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  2. Money problems overseas

Money problems overseas

Last Updated
Friday, 03/06/2022

 

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

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
  • 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.

If you’ve received financial assistance from DFAT

When you sign the Deed accepting financial assistance from DFAT, you're agreeing to repay the loan within six months of the date of the completed Deed. If you experience financial hardship, you can apply for a repayment plan to pay the debt by instalments. You must contact us within 6 months of receiving the load to qualify for a repayment plan.

If your loan falls due while you’re still overseas, contact DFAT to discuss the payment options available to you.

For questions about repaying your debt, contact loan.repayments@dfat.gov.au.

Read more

  • 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 (Services Australia)
  • Find out about receiving Centrelink Payments while outside Australia (Services Australia)
  • Find out about receiving DVA payments while overseas (Department of Veterans' Affairs)

 

Related content

Lost or damaged property overseas

What to do if you're overseas and lose or damage your property.

View details
Arrested or jailed overseas

 

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
    • Armed conflict
    • Earthquake
    • Severe weather
    • Terrorist situation
    • Volcanic eruption
    • Bushfire
    • Nuclear incident
  • Australia's biosecurity and border controls

Was this information helpful?

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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.

About us

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

For more information go to about us.

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  • 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
      • 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
      • Arabic
      • Chinese Simplified
      • Chinese Traditional
      • Indonesian
      • Thai
      • 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