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  3. Armed conflict

Armed conflict

Last Updated
Tuesday, 30/11/2021
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Many armed conflicts are currently taking place around the world. Armed conflict can happen at any time and escalate rapidly, making the security situation volatile and becoming a threat to your safety. Your ability to leave a country may be impacted and flight availability could change or be suspended at short notice. You should not rely on the Australian Government to evacuate you.

Read this page for general information about:

  • Types of armed conflict
  • Travelling to a destination where armed conflict is a risk
  • What to do if armed conflict breaks out

This page is for Australians preparing to travel overseas. If you're currently overseas and you fear for your safety, you may need to act quickly to stay safe. See our advice on what to do if armed conflict has broken out in your destination.

Types of armed conflict

  • Armed conflict could occur between the government armed forces of different countries, or
  • between government armed forces and/or other armed groups within the same country.

Travelling to a destination where armed conflict is a known risk

If armed conflict is a known risk where you’re planning to travel, read the travel advice for your destination thoroughly. If our level of advice for your destination is at level 4, do not travel to this location. If the level of advice is at level 3, reconsider your need to go there.

If despite our advice you travel to a country where there’s the risk of armed conflict, you may not be able leave the location if the situation deteriorates. We can’t guarantee your safety if you choose to travel to that location. Consular services may be limited due to the security situation. Travel insurance will likely not be available.

If armed conflict breaks out while you’re away

If you find yourself in a destination where armed conflict has broken out, or is threatening to break out, take all extra precautions for your safety

  • Follow the instructions of local authorities.
  • Keep your passport and other travel documentation safe.
  • Contact your loved ones in Australia so they’re aware of your location and situation.
  • Make contingency plans to leave as soon as it’s safe to do so.
  • If you can’t leave safely, stay in a safe place and limit your movements. Ensure you have a supply of food, water, batteries, money and other essentials.
  • Adopt effective personal security measures. Always be alert and aware of your surroundings, especially in large crowds.
  • Keep up to date with developments in the security situation. Monitor local media and regularly check our travel advice.
  • Expect a heightened security presence. Avoid areas with large numbers of armed forces if possible.
  • Avoid areas where demonstrations or large gatherings are taking place. Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

 

Read more

  • Learn what to do if armed conflict breaks out while you're away
  • Read our advice about civil unrest
  • Read the Consular Services Charter to see how we can and can't help

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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 information about Australian visas, contact the Department of Home Affairs.

General enquiries

For non-urgent enquiries, contact us online.

To provide feedback on consular services that you've recently received, email consular.feedback@dfat.gov.au

For further information on notarial services, email legalisations.australia@dfat.gov.au

About us

Smartraveller is provided by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

For how we can help you overseas see the Consular Services Charter.

For more information go to about us.

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Main navigation

  • HomeHome
  • Before you go
    • The basics
      • Planning to travel during COVID-19: step by step
      • Destinations
      • Passport services
      • Visas
      • Insurance
      • Schengen
      • Travel advice explained
    • Who you are
      • Children
      • Dual nationals
      • LGBTI++
      • Mature
      • School leavers
      • Women
    • Activities
      • Adoption
      • Adventure
      • Backpacking
      • Business
      • Living and working overseas
      • Marriage
      • Studying
      • Surrogacy
      • Volunteering
    • Major events
      • Cultural events
      • Religious events
      • Sporting events
    • Health
      • Mental health
      • Disability
      • Infectious diseases
      • Medical assistance overseas
      • Medical tourism
      • Medication
      • Pregnancy
      • Reciprocal health
      • Vaccinations
      • Death
    • Staying safe
      • Armed conflict
      • Assault
      • Cyber security
      • Demonstrations
      • Earthquakes and tsunamis
      • Kidnapping
      • Natural disasters
      • Partying safely
      • Piracy
      • Scams
      • Severe weather
      • Sexual assault
      • Terrorism
      • Theft and robbery
    • Laws
      • Carrying or using drugs
      • Child sex offences
      • Female genital mutilation
      • Forced marriage
    • Getting around
      • Air travel
      • Boat travel
      • Cruising
      • Public transport
      • Road safety
  • Destinations
    • View all destinations
    • AfricaBrowse destinations in Africa.
    • AmericasBrowse all destinations in the Americas.
    • AsiaBrowse all destinations in Asia.
    • EuropeBrowse all destinations in Europe.
    • Middle EastBrowse all destinations in the Middle East.
    • PacificBrowse all destinations in the Pacific.
  • While you're away
    • When things go wrong
      • Arrested or jailed
      • Lost property
      • Medical assistance
      • Money problems
      • Someone is missing
      • Someone died
    • Crime overseas
      • Assaulted
      • Kidnapped
      • Robbed or mugged
      • Scammed
      • Sexually assaulted
    • Crisis or emergency
      • Demonstration
      • Armed conflict
      • Earthquake
      • Severe weather
      • Terrorist situation
      • Volcanic eruption
      • Bushfire
      • Nuclear incident
    • Australia's biosecurity and border controls
  • Urgent helpLinks to help
  • Our servicesLinks to services
    • Consular Services Charter
      • Arabic
      • Chinese Simplified
      • Chinese Traditional
      • Indonesian
      • Thai
      • Vietnamese
    • Travel advice explained
    • Subscription
    • Crises
    • Passport services
    • Notarial services
      • Documents
      • Documents in Australia
      • Documents overseas
      • Certificate of No Impediment
      • Notarial forms
    • Voting overseas
    • Communities
      • العربية (Arabic)
      • 中文 简体 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 中文繁體 (Chinese Traditional)
      • Bahasa Indonesia
      • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
      • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
      • Filipino community
      • Indian community
      • Malaysian community
    • Resources
      • Consular State of Play
      • CHOICE travel insurance guide
      • Fact sheet: Travel Smart
      • Fact sheet: Missing overseas
      • Fact sheet: Arrested or jailed overseas
      • Fact sheet: Sexual assault overseas
      • Fact sheet: Death overseas
      • Consular Privacy Collection Statement