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 or go to a hospital.
Call 911, or go to a local police station.
Do not travel to Tonga.
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
Tonga has a rate of violent crime similar to Australia, but petty crime is common. Crime that might affect security could increase at night. Crime that might affect you includes robbery, sexual assault, theft and break-ins.
Thieves target electronic equipment such as tablets, mobile phones and other portable electronic devices.
To protect yourself from violent crime always lock doors, windows, gates and vehicles. Don't go out alone at night and try to avoid visiting isolated locations alone, including beaches.
Civil unrest is rare in Tonga, but any public protest or event that draws a large group of people can turn violent.
To protect yourself during periods of unrest:
More information:
Swimming safety
Take care when swimming at beaches, especially those with outlying coral reefs.
Strong rips can occur where there's a break in the reef. This makes it dangerous for swimmers and surfers. People have drowned.
Ask locals about danger spots before swimming.
Tour operators don't always follow safety and maintenance standards. This applies to:
If you plan to do an adventure activity:
If proper safety equipment isn't available, use another provider.
Tonga can experience natural disasters and severe weather, such as cyclones, earthquakes and tsunamis.
During an emergency, the Tongan National Emergency Management Office provides updates on Radio 1 at frequency 1017AM.
If a natural disaster occurs:
If you're due to arrive after a natural disaster or during cyclone season, ask your tour operator or airline if it affects your travel plans.
More information:
The cyclone season is November to April. However, tropical storms and cyclones can happen throughout the year. This weather can bring on flooding, gale-force winds and disruptions to services.
The direction and strength of cyclones can change suddenly. If there's a cyclone or tropical storm:
If a cyclone or tropical storm is approaching:
Monitor alerts and advice from:
Tonga experiences earthquakes.
Get to know the earthquake safety measures for each place you stay and visit. Ask your hotel or host for advice.
If there's an earthquake:
More information:
Tsunamis can happen in Tonga. A tsunami can arrive within minutes of a nearby tremor or earthquake.
Being close to the Tonga Trench, strong earthquakes in the region could cause a destructive tsunami to hit within 20 minutes.
To receive tsunami alerts, register with the:
If you're near the coast, move to high ground straight away. Do this if local authorities advise so, or if you:
Don't wait for official warnings, such as alarms or sirens.
Once on high ground, monitor local media and the Tonga Meteorological Service.
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.
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 Tonga. 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 Tonga.
Tonga has started vaccinating its population against COVID-19. The current eligibility criteria for vaccines include frontline and quarantine workers, individuals 18 years and over with medical conditions or disabilities, and anyone 30 years of age.
For information on Tonga’s COVID−19 vaccination program, refer to the Ministry of Health website - http://www.health.gov.to/ . 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:
Insect-borne disease outbreaks occur in Tonga, especially during the wet season. Diseases include:
Mosquitos that carry these diseases are active throughout the day and at night.
The Australian Department of Health's bulletin explains how to minimise the risk of Zika virus. There's no vaccination for it.
If you're pregnant, the Australian Department of Health recommends you:
To protect yourself from disease:
Get medical advice if you develop a fever, muscle pain, a rash or a bad headache.
Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are common. These include:
Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.
To protect yourself from illness:
Get medical advice if you suspect food poisoning or have a fever or diarrhoea.
More information:
Eating reef fish can result in ciguatera poisoning. Ciguatera is a naturally occurring seafood toxin.
Other risks include:
Get urgent medical help if you suspect poisoning.
Hospital and medical facilities are limited, especially in remote island groups.
If you become ill or injured, you may need to be evacuated to Australia or New Zealand, even for minor medical issues. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.
Evacuations on a Sunday are difficult to arrange because the airports don't operate.
There are no decompression chambers in Tonga. People with serious cases of decompression sickness are evacuated to the nearest treatment centre in New Zealand.
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.
Sabbath laws strictly limit Sunday activities including playing sport, listening to loud music, exercise and fishing. Most businesses are closed except for some resorts.
The blood alcohol limit for driving in Tonga is 0.015%.
There are 2 breath tests for blood alcohol readings. The first is a roadside test to see if you have alcohol in your system.
If you test positive for alcohol, you'll be taken to a police station for a second test.
If police catch you outside business hours, they'll likely hold you in a police cell until they can charge you.
Sodomy is a criminal offence. Punishment is a maximum of 10 years in jail.
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:
Tonga is a highly religious country (predominantly Christian) as well as an overall conservative country. Take care not to offend.
Dress modestly and avoid public affection to avoid unwanted attention. For example, women can wear bikinis at a resort and males can swim shirtless, but more modest swimwear is recommended at public beaches. Topless bathing is not accepted.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the High Commission of Tonga for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
Commercial flights, cruise ships and yachts are banned from entering Tonga. A state of emergency has been declared. For more information, check the Government of Tonga website. Follow instructions of local authorities.
Entry to and departure from Tonga
Only Tongan citizens and permanent residents can enter Tonga at this time. International travellers approved by the Ministry of Health can also enter. Most international flights have been cancelled, and options to leave are extremely limited. All international travellers will be subject to 21 days quarantine on arrival.
If you’re in Tonga and wish to leave, you can register with the Australian High Commission at ahctonga@dfat.gov.au to receive information on future opportunities to return home.
Staying in Tonga
For more information, check the Government of Tonga website.
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. If you arrive in Tonga with less than six months remaining on your passport you may end up stranded, receive an on the spot fine and have your passport taken until the fine is paid.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
If you want to stay longer or work, you'll need to apply for a visa.
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 Tongan Pa'anga (TOP).
Change Australian dollars for TOP at local banks. These include ANZ and Bank South Pacific.
Remote island groups have limited banking services.
The main island of Tongatapu has ATMs, but they don't accept all Australian cards. Ask your bank if your card will work in Tonga.
Credit card fraud and card skimming occurs. Don't expose your PIN when using ATMs. Check your bank statements often.
Local boats can be dangerous because they:
Operators may not provide life jackets on boats, rafts or kayaks.
Some cruise ships stop in Tonga.
More information:
You can drive on your Australian driver’s licence for up to 12 months after arriving in Tonga. After that, you'll need to get a local licence. To get a licence, contact the Ministry of Infrastructure.
Driving in Tonga can be dangerous, especially at night due to:
Speeding, alcohol and drug-driving cause many road deaths.
Some road rules differ from those in Australia. Be aware that:
More information:
Always wear a helmet. This applies to a motorbike or motor scooter. Hire companies don't always provide helmets.
If you plan to hire a motorcycle, check your travel insurance covers you.
Only use registered taxis and authorised limousines. Arrange these through your hotel.
Limited bus services operate on Tongatapu.
Bus services finish at 5pm and don't run on Sundays.
Petty crime happens on buses. Take care of your belongings.
More information:
Domestic aircraft safety and maintenance practices in Tonga may not meet international standards. Take this into account when booking your air travel.
Tonga's domestic airline, Lulutai, operates scheduled flights to all island groups.
Limited domestic services can result in:
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Tonga's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
Call 911.
Call 911 or go to a hospital.
Call 911, or go to a local police station.
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 to find out what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
For consular help, contact the Australian High Commission in Nuku'alofa.
Salote Road
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Phone: (+676) 20 400
Fax: (+676) 23 243
Email: ahctonga@dfat.gov.au
Website: tonga.highcommission.gov.au
Facebook: Australia in Tonga
Twitter: @AustHCTonga
Check the Australian 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.