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COVID-19 and travel

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  3. When things go wrong overseas
  4. Money problems overseas

Money problems overseas

You're responsible for your finances when you're overseas. If you run out of money while you're away, consider all options for financial support – for example, insurance, family, friends, bank or credit card company, travel agent and employer. 

This page has information on Australian Government payments, international social security and consular services.

The information is general in nature and does not constitute financial advice. You may wish to seek independent personal financial advice specific to your needs from a licensed financial adviser.

Australian Government payments

COVID-19: Overseas financial assistance

If you’ve been unable to return to Australia due to COVID-19 restrictions and are experiencing financial distress, you may be eligible for interest-free loans to cover living costs while you wait for a flight to return to Australia and/or to help cover the costs of a flight to Australia. Find out more on the COVID-19: Overseas financial assistance page.

Centrelink payments

If you're receiving an Australian Government payment and are overseas and unable to return to Australia due to COVID-19, you may be eligible to request a portability extension so you continue to receive your payment. Our Consular Emergency Centre (CEC) can't help you with Centrelink payments. 

  • Contact Services Australia
  • Australians overseas
  • Payments while outside Australia

Other options for financial assistance

There are other options for financial assistance during this time, including:

  • Income support for individuals
  • Payments to support households

Information on these can be found on the Department of Treasury website.

Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) payments

Our Consular Emergency Centre can't help you with your DVA payments. Find out about receiving DVA payments while overseas.

International social security

Australia has agreements with some countries about social security payments. These agreements may help you to claim payments in Australia or the other country.

Check international social security agreements on the Department of Human Services website.

Consular services

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) helps Australians in difficulties overseas. The Consular Services Charter explains what we can and can't do.

We can't loan you money, except in exceptional circumstances.

If you do receive a loan, you may have to surrender your passport after you return to Australia. You might not be able to get a new passport until you repay the debt.

If you need help, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate during local business hours.

In a consular emergency, you can call the 24-hour CEC on +61 2 6261 3305.

Read more

  • Read more about financial assistance for vulnerable Australians overseas who are experiencing financial hardship
  • Find out what to do if you're robbed or mugged overseas.
  • Read what to do when you need medical assistance overseas.
  • If you can't pay your bills, you could be arrested or jailed.
  • See the Consular Services Charter for what we can and can't do to help.

See also

  • Read about international social security agreements (Department of Human Services).
  • Find out about receiving Centrelink Payments while outside Australia (Department of Human Services).
  • Find out about receiving DVA payments while overseas (Department of Veterans' Affairs).

 

Related content

Medical assistance overseas

Getting medical assistance overseas can be challenging and expensive, especially in an emergency. Read our advice on what to do when when you need help.

View details
Someone is missing overseas

Learn what to do if you're worried about the welfare of an Australian overseas. See advice and information about missing persons.

View details
Someone has died overseas

When death happens overseas it can be difficult. During this time, consular staff will do what we can to assist you. However, there are limits to our help.

View details

Main navigation

  • 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
    • Earthquake
    • Severe weather
    • Terrorist situation
    • Volcanic eruption
  • Australia's biosecurity and border controls
    • COVID-19 portal

Contact us

The Australian Government provides 24-hour consular emergency assistance.

+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas

1300 555 135 from within Australia

For non-urgent enquiries, visit the contact page

About us

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

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

For more information go to about us.

Resources

View resources for travel industry and media.

Feedback

To provide feedback on our website or subscription service, email us at smartraveller@dfat.gov.au

To provide feedback on consular services that you have recently received, email consular.feedback@dfat.gov.au

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Main navigation

  • HomeHome
  • Before you go
    • The basics
      • Destinations
      • Passport services
      • Visas
      • Insurance
      • Schengen
      • Travel advice explained
    • Who you are
      • Children
      • Dual nationals
      • LGBTI++
      • Mature
      • School leavers
      • Women
    • Activities
      • Adoption
      • Adventure
      • Backpacking
      • Business
      • Living and working overseas
      • Marriage
      • Studying
      • Surrogacy
      • Volunteering
    • Major events
      • Hajj
      • Ramadan
    • Health
      • Disability
      • Infectious diseases
      • Medical assistance overseas
      • Medical tourism
      • Medication
      • Mental health
      • Pregnancy
      • Reciprocal health
      • Vaccinations
      • Death
    • Staying safe
      • Assault
      • 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
      • Earthquake
      • Severe weather
      • Terrorist situation
      • Volcanic eruption
    • Australia's biosecurity and border controls
      • COVID-19 portal
  • Urgent helpLinks to help
  • Our servicesLinks to services
    • Consular Services Charter
      • Arabic
      • Chinese Simplified
      • Chinese Traditional
      • Indonesian
      • Thai
      • Vietnamese
    • Travel advice explained
    • Subscription
    • Crises
    • Passport services
      • Passports in Australia
      • Passports overseas
    • Notarial services
      • Documents
      • Documents in Australia
      • Documents overseas
      • Certificate of No Impediment
      • Notarial forms
    • Voting overseas
    • Communities
      • العربية (Arabic)
      • 中文 简体 (Chinese Simplified)
      • 中文繁體 (Chinese Traditional)
      • Bahasa Indonesia
      • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
      • (Tiếng Việt) Vietnamese
      • Filipino community
      • Indian community
      • Malaysian community
    • Resources
      • Missing overseas
      • Fact sheet: Arrested or jailed overseas
      • Fact sheet: Sexual assault overseas
      • Fact sheet: Death overseas
      • Fact sheet: Travel Smart
      • Consular Privacy Collection Statement
      • CHOICE travel insurance guide
      • Before you go checklist
  • COVID-19
    • COVID-19
      • Leaving Australia
      • Trying to get home
      • Returning home
      • Staying overseas
      • Overseas financial assistance
      • Overseas financial assistance FAQs
      • General FAQs
      • Registration FAQs