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.
Emergency services exist, but you shouldn't expect them to help you.
Depending what you need, contact your:
family and friends
travel agent
insurance provider
employer
airline
Do not travel to Libya.
Do not travel to Libya due to
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Violent clashes between armed groups happen across the country, including in Tripoli.
Fighting can break out anywhere without warning, and often happens at night.
If you're in Libya, your life and safety could be at risk. Some foreigners have been killed.
Militias have targeted ports, airports, and oil and gas installations.
Intense fighting and shelling between militias in recent years has centred on:
If, despite our advice, you decide to travel to or stay in Libya:
We don't have an Australian diplomatic mission in Libya. Almost all diplomatic missions and international bodies have left the country.
Ongoing unrest restricts our capacity to give consular help to Australians who are in Libya.
Terrorism remains a serious threat in Libya. Terrorist groups engage in ongoing clashes.
Terrorists often use small arms, rocket-propelled grenades or improvised bombs. They target Libyan Government and security interests.
Attacks on foreign interests have increased, including:
Terrorism is a threat worldwide.
More information:
There's an ongoing threat of kidnapping in Libya. The threat is worst in border areas with Algeria, Niger, Chad and Sudan.
Foreigners, including Australians, have been victims.
The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers.
More information:
Libya's political situation remains volatile. Intense fighting continues in some areas, including Tripoli.
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
If, despite our advice, you decide to travel to or stay in Libya:
More information:
Crime levels in Libya are high. Law and order has broken down in most of the country.
Violent crime is widespread. Foreigners are at high risk of violent crime. Crimes include carjackings targeting foreign-owned vehicles and robbery by armed groups.
Areas of Libya that border with Algeria, Niger, Chad and Sudan are very dangerous. Avoid cross-border travel between Libya and these countries.
Bandits and armed tribal groups operate in these areas. There's also a very high threat of kidnapping.
Violence and armed robberies have been reported as vehicles leave Libya by road. This includes roads that cross into Tunisia.
Libya experiences severe weather.
Libya's rainy season is from November to March.
Temperatures can reach 40°C between June and September.
If, despite our advice, you decide to travel to or stay in Libya, follow regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.
Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.
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.
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.
You'll probably need a special insurance policy that covers travel to high-risk destinations. Most Australian policies won't cover you for travel to Libya.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front 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.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Libya. Take enough legal medication for your trip.
Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:
More information:
COVID-19 remains a risk in Libya.
For information on Libya's COVID−19 vaccination program, refer to the National Centre for Disease Control website (Arabic). 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:
Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases are common. These include:
Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.
To protect yourself from illness:
If you suspect food poisoning, seek urgent medical attention. Also seek medical attention if you have a fever or diarrhoea.
More information:
Medical facilities in Libya are limited. Some medications are in short supply.
Medical facilities in remote areas can be basic or non-existent. Carry some medical supplies for personal use.
Foreigners must pay an up-front deposit for medical services. If you are seriously ill or injured, you may need to be evacuated 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.
Ongoing unrest severely restricts how much consular help the Australian Government can give you.
The rule of law has not been re-established in Libya. Police services may not be operating in all parts of the country.
More information:
Penalties for drug offences are severe. They include the death penalty or life in jail.
More information:
If you're involved in a business dispute, officials may:
In Libya, it's illegal to:
You could be jailed for sexual relations outside of marriage.
It's also illegal to take photos around:
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:
Libya doesn't recognise dual citizenship.
Islamic law decides child custody.
Children born to Libyan fathers are Libyan citizens. They need their father's permission to leave Libya.
More information:
Serious crimes may attract the death penalty.
Other penalties may appear harsh by Australian standards.
Respect religious and cultural customs and laws during Ramadan.
Avoid eating, drinking and smoking in public and in the presence of people who are fasting.
If, despite our advice, you decide to travel to Libya, you need a visa.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate for details about visas, currency, customs and other travel requirements.
We cannot offer advice on the safety of individual departure options, including any flights that become available, or on travel to a departure point. You should make your own judgement about the safest route out of the country, taking account of the advice of local authorities.
In response to COVID-19, Libyan authorities have initiated public health measures which include travel and mobility restrictions due to the closure of airports, points of entry along land borders and maritime boundaries, as well as domestic movement restrictions.
Non-essential movement is limited and schools, universities and bars are closed.
If you're staying in Libya:
Officials may detain you if you can't prove you entered at an official border crossing.
When you arrive in Libya, you must register your passport with a police station.
Go to the police station closest to the place you're staying. Failure to do so may result in fines and problems during your stay or on departure.
You need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Libya if you arrive from a country with a risk of yellow fever. Some airlines may want to see one when you leave.
More information:
Australians in Libya should leave as soon as it's safe.
Tripoli International Airport reopened in July 2017. However there have been several closures in 2018 and 2019 due to ongoing security issues in Tripoli. See 'Air travel' below.
Don't attempt to leave Libya via borders with Algeria, Chad, Sudan, or Niger. There's a very high threat of kidnapping.
All border crossings can close without warning. Plan for delays and temporary road closures.
The road between Tripoli and Zawiya is vulnerable to attack. Convoys, including diplomatic convoys, have been attacked.
If you plan to cross the border to Tunisia at the Ras Jedir checkpoint, plan your journey carefully. Check the border crossing is open before you leave. Be prepared for armed clashes at, or on the way to, the border.
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 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 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.
If your passport shows entry to Israel, you won't be able to enter Libya.
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:
The local currency is the Libyan Dinar (LYD).
Libya is a cash economy.
Credit card use is limited.
It's illegal to import and export the local currency. You can import foreign currency if you declare, but you can't export more than what you declared on arrival.
Withdrawing money from banks may be difficult due to severe shortages of cash. The security situation sometimes disrupts banking services.
Traveller's cheques aren't accepted. There are few ATMs.
You must always carry identification documents.
Unexploded remnants of war, including landmines, are a hazard throughout Libya.
Borders can close at short notice.
Road conditions are reasonable throughout Libya. However, driving standards are poor and traffic is heavy.
Wind-blown sand can reduce visibility quickly.
More information:
Airports may close at short notice due to security risks.
Only limited commercial options are available at Misrata International Airport.
Airlines have stopped flying over Western Libya following clashes between armed groups in the region.
Contact your airline for information on flight disruptions.
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Libya's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Emergency services exist, but you shouldn't expect them to help you.
Australia doesn't have a diplomatic mission in Libya.
Because of ongoing volatility, Australia can't give consular help except in limited circumstances.
Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
For consular advice, contact the Australian Embassy in Rome, Italy.
Via Antonio Bosio 5
00161 Rome, Italy
Phone: +39 06 85 2721
Fax: +39 06 85 272 300
Email: consular-rome@dfat.gov.au
Website: Australia in Italy
Twitter: @AusAmbRome
Facebook: Australian Embassy, Italy
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.