CONTENT|CONTENU

TRAVEL REPORT
Australia

1. RECENT UPDATES

Section 2 has been updated (tsunami watch lifted).

See our Global Issues page for information on the H1N1 Flu Virus.

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There is no Official Warning for this country.

Australia

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Most Canadian visitors to Australia do not experience problems. There are no serious security or safety concerns.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.

Violent crime in Australia is low. However, petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching occurs in larger cities. Vehicle break-ins are common. All travellers should exercise caution in the more popular tourist areas where thieves target foreigners (e.g., St. Kilda in Melbourne; Kings Cross, downtown George Street, Darling Harbour, Bondi Beach and the Rocks areas in Sydney; Cairns and the Gold Coast in Queensland). Hitchhiking should be avoided at all times, and women should not travel alone after dark.

Travellers should be particularly cautious at bars or clubs. Never accept food or drinks from strangers and do not leave food or drinks unattended. Cases of drugging followed by robbery and assault have occurred. The emergency number for police, ambulance, and fire services is 000.

Attacks on backpackers have occurred. Travellers, especially backpackers, should ensure that their personal belongings are secure, particularly in crowded places. Robberies of safe-deposit facilities are common at inexpensive hotels and hostels.

Demonstrations and public protests, which may turn violent, should be avoided.

Many regions in the interior of Australia are remote, with small populations and few services. Overland travellers may have limited access to telephones and other facilities. Flash floods and bushfires occur in many parts of the country. News reports should be monitored carefully. For more information, see the pamphlet entitled Safety Tips for Visitors to Australia published by Tourism Queensland.

Riptides in coastal areas can be strong, including at popular tourist destinations. Travellers should obey the lifeguards, heed flag warnings and should under no circumstances swim when a red flag is displayed.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with Australian authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller’s responsibility to check with the Australian High Commission and its consulates, for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Australia. The passport must be valid for at least the duration of your stay in the country. Canadians must also be in possession of a visa or an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). The ETA has replaced the visa stamp for most tourists or business travellers making a short-term visit to Australia (less than three months). An ETA is obtained directly from any participating travel agent or from an airline reservation office. For detailed information on the ETA, visit the Web site of the Australian Electronic Travel Authority.

Tourist Visa: Required
Business Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required

Canadians intending to study in Australia for more than 12 months must provide a recent medical certificate or report from a doctor as to their current state of health. Medical and radiological examinations are also required. A fee is applicable for all student visas.

For more information, contact the Australian visa information service at 1-905-280-1437.

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A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s license, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

Australia - CANBERRA, High Commission of Canada
Address: Commonwealth Avenue, Canberra ACT, Australia 2600
Tel.: 61 (2) 6270-4000
Fax: 61 (2) 6270-4060
E-Mail: cnbra@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.australia.gc.ca

The High Commission of Canada in Canberra issues passports to Canadian citizens in the states of Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia; in the Australian Capital Territory; in Papua New Guinea; and in the Pacific islands in its jurisdiction (Guam, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, the Northern Marianas, Palau, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu).

Australia - SYDNEY, Consulate General of Canada
Address: Level 5, Quay West Building, 111 Harrington Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
Tel.: 61 (2) 9364-3000
Fax: 61 (2) 9364-3098
E-Mail: sydny@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.australia.gc.ca

The Consulate General of Canada in Sydney issues passports to Canadian citizens in the states of New South Wales and Queensland, and in the Northern Territory.

Limited consular services (providing passport application forms and contact information for other consular, immigration, and visa matters) are available from the Consulate of Canada in Perth and the Consulate of Canada in Melbourne at the following addresses:

Australia - PERTH - , Consulate of Canada
Address: 267 St. George's Terrace, Third Floor, Perth, WA 6000, Australia
Tel.: 61 (8) 9322-7930
Fax: 61 (8) 9261-7706
Internet: http://www.australia.gc.ca

Australia - MELBOURNE, Consulate of Canada
Address: 101 Collins Street, Level 27, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
Tel.: 61 (3) 9653-9674
Fax: 61 (3) 6270-4060
Internet: http://www.australia.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the High Commission of Canada in Canberra or the Consulate General of Canada in Sydney and follow the instructions. You may also call the Department in Ottawa toll-free at 0011-800-2326-6831.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

The standard of healthcare is high, and excellent medical care is available. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

Ross River virus occurs throughout Australia, especially in the northern states and in coastal areas. To avoid the risks of these mosquito-borne diseases, travellers should cover up, use sleeping nets, and apply mosquito repellent.

Intense sunshine year-round in Australia can result in exposure to high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Travellers should protect themselves from extended exposure to the sun and drink plenty of water to avoid complications from sunburn and dehydration.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. However, Canada and Australia are signatories to the European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons which enables a Canadian imprisoned in Australia to request to be transferred to Canada to complete the sentence in a Canadian prison. The transfer requires the agreement of both Canadian and Australian authorities.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Drunk driving laws are strictly enforced. The legal blood alcohol limit in many areas is .05. There is zero tolerance for drinking and driving for provisional driver's licence holders. Possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs may result in jail sentences and heavy fines.

Australia has very strict rules and quarantine measures regarding the importation of food and animal products.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Traffic drives on the left. Exercise caution when driving in rural areas, particularly in the Northern Territory, due to roaming animals, excessive speeding, and "road-trains" (several semi-trailers hooked together). Drivers should pull over and allow oncoming road-trains to pass to avoid being sideswiped. Access to some remote locations may be impossible during inclement weather. Careful planning is required when travelling by car due to the great distances between settlements and many isolated outback areas.  Permits are required when travelling on aboriginal territory.  Ensure that your vehicle is in good repair if travelling on back roads or tracks.

Australia is a vast country with some extremely remote outback destinations that can present unexpected hazards. Carry sufficient supplies of gasoline, water, food staples, and a cellular telephone on trips. Before travelling to remote areas, plan your route carefully and provide a friend or relative with your itinerary. Public transportation is safe and reliable.

An International Driving Permit is not sufficient to drive in Australia. It must be accompanied by a valid overseas driving licence in English or a translated into English by proper authority.

Foreigners are allowed to drive with an overseas licence for a maximum of three months. Canadians who intend to stay in Australia and hold a permanent visa must apply for a local licence. The local authority will only accept an overseas driving licence if the names match exactly those in the passport; if they do not, a replacement licence from Canadian authorities must be obtained before applying for a local Australian licence.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

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The currency is the Australian dollar. Traveller's cheques are accepted at banks or large hotels. Credit cards are accepted, but use may be restricted in small towns and outback areas. Automated banking machines are available in main cities.

Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Australia is located in a seismic zone. Canadians should know the address and telephone number of the High Commission of Canada in Canberra in the event of an emergency.

During times of minimal rainfall, usually from October to April, intense bushfires can occur. Canadians should follow the advice of local authorities and avoid affected or susceptible areas.The cyclone season extends from November to April.

Cyclones may occur along the coastal areas of Queensland, Northern Territory, and Western Australia. Seasonal flooding can affect overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services. Travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.

You are advised to visit the Web site of the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology for information on weather conditions.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Adoption by foreigners is almost impossible in this country or region.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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