23 March 2021
There's a ban on overseas travel from Australia. You can’t leave Australia unless you have an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs, or are travelling to a destination that is exempt from the ban.
Our global travel advice remains at 'Do not travel' due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel. Some destinations were already set at Do Not Travel prior to COVID-19 due to the extreme risk to your safety.
If you’re overseas and wish to return to Australia, be prepared for delays and read our advice on trying to get home.
When you arrive in Australia you must quarantine for 14 days at designated facilities in your port of arrival, unless you have an exemption or are travelling on a quarantine-free flight from a green zone destination. At this time, vaccination against COVID-19 does not change this quarantine requirement. You may be required to pay for the costs of your quarantine. View State and Territory Government COVID-19 information for information about quarantine and domestic borders.
If you're staying overseas, make plans to stay for an extended period. Follow the advice of local authorities and minimise your risk of exposure to COVID-19. Stay in touch with family and friends so they know you're safe.
Our network of embassies and consular posts around the world will provide you with up-to-date local advice and support throughout this difficult period. Be aware consular services may be limited due to local measures.
For the latest information, read and subscribe to our news and travel advice. Also see our COVID-19 information pages.
Do not travel to the Central African Republic.
Do not travel to the Central African Republic due to:
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
A nationwide state of emergency is in force. Under the state of emergency, national airspace is closed to foreign governments and NGOs. A nationwide curfew is in place from 6pm to 5am.
Tensions are high throughout the country. The security situation can worsen suddenly and without warning.
Outbreaks of violence continue to occur following the national elections in December 2020. Violence in the capital also caused deaths and injuries in April and May 2018.
For your safety, be aware that:
The security situation continues is unstable. This is despite the presence of a United Nations stabilisation mission. Inter-communal violence is frequent and widespread, particularly in rural areas. Thousands of people have been killed.
Law enforcement is unable to ensure the security of civilians.
Leave the Central African Republic (CAR) if you can.
Leave by commercial means if it is safe to do so. If you stay in the CAR, take personal safety measures.
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
More information:
The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) operates in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and Uganda. It regularly attacks south-eastern parts of the CAR, especially Haut-Mbomou province.
LRA attacks target civilians. The LRA has killed many people and 1000s more have fled the region.
Terrorism is a threat worldwide.
More information:
Kidnapping and violent crime occur in the CAR. Criminals have targeted foreigners, including aid workers.
If, despite our advice, you travel to the CAR:
The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn’t make payments or concessions to kidnappers.
More information:
Bandit groups and crime are common throughout the CAR.
Serious, indiscriminate violence and looting occurs in CAR. It has been widespread in parts of Bangui and regional areas.
Local police and security forces sometimes set up random roadblocks.
At times people posing as officials set up roadblocks. Armed groups may attempt to extort money from travellers through fake fines or intimidation.
Criminals target aid groups to get money, communication equipment and vehicles.
If you're carrying large amounts of cash, be very careful. If possible, share the holding of it with your travelling companions.
The CAR experiences natural disasters and severe weather, including:
In the event of an earthquake, volcanic activity or other natural disaster, follow the advice of local authorities.
Find information on natural disasters from the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System.
The rainy season is from May to October. The dry season is from December to April.
You can't drive on some roads during the rainy season. Roads close due to flooding.
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. A ban on overseas travel from Australia remains in place. You can’t leave Australia unless you get an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs.
Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won’t pay for these costs.
You'll probably need a specialised insurance policy that covers travel to high-risk destinations. Most Australian policies won't cover you for travel to Central African Republic.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars upfront for medical care.
Confirm:
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. Consider whether you may be in a vulnerable category for COVID-19.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
More information:
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
More information:
Medical facilities throughout the CAR are limited.
Medicines are in short supply and hygiene standards are poor. You're likely to have to pay up front for treatment.
If you get seriously ill or injured, you could need treatment at a more suitable place. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.
COVID-19 remains a risk in the Central African Republic.
You should consult your local health professional for advice on vaccine options, including assistance that may be available locally. The Australian Government cannot provide advice on the safety, quality and efficacy of vaccines that have been approved for use outside of Australia's regulatory process.
More information
Yellow fever (Department of Health) is widespread in the CAR. This disease can be fatal. It's spread via mosquito bites, but is prevented by vaccination. You must show a valid certificate of vaccination to enter the CAR.
Other common insect-borne diseases include:
To protect yourself from disease:
Get vaccinated against yellow fever before you travel.
Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are widespread. These include:
Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.
To protect yourself from illness:
If you're bitten or scratched by an animal, get medical help straight away.
Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.
More information:
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Police checks are common. Police might detain or fine you if you can't show them identity documents. This can be a notarised copy.
Unauthorised photography is illegal. Don't take photos of:
If you do, police may confiscate your camera, fine you and detain you.
You need a government permit to take photos. The government will not grant permits for strategic sites such as:
A licence is necessary to buy or sell gems. There are heavy penalties for illegally exporting precious gems.
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you’re overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
More information:
If you decide to travel to the CAR despite our advice, contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of the Central African Republic for details of visa and entry requirements. The Consulate-General of France in Sydney may be able to help you get your visas for the CAR.
You may need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter the CAR.
To protect yourself and to avoid entry issues, get vaccinated for yellow fever before you travel. See Health
Find out about returning to Australia after exposure to yellow fever (Department of Health).
More information:
Central African Republic has put in place measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. You may be required to self-isolate for 14 days. Some incoming passengers may be asked to arrange a test on arrival at the Pasteur Institute in Banguis.
CAR has established a coronavirus hotline at 1212 to receive reports of potential exposure. The service provides services in French and Sango.
If you're staying in the Central African Republic:
If you need urgent consular assistance call +61 2 6261 3305.
More information:
Some countries won’t let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. It can apply even if you’re just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport’s expiry date before you travel. If you’re not sure it’ll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Make sure your passport has at least two blank pages.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible.
Very few ATMs are available in Bangui.
Bangui has several Western Union offices, but only a few banks. Most hotels and restaurants catering to foreigners only accept cash.
The currency is the Central African CFA Franc (XAF). Cameroon, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea also use the XAF.
Bangui is the only city where you can change money. You can usually convert euros or US dollars into local currency. Keep alert when changing money through official or unofficial change agents.
Travel throughout the CAR is dangerous. You might encounter:
Civilians and military travelling in convoys have been attacked and killed.
Land border crossings may not be open to tourists. Border crossings may close at short notice.
Roads in are in a very poor condition. Driving at night is dangerous due to poor lighting. Most roads require a 4WD vehicle. Fuel shortages are common.
The rainy season is May to October. Sometimes flooding occurs and roads become impassable.
Authorities may close borders without warning. This is due to the presence of armed groups and risk of cross border incursions.
More information:
Very few commercial airlines fly to Bangui.
Be aware of your personal belongings even within the airport terminal.
Check the CAR's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
DFAT doesn’t provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 610 600.
Call 117 or 2161 2200.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can’t do to help you overseas.
Australia doesn't have an embassy or consulate in the CAR. You can contact the Australian Embassy in Ethiopia. Be aware that our ability to provide consular assistance may be limited due to the COVID-19 related travel and movement restrictions in place.
Turkish compound, off Cape Verde Street
Bole Subcity, Woreda 3
Ethiopia
Phone: +251 11 667 2678
Fax: +251 11 667 2868
Email: adba.consular@dfat.gov.au
Website: ethiopia.embassy.gov.au
See the Embassy website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
In a consular emergency, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.
