On this page:
- Know the local laws when you travel
- Australian laws that apply overseas
- What happens if you break the law
- Bribery of foreign officials
- Discrimination in law enforcement
- Information on specific offences
Know the local laws when you travel
When you travel overseas, all local laws and penalties apply to you. Even those that appear harsh by Australian standards.
Obey the laws of the country you're visiting. It doesn't matter if you don't agree with the law or think it isn't fair. Their laws are their laws. You have to obey them.
Learn the local laws before you go
'I didn't know' is no excuse for breaking the law. It's your responsibility to research the local laws where you're going.
You don't have to know every law. But be aware of the ones that will apply to you and what you plan to do. At the very least, you should know about laws around:
- what you can wear, do and say in public. For example, some countries ban smoking, vaping or chewing gum in public.
- medicines that are controlled or banned. Some prescription or over-the-counter medicines may be illegal where you're going.
- people and places that you can't photograph or film. For example, you may not be able to take photos of official buildings. Most countries have strict laws around drones.
- drugs and alcohol. Many countries have strict drug laws with harsh punishments. The legal drinking age in many countries is higher than in Australia.
- road rules and renting vehicles. For example, you may need an international driver's license. In some countries you need a motorbike license to rent a scooter.
- carrying identification. For example, in some countries, tourists must always carry their passport and visa.
- border and visa rules. For example, some countries forbid doing unpaid work on a tourist visa, such as house sitting or social media influencer content.
Don't assume a country that's culturally similar to Australia has the same laws.
Laws may reflect the local religion and customs. Learning about and respecting the local religion can help you stay within the law.
Local laws for dual nationals
Laws may affect you differently if you're visiting your other country of nationality. You will be treated as a citizen if you break the law. The local authorities may not let the Australian Government help you. Even if you are also an Australian citizen.
See our advice for dual nationals.
How to find out about local laws
- Read the travel advice for your destinations. Each has a section called 'local laws'.
- Read the online advice from the local government for tourists.
- Contact your destination's embassy or consulate in Australia.
- Get legal advice. You may need to find a lawyer in your destination.
Some Australian lawyers can help with international legal advice, including legalising documents. Find an Australian Notary Public.
Australian laws that apply overseas
Some Australian laws apply even when you're overseas. This is called 'Extraterritorial jurisdiction'. For example, laws about:
- money laundering
- bribery of foreign public officials
- terrorism
- human trafficking
- modern slavery
- forced marriage
- child sex offences.
You also risk prosecution under Australian law if you go overseas to engage in hostile activity. For example, fighting with a group that isn't a country's official military. See more about this crime from the Australian Federal Police.
Consular assistance doesn't protect you from the consequences of breaking Australian law. Consular officials have to report serious crimes to the Australian Federal Police.
The Australian Government is committed to bringing Australians to justice when they commit crimes overseas.
What happens if you break the law
If you break the law, you could be arrested and jailed. You'll have to work with the local legal and prison systems.
- Don't expect to be treated differently by authorities just because you're Australian.
- Being underage may not get you lighter treatment. Some countries charge and convict young people the same as adults.
- Australian authorities could arrest you when you return home for a crime you committed overseas.
The Australian Government is limited in how we can help. We can't get you out of trouble, out of jail, or pay your legal bills or fines. Read the Consular Services Charter.
See our information about what happens if you're arrested overseas.
Bribery of foreign officials
Bribery is illegal. You could be arrested for trying.
Bribing a foreign public official is a crime under Australian law. Australian authorities could charge you when you return to Australia.
Bribery can include:
- cash payments
- extravagant gifts
- holidays
- employment for friends or relatives
- school fees paid for friends or relatives.
Cash payments as a 'tip' or 'facilitation payment' are still bribes.
Make sure you know the local slang before you go. If an official asks you for a bribe, in any form or under any slang name, don't do it.
Some slang names for bribery include:
- 'baksheesh' in India and Egypt, in Greece it's 'baksissi'
- 'tea money' in Cambodia and Thailand, or a translation of this
- 'kickback' or 'sweetener' in the US and many western countries
Read more about foreign bribery.
Discrimination in law enforcement
Authorities in other countries may apply the law inconsistently. It may depend on who you are or the situation in which you broke the law.
Some local laws discriminate against certain groups. In particular:
- women and LGBTQIA+ travellers
- people of a specific cultural, ethnic or religious minority.
Different parts of your identity can expose you to overlapping forms of discrimination. This can increase the risks you might face. This is sometimes called intersectionality. Parts of your identity can include your:
- colour
- race
- ethnicity
- religion
- nationality
- age
- gender
- sex
- sexual orientation
- ability
- mental health.
Read this advice along with our advice about colour, race, ethnicity or religion, women, LGBTQIA+, disability, age and mental health to understand the risks you may face.
Information on specific offences overseas
See our pages on specific offences. These are:
These pages are not just for potential offenders. They're also for people concerned that someone they know may be planning to travel overseas to commit a crime.
Read more
- Read the 'local laws' section of the travel advisories for all destinations you travel to or through.
- Read our advice about travelling as a dual national.
- See our advice about what happens if you're arrested or jailed overseas.
See also
- Read more about bribery of foreign officials (AFP) and foreign bribery (Attorney-General's Department).
- It's an offence in Australia for an Australian to commit a crime overseas (Attorney-General's Department).