Brunei Darussalam

Serious crime is rare.

Travellers are occasionally the victims of petty crime, such as theft, burglary, and vehicle break-ins.

To protect yourself from crime:

• leave valuables in a secure location
• watch your personal belongings
• always lock doors and windows at your accommodation

Cyber security

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you're connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth. 

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media. 

More information:  

• Cyber security when travelling overseas 

Demonstrations and protests

Civil unrest is rare.

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

To protect yourself from possible violence:

• avoid protests and demonstrations
• follow the advice of local authorities

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

Terrorist attacks could occur anywhere and at any time. Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places. Terrorists may target tourist areas or other places frequented by foreigners and where large crowds may gather.

More information:

• Terrorism

Brunei experiences heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning strikes throughout the year. Incidents of objects and people being struck by lightning have occurred.

The wet seasons are September to January and May to July. Flooding and mudslides are common during these times.

Severe weather can affect essential services, such as power.

If a natural disaster occurs:

• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location
• monitor local media and other sources such as the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
• follow the advice of local authorities
• keep in contact with friends and family

Wildlife

Brunei is home to saltwater crocodiles. They live along the Brunei River and beaches. People fishing on the riverbank have been attacked and killed by crocodiles.

There are venomous snakes in Brunei. Keep your distance if you encounter a snake outdoors. If a snake is found indoors or in a confined space, call Fire and Rescue Services on 995, who also capture and remove crocodiles.  

Stray dogs are common. Don't approach or touch dogs. Be mindful of dogs when walking or exercising.

Although there have been no official rabies cases in Brunei recently, cases have been reported recently in Malaysia close to the border with Brunei. Rabies is fatal if you don't get vaccinated or don't get medical treatment quickly. See a doctor immediately if a dog, monkey or other animal scratches or bites you.  

Outdoors Activities

Trekking in the jungle and parks can range from beginner-level to more advanced options. Trekkers have been known to go missing. Inform family and friends before your trek and take a phone and sufficient supplies. 

Avoid swimming in rivers, wear a life vest when on boats and adhere to local advice when near a water source, as crocodiles in Brunei have been known to attack people. 

Local beach rescue services may not be of the same standard as in Australia.

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.

You no longer require COVID-19 insurance to enter Brunei, but travel insurance that covers COVID-19 is strongly encouraged.

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 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare, or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

More information:

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips (Healthdirect Australia)

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 Brunei. Take enough legal medication for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription and a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medication is
• the required dosage
• that it's for personal use

More information:

• Medication

Insect-borne diseases

Insect-borne diseases occur, including:

• dengue
• Japanese encephalitis

To protect yourself from disease:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

We recommend you get vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis if you travel to rural areas. Seek medical advice if you have a fever, muscle pain, rash or severe headache.

HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS is a risk in Brunei. 

Take precautions if you engage in activities that expose you to the risk of infection.

Other health risks

Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are common, including:

• hepatitis
• hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD)
• tuberculosis
• COVID-19

Severe outbreaks sometimes occur.

Avoid raw and undercooked food, such as salads.

Seek medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

More information:

• Infectious diseases

Red algae

Red algae sometimes reaches dangerous levels in coastal waters. Local authorities may issue red tide warnings about:

• swimming in certain areas
• eating certain types of seafood

Local authorities print warnings about red algae in local newspapers, including in English-language publications.

If there's a red tide alert, follow local warnings. This algal bloom can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning. Avoid shellfish and seafood because they may be affected.

Medical facilities in Brunei's public hospitals are of reasonable quality.

Private hospital facilities are of a high standard.

If you become seriously ill or injured, you may need to be moved to Australia or Singapore. 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.

In Brunei, it's illegal to:

• eat, drink or smoke in public places between sunrise and sunset during Ramadan
• persuade a Muslim to neglect their religious duties
• preach religions other than Islam, or preach Islam without permission from the government
• fail to attend Friday prayers if you are an adult male Muslim
• teach Islamic doctrine outside your own home or to anyone outside your household, without permission

It's also illegal to:

• conduct sexual activity outside of marriage and engage in intimate public displays of affection, including kissing
• conduct same-sex sexual activity
• possess pornographic material
• gamble
• carry firearms or related items, including ammunition and empty cartridge shells
• sell alcohol
• import alcohol or tobacco products above legal limits

If you import alcohol, keep documents to prove you did so legally.

More information:

• Advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers
• Royal Customs and Excise Department

Smoking

It's illegal to smoke in:

• government buildings
• hospitals
• recreational and educational centres
• public transport
• restaurants
• other specified public places

Photography

It's illegal to photograph:

• government or military infrastructure or equipment
• places used by security forces
• communications infrastructure
• civil infrastructure
• any other prohibited places or areas in the vicinity of such places

Sharia law

Brunei’s Sharia (Syariah) Penal Code came fully into effect from April 2019.

Sharia law applies to:

• Muslims and
• non-Muslims

whether resident Bruneians or foreigners. It applies even when transiting on Brunei-registered aircraft and vessels.

Non-Muslims may be arrested for being in close proximity with a Muslim of the opposite sex under the Sharia Penal Code – an offence known as khalwat.

Common law and courts will continue to operate in parallel with the Sharia Penal Code and courts.

Serious crimes can attract:

• the death penalty
• physical punishment
• imprisonment

Crimes that attract the death penalty include:

• drugs
• blasphemy
• sodomy
• adultery
• rape
• murder

More information:

• Syariah Penal Code (Brunei Attorney-General's Chambers)

Drugs

Some drug offences carry a mandatory death penalty. Other penalties include long prison sentences and physical punishment.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you’re overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

More information:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Brunei doesn't recognise dual nationality.

Australians entering with a Bruneian passport will be treated as Bruneian by local authorities.

Enter on an Australian passport to ensure access to Australian consular services.

Dress and behaviour standards are conservative. Take care not to offend.

If in doubt, seek local advice.

Be cautious when making comments about local issues, particularly those relating to the royal family. You could cause offence or even attract legal consequences.

Businesses, including shops and restaurants, close between 12pm to 2pm every Friday for prayers.

Government offices and local schools do not operate on Friday, they open on Saturday instead.

Ramadan

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan is observed in Brunei. Respect religious and cultural customs and laws at this time.

During Ramadan, eating, drinking and smoking may be illegal in public during the day. If you're not fasting, avoid these activities around people who are. Seek local advice to avoid offence.

Explore our Ramadan page to learn more, including dates for Ramadan.

Visas

You need a visa to travel to Brunei. Visas and other entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest Brunei High Commission or Brunei Ministry of Foreign Affairs for details about visas, currency, customs, and quarantine rules.

Immigration regulations are strictly enforced and overstaying can attract harsh punishments, including imprisonment and caning.

Check the entry stamp in your passport to confirm how long you can stay.

Monitor your immigration status and visa expiry date.

More information:

• Brunei Department of Immigration and National Registration
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Border measures

You must have the following before boarding your flight:

• a valid air ticket
• a valid visa (for visa-required passport holders).
• a completed E-Arrival Card
• a completed Health Declaration Form (BruHealth Portal)

You're required to complete an E-Arrival Card online before arriving in and departing Brunei. This includes air, land and sea routes. Transit passengers who do not pass through Brunei's immigration control posts will not be required to complete an E-Arrival Card. Refer to Brunei's Immigration and National Registration System Portal for more information.

Due to the global increase in Mpox cases, it's mandatory for all individuals arriving in Brunei by air, land, or sea to complete a Health Declaration Form through the "BruHealth" mobile application or Brunei's Ministry of Health Website within 3 days before arrival.

If you wish to cross Brunei's land or sea borders, you must apply online through the Exit and Entry System (EES). There is a service fee of $BND 3.00.

Validity

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.

Check that your passport has at least 6 blank pages back-to-back, as recommended by Brunei authorities.

Lost or stolen 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, High Commission or Consulate.

Passport with 'X' gender identifier 

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can't guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers. 

More information:  

• LGBTQIA+ travellers 

The local currency is the Brunei Dollar ($BND). You can also use Singapore dollars ($SGD). They have the same value as the BND.

You can use credit cards in some places.

Australian dollars can be changed at banks, hotels and authorised exchange bureaus.

If you plan to visit Malaysia, including Sabah or Sarawak, read our travel advice for Malaysia.

If you plan to visit Kalimantan, read our travel advice for Indonesia.

Driving permit

To drive in Brunei for up to 1 year, you need both:

• an Australian driver's licence (a digital driver's license may not be accepted)
• a valid international driving permit (IDP)

Driving without an IDP could void your travel and vehicle insurance.

You should get a local driver’s licence if you need to drive for longer than 1 year.

Road travel

Driving can be dangerous. It's common for drivers to:

• drive through red lights
• exceed the speed limit
• not use seatbelts
• drive without a licence or insurance

If you plan to drive:

• check that your insurance policy covers driving
• get to know the local traffic laws and practices
• drive legally
• avoid 'road rage'
• don't react to other drivers

If you're involved in a road accident as a driver, don't leave the scene or move your vehicle until the police have arrived.

There are limits on the sale of diesel and petrol for vehicles not registered in Brunei.

More information:

• Driving or riding

Motorcycles

Check whether your insurance policy covers you when using a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.

Always wear a helmet.

Taxis

Only use registered taxis and authorised limousines. You can arrange them:

• through your hotel
• at the Brunei International Airport
• through DART Taxi online

Public transport

A very limited public bus service operates throughout Brunei.  For the main Brunei-Muara and Kuala Belait districts the services operate between 6am and 8pm.

The bus service is often unreliable.

More information:

• Public bus route – Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications
• Transport and getting around safely

Sea travel

International cruise lines stop over in Brunei.

More information:

• Going on a cruise

Air travel

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Brunei's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

Fire and rescue services

Call 995.

Medical emergencies

Call 991.

Police

Call 993 or contact local police.

Always get a police report when reporting 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.

For consular assistance, contact the Australian High Commission in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Australian High Commission, Bandar Seri Begawan

Level 6, Dar Takaful IBB Utama building
Jalan Pemancha
Bandar Seri Begawan BS 8711
Brunei Darussalam
Phone: (+673) 222 9435
Fax: (+673) 222 1652
Email: austhicom.brunei@dfat.gov.au
Website: bruneidarussalam.embassy.gov.au
Facebook: Australia in Brunei Darussalam
X: @AusHCBrunei 
Instagram: Duta.oz.bn

Check the Australian High Commission website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

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