From 1 November, Australia’s international borders will progressively reopen, with fully vaccinated Australians able to depart Australia without applying for an exemption.
In line with this reopening, we’ve removed our global ‘Do not travel’ advisory.
And we’re updating travel advice levels for 178 destinations based on the latest assessment of risk – both COVID-19 and other threats to safety and security.
We’re also issuing a Global COVID-19 Health Advisory with the Department of Health, with advice for vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers.
What are the travel advice levels?
We have four travel advice levels
- Level 1: Exercise normal safety precautions
- Level 2: Exercise a high degree of caution
- Level 3: Reconsider your need to travel
- Level 4: Do not travel
At this stage, no destination will be set lower than Level 2 ‘Exercise a high degree of caution’ due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19. And we’ll continue to advise ‘Do not travel’ for some destinations if there are extreme security and safety risks.
Why do we give each destination a travel advice level?
When you’re planning to travel overseas, it’s your responsibility to be informed about all the destinations you're visiting and to take all precautions for your safety.
COVID-19 remains an ongoing global health risk. Border settings and quarantine requirements are complex and can change at short notice.
Our travel advice helps you assess the level of risk you might face in overseas destinations and understand new requirements. You can then decide if you should travel or what you need to do to travel safely. And be prepared if the situation changes.
How do we determine our advice levels?
Our advice levels are based on a comprehensive assessment of risks you might face when travelling to a certain destination. It takes into account factors such as:
- crime
- terrorism
- health
- medical care
- natural disasters
- and our ability to provide consular assistance to Australians in that destination.
Our diplomatic posts around the world conduct regular reviews of travel advice to ensure it is accurate and up to date.
What’s the connection between travel advice and travel insurance?
Our travel advice levels can affect your travel insurance cover.
Standard travel insurance policies are unlikely to cover destinations with a Level 4 ‘Do not travel’ advisory.
Destinations with advice levels 1 and 2 are usually covered by travel insurance.
But it varies with level 3. At this level, insurance companies may not provide full coverage depending on why the destination has been assessed as ‘reconsider your need to travel’.
It has never been more important to secure travel insurance than in this current environment. You should always check details of your insurance coverage, particularly how it applies to COVID-19 and travel disruptions. You should also check if your destination requires compulsory insurance cover.
More information:
- Read our travel advice, subscribe for updates and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
- See the Foreign Minister’s Media release: Further steps to support Australians to travel abroad
- Read our Global COVID-19 Health Advisory (with link)
- Learn more about travel advice levels
- Read the CHOICE travel insurance buying guide and our general information about travel insurance