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  1. Home
  2. Before you go
  3. Who you are: Advice for different types of travellers
  4. Travelling with children

Travelling with children

Last Updated
Friday, 01/07/2022
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Travelling overseas with children can be a rewarding experience for the whole family. If you're travelling with children, or your children are travelling without both parents, there's more you need to know.

Explore this page for information and general advice on:

  • travelling with children
  • children travelling without both parents
  • child custody
  • international child abduction

Travelling with young children

If you're travelling with young children, plan ahead. Make sure you and your children stay safe and within the law.

  • Carry fewer bags. If you're carrying lots of bags and the kids distract you, you're an easy target for thieves.
  • Check the safety standards of any equipment you use. Pools, balconies, car seats, cots and play equipment overseas may not meet Australian standards.
  • Find out about carry-on luggage restrictions before you travel. Contact your airline in advance to confirm their rules.
  • Understand local attitudes towards breastfeeding in public.
  • Learn the laws around disciplining children. In some countries, any corporal punishment, including smacking, is illegal.

Childcare facilities

Plan ahead if you intend to use a childcare facility, babysitters, or nannies overseas. Childcare standards in other countries may vary.

Research:

  • the accreditation standards of childcare providers
  • if the provider has appropriate strategies to prevent child abuse
  • hiring and screening procedures for their staff, including criminal record checks
  • staff qualifications
  • the ratio of staff to children
  • training of staff, including training in first aid and emergency procedures
  • security arrangements of the premises
  • their personal injury liability insurance
  • what common children's health risks exist.

Staying healthy

Take your children to a doctor or travel clinic at least 8 weeks before you leave.

  • Get a basic health check-up.
  • Ask if your travel plans may affect their health.
  • Plan any vaccinations they need.

If your child takes medication, confirm it's legal in the country you're going to. For example, medication to treat ADHD may be restricted.

  • Check the 'health' section of your destination's travel advice.
  • Contact the high commission, embassy or consulate of that country.

See our general advice on taking care of your health.

Children travelling without their parents

There are laws around children travelling without both parents. Airlines also have rules you must follow. This can apply if your child is travelling alone, with a guardian or with just one parent.

Departing Australia

In many cases, a child can leave Australia with their passport and the appropriate visa. Unless there are family court issues, they don't need anything else.

Most airlines have rules around children under the age of 15 travelling alone. Parents or guardians will usually need to fill out a permission form for the child's travel.

Contact your airline for more information, including in-flight protocols for unaccompanied minors.

Entry requirements in other countries

Many countries require children travelling without both parents to carry extra documents.

To enter, travel in or leave another country, your child may need:

  • documents or evidence of the absent parent or guardian's permission to travel
  • a copy of any separation, divorce or custody decree that proves custody of the child
  • a court order granting guardianship of the child
  • adoption papers, if they're adopted
  • a certified copy of their birth certificate, particularly if the travelling parent isn't listed on it.

You may be required to provide a letter of child travel consent if your child is travelling without both parents.

The letter usually contains:

  • information about the child, including name, gender and place and date of birth
  • information about who the child will be travelling with
  • details about where the child will be travelling
  • the child's passport information
  • signatures from the parents, witnessed by a public official (such as a Justice of the Peace or notary public).

The country your child is travelling to may also have their own paperwork that you need to complete before arriving at the border.

It's your responsibility to find out if your destination has special entry requirements for children. Contact your destination's embassy or consulate.

Child custody

Before you leave Australia with your children, make sure you get consent from any person or institution with parental responsibility for the children. Or get a court order permitting their travel.

If you don't do this, you may be committing a crime.

Some countries do not recognise Australian parenting orders. Many countries have reciprocal arrangements with Australia. In these countries, parenting orders are recognised by both countries.

For information, see the Attorney-General's Department.

Child support payments

If you make child support payments, they must be up-to-date. Courts can issue a Departure Prohibition Order to stop the child from leaving Australia if they aren't. If you plan to travel but have outstanding child support and haven't made a payment arrangement:

  • call 131 272 to discuss your options
  • visit the Department of Human Services website.

Dual nationality and child custody

Some countries don't recognise dual nationality. This can affect how local authorities make decisions on custody issues.

Get legal advice before travelling with children who may be nationals of another country.

Stop orders on women and children

In some countries, husbands, fathers or other relatives can place a 'stop order' on women and children. This includes Lebanon and Egypt.

A stop order can prevent women and children from leaving the country, regardless of nationality.

International child abduction

If you're concerned someone may try to take your child out of Australia without your consent, obtain legal advice and report it. You can register your children on the Australian Federal Police's Family Law Watchlist with a court order. You can also submit a Child Alert Request with the Australia Passport Office.

Help from the Attorney-General's Department

If your child has been wrongfully removed, detained or taken overseas against your wishes to a country that is a member of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, the Attorney-General's Department may be able to assist you.

If your child has been taken to Lebanon or Egypt, the Attorney-General's Department may be able to help. Australia has Cooperation Agreements on Protecting the Welfare of Children with both nations.

If your child has been taken to a country that's not a signatory to the Hague Convention, custody will be determined by the courts where the child is located. You can apply to the Attorney-General's Department for legal financial assistance to pursue your case in the other country.

Contact the Attorney-General's Department International Family Law Section:

  • 1800 100 480 (within Australia)
  • +61 2 6141 3100 (from overseas)
  • centralauthority@ag.gov.au

Learn more about international child abduction (Attorney-General's Department).

Help from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

If your child has been taken to a country that is not a member of the Hague Convention, you may be able to get assistance from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Consular Emergency Centre.

DFAT can provide:

  • a list of local lawyers in the destination
  • information on local child welfare agencies or organisations
  • consular assistance and information to the parent who is left behind

The following websites may also help you to find a lawyer overseas:

  • International Academy of Family Lawyers
  • Reunite

Final tips before you go

  • Read the travel advice for the countries you plan to visit and subscribe for updates.
  • Buy comprehensive travel insurance that covers your whole family. Make sure it covers all planned activities, transit destinations and any pre-existing medical conditions.
  • Read guidebooks and online forums for tips on travelling with children at your planned destination.
  • Leave a detailed itinerary with someone at home, and plan to keep in regular contact.
  • Pick a destination where you'll feel safe, comfortable, and prepared for any issues you may face.

Read more

  • Find out what to consider when purchasing travel insurance.
  • Check which vaccinations you should get.
  • See our information for pregnancy, adoption and surrogacy overseas.

See also

  • Carry-on luggage restrictions (Department of Home Affairs)
  • Separated parents (Department of Human Services)
  • International family law and children (Attorney-General's Department)

 

Related content

Advice for pregnant travellers

If you're pregnant and planning to travel overseas, research your destination before you go. Being informed about the risks will help you manage them.

View details
Child sex offences

Read more about the legislative protections designed to prevent child sex offences abroad.

View details
Who you are: Advice for different types of travellers

In many countries age, gender and sexual preferences can pose challenges. Understanding the culture and laws in your destination will help things go smoothly.

View details

Main navigation

  • 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
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    • Volunteering
  • Major events
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  • Health
    • Mental health
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    • Death
  • Staying safe
    • Armed conflict
    • Assault
    • Cyber security
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    • Earthquakes and tsunamis
    • Kidnapping
    • Natural disasters
    • Partying safely
    • Piracy
    • Scams
    • Severe weather
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    • 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

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

Enquiries and feedback

For non-urgent enquiries, or to provide feedback on consular services that you've recently received, contact us online.

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

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

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

For more information go to about us.

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  • 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)
      • Bahasa Indonesia
      • 中文 简体 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 中文繁體 (Chinese Traditional)
      • 日本語 (Japanese)
      • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
      • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
      • Filipino community
      • Indian 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