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  1. Home
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  3. Crises

Crises

Major incidents that affect a large number of Australians overseas usually require a response beyond our normal consular services.

What is a crisis?

A crisis is a major event that may affect the safety and well-being of a large number of people. Crises can follow natural disasters, large-scale accidents, civil unrest, terrorism or conflict.

It can be hard to define whether an event is a crisis because it often depends on a range of factors.

The Australian Government decides if a major overseas incident is a crisis event for Australia.

If the Government decides a crisis response is warranted, extra assistance may be organised for affected Australians. We may launch a crisis response if:

  • large numbers of Australians have been killed or injured or are in immediate danger, examples include terrorist attacks, major accidents and natural disasters
  • political unrest leads us to advise Australians to leave the country and there are no commercial options to do so
  • an event causes major disruption and hardship to large numbers of Australians

Serious incidents affecting Australians overseas which we don’t define as crises are managed as consular cases.

How we can help in a crisis

Many considerations guide what help we can provide Australians and their families affected by a crisis overseas.

At a minimum, we will liaise with local authorities in the crisis location and the government of the country where this crisis has happened. We will also work with travel operators, travel insurers and other governments to try to help affected Australians.

Exactly what we will do depends on what has happened. In a crisis we can:

  • deploy expert teams to support affected Australians
  • liaise with the families of any Australians who are killed or injured
  • work with local authorities to support affected Australians
  • support Australians trying to leave the area and put them in contact with their families
  • provide crisis updates through Smartraveller
  • advise of options to leave a dangerous area
  • arrange an evacuation, in exceptional circumstances

Failing to follow our travel advice may restrict the help we can provide to you.

Take sensible precautions, read and follow our travel advice and take responsibility for your own safety. This applies particularly if you're travelling to or living in a location with a high risk of terrorism, unrest or natural disasters.

We’ll try to help, but even in a crisis situation what we can do may be limited by safety, resources and other factors.

Who we can assist

  • All Australian citizens.
  • Canadian citizens in locations specified in the Australia-Canada Consular Sharing Agreement.

We can sometimes help permanent residents of Australia in an overseas crisis. This help is an exception as permanent residents are not entitled to consular assistance. We will assist permanent residents in a crisis only if help is already being provided to Australian citizens.

If you're a dual national, we will be able to assist you in your country of other nationality only in exceptional circumstances.

What to do if you’re in a crisis overseas

  • Contact your family and friends. Let them know your welfare and whereabouts.
  • Check Smartraveller for updates to travel advisories.
  • Subscribe to email alerts and follow us on social media.
  • Decide if you'll leave the country. If you stay, take sensible precautions.
  • If you decide to stay, we may not be able to help you leave later.
  • Follow the advice of the local authorities, unless our travel advice advises not to.
  • Avoid all crowds, demonstrations or large gatherings.
  • Get in touch with your airline, tour operator and travel insurer.
  • If you’re staying in a hotel, identify the emergency procedures in place.

When to contact us?

  • If you’re in a crisis location but are safe, let your family and friends know.
  • Ask your family to advise others who will be concerned about you.
  • If you need urgent medical help, use the local emergency numbers on the travel advisory page of the country you’re in to call for help.
  • If you need our help call our Consular Emergency Centre (CEC):
    • 1300 555 135 (from within Australia)
    • +61 2 6261 3305 (from anywhere in the world)
    • SMS +61 421 269 080
  • You can also call the nearest Australian Embassy or consulate. Find the number in the country travel advisory page.

Read more

  • You don't need to register before you go, however you should subscribe for updates
  • Find out what to do if there has been an earthquake, tsunami or volcanic eruption.
  • See our advice on what to do during a severe weather incident, such as a hurricane or cyclone.
  • Read the Consular Services Charter to understand how and when we can help in a crisis.

See also

  • In a crisis, you can call the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.
  • Read about the Australia-Canada Consular Sharing Agreement.
  • See the World Health Organisation's information about crises and emergencies.

Related content

I need urgent help

In the event of a natural disaster or other crisis in or near your location, you may require assistance. Read this page to see where to get help.

View details
There's been an earthquake or tsunami

Find out what to do if you're travelling overseas and there's been an earthquake nearby. Learn how and where to get help.

View details
There's been a terrorist situation

Find out what to do if you're travelling overseas there's been a terrorist attack in or near your location. Learn how to stay safe, avoid danger, and get help.

View details

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    • Missing overseas
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Contact us

The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance.

+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas

1300 555 135 from within Australia

For non-urgent enquiries, visit the contact page

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.

Resources

View resources for travel industry and media.

Feedback

To provide feedback on our website or subscription service, email us at smartraveller@dfat.gov.au

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

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Main navigation

  • HomeHome
  • Before you go
    • The basics
      • 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
      • Hajj
      • Ramadan
    • Health
      • Disability
      • Infectious diseases
      • Medical assistance overseas
      • Medical tourism
      • Medication
      • Mental health
      • Pregnancy
      • Reciprocal health
      • Vaccinations
      • Death
    • Staying safe
      • Assault
      • 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
      • Earthquake
      • Severe weather
      • Terrorist situation
      • Volcanic eruption
    • Australia's biosecurity and border controls
      • COVID-19 portal
  • 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
      • Passports in Australia
      • Passports overseas
    • 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
      • Missing overseas
      • Fact sheet: Arrested or jailed overseas
      • Fact sheet: Sexual assault overseas
      • Fact sheet: Death overseas
      • Fact sheet: Travel Smart
      • Consular Privacy Collection Statement
      • CHOICE travel insurance guide
      • Before you go checklist
  • COVID-19
    • COVID-19
      • Leaving Australia
      • Trying to get home
      • Returning home
      • Staying overseas
      • Overseas financial assistance
      • Overseas financial assistance FAQs
      • General FAQs
      • Registration FAQs