A volcano erupted on White Island, New Zealand on 9 December 2019. Follow the instructions of local authorities. Updates are available from the New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management.
Call 911.
Call 911.
If you call 911, authorities may not answer. Plan for other ways to get help in an emergency.
Call 911 or go to a local police station. If you call 911, authorities may not answer.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Exercise a high degree of caution in Liberia overall.
Exercise a high degree of caution
Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for new risks.
Exercise a high degree of caution in Liberia overall due to the sensitive political situation and the risk of violence and crime.
See Safety
Reconsider your need to travel to Grand Gedeh and River Gee counties.
Reconsider your need to travel
Do your research and check that your insurer will cover you. If you do travel, take extra safety precautions.
Reconsider your need to travel to:
Grand Gedeh county
River Gee county
These areas have a sensitive political situation and a risk of violence.
See Safety
Liberia is recovering from civil war. Some sensitive political issues persist. Avoid public protests and large public gatherings. They can turn violent. Don't talk about political issues.
Armed groups operate in the areas bordering Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast). Cross border attacks could happen.
Muggings, burglary and armed robbery can happen. The police can't always help or protect you. Be aware of your surroundings. Don't travel alone or after dark.
Internet scams often originate in West African countries. Be wary of online contact from people you don't know. Don't send money until you've checked who you're sending it to. Don't travel to Guinea to get your money back or to get revenge.
Full travel advice: Safety
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Liberia free from Ebola virus disease on 9 June 2016. However, further Ebola outbreaks are expected to occur.
The rate of HIV/AIDS infection is high. Take precautions to reduce your risk of exposure to the virus.
Yellow fever is widespread. Get vaccinated before you travel.
Malaria and other mosquito-borne illnesses are also common. Make sure your accommodation is insect-proof. Use insect repellent. Consider taking anti-malarial medication.
Common waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases can occur. Boil drinking water or drink bottled water. Don't swim in fresh water.
Full travel advice: Health
Illegal drug offences attract serious penalties, including large fines and long jail terms.
Same-sex relationships are illegal. Avoid public displays of affection.
It's illegal to have pornographic material. It's illegal to take photos around military and government buildings, airports and ports. It's illegal to export diamonds, unless you follow local export laws.
Society is conservative, especially in areas outside Monrovia. Take care not to offend.
Local women wear loose-fitting clothes that cover the upper arms and legs. Consider modest clothing choices.
Full travel advice: Local laws
Be prepared for health checks at border crossings. If you have a fever or Ebola-like symptoms, you may be quarantined and denied entry or exit.
You need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Liberia. Some airlines may want to see one when you leave.
Always carry photo ID. Officials at security checkpoints will ask to see it.
Driving in Liberia is dangerous, especially after dark. Make sure your insurance covers you for this.
Full travel advice: Travel
The Consular Services Charter tells you what the Australian Government can and can't do to help when you're overseas.
Australia doesn't have an embassy or consulate in Liberia. For consular help, contact the Australian High Commission in Ghana.
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
Liberia is recovering from civil war. The United Nations (UN) Mission in Liberia was completed in March 2018.
Some sensitive political issues persist, like the imprisonment of former President Charles Taylor for war crimes. Supporters may take revenge on travellers from the United Kingdom.
Grand Gedeh and River Gee counties are especially dangerous due to the political situation and risk of violence.
Armed groups operate in the areas bordering Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast). Cross border attacks happened in 2014, and could happen again.
When you're in Liberia:
don't talk about political issues
avoid demonstrations and large public gatherings
More information:
You may be a target for crimes such as:
The police can't always help or protect you.
Be aware of your surroundings. Don't travel alone or after dark, as crime levels rise.
If you're a victim of violent crime, especially rape, get immediate medical attention.
Internet scams come in many forms. They may start as romance, friendship, business or job opportunities.
These scams often originate in West African countries, including Liberia.
If you travel to Liberia as a scam victim, you may be kidnapped and killed.
Common fraud schemes fall into two main categories — commercial and relationship scams.
In commercial scams, criminals ask for details of safe bank accounts to transfer large amounts of money. They may:
promise you a payment
send fake cashier cheques for urgent goods shipments
ask for large fees for a fake government contract
extort money from you for a fake business opportunity
In relationship scams, criminals often meet their victims through internet dating sites or chat rooms. Once they have formed a connection, they may ask you to:
send money so they can come to Australia
come to Africa to meet them
Once you transfer money, the relationship often ends.
To avoid being a victim of a scam:
be wary of online contact from people you don't know
don't send money until you've thoroughly checked who you're sending it to
If you suspect a scam, get legal advice.
Don't travel to Liberia to get your money back or to get revenge.
Strong coastal currents are common. Get local advice before you swim.
Flooding may happen in the rainy season from May to November.
If a natural disaster or severe weather happens, follow the advice of local authorities.
Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won’t pay for these costs.
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 thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
what activities and care your policy covers
that your insurance covers you for the whole time you’ll be away
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
have a basic health check-up
ask if your travel plans may affect your health
plan any vaccinations you need
Do this at least eight weeks before you leave.
More information:
International travel and health (World Health Organization)
If you need counselling services, call the Australian Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 and ask to speak to a Lifeline telephone counsellor.
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.
If you plan to take medication, check if it's legal in Liberia. Take enough legal medication for your trip.
Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:
what the medication is
how much you'll take
that it's for personal use
More information:
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Liberia free from Ebola virus disease on 9 June 2016.
WHO expects further outbreaks to occur. Monitor WHO for updates.
The rate of HIV/AIDS (World Health Organization) infection is high.
Take precautions to reduce your risk of exposure to the virus.
Yellow fever (Department of Health) is widespread in Liberia. Yellow fever is a potentially fatal virus spread by mosquitoes. It's prevented by vaccination. Get vaccinated before you travel.
Malaria (World Health Organization) and other insect-borne illnesses are common.
To protect yourself from disease:
make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
use insect repellent
wear long, loose, light-coloured clothes
consider taking medicine to prevent malaria
Common waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases including these listed by the World Health Organization:
Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.
To protect yourself from illness:
drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
avoid ice cubes
avoid raw and undercooked food, such as salads
don't swim in fresh water
Get medical advice if you suspect food poisoning or have a fever or diarrhoea.
More information:
Medical facilities are poor in Monrovia and are extremely limited outside the capital.
You may need to pay cash up-front before doctors and hospitals will treat you, even in an emergency.
If you are seriously ill or injured, you will need evacuation to a place with better facilities. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.
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.
It's a serious offence to have, use or traffic illegal drugs. Penalties can include large fines and long jail terms.
More information:
Same-sex relationships are illegal.
It's also illegal to:
have pornographic material
take photos around military and government buildings, airports and ports
export diamonds, unless you follow local export laws
Penalties can be severe.
More information:
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Liberia does not recognise dual nationality. Always travel on your Australian passport.
If you enter Liberia on a Liberian passport, local authorities will treat you as a citizen. This limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained.
More information:
Liberia is a conservative society, especially in areas outside Monrovia.
Take care not to offend.
Think about your clothing choices. Local women wear loose-fitting clothes that cover the upper arms and legs.
Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders.
Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. If you don't, the Australian Government can't help you.
A visa is required to travel to Liberia. Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Liberia for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
Be prepared for health checks at border crossings.
If you have a fever or Ebola-like symptoms, you may:
be quarantined
be denied entry or exit
You need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Liberia. See Health
Find out about returning to Australia after exposure to yellow fever (Department of Health).
More information:
Countries with a risk of yellow fever (PDF 74KB)(World Health Organization)
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for six months after you plan to leave that country. This 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 six 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.
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:
In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.
Most places won't accept credit cards. Only a few businesses will take traveller's cheques.
ATMs are limited in Monrovia.
Western Union and Moneygram have agents in Monrovia.
Always carry photo ID. Government security checkpoints will ask to see it.
Outside Monrovia, there are few tourist facilities and infrastructure is poor.
You can drive in Liberia for up to 12 months with an International Driving Permit (IDP).You will also need to carry a police cover note in addition to your IDP.
You must get your IDP before you leave Australia.
After 12 months, you need a Liberian licence to drive.
Driving in Liberia is dangerous, especially after dark.
Hazards include:
poor road conditions
badly maintained vehicles
poor lighting
Attacks on security forces have occurred around the Firestone rubber plantation area, near the international airport.
Use major roads when you travel near the plantation and the airport.
More information:
Public transport options are limited.
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Liberia's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
family and friends
travel agent
insurance provider
employer
airline
Call 911.
Call 911.
If you call 911, authorities may not answer. Plan for other ways to get help in an emergency.
Call 911 or go to a local police station. If you call 911, authorities may not answer.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.
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 Liberia.
You can get consular help from the Australian High Commission in Ghana.
2, Second Rangoon Close
(cnr Josef Broz Tito Ave)
Cantonments
Accra, Ghana
Phone: +233 302 216 400
Fax: +233 302 216 410
Email: AccraHC.Enquiries@dfat.gov.au
Website: ghana.highcommission.gov.au
Facebook: Australian High Commission, Ghana
Twitter: @AusAmbGHA
Check the High Commission website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
1300 555 135 in Australia
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.