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 125.
Call 115 or go direct to the hospital.
Mountaineers can also contact the Red Crescent on 112 for help.
Call 110 or visit the nearest police station.
Reconsider your need to travel to Iran overall.
Reconsider your need to travel to Iran due to the high risk of being arbitrarily detained or arrested. See Safety
Do not travel to border areas with Afghanistan or Iraq.
Do not travel to:
within 100km of the Afghanistan border or to Sistan and Baluchestan Province and areas in Kerman and Hormuzgan provinces east of the cities of Bam and Jask due to the dangerous security situation.
within 10km of the border with Iraq
The security situation is dangerous or volatile in these areas.
See Safety
Regional tensions have increased. This is due to the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Syria, rising hostility between Iran and Israel and recent military tensions between Iran, the US and other countries in the Middle East. The Iran-Iraq border area is extremely dangerous. Don't travel to this area.
Regional and international politics can trigger protests. These may target Western or UN diplomatic missions. They sometimes turn violent. Avoid large public gatherings. Be prepared to change your travel plans.
Foreigners in Iran, including Australians, risk arbitrary detention or arrest. The risk is greater if you're a dual citizen. We can't guarantee access to consular services or legal representation if you're detained or arrested.
Terrorist attacks could happen anywhere in the country, including Tehran. They could occur at any time. Avoid possible targets and areas with a low level of security. Take official warnings seriously.
Drug traffickers and bandits are active in the Afghanistan and Pakistan border areas. They often clash violently with security forces. Bombings and shootings occur. Be alert to your surroundings, especially at night. Outside these areas, the level of violent crime is low.
Women can face unwanted attention and harassment. If you're a woman, take care when travelling alone, particularly at night.
Full travel advice: Safety
Malaria is common outside major towns, especially in the south and west. Consider taking anti-malarial medication if you're travelling to these areas.
Other insect-borne diseases are common, including leishmaniasis and tick-borne encephalitis. Ensure your accommodation is insect-proof. Use insect repellent.
HIV/AIDS is a risk. Take precautions if you engage in high-risk activities.
Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases occur. These include cholera, typhoid and hepatitis. Drink only boiled or bottled water. Avoid raw or undercooked food.
Significant air pollution occurs in major cities. Sandstorms and dust storms happen often. Get medical advice if you have allergies or breathing difficulties.
Full travel advice: Health
Don't use, carry or import illegal drugs. Punishments for drug offences are severe. They include the death penalty.
Get professional advice if you're involved in local legal proceedings. In particular, seek advice on matters of family law, such as divorce, child custody and child support.
Same-sex relations are illegal for both men and women. Penalties include corporal punishment and death.
Iran has strict codes of dress and behaviour. Close contact between unmarried men and women is illegal, as is being in a de facto relationship. This is particularly the case for interactions between Muslims and non-Muslims. It's against the law to behave in a way that offends Islam, such as encouraging a Muslim to convert.
Be careful when taking photos. It's illegal to photograph military or government sites, critical civil infrastructure and public protests. It's illegal to use drones without authorisation.
Iran has strict importation laws. You can't import alcohol, pornography, pork products or short-wave radios. It's also illegal to import printed or recorded Western materials, including religious material. Get permission to bring in electronics, such as satellite phones, GPS trackers and walkie-talkies.
Full travel advice: Local laws
You'll need a visa to enter Iran. If you're a tourist, you can apply for a visa on arrival. You must be staying for 30 days or less and entering through an international airport. For other situations, get a visa before you travel. Contact your nearest Iranian embassy for details.
If your passport contains Israeli stamps or visas, Iranian authorities will refuse you entry.
The local currency is the Iranian Rial (IRR). Declare any foreign currency you have when you arrive in Iran. If you don't, authorities may confiscate it when you leave. You can exchange major currencies in all big cities. You can't use international credit or bank cards. You can't transfer money using commercial banks or money transfer companies. Bring enough cash to cover your stay.
To drive in Iran, you need an Australian driver's licence and an International Driving Permit (IDP). Get your IDP before you travel. Iran has one of the highest rates of road accidents in the world. Ensure you understand local road laws and practices before you drive.
Public transport is limited. Consider hiring a car and driver for long-distance travel.
Full travel advice: Travel
The Consular Services Charter details what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
For consular assistance, contact the Australian Embassy in Tehran. The working week is from Sunday to Thursday, in accordance with local practice.
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Tensions in the region have increased due to:
ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Syria
rising hostility between Iran and Israel
Iranian authorities are active in and closely monitor border areas with Iraq. The security situation within 10km of the Iran-Iraq border is extremely dangerous.
There have been recent military tensions between Iran, the US and other countries in the Middle East. Do not visit military or nuclear sites, these are not always clearly marked. Follow the advice of local authorities and monitor the media.
On 21 August 2019, the Australian Prime Minister announced the Government would make a contribution to freedom of navigation and the protection of international shipping in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. This contribution is not directed at Iran, but is about providing security for the flow of commercial vessels across the Middle East region.
Political developments in the region and local political tensions can trigger protests and demonstrations.
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
Iranians sometimes protest against some Western and Middle East embassies and UN missions. The Saudi Arabia mission in Tehran was attacked in January 2016. The United Kingdom mission in Tehran was attacked in November 2011.
To protect yourself during periods of unrest:
avoid demonstrations, protests and large crowds
monitor local media for possible threats
plan activities to avoid disruption on national or commemorative days
follow the advice of local authorities
Be prepared to change your travel plans in case of disruptions.
If civil unrest disrupts transport, ask your airline, travel agent or insurer for help.
More information:
Travellers in Iran, including Australians, risk arbitrary detention or arrest. Dual nationals are at greater risk.
You may also be at greater risk if authorities are suspicious of your activities or background. You could also attract the attention of authorities if you:
study or do other academic activity
travel outside tourist areas
are near crowds or sensitive sites
take photos, except in major tourist sites
have contact with Iranians who are of interest to authorities
behave or express views perceived as anti-Iranian or that could cause religious offence
We can't guarantee consular access if you are detained or arrested. We also can't guarantee access to legal representation.
A terrorist attack could happen anywhere in Iran at anytime, including in Tehran. Recent attacks that have occurred:
13 February 2019, a suicide attack on a Revolutionary Guard bus in the south-eastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, killed at least 20 people.
6 December 2018, a suicide car bomb detonated near a police station in Chabahar city, Sistan and Baluchestan province, killing 2 and injuring 48
22 September 2018, terrorists attacked a military parade in Ahvaz, the capital of Khuzestan province.
In June 2017, simultaneous terrorist attacks in Tehran targeting the Iranian parliament (Majlis) in central Tehran and Imam Khomeini's Shrine on the southern outskirts
In recent years, terrorists have bombed border areas of the provinces of Sistan va Baluchestan and West Azerbaijan.
Possible targets for attacks include:
embassies
hotels
places of worship
government interests
military parades and locations
Western businesses and other interests
To stay safe from terrorist risks:
be alert to possible threats throughout the country
avoid places where there is a low level of security and possible target areas
monitor the media for new threats
report suspicious activity or items to police
take official warnings seriously
follow the instructions of local authorities
If there's an attack:
leave the area as soon as it's safe
avoid the affected area in case of secondary attacks
Terrorism is a threat worldwide.
More information:
Drug traffickers and bandits are active in the border areas near Afghanistan and Pakistan. This includes:
Sistan va Baluchestan province
east of the city of Bam in Kerman province
Violent incidents often occur in these areas, such as:
clashes between security forces and drug traffickers
bombings
shootings
Travel at night is particularly dangerous.
Outside these areas, the level of violent crime is low, but petty crime is common.
Be alert to your surroundings, especially at night. Don't draw unwanted attention to yourself.
Thieves in passing vehicles snatch bags from walkers. They may knock down victims and drag them behind cars or motorbikes. If you're walking, carry bags on the side of your body furthest from the road.
Women can face unwanted attention and harassment. Women should take care travelling alone, particularly at night.
Men in cars may approach tourists and claim to be plain-clothes police. They say they're looking for foreign drug dealers and ask to see wallets and ID.
If this happens, it could be a scam. Ask a uniformed police officer for help.
Earthquakes and severe weather occur in Iran.
If a natural disaster happens:
secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location
monitor local media
follow the advice of local authorities
keep in contact with your friends and family
Iran experiences frequent earthquakes. There have been several major earthquakes in recent years.
In November 2018, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck Kermanshah province in western Iran. causing significant loss of life and extensive damage to buildings and other infrastructure
In November 2017 a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck Kermanshah province (in western Iran) causing significant loss of life and extensive damage to buildings and other infrastructure.
Aftershocks often follow a major earthquake. They can cause further damage to already weakened structures.
Register with the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System to receive alerts on major disasters.
Iran experiences extremely high temperatures.
The temperature in some areas can reach over 50˚C in July and August, the hottest months of the year.
Some regions have heavy snowfall during winter.
Sandstorms and dust storms occur regularly.
Widespread flash flooding affected large parts of Iran from mid-March to April 2019. It affected 26 of Iran's 31 provinces, most severely in Golestan, Fars, Khuzestan, Lorestan, and other provinces. A number of people died.
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. Check that Iran is not excluded from your cover because of sanctions.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s 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 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.
Some specialised medicines are in short supply in Iran.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Iran. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.
Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:
what the medicine is
how much you'll take
that it's for personal use
More information:
Malaria is common outside the major towns, especially in Iran's south and west.
Other insect-borne diseases are common, including:
Ticks are most active in spring, summer and autumn.
To protect yourself from disease:
ensure your accommodation is insect-proof
use insect repellent
wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing
consider taking medicine to prevent malaria
Get medical advice if you have a fever, muscle pain, rash or severe headache.
More information:
HIV/AIDS is a risk.
Take precautions if you engage in activities that may expose you to the virus.
Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases occur, such as:
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
Get medical help if you have a fever or diarrhoea.
Significant air pollution occurs in major cities. Sandstorms and dust storms occur regularly.
Get medical advice if you have allergies or breathing difficulties.
The standard of medical facilities varies. Facilities in remote areas are extremely limited.
If you become seriously ill or injured, you'll need to be evacuated to a place with better facilities, such as London or Dubai. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.
Medical tourism including for cosmetic operations is common. The standard of medical service providers can vary. Research and choose your medical service providers carefully. Serious and possibly life threatening complications can occur.
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 importing and possessing drugs are severe and include the death penalty.
Authorities have executed foreigners for drug-related offences in recent years.
More information:
Get professional advice if you're involved in local legal proceedings. In particular, seek advice on matters of family law, such as:
divorce
child custody
child support
Know your rights and responsibilities.
Penalties for serious offences include death and corporal punishment. Same-sex relations are considered serious offences.
These activities are illegal in Iran:
homosexual acts for both men and women
failing to meet the legal dress code
import alcohol, pornography, pork products or short-wave radios
import printed or recorded Western material, including those with a religious theme
More information:
Iran has strict Islamic codes of dress and behaviour.
It's illegal to behave in a way considered to offend Islam. For example, you must not encourage Muslims to convert to another religion.
It's also illegal to:
have close contact between unmarried men and women — in particular between non-Muslims and Muslims
be in a de facto relationship
If you're a woman, in public you're required by law to wear:
loose-fitting clothing to cover arms and legs
a coat
a headscarf
If you're male, don't wear shorts or sleeveless T-shirts.
You cannot photograph sensitive sites or events, including:
military and nuclear sites
government buildings and installations
critical civil infrastructure
public demonstrations
It's illegal to use drones without authorisation.
You will need permission to bring in a range of electronic equipment, including:
satellite phones
GPS trackers
walkie-talkies
Unauthorised use may result in arrest or detention. Tracking software installed on mobile phones, tablets or other computer equipment may attract the attention of authorities.
For advice, contact your nearest Iranian embassy or consulate.
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Iran doesn't recognise dual nationality.
If you're a dual national, you may be at greater risk of arbitrary arrest or detention.
If you're arrested or detained, it's highly unlikely the Government of Iran would:
allow us to give you consular services
notify the Australian Embassy that you've been arrested or detained
If you're a British national or British-Iranian dual national, check the UK Government's travel advice for advice about your risks.
Under Iranian law, Iranian dual nationals must enter and exit Iran on their Iranian passport. Iranian immigration officials routinely confiscate the foreign passports of dual nationals.
If you're an Australian-Iranian dual national, authorities may not allow you to leave Iran if:
you're male and you haven't completed military service
you're female and you don't have permission from your husband or a senior male relative to leave Iran
you're male and have not paid the dowry to their wives after divorce
We advise you not to travel to Iran if you are dual Australian-US or Australian-Israeli citizen, in line with those countries' advice to their citizens.
More information:
The Islamic holiday month of Ramadan will be from late April to late May in 2020. Respect religious and cultural customs and laws at this time.
Avoid eating, drinking and smoking in the presence of people who are fasting.
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.
You need a visa to enter Iran.
You can pay cash for a visa on arrival if you:
enter via an international airport
are visiting for tourism
are staying for 30 days or less
Extra requirements may apply. Before you travel, contact the Embassy of Iran to ask about the visa-on-arrival conditions.
In other situations, you must apply for a visa before you travel. Contact the Embassy of Iran to apply.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the embassy of Iran for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
The Government of Iran issues Iranian visas. The Australian Embassy can't intervene in visa matters, including visas on arrival.
If your passport has evidence you've travelled to Israel, such as an Israeli exit or entry stamp, authorities will refuse you entry to Iran.
Strict import restrictions apply.
If you're a dual national, you may not be able to leave Iran unless you meet certain conditions.
More information:
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 isn't 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.
In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.
The local currency is the Iranian Rial (IRR).
Declare any foreign currency you have when you arrive in Iran. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash. If you don't, authorities may confiscate it when you leave.
You can change major currencies in all major cities. However, recent government action has made it harder to change money in exchange bureaus.
You can't use international credit or bank cards.
You can't transfer funds into Iran using:
the commercial banking system
a money transfer company
Bring enough cash to cover your stay.
To drive in Iran you need both:
a valid Australian driver's licence
an International Driving Permit (IDP)
Get an IDP before leaving Australia.
Iran has one of the highest rates of road accidents in the world.
You're 6 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle accident in Iran than in Australia.
If you plan to drive:
check you have enough insurance cover
find out about local traffic laws and practices
don't drink and drive
Pedestrians should exercise extreme caution when crossing roads. Motorcycles sometimes travel in the wrong direction.
More information:
Check if your travel insurance policy covers you for using a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.
Always wear a helmet.
Only use registered taxis and limousines. Book them through your hotel.
Public transport is limited.
Consider hiring a car and driver for long-distance travel.
The Gulf has many areas with security issues and territorial disputes. Authorities may inspect, detain and arrest vessels.
Piracy occurs in the Gulf.
Check the International Maritime Bureau's piracy report.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) hasn't audited air safety authorities in Iran.
The EU has operational restrictions in place for some of Iran Air's fleet. The airline hasn't met the EU's international safety standards.
Ageing planes on many of Iran's domestic air services create serious safety concerns.
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Iran'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 125.
Call 115 or go direct to the hospital.
Mountaineers can also contact the Red Crescent on 112 for help.
Call 110 or visit the nearest police station.
English speakers are generally not available.
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.
For consular assistance, contact the Australian Embassy in Tehran.
No.2, 23rd Street
Khalid Islambuli Avenue
Tehran, Iran
Phone: (+98 21) 8386 3666
Fax: (+98 21) 8872 0484
Website: iran.embassy.gov.au
Facebook: Australia in Iran
Instagram: @AustraliaInIran
The working week is from Sunday to Thursday, in accordance with local practice.
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:
+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
1300 555 135 in Australia
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.