smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
Vanuatu
| Vanuatu overall | This Advice is current for Monday, 13 October 2008. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Safety and Security: Local Travel (update) and Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate (volcano update). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
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Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
You should avoid protests and demonstrations as they may turn violent.
Robberies, assaults and sexual assaults against foreigners, when alone or in the company of others, have increased during 2008. Females, in particular, should avoid going out alone at night, especially on foot.
Burglaries are an increasing problem. Thieves have struck when the occupants are present. You should lock your accommodation at all times and, if possible, store valuables in a safe.
In recent months a number of prison escapes have occurred, some repeatedly by the same offenders. This has raised community concerns about crime, including assaults.
Roads are not well maintained and extra care should be taken when driving in Vanuatu. Public transport vehicles are often in poor repair.
Inter-island boats are required to have a current seaworthiness certificate, but many do not and their seaworthiness cannot be relied upon.
The safety standards you might expect of tour operators are not always met, especially for adventure sports such as diving and yachting. Sufficient life jackets and adequate safety equipment may not be provided. Recommended maintenance standards and safety precautions may not be observed. Check operators' credentials and safety equipment beforehand and ensure your travel insurance policy covers your planned activities.
To avoid trespassing, permission should be sought from local landowners before accessing non-public areas, including beaches. Some landowners may charge a fee for access.
Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.
If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.
The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.
Cyclone season in Vanuatu is from November to April, however cyclones may occur in other months. The direction and strength of tropical cyclones can change with little warning. Local media and hotels will convey cyclone alerts issued by local authorities. Detailed weather information is published by Meteo-France in New Caledonia, the Fiji Meteorological Service, and the Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Centre.
In the event of an approaching cyclone, you should identify your local shelter. We encourage Australians in affected areas to follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor the media for the latest developments. Flights in and out of affected areas could be delayed or suspended. Available flights may fill quickly. The cyclone could also affect access to sea ports in the region. In some areas, adequate shelter from a severe cyclone may not be available to all who may choose to stay. You should familiarise yourself with your hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans. You should carry your travel documents at all times (i.e. passport, photo identification) or secure them in a safe, waterproof location. We also suggest that you contact friends and family in Australia with updates about your welfare and whereabouts. For further information, see our Travel Bulletin: Severe Weather – Cyclones, Hurricanes and Typhoons.
Vanuatu is subject to earthquakes, tsunamis and landslides. Detailed information about earthquakes is available from the National Earthquake Information Centre of the United States Geological Survey.
There are several active volcanoes in Vanuatu located on the islands of Tanna, Ambae, Ambrym, Lopevi and Gaua. Since January 2008, there has been an increase in the activity of Mt Yasur on Tanna. There is also a high level of activity at Mount Manaro, Ambae. You should always contact the Vanuatu Tourism Office prior to travelling to areas where volcanic activity may occur.
If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.
Australians are advised to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas.
Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.
When you are in Vanuatu, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
It is illegal to import, possess, distribute, display or manufacture obscene publications in Vanuatu. Penalties for committing the offences include prison sentences. The definition of 'obscene publications' is stricter in Vanuatu than in Australia.
Drug offences are punishable by fines, imprisonment or both. While there are no mandatory sentences for drug offences in Vanuatu, it is rare for a convicted person not to be fined or receive a jail sentence, even for 'soft' drug offences.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.
There are conservative standards of dress and behaviour in Vanuatu and you should take care not to offend.
Vanuatu does not recognise dual nationality. This may limit the ability of the Australian Government to provide consular assistance to Australian/Ni-Vanuatu dual nationals who are arrested or detained. We recommend you travel on your Australian passport at all times.
Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Vanuatu or the Vanuatu Department of Immigration on (678) 22 354 for the most up-to-date information.
Tourist/business visas for stays of up to three months are issued on arrival subject to physical evidence of an onward or return ticket. For visitors to Vanuatu holding E-tickets, provision of the confirmation advice email will satisfy this requirement.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
Hospital and medical facilities in Vanuatu are limited. Costs for treatment, including for pharmaceuticals, can be very expensive. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for their services. In the event of a serious illness or accident (including diving-related injuries), medical evacuation to a destination with appropriate facilities would be necessary. A medical evacuation can cost up to $A40,000.
There is only one hyperbaric chamber in Vanuatu, located in Port Vila, Efate. Many of the popular dive sites are located on other islands and it may take several hours to reach facilities in the event of an accident. Rescue and emergency services are not as comprehensive as in Australia.
Malaria occurs throughout the year in most areas, particularly the north. Outbreaks of other mosquito-borne diseases (dengue fever and filariasis) also occur. We recommend that you take prophylaxis against malaria and take precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes, including using insect repellent at all times.
Water-borne, food-borne, parasitic and other infectious diseases (including hepatitis, tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infections) are prevalent, with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We encourage you to consider having vaccinations before travelling. While tap water in the major urban centres of Port Vila and Luganville is safe to drink, outside of these centres we recommend you boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes. You should also avoid raw and undercooked food. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.
Ciguatera poisoning from eating reef fish can be a hazard. For more information on ciguatera poisoning see Queensland Health's fact sheet.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
In Vanuatu, you can obtain consular assistance from the:
Australian High Commission
Winston Churchill Avenue
Port Vila, Vanuatu
Telephone (678) 22 777
Facsimile (678) 23 948
Website http://www.vanuatu.highcommission.gov.au/
If you are travelling to Vanuatu, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the above mission, you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
While every care has been taken in preparing this travel information for travellers, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees including any member of Australia's consular staff abroad, can accept liability for injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained therein.
