While you’re away

When Australians travel, we're far from our regular support networks. Learn what you can do, and how and when consular services can assist you.

These pages in this section provide information on a range of topics. This includes:

• What do do when when things go wrong overseas
• What happens when you're a victim of a crime overseas
• Advice if there’s a crisis or national emergency in your location
• Consular services and emergency support overseas

These pages are for Australians who are already overseas. They include both urgent and non-urgent matters. If you’re looking for information about how to prevent problems in the first place, see our general advice before you go.

When things go wrong

In most cases when things go wrong, your immediate concern is to ensure your personal safety. You may need to contact local police, ambulance or other emergency services. We list these details in the travel advice for each destination.

Contact your friends and family back home – and your travel insurer. Most insurers have 24-hour emergency lines and processes to help you in a wide range of situations. Topics are:

• how to  get medical assistance
• What to do if you're arrested or jailed
• dealing with money problems
• passport services overseas
• Dealing with lost or damaged property
• What to do if someone is missing
• What do do if someone has died

Victim of a crime overseas

If you, or someone you know, is a victim of a crime overseas, you may need urgent support. This can be from local police, medical professionals or consular services. You can also seek support from family and friends back home, as well as your travel insurer. 

We've prepared practical advice for what to do when there's a crime overseas. Learn what to do if you've been:

• sexually assaulted
• scammed
• robbed or mugged
• assaulted

Crisis and national emergencies

We’ve prepared general advice about what to do when there’s a crisis or national emergency. This includes what to do during, or immediately after, a crisis or emergency. We also explain how and when the Australian Government can help overseas.

See our general advice what to do if in your location there's a:

• hurricane or cyclone
• demonstration or civil unrest
• terrorist incident
• earthquake
• volcanic eruption

Consular services overseas

We deliver a range of consular services for Australians through our embassies, consulates and high commissions overseas. We also provide urgent support through our 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre.

It’s important to understand when it is appropriate to seek support from us. It’s also important to understand the limits of consular support, and in what situations we can and can’t help you.

• Read the Consular Services Charter to understand when and how we can help.
• If urgent, contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre.
• Learn about how to vote while overseas at an embassy, consulate or high commission.
• Learn how to get Australian documents legalised (notarised) overseas.
• See what to do if you have a lost, stolen or damaged passport.
• Find contact details for Australian embassies, consulates and high commissions.

Returning to Australia

We provide advice on reducing your risk of experiencing problems when heading home to Australia. This includes information on customs and quarantine, and where you can find more information.

See our general advice on returning to Australia.