U.S. Consulate General in Sydney (see contact information below).

In New South Wales, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island, and Queensland: For registration, passport and other consular services for U.S citizens, please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Sydney. The U.S. Consulate General is located on Level 10, MLC Centre, 19-29 Martin Place, Sydney, NSW 2000, telephone (61) (2) 9373-9200, fax (61) (2) 9373-9184. The Consulate General offers an online appointment system for U.S. citizens seeking routine non-emergency services such as registration, passport, and other consular services.To make an appointment, visit their web site. Hours open to the public: 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Monday to Friday (except U.S. and Australian holidays and the first Wednesday of each month). For emergency services (e.g., the arrest, death, or serious injury of a U.S. citizen) after 5:00 p.m. weekdays, holidays and weekends, please call (61) (2) 4422-2201.

In Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and the Northern Territory: For registration, passport, and other consular services for U.S. citizens, please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Melbourne located at 553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, telephone (61) (3) 9526-5900, fax (61) (3) 9525-0769. The Consulate General offers an online appointment system for U.S. citizens seeking routine non-emergency services such as registration, passport, and other consular services. To make an appointment, visit their web site. Hours open to the public: 12:30pm – 3:30pm Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 12:00pm Monday and Wednesday (except U.S. and Australian holidays and the first Wednesday of each month). For emergency services (e.g., the arrest, death, or serious injury of a U.S. citizen) after 4:30 p.m. or on holidays and weekends, please call (61) (3) 9389-3601.

In Western Australia: For registration, passport, and other consular services for U.S. Citizens, please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Perth, located at 16 St. Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000, telephone: (61)(8) 9202-1224, fax (61)(8) 9231-9444. The Consulate General offers an online appointment system for U.S. citizens seeking routine non-emergency services such as registration, passport, and other consular services. To make an appointment, please visit the Consulate's web site. Hours open to the public for American Citizen Services: 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Monday through Thursday. For emergency services (e.g., the arrest, death, or serious injury of a U.S. citizen) outside of business hours, please call (61) (8) 9476-0081.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: You must have a valid U.S. passport to enter Australia and enter with an Australian visa or, if eligible, through the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). The ETA is an electronic label-free visa and allows tourists and business travelers a stay of up to three months. You can obtain the ETA for a small service fee. Airlines and many travel agents in the United States are also able to apply for ETAs on behalf of travelers. If you overstay your ETA or any other visa, even for short periods, you may be subject to exclusion, detention, and removal by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship. You can find more information about the ETA, other visas, and entry requirements from the Embassy of Australia at 1601 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036, via the Australian Visa Information Service at 905-280-1437 (toll charges to Canada apply) or the Australian Embassy home page.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.

THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY: Australia has an alert system for possible terrorist attacks. The threat levels range from “low” to “high.” The Australian Attorney General's Office web site has up-to-date information regarding the current terrorism threat level. Depending on the alert, you should maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. Travelers may also contact the Australian National Security Hotline at 61-1-800-123-400.

Stay up to date by:

• Bookmark our Bureau of Consular Affairs website
• Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well.
• Download our free Smart Traveler IPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.
• You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or call a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries.
• Take some time before travel to consider your personal security — Here are some useful tips for traveling safely abroad

CRIME: You should be aware that robberies, burglaries, and auto theft are common in Australia’s larger cities. Weapons are increasingly used in such crimes, which also may be associated with drug trafficking and usage. Foreign visitors are targets for pickpockets, purse-snatchers, and petty thieves. Please be careful when drinking with unfamiliar people or travelers, as drink spiking sometimes occurs. Appropriate, common sense precautions should be taken, especially at night, to avoid becoming a target of opportunity.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, you may be breaking local law too.

VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. We can:

• Replace a stolen passport.
• For violent crimes such as assault or rape,help you find appropriate medical care,
• Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities and your family members or friends.
• Although the local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime, consular officers can help you understand the local criminal justice process and can direct you to local attorneys.

Every state in Australia has a crime victim assistance program that includes crimes against international visitors. For more information on local programs in Australia, please visit Victim Assistance Online's website.

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Australia is: 000 (Triple 0). To call for fire/police/ambulance services throughout Australia, dial “000” for urgent assistance.

See our information on Victims of Crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in Australia, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. While you are overseas, U.S. laws don’t apply. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. If you break local laws, your U.S. passport won’t help. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going. In Australia, for example, driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. If you violate Australian laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Australia are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods or engage in child pornography. Please be aware that all objectionable material is subject to declaration and inspection and may be illegal in Australia. Objectionable material includes child pornography, bestiality, explicit sexual violence, and graphic degradation, as well as terrorism-related material and anything providing instruction in or encouraging drug use, crime, or violence.

Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in Australia, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest and to have communications from you forwarded to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: The 1908 Quarantine Law gives Australian authorities broad powers to prevent the entry of diseases and other materials into Australia that might pose a threat to its welfare. In the event of a public health emergency involving a communicable disease, passengers arriving in Australia may be subject to strict health screening measures, including testing, monitoring, and assessment for possible quarantine. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, please consult the infectious diseases section of the World Health Organization (WHO) web site. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.

Australian customs authorities enforce very strict regulations concerning the importation from all countries of items such as agricultural and wood products, as well as very strict quarantine standards for other products, animals, and pets. These regulations also apply to items you bring with you, including small quantities of food such as fruit. Please contact the Embassy of Australia in Washington, D.C., or one of Australia's consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements or visit the Australian Government's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry web site.

Be aware that Australian fauna can be dangerous. From jellyfish off the Great Barrier Reef to crocodiles, sharks, poisonous insects, and snakes, the continent and its waters host wildlife that merit awe and respect in equal doses. Visit the Wet Tropics Management Authority visitor info guide for information on Australian wildlife and marine life. If you are a swimmer, take safety precautions, swim between the flags only where a lifeguard is present, and never swim alone. SCUBA diving can be a treacherous sport. Over the past few years, there have been numerous deaths related to diving incidents. We urge divers to follow recommended precautions and never dive alone.

Accessibility: Australia has and enforces laws prohibiting discrimination for access of premises, facilities and accommodation. Keep in mind, however, that many of the downtown areas of Australian cities were built in the 1800s, which often results in narrow sidewalks crowded with pedestrians and tourists. Also, many of the tourist spots at the beach or in the outback may have varying degrees of accessibility. Generally speaking, most public transit, parking, streets, and buildings are accessible to disabled travelers. Modern accessibility improvements include ramps, tactile indicators, and audible street crossing indicators. Many websites offer information on accessible hotels, motels, and rental properties. Parks, gardens, stadiums and other public venues often share accessibility information on their websites.

MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Excellent medical care is available in Australia. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Most doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash/credit card payment for health services. We recommend travel insurance.

Good information on vaccinations and other health precautions can be found via the CDC web site. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) web site. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: You can’t assume your insurance will go with you when you travel. It’s very important to find out BEFORE you leave. You need to ask your insurance company two questions:

• Does my policy apply when I’m out of the United States?
• Will it cover emergencies like a trip to a foreign hospital or an evacuation?

In many places, doctors and hospitals still expect payment in cash at the time of service. Your regular U.S. health insurance may not cover doctors’ and hospital visits in other countries. If your policy doesn’t go with you when you travel, it’s a very good idea to take out another one for your trip. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, you will encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning driving in Australia is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Traffic operates on the left side of the road, and all vehicles use right-hand drive. Please use caution when crossing streets and when driving. When crossing roads on foot, make sure you look carefully in all directions. Seat belts are mandatory, and fines apply for not wearing them. Speed limits and laws regarding driving while intoxicated are rigorously enforced with random breath testing of drivers blood alcohol limit being a common occurrence. Roads and streets are frequently narrower and less graded than U.S. highways. Outside the major metropolitan areas, most highways are two-lane roads with significant distances between destinations. Speed limits vary throughout Australia and are measured in kilometers, not miles. Visit the Roads and Traffic Authorities web site concerning traffic rules and regulations. 

If driving in Australia, exercise caution while passing or merging with adjacent traffic. When driving in rural areas, be cautious of free-roaming animals, such as kangaroos, and "road-trains" (several semi-truck trailers connected together). Passing road-trains is dangerous, and you should pull over to allow on-coming road-trains to pass so as to avoid being sideswiped. A number of fatalities have occurred in the Northern Territory where vehicles driven at high rates of speed have skidded and overturned after hitting loose gravel on the shoulder of the road. If you have no experience with a 4-wheel drive vehicle, you should exercise common-sense when driving in outback Australia.

For specific information concerning Australian driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, mandatory insurance, and the rental and operation of motor vehicles in Australia, visit the Australian Tourist Commission web site.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information or visit the Roads and Traffic Authorities web site for Australia specific information.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Australia’s Civil Aviation Authority. The FAA has determined Australia is in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Australia’s air carrier operations. Further information can be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

CHILDREN’S ISSUES: For information, see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.

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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Australia dated December 3, 2010, without substantive changes.