News

From Thursday 5 December large-scale strike action is planned to take place across France. The strike could continue beyond 5 December.

There’s currently an active measles outbreak in a number of Pacific countries, including Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Fiji and New Zealand.

Christmas overseas can be a great experience. We want to make sure you don’t miss out on the festive fun. The better prepared you are, the safer and more enjoyable your travel will be. Many Australians travel to Europe or North America for a winter Christmas; others head to South East Asia or the Pacific for the sun. Wherever you’re going there are some risks that are greater at Christmas.

Tropical Cyclone Rita may affect the northern parts of Vanuatu, including Torba, Sanma and Penama provinces, from today. Follow local sources of information and any instructions issued by local authorities.

Lift off! We’ve redesigned Smartraveller to better communicate our travel advice so you can be informed and prepared about overseas travel. And return home safely. Our travel advice is clearer, with the essential security and safety information communicated in a more readable and accessible format. You can now access the travel advisories from any device, at any time and download and print them to take them with you on the go.

The Consular State of Play is a snapshot of the consular services provided to Australians overseas by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade during the year.

Red Frogs volunteers are coming to Schoolies in Bali and Fiji to support young school leavers and help you stay travel smart. Red Frogs volunteers act as the eyes and ears in accommodation venues and out on the streets, providing a positive peer presence to school leavers. They are non-judgemental and a lot of fun!

The UK and the EU agreed on a revised Brexit deal on 17 October 2019. The deal requires UK and EU parliamentary approval. The UK will leave the EU on 31 January, 2020 without a deal, unless an extension to the Brexit date is agreed or the revised deal receives parliamentary approval. If you are an Australian living or working in, or travelling to, the UK or the EU nothing will change in the short-term, including visa arrangements.