smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
More and more Australians are travelling after retirement - and we recognise that whether you are an experienced international traveller or have waited a lifetime to take this journey, you may have special needs while you're away.
This brochure, prepared by the Consular Branch of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), is designed to provide you with information and tips for a safe and healthy overseas trip.
It is important to be aware that the situation overseas may be very different to what you are used to at home. Organising comprehensive travel insurance before you depart can save you the worry of unexpected medical costs. Regardless of how healthy and fit you are, remember - if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel.
Australia has health care agreements with some countries including Finland, Italy, Norway, Ireland, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Under these agreements, Australians can be provided with urgent or emergency medical treatment overseas. However, general medical services are only provided when the need for treatment arises during the visit and it would be unreasonable to delay treatment until the individual's intended return date.
It is important to remember that:
Further information about international health agreements or call 13 2011.
While the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) Gold Card can be used anywhere in Australia, it cannot be used overseas for all conditions. There is no guarantee that Gold Card holders will be covered for all health care overseas.
You must notify DVA of your intention to travel overseas before you leave and get detailed information about your entitlements and your responsibilities.
For further information, contact DVA on: 13 3254.
before departure:
while travelling:
To help avoid deep vein thrombosis (DVT) when flying:
Before leaving home, you should check that your medications are legal in the country you are visiting. You can do this by contacting the country's embassy or high commission.
Since the National Health Act was amended in 1999, it has been an offence to carry or post Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines overseas unless they are for your personal use, or the use of someone travelling with you.
Only Australian residents living in Australia at the time a PBS prescription is dispensed are entitled to receive PBS-subsidised medication and there are restrictions on the amount of PBS medicine that can be carried or sent overseas.
When planning to travel overseas with PBS medicine it is important that you:
If you intend to travel with large quantities of medicine, including over-the-counter or private prescription medications, you should ask your doctor, dentist or pharmacist to provide you with a letter explaining why you need to carry such quantities.
If you have to inject your medication it might be preferable to carry your own needles and syringes but you should check with the embassy or consulate of the country you are visiting to make sure this is acceptable.
If you buy needles and syringes while overseas ensure you buy packs that are sealed and sterile. And, if you need to carry needles and syringes with you on the plane, inform your airline before you travel and if necessary, arrange a letter from your doctor explaining why you need to carry them.
It is important to be aware that some items purchased overseas may be packaged under a different brand name to those available in Australia.
Keep an eye on the strength and active ingredients of similar-sounding medications overseas - they can vary.
More information on travelling with medicines is available from the Medicare Australia's website or by phoning the Travelling with PBS medicine enquiry line: 1800 500 147.
Josef was born in Austria in 1937 and moved to Australia after the war. He married, brought up a family and retired. After retirement he and his wife Louise decided to visit his homeland.
Josef and Louise prepared well. They took out travel insurance, left copies of their documents and their itinerary with their family and took separate copies of their passport details with them. They were organised - and excited.
But when they arrived at the airport in Vienna, things began to go wrong. Josef was so excited that his pulse was racing. Louise managed to get the luggage and Josef into a taxi and to the right hotel. From there she rang the Australian embassy, which provided her with a list of English-speaking doctors.
Before Louise made an appointment with the doctor, she noticed the hotel pharmacy displaying a packet of medication with the same name as the medication that Josef had taken previously. Buying the packet of medication was a near fatal error. Unfortunately, Louise didn't know that the medication was twice as strong as the Australian product. Josef's heart attack that night (although minor) meant the cancellation of their trip of a lifetime.
TIP: Always check the strength of a medication with a doctor. Don't buy off-the-shelf medication even if an Australian doctor has prescribed it, as strengths may vary from country to country.
If you have a disability and are planning to travel overseas, the first thing to remember is that Australia's arrangements for people with disabilities are among the best in the world. As it is unlikely that you will find similar facilities in many countries overseas, it is important to plan ahead.
Before you depart it is a good idea to do some research on your destination and make sure you have the documentation and items you need to make your trip as hassle-free as possible.
If you or your parents were born in another country,you may be regarded as a citizen or national of that country, even though you are an Australian citizen and may never have travelled outside Australia. Being a national or citizen of two countries is called dual nationality. Some countries offer citizenship topeople who marry their citizens, or to persons whose grandparents were born in that country.
Dual nationality can be a good thing, but it can create problems, especially if you are unaware that you hold dual nationality.
A country may not permit Australian consular assistance to be given to Australian citizens, who, according to its laws, are considered to be its own nationals.
If you hold another country's passport, seek advice about using it. Take your Australian passport and use it to leave and return to Australia.
If you have any further questions, call Australian Citizenship Enquiries on: 13 1880.
Our brochure 'Travel information for dual nationals' also provides more details.
before departure:
Further information on Australian passports or call 131 232.
while travelling:
Some simple research before departure can ensure that you're aware of cultural, climatic and historical differences and prepared for the new environment that awaits you.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has advisories for more than 140 destinations.
It is an important reference point for all travellers as it contains practical information not only about each destination's security situation but on local laws and customs, health and visas.
At this website you can also register your presence overseas so that it is easier for us to contact you in an emergency - whether it be a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family emergency.
If you do not have access to the internet you can telephone the Department's automated travel advice line within Australia on: 1300 139 281.