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 101.
Call 103.
Call 102 or contact the nearest police station.
Call 112 or 911 for the emergency hotline.
Exercise normal safety precautions in Armenia overall.
Use common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour, as you would in Australia.
Do not travel to Armenia-Azerbaijan border areas or Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding military-occupied areas.
Do not travel to:
See Safety
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
Protests and demonstrations can occur in Yerevan, Gyumri and other major cities. They are generally peaceful, but can escalate.
To stay safe during periods of unrest:
More information:
Regular armed clashes occur in:
We can only give limited consular help to Australians in 'Do not travel' areas.
Conflicts in both these areas have caused several deaths and injuries. Unmarked landmines are also present.
Cars and other vehicles on the roads from Kayan and Ijevan to Noyemberyan can be attacked.
The enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh is unsafe. Armenia disputes Azerbaijan's control of this region. The surrounding military zone is also unsafe.
A ceasefire in place since 1994 has been broken several times. In April 2016, dozens of people died in serious armed clashes.
Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and theft from cars, is common. Be careful on trains to and from Georgia.
Travellers have reported harassment, mistreatment and extortion by police and other local officials.
To protect yourself from petty crime:
Armenia is in an active earthquake zone. Landslides may occur.
To protect yourself if there's a natural disaster or severe weather:
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 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:
Consider your physical and mental health before travelling, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
Do this at least eight 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.
Some sleeping tablets and medications containing codeine are controlled in Armenia.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Armenia. Take enough legal medication for your trip.
You may be fined or jailed if you have restricted medication.
Carry a letter from your doctor stating:
More information:
Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.
To protect yourself from illness:
Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.
More information:
HIV/AIDS (World Health Organization) is a risk in Armenia. Take precautions if your engage in activities that may expose you to the virus.
Standards in public hospitals are basic, especially outside Yerevan.
If you become ill or injured, you may need to be evacuated. 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.
Penalties for drug offences are severe. They include long prison sentences.
More information:
Always carry a copy of your passport. Police can stop you to check your documents.
It's illegal to take photos of:
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Armenia recognises dual nationality.
Any child born to an Armenian parent is automatically an Armenian national. This is regardless of their place of birth.
Ask the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about citizenship laws.
If you're a dual national, you must enter and exit the country using your Armenian passport. This limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained.
If you're a male dual citizen aged 18 to 27, you could be subject to military service in Armenia. Check with the nearest embassy or consulate of Armenia well before you travel.
More information:
Same-sex relationships are legal, but aren't widely accepted.
Discrimination against the LGBTI community is widespread. Avoid public displays of affection.
More information:
You don't need a visa for Armenia if you're staying for up to 180 days or less.
If you're staying longer than 180 days, you must also register with the police.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions, such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations, can change at short notice. To get the latest details, contact either:
Strict rules apply to the import and export of:
You need approval from the Armenian Ministry of Culture to export antiques or other items that could have historical value. This includes paintings, old books and carpets.
Keep receipts for all items. You may need to show them to customs officials when you leave.
More information:
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 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.
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 Armenian Dram (AMD).
Strict rules apply to importing and exporting cash amounts over $US10,000 (or equivalent).
US dollars and euros can be exchanged at banks.
ATMs and credit card facilities are available in Yerevan, but are less common outside major towns.
More information:
Armenia's land borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey are closed. Travel in the region can be difficult. You'll need to plan ahead.
To drive in Armenia you need both:
Get your IDP before you leave Australia.
Driving without an IDP could void your travel and vehicle insurance.
You're 3 times more likely to die in a car accident in Armenia than in Australia.
Driving in Armenia can be dangerous. Common dangers include:
Check your travel insurance will cover you for driving.
Make sure you understand local road rules.
The main road between Armenia and Georgia (Yerevan-Vanadzor-Alaverdi-Bagratashen) is closed. Get local advice on different routes.
More information:
Use registered taxis and authorised limousines.
Ask your hotel to arrange a taxi for you. Don't hail taxis in the street.
Sit in the back seat.
Public transport is overcrowded and isn't well-maintained. Minibuses are dangerous. They're often involved in accidents.
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Armenia's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 101.
Call 103.
Call 102 or contact the nearest police station.
Call 112 or 911 for the emergency hotline.
Armenian emergency services may take a long time to reach remote regions.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Contact your service provider with complaints about a tourist service or product.
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 Armenia.
Contact the Australian Embassy in Russia for consular assistance.
Podkolokolny Pereulok 10a/2,
Moscow
Russia
Phone: +7 495 956 6070
Fax: +7 495 956 6170
Website: russia.embassy.gov.au
Twitter: @PosolAustralia
Check the Embassy 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:
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.