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  3. Being respectful overseas

Being respectful overseas

Last updated
Tuesday, 02/05/2023

 

Australians love to travel, with millions of Aussies heading overseas every year. Travelling is often about letting your hair down and relaxing. But don't leave your manners and common sense at home when you get on the plane.

Respect the local culture

Travel is a great way to immerse yourself in new cultural experiences. Many cultures are very different from what you'll be used to in Australia, and some differences may be confronting. Don't dismiss or mock local practices because they're unfamiliar or you disagree with them.

Local temples and cultural sites may be a fun day out for you, but these places aren't just tourist destinations. They often hold deep significance for the local people. Be respectful and follow the lead of locals.

Understand that expectations of behaviour and clothing can vary widely between countries. Make an effort to adjust what you do accordingly. Remember that you're a guest in someone else's home, and badly behaving guests can be asked to leave. Many countries will cancel your visa if your behaviour is considered offensive or disruptive to the locals.

Follow the local laws

It's your responsibility to research the local laws in your destination and obey them. Even if they seem harsh or unfair by Australian standards. Like in Australia, local police are unlikely to accept 'I didn't know' as an excuse for breaking the law. Don't expect to be treated differently by local authorities because you're Australian.

The Australian Government is limited in how and when we can help if you break the local law. We can't get you out of trouble, out of jail, or pay your legal bills or fines. Stay within the law, and you won't need our help.

Top tips

  • Read the travel advice for your destination.
  • Learn about where you're going before you get there. Understand the local culture and laws.
  • If you wouldn't do it in Australia, don't do it overseas.
  • Use local behaviour as a guide for your own.
  • If in doubt, ask. Your tour guide or accommodation manager can advise what you should and shouldn't do.
  • Remember, you're a guest. Be respectful.

Emergency consular assistance

The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance.

+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas

1300 555 135 from within Australia

For how we can help you overseas see the Consular Services Charter.

Enquiries and feedback

For non-urgent enquiries, or to provide feedback on consular services that you've recently received, contact us online.

For information on notarial services, email legalisations.australia@dfat.gov.au

For information about Australian visas, contact the Department of Home Affairs.

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Smartraveller is provided by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

For more information go to about us.

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Main navigation

  • HomeHome
  • Before you go
    • The basics
      • Planning to travel during COVID-19: step by step
      • Destinations
      • Passport services
      • Visas
      • Insurance
      • Schengen
      • Travel advice explained
    • Who you are
      • Children
      • Colour, race, ethnicity, or religion
      • Dual nationals
      • LGBTI++
      • Mature
      • School leavers
      • Women
    • Activities
      • Adoption
      • Adventure
      • Backpacking
      • Business
      • Living and working overseas
      • Marriage
      • Studying
      • Surrogacy
      • Volunteering
    • Major events
      • Cultural events
      • Religious events
      • Sporting events
    • Health
      • Mental health
      • Disability
      • Infectious diseases
      • Medical assistance overseas
      • Medical tourism
      • Medication
      • Pregnancy
      • Reciprocal health
      • Vaccinations
      • Death
    • Staying safe
      • Armed conflict
      • Assault
      • Cyber security
      • Demonstrations
      • Earthquakes and tsunamis
      • Kidnapping
      • Natural disasters
      • Partying safely
      • Piracy
      • Scams
      • Severe weather
      • Sexual assault
      • Terrorism
      • Theft and robbery
    • Laws
      • Carrying or using drugs
      • Child sex offences
      • Female genital mutilation
      • Forced marriage
    • Getting around
      • Air travel
      • Boat travel
      • Cruising
      • Public transport
      • Road safety
  • Destinations
    • View all destinations
    • AfricaBrowse destinations in Africa.
    • AmericasBrowse all destinations in the Americas.
    • AsiaBrowse all destinations in Asia.
    • EuropeBrowse all destinations in Europe.
    • Middle EastBrowse all destinations in the Middle East.
    • PacificBrowse all destinations in the Pacific.
  • While you're away
    • When things go wrong
      • Arrested or jailed
      • Lost property
      • Medical assistance
      • Money problems
      • Someone is missing
      • Someone died
    • Crime overseas
      • Assaulted
      • Kidnapped
      • Robbed or mugged
      • Scammed
      • Sexually assaulted
    • Crisis or emergency
      • Demonstration
      • Armed conflict
      • Earthquake
      • Severe weather
      • Terrorist situation
      • Volcanic eruption
      • Bushfire
      • Nuclear incident
    • Australia's biosecurity and border controls
  • Urgent helpLinks to help
  • Our servicesLinks to services
    • Consular Services Charter
      • ميثاق الخدمات القنصلية (Arabic)
      • 领事服务章程 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 領事服務章程 (Chinese Traditional)
      • कांसुलर सेवाओं का चार्टर (Hindi)
      • Panduan Layanan Konsuler (Indonesian)
      • 領事サービス憲章 (Japanese)
      • Karta ng Mga Serbisyo sa Konsulado (Filipino)
      • กฎบัตรว่าด้วยบริการต่าง ๆ ของกงสุล (Thai)
      • Hiến Chương về Dịch Vụ Lãnh Sự (Vietnamese)
    • Travel advice explained
    • Subscription
    • Crises
    • Passport services
    • Notarial services
      • Documents
      • Documents in Australia
      • Documents overseas
      • Certificate of No Impediment
      • Notarial forms
    • Voting overseas
    • Communities
      • العربية (Arabic)
      • Bahasa Indonesia
      • 中文 简体 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 中文繁體 (Chinese Traditional)
      • 日本語 (Japanese)
      • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
      • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
      • Filipino community
      • Indian community
    • Resources
      • Consular State of Play
      • CHOICE travel insurance guide
      • Fact sheet: Travel Smart
      • Fact sheet: Missing overseas
      • Fact sheet: Arrested or jailed overseas
      • Fact sheet: Sexual assault overseas
      • Fact sheet: Death overseas
      • Consular Privacy Collection Statement