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.
Call 911.
Call 911.
Call 911.
Do not travel to Samoa.
Do not travel overseas due to the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel.
Full travel advice: Safety
Full travel advice: Health
Full travel advice: Local laws
Full travel advice: Travel
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Crime occurs in Samoa but the crime rate is not high.
Crimes travellers could experience include robbery, violent assault and sexual assault.
You're most at risk:
Petty crime is common, including theft from vehicles and accommodation.
Violent house break-ins can occur.
To protect yourself from crime:
Demonstrations and protests can happen. Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
To protect yourself during periods of unrest:
More information:
Beaches
Beaches are not patrolled in Samoa. Swimmers have died because of strong tides and powerful lagoon currents.
Risks are even higher when:
Ask local residents and tour operators about safe areas for swimming.
Stray and poorly controlled dogs are common. Dog attacks on people in suburban areas and on beaches are common.
Don't approach or touch dogs.
Dive companies and tour operators don't always follow safety and maintenance standards. This includes:
If you plan to do a tour or adventure activity:
If proper safety equipment isn't available, use another provider.
Samoa experiences severe weather, including:
Monitor weather updates and warnings via:
If a natural disaster happens:
If your arrival in Samoa is after a natural disaster or during cyclone season, ask your tour operator if services have been affected.
Cyclone season is from November to April. However, tropical storms and cyclones can happen any time of year.
Storms and cyclones can cause flooding and gale-force winds and disrupt services.
The direction and strength of tropical cyclones can change with little warning.
If there's a cyclone or severe tropical storm:
Roads can be cut off. It may take time for services, such as electricity, to be restored.
Monitor:
If a cyclone or severe storm is approaching:
Earthquakes and aftershocks happen often in Samoa.
Ask your host or hotel about what to do if there's an earthquake.
If there's an earthquake:
After an earthquake:
Samoa has a Tsunami Warning System as Tsunamis can happen.
Move immediately to high ground if you:
Don't wait for official warnings.
Once on high ground, monitor local media.
More information:
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.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care. Most health care providers in Samoa expect cash payment before carrying out any treatment.
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 be considered illegal or controlled substances, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Samoa. Carry with you enough legal medication for your trip.
Local pharmacies have a limited range of medication.
Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:
More information:
COVID-19
COVID-19 remains a risk in Samoa. There is limited availability of COVID-19 testing and infection control facilities.
For information on Samoa's COVID-19 vaccination program refer to the Samoan Ministry of Health Facebook page. 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:
Samoa recently experienced a measles epidemic.
Make sure your vaccinations are up to date before you go and your travel insurance covers all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuations.
More information:
Outbreaks of insert-borne diseases can happen, mostly in the wet season. Diseases include:
If you're pregnant, the Australian Department of Health recommends you:
Find out about Zika virus-affected countries on the Department of Health website.
Mosquitoes are active during the day. To protect yourself from disease:
You could be at risk from waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases, including:
Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.
To protect yourself from illness:
Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.
Hospital and medical facilities are limited.
All foreigners are required to pay for health services in Samoa. Doctors and hospitals normally expect cash payment before carrying out any treatment.
There's no helicopter service.
Blood supplies are often limited.
You may need to bring your own bedding and towels to hospital.
If you become seriously ill or injured, you may need to be evacuated to Australia or New Zealand. Medical evacuation can be very expensive. Evacuations may be delayed if you use commercial airlines. Flights are heavily booked in New Zealand and Australian school holiday periods.
Make sure your travel insurance covers medical evacuations.
There are no hyperbaric chambers on any of the islands. If you need treatment for decompression sickness, you'll be evacuated to the nearest treatment centre.
Registered dive companies carry basic treatment equipment to meet Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) standards.
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 carrying or using illegal drugs, including cannabis, may include a jail sentence.
By law, you must not own drug-related equipment in Samoa.
If police suspect a drug offence, they may detain you while they investigate.
More information:
The legal drinking age is 21 years.
Prostitution is illegal.
Same-sex relationships are not recognised in Samoa and consensual sex between men is illegal. Penalties include a jail sentence.
Under the COVID-19 State of Emergency, Sunday activities are extremely limited. Swimming is not allowed at beaches and alcohol can't be sold.
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Dress and behaviour standards are modest. Take care not to offend.
More information:
You can apply for a 90 day Visitor Permit on arrival using the passenger arrival card if you:
If you remain in Samoa and are unable to depart prior to the expiry of your permit you must contact Samoa Immigration to make arrangements to validate your residential status until you can depart.
For other situations and for Business Visitor Permits, see the Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet website.
Entry and exit conditions can change. Contact a high commission of Samoa for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
Renew your Australian passport well in advance of expiry due to potential delays in delivery to Samoa.
If you've visited an Ebola-affected country within 21 days of arriving in Samoa, you may be stopped by officials. You may be quarantined or deported, even if don't have a fever or Ebola-like symptoms.
Entry to Samoa
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Samoa has declared a State of Emergency (SOE) and closed its borders, except to returning citizens or residents, or where specific permission is granted by Samoan authorities.
To obtain specific permission to enter Samoa, you must follow the entry requirements on the Ministry of Health website, including being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least two weeks before travel. You also must receive a negative COVID-19 (PCR) test a blood serology antibody test and a completed Ministry of Health Medical Clearance Health Documentation Form within the required timeframes. All passengers go into quarantine on arrival.
If you've had a positive COVID-19 PCR test in the last 6 months, you'll not be allowed to travel to Samoa unless you meet stringent criteria, which can be found in the Special Travel Advisory on the Ministry of Health website.
The Government of Samoa has approved a limited schedule of flights to Samoa for the repatriation of Samoan citizens and residents. The Government of Samoa will consider requests to travel from Australia to Samoa on a case by case basis. You should refer to the Special Travel Advice on the Ministry of Health website for further information.
For more information on entry requirements check the Government of Samoa or Samoan Ministry of Health website.
Departure from Samoa
Most international flights have been cancelled, and options to leave are extremely limited. You need to fulfill all transit and visa requirements for any country on your itinerary. Due to current flight schedules and connections through New Zealand you're unlikely to comply with the permitted 24 hour transit window in Auckland. Before travelling to Samoa you should plan your route back to Australia or be prepared for an extended stay. Contact your airline or travel agent for more information.
Staying in Samoa
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. You 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 Samoan Tala (WST).
Declare amounts over WST 20,000 when you arrive and depart. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.
You can change money and find ATMs in the major centres.
Credit cards can be used at most resorts and large shops. Not many small businesses accept credit cards.
You need a temporary Samoan driver's licence to drive.
Get a temporary licence from:
You'll need to show your valid Australian licence and pay a fee.
Driving in Samoa is hazardous, especially at night.
Hazards include:
You're almost 3 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle accident in Samoa than in Australia.
Samoa switched to driving on the left-hand side of the road in 2009. However, many vehicles still have the driver's seat on the left.
If you plan to drive:
More information:
Check if your travel insurance policy covers you when riding a motorbike.
Always wear a helmet.
Use only registered taxis and limousines.
Book through your hotel or resort.
Samoa has a small and irregular bus network. Buses are usually crowded.
Bus schedules are limited on Sundays.
Petty crime can happen on buses. Take care of your belongings.
More information:
Samoa's inter-island ferries may not meet Australian safety standards. They may:
Emergency safety procedures may not work.
If you need to travel by ferry:
If you aren't given safety equipment, or it's not in usable condition, use another provider.
More information:
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Samoa's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 911.
Call 911.
Call 911.
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.
Check the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
For consular help, contact the Australian High Commission in Apia.
Beach Road
Apia, Samoa
Phone: (+685) 23 411
Fax: (+685) 23 159
Website: samoa.highcommission.gov.au
Facebook: Australian High Commission, Samoa
The Foreign Minister has decided to direct departures of all remaining non-essential staff and dependants from the Australian High Commission. This will not affect the provision of services to Australians.
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:
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.