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Vaccination for international travellers

Ensure that travellers are up to date with routine vaccines. Also consider other vaccines based on travel itinerary, activities and risk of disease exposure.

Recently added

This page was added on  09 June 2018 .

Updates made

This page was updated on 16 August 2024 .  View history of updates

Millions of Australians travel overseas every year. More than half of these trips are to destinations other than New Zealand, North America and Europe. 1

This page helps with making decisions about travel vaccines. Also check the disease-specific chapters in this Handbook for details about specific vaccines.

See also Infographic. Vaccination for international travellers .

Health risks of overseas travel

Health risks associated with international travel include exposure to:

• infective agents
• altitude and temperature extremes
• other physical, psychological and environmental hazards
• poor-quality or limited access to clean water, shelter, hygiene and sanitation facilities, and health and medical care

The level of health risks depends on factors such as:

• the traveller’s underlying physical and mental health and physiological state
• the itinerary and activities undertaken
• the duration of exposure to various hazards during travel

Travellers at increased risk of serious travel-associated infections include:

• young children and infants
• pregnant women
• people with underlying medical conditions, especially immunocompromising conditions due to disease or medical treatment
• people spending extended periods in multiple regions with poor resources or in remote areas
• people participating in events where large numbers of people will gather, such as major sporting, cultural, social or religious events
• migrant families travelling back to their region of origin to visit friends and relatives

Those travelling to visit friends and relatives are more likely to: 2

• have closer contact with local populations
• stay in remote or rural areas
• consume higher-risk food and beverages

Those travelling to visit friends and relatives are less likely to: 2,3

• recognise the health risks associated with travelling
• seek pre-travel health advice
• obtain the recommended vaccines or prophylaxis

Common infections acquired by travellers

Exposure to infectious diseases is one of the many health hazards of international travel. Some of these diseases are vaccine preventable. Although some of these diseases are present in Australia, the risk of acquiring them overseas may be higher because of:

• higher disease incidence in other countries
• increased risk of exposure from participating in certain activities while travelling

Foodborne and waterborne infections

It is common for travellers to ingest contaminated food or beverages, resulting in an illness. 4-6  Practicing safe eating and drinking habits is essential to minimise the risk of contracting food and waterborne diseases while travelling. These include treating water or only drinking bottled water, avoiding undercooked meat, and avoiding raw fruit and vegetables (unless they can be peeled or washed in safe water prior to eating). Most infections are diarrhoeal diseases due to enteric pathogens, but some are due to extra-intestinal microorganisms, such as hepatitis A virus and Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi (causing typhoid).

Vaccines are available against hepatitis A, typhoid and cholera.

Vector-borne infections

Insect-borne — especially mosquito-borne — infections, such as malaria and dengue, are important causes of fever in Australian travellers returning from endemic areas, particularly Southeast Asia and Oceania. 4,6

A dengue vaccine (Dengvaxia) is available for the prevention of secondary dengue infections (not primary prevention of initial dengue infection ) in select individuals. See Clinical advice: ATAGI statement on use of Dengvaxia® for Australians .

Japanese encephalitis occurs throughout much of Asia and the Western Pacific region, including eastern Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. 7 Yellow fever occurs only in parts of Africa and South America, 8 and tick-borne encephalitis occurs in parts of Europe and Asia. 9

Vaccines are available against Japanese encephalitis , yellow fever and tick-borne encephalitis .

Some other vector-borne diseases and parasitic (including protozoal and helminthic) diseases are also important for international travellers. Some are preventable through appropriate barrier precautions and chemoprophylaxis (for example, malaria). 9

Aerosol-borne infections

Vaccine-preventable infections transmitted by aerosols and/or droplets include: 9

• influenza (the most common vaccine-preventable infection among travellers) 10
• meningococcal disease
• varicella (chickenpox)

The incidence of measles and mumps is higher in many overseas countries, including some developed countries, than in Australia.

Tuberculosis is a rare infection in travellers. 11 Expatriates who live in endemic areas for a long time are more likely to acquire tuberculosis than short-term visitors. 12

Vaccines are available against all of these diseases.

Bloodborne and sexually transmitted infections

Some Australian travellers may be at risk from bloodborne and sexually transmissible infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV and mpox (monkeypox). In some areas, healthcare workers using non-sterile medical equipment or other poor infection control practices may transmit these viruses and other bloodborne agents.

Vaccines are available against hepatitis B and mpox.

Exotic infectious agents

Travellers may be exposed to a variety of other exotic infections, such as:

• rabies from bites or scratches from rabid dogs, bats and other mammals in many countries
• schistosomiasis from exposure to water infested with the parasites, especially in Africa
• leptospirosis through activities such as rafting or wading in contaminated streams

Of these diseases, vaccines are available only against rabies.

Recommending travel vaccines

Although recommending appropriate vaccines is important, it is not the only part of a pre-travel medical consultation. Travel vaccines — those relevant for travelling — include all relevant vaccines, not just the ones that prevent diseases that most commonly occur overseas.

Do not recommend a vaccine based only on the destination country, because there is no single ‘correct’ list of vaccines for travel to any particular country.

There are 3 categories of travel vaccines:

• routinely recommended vaccines (not specific to travelling overseas)
• selected vaccines based on travel itinerary, activities and likely risk of disease exposure
• vaccines required by the International Health Regulations 2005 (IHR) or for entry into specific countries

Questions for a pre-travel medical consultation

During a pre-travel medical consultation, ask questions about the traveller’s:

• personal information, including age and whether they are pregnant or planning pregnancy
• underlying medical conditions, particularly immunocompromising conditions, and current medicines
• vaccination history (including adverse events following immunisation) and allergy history
• purpose of travel and intended activities, especially those associated with various environmental risks and hazards
• plans for travel insurance

Also ask about their itinerary in detail, including:

• date of departure and time available for vaccinations
• specific localities and routes
• rural versus urban stay
• duration of stay
• likely access to health care and other services
• likelihood of changing the planned itinerary

This information helps to tailor recommendations about preventive vaccination or chemoprophylaxis for exposure risks during the proposed trip. It also allows the clinician to advise about other appropriate preventive health measures (for example, food and water precautions, avoiding bites from mosquitoes or other arthropods) and about managing possible health conditions during travel.

Organisational requirements for vaccination

Some overseas organisations, such as schools, colleges and universities, require evidence of vaccination or immunity against some vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles and meningococcal disease. Consider these requirements when planning and scheduling vaccines before departure.

Routinely recommended vaccines (not specific to travelling overseas)

Vaccinate all prospective travellers according to the recommended vaccination schedule appropriate for their age, underlying health conditions, occupation and lifestyle. Vaccines might include, for example, pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine for an older person, or hepatitis B vaccine for a first aid officer. 

Also ensure that all children are vaccinated according to the National Immunisation Program schedule. In exceptional circumstances, give the National Immunisation Program vaccines at the minimum age rather than the recommended age (see Table. Minimum acceptable age for the 1st dose of scheduled vaccines in infants in special circumstances ). Children vaccinated using the minimum age rather than the recommended age may need extra vaccine doses to ensure adequate protection. Observe the minimum interval requirements between doses (see Table. Minimum acceptable dose intervals for children <10 years of age ). The chances of being exposed to some diseases, such as measles and mumps, may be greater during overseas travel, even to other developed countries.

For some itineraries, it may be appropriate for the traveller to receive some booster doses earlier than the routine recommended time. An example may be diphtheria-tetanus booster.

Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis

Vaccinate adult travellers against tetanus before departure, particularly if:

• their risk of sustaining a tetanus-prone wound is high
• there could be delays in accessing health services where they can receive tetanus toxoid boosters safely, if required

Offer dTpa vaccine during a pre-travel consultation if the traveller has never received a dose of dTpa . This provides protection against pertussis (see Pertussis ). 

For high-risk travel, consider giving a booster dose of either dTpa or dT vaccine if more than 5 years have passed (see Tetanus ).

Hepatitis B

Most Australian children born since 2000 have been vaccinated against hepatitis B under the National Immunisation Program or state and territory school-based vaccination programs.

Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for long-term or frequent travellers to regions of intermediate or high endemicity of hepatitis B, including:

• Central and South America

This is because travellers may be exposed to hepatitis B virus through bloodborne routes (including during emergency medical or dental procedures) or sexual routes. According to 1 survey, about half of Australian travellers who spent at least 3 nights in Southeast or East Asia participated in at least 1 activity that had a risk of hepatitis B transmission. 13

See also Hepatitis B .

Influenza, pneumococcal disease, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Older travellers and those with any relevant underlying medical or behavioural risk factors should receive pneumococcal vaccine. See Pneumococcal disease for more details.

Older travellers and those with medical risk factors for severe RSV disease should receive RSV vaccine.

See also RSV for more details.

Consider influenza vaccine for all travellers, especially if they are travelling to a region during its influenza season. Influenza vaccine is particularly relevant if:

• there is an influenza epidemic at the traveller’s destination
• the person is travelling in a large tourist group, especially one that includes older people
• the person is travelling on cruises, where people are relatively confined for days to weeks

See also Influenza for more details. 

Measles, mumps and rubella

Inadequately vaccinated young adult travellers are responsible for most current measles outbreaks in Australia. This occurs when they acquire the infection overseas and bring it back to Australia. Some countries, regions or communities — including developed countries — have a higher incidence of measles and mumps than Australia. 9

Australians born during or since 1966 who have not received the recommended 2 doses of MMR (measles-mumps-rubella)–containing vaccines are recommended to receive MMR vaccine before travelling. This also applies to infants 6–12 months old travelling to areas with measles outbreaks or where measles is endemic . The exception is for pregnant women, because MMR is a live vaccine and is contraindicated in pregnancy. 

People born before 1966 do not need to receive measles-containing vaccine (unless serological evidence indicates that they are not immune). This is because circulating measles virus and disease were prevalent before 1966, so most people would have acquired immunity from natural infection .

However, confirmed cases of measles have occurred in people born before 1966. 14 If in doubt about a person’s immunity, it may be faster and easier to vaccinate the person than conduct serological testing . See Serological testing for immunity to measles . 

See also Measles . 

Unvaccinated travellers are recommended to receive varicella vaccine if they either:

• have not had clinical disease, or
• have an uncertain history of clinical disease and serology shows a lack of immunity 

The exception is for pregnant women, because varicella vaccine is a live vaccine and is contraindicated in pregnancy.

See also Varicella .

Meningococcal disease

Vaccination against meningococcal serogroups A, C, W-135, Y and B is recommended for certain age and population groups who are at increased risk of meningococcal disease.

In addition, MenACWY (quadrivalent meningococcal) vaccine is recommended for people who are:

• planning travel to, or living in, parts of the world where epidemics of serogroup A, C, W-135 or Y meningococcal disease occur, particularly the ‘meningitis belt’ of sub-Saharan Africa 15
• planning travel to mass gatherings, such as pilgrims travelling to the Hajj in Saudi Arabia

Seek up-to-date epidemiological information to determine whether a traveller needs meningococcal vaccination. See Accessing up-to-date travel information.

The Saudi Arabian authorities require that all pilgrims travelling to Mecca (for the Hajj or Umra) have evidence of recent vaccination with the quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine. 16  See Requirements for travellers to Mecca and Accessing up-to-date travel information .

See also Meningococcal disease .

Poliomyelitis

Ensure that all travellers are age-appropriately vaccinated against polio (see Poliomyelitis ).

If the person is travelling to a country where wild poliovirus is still circulating, they should receive inactivated poliovirus ( IPV ) vaccine if they have not completed a 3-dose primary course of any polio vaccine. Travellers who have completed the primary course should receive a single booster dose.

The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Polio Eradication Initiative website website has an up-to-date list of polio-affected countries.

Documented evidence of polio vaccination is not routinely required for travellers under the International Health Regulations. However, documented evidence of vaccination may be temporarily required according to WHO recommendations in response to new evidence of the spread of wild poliovirus (see Vaccines required by the International Health Regulations or for entry into specific countries and Documentation and certificates ).

International polio epidemiology and associated travel requirements can change. Check the Australian Government Department of Health website for current recommendations for Australian travellers .

Ensure that all travellers are age-appropriately vaccinated against COVID-19. Foreign governments may require evidence of COVID-19 vaccination before a traveller is allowed to enter. The Australian-issued International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate is a secure way to prove COVID-19 vaccination history that has been developed to meet agreed international travel standards. Parents and carers of children <14 years of age, adolescents ≥14 years of age and adults can get a copy of their COVID-19 vaccination certificate at any time:

• using their Medicare online account through myGov
• through the Medicare Express Plus mobile app
• by calling 1800 653 809 (free call)

See also COVID-19 .

Vaccines based on travel itinerary, activities and likely risk of disease exposure

Use a risk assessment approach when recommending travel vaccines. Weigh the potential risks of disease exposure and protective benefits from vaccination against potential adverse effects, and the non-financial and financial costs of vaccination.

Prioritise vaccines for diseases that are:

• common and of significant impact, such as influenza and hepatitis A
• less common, but have severe potential adverse outcomes, such as Japanese encephalitis and rabies

Consider booster doses, where appropriate (see disease-specific chapters in this Handbook for recommendations). If the person is departing for travel soon, consider an accelerated schedule, if appropriate, such as for hepatitis B vaccine or the combination hepatitis A-hepatitis B vaccine (see Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B ). Although immunity may be established sooner with the accelerated schedule, people who receive an accelerated schedule need another dose about a year later to complete the course and ensure long-term protection.

Most travellers do not need cholera vaccine. 16,17  The risk of a traveller acquiring cholera is very low if they avoid contaminated food and water.

No country requires travellers to have certification of cholera vaccination. No country has official entry requirements for cholera vaccination

See also Cholera .

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all travellers ≥1 year of age travelling to moderately or highly endemic countries (including all developing countries). The exceptions are people who have evidence of natural immunity after previous infection .

Normal human immunoglobulin is no longer used to protect travellers against hepatitis A.

See also Hepatitis A .

Japanese encephalitis

While now considered an emerging disease in Australia, Japanese Encephalitis is more likely in travellers to endemic regions overseas. 18 Japanese encephalitis ( JE ) vaccine is recommended for travellers spending a month or more in endemic areas in Asia, Papua New Guinea or the outer islands of Torres Strait during the JE virus transmission season.

Consider JE vaccination for shorter-term travellers, particularly if:

• travel is during the wet season 
• travel may be repeated
• the person will spend a lot of time outdoors 
• the person’s accommodation has no air-conditioning, screens or bed nets

Check a reputable source before travel for information about JE virus activity — for example, Health Information for International Travel (the ‘Yellow Book’) . 19

A traveller’s overall risk of acquiring JE in these JE - endemic countries is likely to be low (<1 case per 1 million travellers). Determine the specific risk according to the: 17

• season of travel
• regions visited 
• duration of travel
• extent of outdoor activity
• extent to which the person avoids mosquito bites 

See also Japanese encephalitis .

Before travel to rabies- endemic regions, advise people about:

• the risk of rabies infection
• avoiding close contact with wild, stray and domestic animals — especially dogs, cats, monkeys and bats 
• the importance of appropriate immediate wound care of all animal bites and scratches 

See also Rabies and other lyssaviruses, including Australian bat lyssavirus .

Recommendations for rabies vaccination as pre-exposure prophylaxis

When deciding whether to give a pre-travel prophylactic rabies vaccination, assess the:

• likelihood of exposure to potentially rabid animals
• access to appropriate health care and availability of post-exposure prophylaxis , including rabies immunoglobulin , should there be an at-risk exposure
• timeliness of access to health care after exposure

Use a lower threshold for recommending rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis for children travelling to endemic areas.

Benefits of vaccination as pre-exposure prophylaxis

Pre-travel rabies vaccination:

• ensures that the traveller has received a safe and efficacious vaccine
• simplifies the management of a subsequent exposure because the person will need fewer doses of vaccine
• means that rabies immunoglobulin — which is often extremely expensive, and difficult or even impossible to obtain in many developing countries — is not needed
• reduces the urgency of post-exposure prophylaxis

Mpox is a viral zoonotic illness caused by monkeypox virus . Previously, mpox was endemic to rainforest areas of Central and West Africa. Since 2022, there has been a multi-country outbreak in regions that are not endemic for mpox, including Australia. Mpox is often transmitted through close, sustained physical contact, with cases in the global outbreak primarily involving sexual contact.

Vaccination is recommended only for specific population groups at risk of exposure (See Mpox ). If travellers are eligible for mpox vaccination, they should receive two doses of mpox MVA-BN vaccine (JYNNEOS) before travel. 

Tick-borne encephalitis

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is caused by a tick-borne RNA flavivirus. The disease may involve the central nervous system. TBE is prevalent in parts of central and northern European temperate regions, and across northern Asia. Travellers are at risk when hiking or camping in forested areas in endemic regions during the summer months.

Safe and effective vaccines are available. Vaccination is recommended only for people with a high risk of exposure.

TBE vaccine is not registered in Australia, but a small stock of vaccine may be available for use under the Special Access Scheme .

Tuberculosis

Vaccination with BCG (bacille Calmette–Guérin) vaccine is generally recommended for tuberculin-negative children <5 years of age who will be staying in high-risk countries for an extended period (3 months or longer).

Vaccinating older children and adults appears to be less beneficial. However, consider vaccinating tuberculin-negative children aged ≥5 years but <16 years who may be living or travelling for long periods in high-risk countries.

A high-risk country is one that has a tuberculosis incidence of >40 per 100,000 population.

For travellers who need BCG vaccine, consider the following precautions when scheduling their vaccination visits:

• If possible, give BCG vaccine at least 3 months before the person will arrive in an endemic area.
• Give other live viral vaccines (for example, MMR , varicella, yellow fever) at the same time or with a minimum 4-week interval after BCG vaccination.
• A tuberculin skin test (TST; Mantoux), performed by trained and accredited healthcare practitioners, is recommended before receiving BCG vaccine for all individuals (except infants aged <6 months).
• People may suppress reactions to tuberculin for 4–6 weeks after viral infections or live viral vaccines, particularly measles infection and measles-containing vaccines.

State and territory tuberculosis services can provide tuberculin skin tests and BCG vaccine.

See also Tuberculosis .

Typhoid vaccine may be recommended for travellers ≥2 years of age travelling to endemic regions, including: 

• the Indian subcontinent
• most Southeast Asian countries 
• several South Pacific nations, including Papua New Guinea 

This advice is also relevant for those travelling to endemic regions to visit friends and relatives.

Inactivated parenteral and live oral typhoid vaccine formulations are available.

See also Typhoid fever .

Yellow fever

Yellow fever vaccine is recommended for all people ≥9 months of age travelling to, or living in, an area with a risk of yellow fever virus transmission. 20

To minimise the risk of introducing yellow fever, some countries require documented evidence of yellow fever vaccination for entry, in line with the International Health Regulations (see Vaccines required by the International Health Regulations or for entry into specific countries ).

When assessing the need for yellow fever vaccination, consider:

• the risk of the person being infected with yellow fever virus
• country entry requirements
• individual factors such as age, pregnancy and underlying medical conditions 

Vaccination is generally not recommended for travel to areas with a low probability of yellow fever virus exposure — that is: 

• where human yellow fever cases have never been reported 
• where evidence suggests only low levels of yellow fever virus transmission in the past 

However, consider vaccination for a small subset of travellers to lower-risk areas who are at increased risk of exposure to mosquitoes or who are unable to avoid mosquito bites. 20

People aged ≥60 years are at increased risk of severe adverse events after primary yellow fever vaccination. Weigh the adverse effects of vaccinating people in this age group against the potential for yellow fever virus exposure and, in turn, the benefits of vaccination. 17

See also Yellow fever .

Booster doses

Most people do not need a booster dose of yellow fever vaccine. A single dose induces protective antibody levels that last for many decades. However, certain people are recommended to receive a booster if their last dose was more than 10 years ago and they are at ongoing risk of yellow fever virus infection . See Yellow fever .

Vaccines required by the International Health Regulations or for entry into specific countries

Yellow fever requirements.

The International Health Regulations require yellow fever vaccination for travelling in certain circumstances. This is to:

• protect travellers who are likely to be exposed to yellow fever 
• stop importation of the virus into countries that have the relevant vectors (see Yellow fever ).

Some countries may require documented evidence of yellow fever vaccination as a condition of entry or exit (see Planning and documenting vaccines ). This includes countries that do not currently have yellow fever circulating.

Australia’s yellow fever travel requirements are detailed in the Australian Government Department of Health’s yellow fever fact sheet .

Contact the relevant embassies or consulates in Australia to confirm the entry requirements for yellow fever vaccination for the countries a traveller intends to enter or transit through. 

Requirements for travellers to Mecca

Each year, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health publishes the requirements and recommendations for entry visas for travellers on pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj and Umra). 16

For pilgrims travelling directly from Australia, only evidence of MenACWY vaccination is currently mandatory. However, check the current requirements when advising prospective Hajj and Umra pilgrims (see Meningococcal disease and Accessing up-to-date travel information ).

Temporary requirements

The International Health Regulations may temporarily introduce requirements for other vaccine-preventable diseases in response to changes in disease epidemiology that are of international health concern. An example is for polio vaccination.

Because country vaccination requirements are subject to change at any time, confirm all current vaccination requirements for the countries a traveller intends to enter or transit through before travel. See Poliomyelitis and Accessing up-to-date travel information .

Planning and documenting vaccines

Ideally, start vaccination courses early enough before departure to allow:

• monitoring of any possible adverse events 
• time for adequate immunity to develop

Requirements for multiple vaccines

A traveller may need multiple vaccines before they depart. Apply the standard recommendations and precautions when giving multiple vaccines (see Administration of vaccines ).

A traveller may need more than 1 clinic visit if they need multiple vaccines or doses (for example, rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis or hepatitis B vaccine). Pay special attention to scheduling of these visits, and consider:

• dose interval precautions (for example, for multiple live vaccines)
• requirements for pre-vaccination tests (for example, tuberculin skin test)
• potential interference by some antimalarials, if relevant (for example, rabies vaccine)

Documentation and certificates

It is important to document travel vaccines: 

• in the clinic’s record
• in the traveller’s record that they can carry with them 
• on the Australian Immunisation Register

The record should also include all the other routinely recommended vaccines that the traveller has ever received. 

For yellow fever vaccination, a traveller needs to have an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP), which only Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres can provide under the International Health Regulations (see Yellow fever ). 

Travellers may also need an ICVP for other vaccine-preventable diseases, such as polio, based on temporary recommendations.

See also Accessing up-to-date travel information .

Vaccinating travellers with special risk factors

See Vaccination for women who are planning pregnancy, pregnant or breastfeeding , Vaccination for people who are immunocompromised and the disease-specific chapters in this Handbook for recommendations for travellers who are pregnant or immunocompromised.

Accessing up-to-date travel information

International travellers’ health risks constantly change. Up-to-date information, and knowledge of the changing epidemiology and current outbreaks of infectious and emerging diseases are essential. Reliable online information sources include:

• World Health Organization (WHO) for disease outbreak news, and its Travel and health section for specific advice on travel and health, including travel vaccination recommendations
• Travelers’ health , United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Travel health information , Australian Government Department of Health
• Smartraveller , the Australian Government’s travel advisory and consular information service, which provides up-to-date advice about health, safety and other risks of specific destinations for Australian travellers

The following resources have comprehensive technical advice on international travel and health, including vaccination:

• the latest edition of WHO’s International travel and health
• the CDC’s Health Information for International Travel (the ‘Yellow Book’)
• Australian Bureau of Statistics. 3401.0 – Overseas arrivals and departures, Australia, Mar 2018 (accessed May 2018). 
• Paudel P, Raina C, Zwar N, et al. Risk activities and pre-travel health seeking practices of notified cases of imported infectious diseases in Australia. Journal of Travel Medicine 2017;24(5):tax044.
• Heywood AE, Watkins RE, Iamsirithaworn S, Nilvarangkul K, MacIntyre CR. A cross-sectional study of pre-travel health-seeking practices among travelers departing Sydney and Bangkok airports. BMC Public Health 2012;12:321.
• Chen LH, Leder K, Barbre KA, et al. Business travel-associated illness: a GeoSentinel analysis. Journal of Travel Medicine 2018;25.
• Angelo KM, Kozarsky PE, Ryan ET, Chen LH, Sotir MJ. What proportion of international travellers acquire a travel-related illness? A review of the literature. Journal of Travel Medicine 2017;24.
• Freedman DO, Weld LH, Kozarsky PE, et al. Spectrum of disease and relation to place of exposure among ill returned travelers. New England Journal of Medicine 2006;354:119-30.
• Halstead SB, Hills SL, Dubischar K. Japanese encephalitis vaccines. In: Plotkin SA, Orenstein WA, Offit PA, Edwards KM, eds. Plotkin's vaccines. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018.
• Staples JE , Monath TP, Gershman MD, Barrett AD. Yellow fever vaccines. In: Plotkin SA, Orenstein WA, Offit PA, Edwards KM, eds. Plotkin's vaccines. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018.
• World Health Organization (WHO). Chapter 6: Vaccine-preventable diseases and vaccines . In: International travel and health. Geneva: WHO; 2017. 
• Steffen R. Travel vaccine preventable diseases-updated logarithmic scale with monthly incidence rates. Journal of Travel Medicine 2018;25.
• Denholm JT, Thevarajan I. Tuberculosis and the traveller: evaluating and reducing risk through travel consultation. Journal of Travel Medicine 2016;23.
• Lachish T, Tenenboim S, Schwartz E. 35 - Humanitarian Aid Workers. In: Keystone JS, Kozarsky PE, Connor BA, et al., eds. Travel Medicine (Fourth Edition). London: Elsevier; 2019. (Accessed 6 July 2023). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780323546966000355
• Leggat PA, Zwar NA, Hudson BJ. Hepatitis B risks and immunisation coverage amongst Australians travelling to Southeast Asia and East Asia. Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease 2009;7:344-9.
• Winkler NE, Dey A, Quinn HE, et al. Australian vaccine preventable disease epidemiological review series: measles, 2012-2019. Commun Dis Intell (2018) 2022;46.
• World Health Organization (WHO). Epidemic meningitis control in countries of the African meningitis belt, 2017. Weekly Epidemiological Record 2018;93:173-84.
• World Health Organization (WHO). International travel and health: health conditions for travellers to Saudi Arabia for the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) . 2017 (accessed May 2018). 
• Freedman DO, Chen LH. Vaccines for International Travel. Mayo Clinic Proceedings 2019;94:2314-39.
• Furuya-Kanamori L, Gyawali N, Mills DJ, et al. The Emergence of Japanese Encephalitis in Australia and the Implications for a Vaccination Strategy. Trop Med Infect Dis 2022;7.
• Hills SL, Rabe IB, Fischer M. Infectious diseases related to travel: Japanese encephalitis . In: CDC yellow book 2018: health information for international travel. New York: Oxford University Press; 2017. 
• World Health Organization (WHO). International travel and health (accessed Apr 2018). 

Page history

Updates to reflect new recommendations for RSV vaccines, Abrysvo and Arexvy. 

Updates to reflect availability of the mpox vaccine, JYNNEOS. Updates to include recommendations for use of JYNNEOS in specific populations, including travellers in risk groups. 

Minor updates to clinical guidance around routinely recommended vaccines (not specific to travelling overseas), including the addition of advice regarding COVID-19.

Editorial update to reflect changes to pneumococcal vaccine recommendations for older adults and people with medical risk factors.

Guidance on vaccination of travellers against measles, mumps and rubella updated to reflect advice in the Measles chapter.

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The Department of Health and Aged Care acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to all Elders both past and present.

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Travel health

It’s important to prepare before travelling, especially when going overseas, to avoid diseases and other health issues. Find out where to go for travel health advice and what we’re doing to help Australian travellers stay healthy.

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Before you leave

Overseas travel can be a great experience, but it can also expose you to serious infectious diseases. Plan and prepare your travel to stay safe:

• Research your destinations on the Smartraveller website.
• See a doctor for medical advice and to find out what vaccinations you need for travel .
• Understand how to avoid infection risks – see travel health advice for tips.
• Use the health checklist before you go to make sure you’ve covered everything.

Also see our guidance on international travel and COVID-19 .

If you are planning to get medical or dental treatment, do some research first. For tips on how to reduce your risk, see going overseas for a medical procedure .

While you travel

When you are overseas you should take steps to reduce your risk of infectious diseases:

• Keep up to date about health risks with Smartraveller subscriber alerts .
• Protect yourself from insect-borne diseases and diseases spread by animals .
• Practice good personal hygiene  and food safety .
• Avoid contaminated food and water.
• Avoid unprotected sex (and understand what safe sex means).
• Avoid activities such as tattooing or sharing needles, to reduce your risk of blood-borne diseases .

If you need a doctor, medicine or mental health support, see medical help overseas to find out what to do. 

You cannot claim Medicare for telehealth or other services while you are overseas, even if the healthcare provider is in Australia.

When you return

If you become unwell:

• before your trip home – see a doctor
• on your way home – tell your flight or vessel crew or visit your vessel’s medical centre
• while in the airport or seaport – tell a biosecurity officer 
• in the weeks after you return home – see a doctor and tell them where you travelled.

Find out what symptoms to watch out for when you return .

If you are concerned about a disease, talk to a doctor or contact your state or territory health department .

What we’re doing about travel health

We provide information for travellers to help them avoid infectious diseases and other health-related issues. Our work to support vaccination services helps to keep travellers safe.

We also work to reduce the risk of diseases entering Australia through international travel. Find out about:

• our role in biosecurity at the border
• Australia’s international biosecurity obligations .

Programs and resources

Travelling with medicines and medical devices.

Watch this video to find out what to do when preparing for your trip and going through border control. It also tells you about the requirements that may apply when coming to Australia.

Medical Treatment Overseas Program

If you are travelling overseas for life-saving medical treatment not available in Australia, you can apply for financial help under this program.

Guidelines for yellow fever vaccination providers

These guidelines help health practices seeking to become yellow fever vaccination centres. Doctors and eligible nurse practitioners must complete a course and become accredited.

Support services

Smartraveller

Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

Travel and COVID-19

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If you develop symptoms such as severe shortness of breath or chest pain, call triple zero (000) immediately. Tell the phone operator and the paramedics on arrival if you have COVID-19.

How to avoid catching COVID-19 including getting vaccinated, wearing masks and physical distancing.

Does Australia have COVID-19 travel restrictions?

Travelling to australia.

People travelling to Australia no longer need to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result.

Some countries, airlines and ships may have their own testing, vaccination and face-mask rules. You should check with them before travelling.

During your travel to Australia, you’re encouraged to wear a face mask to reduce your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19.

For more information, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

Travelling interstate

You can freely travel within and between Australia’s states and territories. However, some remote communities may restrict who can enter and leave them.

Learn more about travelling in Australia:

• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• South Australia
• Western Australia

Do other countries have COVID-19 travel restrictions?

Some countries may have COVID-19 entry and exit rules. You may need to:

• show proof of COVID-19 vaccination
• show proof of a negative COVID-19 test result
• show proof of COVID-19 travel insurance
• quarantine for a certain time on arrival

Related topics

COVID-19 testing

Learn about COVID-19 testing, including when to get tested, what test you should use and what to do if you test positive to COVID-19.

• COVID-19 vaccination

Find out who can get the COVID-19 vaccine, including whether it's safe during pregnancy or for older people, and when and where you can get vaccinated.

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• Minister for Foreign Affairs
• Minister for Women

Senator the Hon Marise Payne

• Media Releases
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This content has been archived.

Further steps to support australians to travel abroad.

• Media release

Australians can now prepare for safe overseas travel when borders progressively re-open from 1 November, with the Australian Government reinstating country-specific travel advice levels for 177 destinations.

The updated country-specific travel advice will allow Australians planning to travel overseas to assess risks, understand requirements, and prepare to travel safely. It will also help Australians to access travel insurance more readily.

While fully vaccinated Australians will be able to depart Australia without an exemption from 1 November, all travellers will need to be aware of risks and take care, regardless of where they travel, while COVID-19 remains an ongoing global health risk.

Smartraveller’s ‘Do not travel’ global advisory has been removed. This advisory was put in place for all destinations in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 health risks and significant disruption to global travel.

Under the travel advice framework announced today, no destination will be set lower than level 2 ‘Exercise a high degree of caution’, given the ongoing COVID-19 health risks and the continuing complexities of international travel.

Border settings and quarantine requirements in other countries continue to change. We strongly encourage Australians to closely monitor the Australian Government’s travel advice available on  smartraveller.gov.au .

Australians will also need to consider the requirements of airlines, transit and destination countries, as well as return arrangements to Australia in making decisions on when and where to travel abroad. Many of these requirements are subject to change at short notice given COVID-19 situations.

Fully vaccinated Australians who want to travel overseas can download the International COVID Vaccine Certificate via MyGov to provide internationally recognised proof of their COVID-19 vaccinations. 

We know it has been a difficult 18 months for Australians overseas trying to return, and for Australians with family and friends overseas.

The changes announced today are a vital next step in re-uniting Australian families and safely re-opening Australia to the world.

Media enquiries

VIDEO : All you need to know about the most recent travel advice and going overseas

• X (formerly Twitter)

Australia's borders will begin reopening from next week after more than a year and a half of isolation. Here's Kirsten Aiken on the most recent travel advice.

• Travel and Tourism (Lifestyle and Leisure)

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Travelling overseas

Planning your overseas trip, leaving australia, while you’re overseas, returning to australia, thank you for your feedback.

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Warnings and insurance

Before you travel.

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see  general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see  general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about  safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and  get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out  more about  FCDO  travel advice .

Follow and contact  FCDO  travel on  Twitter ,  Facebook  and  Instagram . You can also sign up to  get email notifications  when this advice is updated.

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Taking care of your health.

This page gives travel health advice for all Australians.

This page only gives general advice. Always talk to your healthcare providers for advice specific to you and your situation.

Read this page along with our travel advice for your destinations . Also see the Australian Government's travel health advice (HealthDirect).

On this page

• the risk of getting sick overseas
• health checklist before you go
• taking care of your health while you're away
• how the Australian Government can help overseas

The risk of getting sick overseas

Getting sick overseas can affect your health in the short and long term. It can also affect your safety and finances. Medical care overseas can be expensive.

Anyone can get sick or injured overseas. Even if you're usually fit and healthy. Your health is your responsibility.

Health risks

Travel health risks include:

• infectious diseases
• worsening of pre-existing illnesses, including mental health conditions
• injury from accidents
• heat-, cold- and altitude-related illness
• allergic reactions
• illnesses such as stroke or heart attack.

If you return to Australia with an infectious disease , you put other people at risk. Including your family and friends.

See the World Health Organisation (WHO) advice on health risks for travellers .

Financial risks

You could face high medical costs if you get sick or injured.

You can't access Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) overseas. You, your family or travel insurer  will have to pay for your medical care.

• Hospital stays overseas often cost thousands of dollars per day.
• They may need to quarantine you if you've caught an infectious disease. This can cost even more.
• You may not get treatment if you can't pay your bill upfront. Even in a medical emergency.
• You could be arrested if you can't pay for the treatment you've received.

Learn more about  money problems  while you're away.

It isn't just medical care you'll have to pay for. Costs can also include:

• loss of prepaid activities
• cancellation fees for booked activities, flights or accommodation
• extra food and accommodation for people travelling with you while you're being treated
• flight changes.

Health checklist before you go

• Research your destination
• Get travel insurance
• Talk to your doctor
• Prepare your medicines and medical supplies
• Think about what activities you're planning

1. Research your destination

Health risks can vary between countries. Know the risks so you can make informed choices about where you go, what you do there and what preventive measures you can take.

Start by reading our  travel advice for your destinations . Each has a heading for 'Health' that covers some of the key things you need to know.

Then, read travel guides, do online research and talk to people you know who've been there before. For each destination you're travelling to or through, find out about:

• infectious diseases  there
• other types of health risks, such as altitude sickness or injuries from car crashes
• availability and quality of  health care , medical facilities and  medicines
• local attitudes towards  disability , and the availability of accessible accommodation
• local attitudes and laws around  mental  health , and the availability of mental health support
• laws about medication. If your medicine is illegal, you could be  arrested or jailed .

Avoid countries with a higher risk of infectious diseases if a medical condition increases your risk. For example, if you have a suppressed immune system.

If there's a major disease outbreak where you're going, don't go. Wait until the risk has passed. Going will put yourself and others at risk.

If you plan to go to a destination with a ' Do not travel ' warning, you're putting yourself at serious risk. You could die. Take our advice levels seriously. The Australian Government may be unable to help you if things go wrong.

2. Get travel insurance

Health cover is one of the main reasons Australians get travel insurance . It won't prevent you from getting sick or injured. But it can prevent you from suffering financially.

You must pay for all medical care you receive overseas. You can't expect to get subsidised care through your destination's public health system like in Australia.

If you have a terminal illness, you may not be able to get basic travel insurance. But you may be able to find a specialised insurer that covers you for health, accidents or property loss unrelated to your illness. Talk to your insurer to find out.

Make sure you choose a policy that's right for you. Read our advice on how to choose the right insurance . Also see the CHOICE travel insurance buying guide .

3. Talk to your doctor

Your doctor can give you advice that's specific to your healthcare needs.

See your doctor 6 to 8 weeks before you go. You need enough time to act on their advice. Ask for practical advice on how to stay healthy while you're away.

• Ask if it's safe for you to travel. Especially if you're a mature traveller or have a pre-existing condition. Specialised care may be hard to find overseas.
• Tell your doctor where you're going. Ask what unique risks you may face and which countries you may want to avoid.
• Ask what travel vaccinations they suggest. And check that your regular vaccinations are up-to-date.
• If you plan to travel while pregnant , talk to your obstetrician. They can tell you how to reduce risks to you and your unborn child.
• If you're travelling with children , check their childhood vaccinations are current. Ask about any health issues that may affect them where you're going.

Also, ask how to protect yourself against other risks like:

• insect-borne illnesses, such as malaria
• food- and water-borne illnesses
• blood clots (deep vein thrombosis) during long-haul travel
• environmental risks such as altitude or temperature.

Read our advice on preventing infectious diseases . Also see more about immunisation for travel (Department of Health).

4. Prepare your medicines and medical supplies

Take a small first aid kit with you. Include things like:

• headache tablets
• antiseptic lotion
• cotton wool
• waterproof band-aids
• SPF 30-50+ sunscreen
• insect repellent.

If you take regular medicine, plan how to access it while you're away. Ideally, take enough medicine for your whole trip. You may have challenges refilling your script or finding medical supplies overseas.

Your medicine may not be available or legal where you're going. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicine. Find out the local laws before you go.

If you have to buy medicines overseas, check the strength of the medicine and the active ingredients with a doctor or pharmacist there. It may be different to what you're used to. Beware of imitation or counterfeit medicines.

Read our advice about travelling with  medicine and medical equipment .

5. Think about what you're planning to do

The activities you're planning to do overseas can affect your health. Your health also affects what activities you can do safely.

This doesn't just apply to adventurous activities like bungee jumping or skydiving. It also applies to going on a cruise , driving a car or motorcycle , partying , working & and more.

• Research your destination, including safety regulations.
• Look into any tour or service providers you're using. Ensure they have a good reputation.
• Research the activity you plan to do. Find out if it commonly leads to particular health problems, especially injuries.
• Check your travel insurance policy. Basic policies don't cover you for higher-risk activities. You may be surprised by what some policies exclude. Some will only cover your activity if you pay extra.

If you're going overseas for a medical procedure, choose your hospital and surgeon wisely. Read our advice on medical tourism and organ transplant tourism .

Taking care of your health while you're away

You'll enjoy your time overseas more if you don't get sick or injured. You can make choices that reduce your risks while you're there.

• Wash your hands often. Or use hand sanitiser.
• Eat and drink safe food and water.
• Protect yourself against insect bites.
• Use sunscreen and other sun protection.
• Take action to prevent blood clots caused by long-haul travel.
• Take action to prevent illnesses related to heat, cold, and altitude.
• Practice safer sex.
• Wear a helmet and proper protective clothing when riding a scooter.
• Follow road rules and drive defensively. Particularly if you're unfamiliar with the traffic conditions.
• Choose tattoo, piercing and medical providers with high safety and hygiene standards.

Always check the condition of

• safety gear provided for activities
• any vehicles you hire, including scooters and quad bikes.

Check the gear or vehicle before you use it. Don't use it if you're not comfortable with the condition. Go elsewhere.

Get medical advice if you feel unwell overseas or when you get back to Australia. Know how to get medical care where you're travelling.

How the Australian Government can help

The Australian Government is limited in when and how it can help Australians overseas. You're responsible for your own health overseas. It's up to you, your family or your travel insurer to organise and pay for any  medical care  you need.

For more information about how we can help , see the Consular Services Charter.

What we can do

• We can give you or your family a list of local hospitals or doctors that speak English.
• We can give you or your family a list of local lawyers who speak English.
• We can publish some information about health risks and local emergency contact numbers for your  destination .

What we can't do

• We can't pay your medical bills for you or loan you  money .
• We can't recommend hospitals, doctors or lawyers.
• We can't organise or provide you with health care or medicines.
• Learn how to reduce your risk from  infectious diseases .
• Read about travelling with  medication and medical equipment .
• Learn how to look after your  mental health .
• Some medical emergencies in certain countries are covered by  reciprocal healthcare agreements .
• Understand what happens if you die overseas .
• See our advice for  travelling with a disability .
• Learn how to take care of your health at sea if you're  going on a cruise .
• Choose the right  travel insurance  that covers your health.
• Research your planned activities  to reduce the risk of getting injured.
• Know how to get  medical care overseas .
• Understand how and when the Australian Government can help overseas. Read the  Consular Services Charter .
• See  travel health information  and  travel health advice  (Department of Health).
• Read  advice on overseas travel  (Victorian Department of Health and Human Services).
• Read the  Staying healthy when travelling overseas  factsheet (NSW Department of Health).
• See country and disease-specific  advice for travellers  (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Related content

Many countries don't have the same access, services or support for people with disabilities as Australia. Learn more about travelling with a disability.

Learn about travelling overseas with a mental health condition. Read our advice on what you can do to reduce the risk of having problems while you're away.

No matter who you are, where you're going and what you're doing, get travel insurance. Learn how to choose a policy that's right for you.

• Travel Advice

Federal Government to crackdown on Australian airlines

It’s something Aussie passengers have been waiting a very long time for following a massive move that will see airlines forced to compensate customers.

Qantas sells 300 first class fares by mistake

First class passenger’s brazen act divides

China’s big move as Qantas pulls out

Australian airline customers could soon receive compensation for delayed and cancelled flights under a major overhaul of passenger protections.

It’s something Aussie travellers have long battled with airlines over but that could soon change with the Albanese Government planning to establish a new watchdog — The Aviation Industry Ombudsman — to clamp down on the sector.

The external dispute resolution service would be able to force airlines and airports to provide compensation to consumers, publish reports on airline and airport behaviour — naming and shaming companies doing the wrong thing — and refer alleged misconduct to authorities.

Under the scheme, airlines will also have to explain the reasons behind flight disruptions as part of their regular reporting to the Federal Government.

The government has been examining options to hold airlines accountable amid an influx of passenger frustrations following cancelled flights and difficulties extracting refunds or travel credits out of the carriers.

It plans to pass laws for the creation of the new watchdog next year, with an interim Ombudsman to be appointed in the meantime.

The reforms will be announced at a press conference in Parliament House on Monday morning.

Adam Glezer, from Consumer Champion , has pushed for a compensation scheme for four years.

“This is something I have been pushing for since 2020,” he said. ”It is definitely a step in the right direction.

“I’ve spoken to thousands of people that have been frustrated due to significant flight delays and cancellations and have been offered absolutely nothing in return.”

He said the lengthy refund process causes passengers significant amounts of stress and has had some clients battle for close to two years to navigate their way through the “minefield of a refund”.

“They have spent years attempting to get a refund because the process is so difficult.”

“I am ecstatic the penny has finally dropped with the government and they’ve realised that customers need rights.”

Currently, Australia’s reimbursement offers are behind the rest of the world, with the UK, Europe and Canada all offering compensation models.

For example – inconvenienced passengers in Europe are entitled to between $A386 and $A926 (depending on the distance of the flight), if a flight is delayed by at least three hours with less than two weeks’ notice.

They are also entitled to free drinks and food at the airport if their flight departs late, and free accommodation and transport if it is delayed until the next day.

However, compensation rules do not apply in situations where extraordinary circumstances, such as poor weather, caused the delays.

In Australia, it’s not as generous with passengers only covered under consumer protection law and Mr Glezer said it needs to change.

He said what’s particularly important is having strict timelines where refunds have to be processed.

“As it stands airlines can say they will offer a refund to customers, but it can take months or years.”

A charter of passenger rights will also be drafted, setting out what refunds’ customers will be entitled to when their flights are delayed or cancelled.

Under the new scheme, a charter of passenger rights will also be drafted, setting out what refunds’ customers will be entitled to when their flights are delayed or cancelled.

Federal Transport Minister Catherine King said customers deserve to get their money back if they are owed it.

“It is time to take strong action to protect consumer rights,” Ms King said.

“Too many Australians have been left out to dry when flights are cancelled or disrupted and it’s impossibly complex to get a refund or even contact a company representative.”

More Coverage

The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is also welcoming the new scheme.

ATIA CEO Dean Long said it is a crucial step forward in protecting consumer rights, ensuring that airlines and airports meet their obligations.

“Too many Australians have been left stranded when flights are cancelled or delayed, with little recourse. This new scheme ensures that travellers will no longer face these challenges alone,” Mr Long said.

Aussies have snapped up hundreds of long-haul first class fares for just $4300 return – but it is not as it seems.

A first class passenger on an Emirates flight has shared a now viral TikTok admitting to this brazen act – and it’s sparked a plane etiquette debate.

Chinese airlines are making a big move in Australia as part of a “long term game” after Qantas scrapped a specific route amid low demand.

Interactive

Where can I go and what is the travel advice for each country?

While the covid-19 pandemic is still evolving, it is now possible for people in australia to travel overseas after nearly two years of closed international borders. explore the interactive graphic below to see the latest advice for more than 100 destinations., what do the smartraveller levels mean.

• At Level 1 , Australians are advised to exercise normal safety precautions  as the security environment has been judged to be similar to that of a large Australian city.
• The Level 2 advice is to exercise a high degree of caution and pay attention to the current security and health situation. It doesn't mean you shouldn't go to that location, but you should do some research and take extra precautions.
• Level 3 is where the advice gets a bit more serious, with Australians urged to reconsider your need to travel . That level means there are serious and potentially life-threatening risks at the location, and non-essential travel there should be avoided. 
• The advice for  Level 4 is blunt: do not travel . The government has judged travellers to be at high risk of death, imprisonment, kidnapping or serious injury if travelling to that location, and Australians should consider leaving if already there and it's safe to do so. 

Who can leave and enter Australia?

How many COVID-19 cases and deaths have there been in Australia?

How many people are in hospital with COVID-19 in Australia?

How many people have died from COVID-19 in countries around the world?

What are the COVID-19 vaccination rates in your local area?

Which countries are winning the COVID-19 vaccine race?

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SBS World News

Countries, economies and regions

Select a country, economy or region to find embassies, country briefs, economic fact sheets, trade agreements, aid programs, information on sanctions and more.

International relations

Global security.

• Australia and sanctions
• Australian Safeguards and Non-proliferation Office (ASNO)
• Counter-terrorism
• Non-proliferation, disarmament and arms control
• Peacekeeping and peacebuilding

Regional architecture

• Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
• Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
• East Asia Summit (EAS)
• Australia and the Indian Ocean region
• Pacific Islands regional organisations

Global themes

• Child protection
• Climate change
• Cyber affairs and critical technology
• Disability Equity and Rights
• Gender equality
• Human rights
• Indigenous peoples
• People Smuggling, Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery
• Preventing Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment
• Australia’s treaty-making process

International organisations

• The Commonwealth of Nations
• United Nations (UN)
• World Trade Organization

Foreign Arrangements Scheme  

Trade and investment, about free trade agreements (ftas).

• The benefits of FTAs
• How to get free trade agreement tariff cuts
• Look up FTA tariffs and services market access - DFAT FTA Portal
• Discussion paper on potential modernisation – DFAT FTA Portal

About foreign investment

• The benefits of foreign investment
• Investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS)
• Australia's bilateral investment treaties
• Australia's foreign investment policy

For Australian business

• Addressing non-tariff trade barriers

Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai

Stakeholder engagement.

• Ministerial Council on Trade and Investment
• Trade 2040 Taskforce
• First Nations trade

Australia's free trade agreements (FTAs)

• ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand (AANZFTA)
• Chile (ACLFTA)
• China (ChAFTA)
• Hong Kong ( A-HKFTA & IA)
• India (AI-ECTA)
• Indonesia (IA-CEPA)
• Japan (JAEPA)
• Korea (KAFTA)
• Malaysia (MAFTA)
• New Zealand (ANZCERTA)
• Peru (PAFTA)
• Singapore (SAFTA)
• Thailand (TAFTA)
• United Kingdom (A-UKFTA)
• USA (AUSFTA)
• Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
• European Union (A-EUFTA)
• India (AI-CECA)
• Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
• Australia-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

Trade and investment data, information and publications

• Fact sheets for countries and regions
• Australia's trade balance
• Trade statistics
• Foreign investment statistics
• Trade and investment publications
• Australia's Trade through Time

WTO, G20, OECD, APEC and IPEF and ITAG

Services and digital trade.

• Service trade policy
• Australia-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement
• Digital trade & the digital economy

Development

Australia’s development program, performance assessment.

• Development evaluation
• Budget and statistical information

Who we work with

• Multilateral organisations
• Non-government organisations (NGOs)
• List of Australian accredited non-government organisations (NGOs)

Development topics

• Development issues
• Development sectors

2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

• Sustainable Development Goals

Where we deliver our Development Program

Humanitarian action.

Where and how Australia provides emergency assistance.

People-to-people

Australia awards.

• Australia Awards Scholarships
• Australia Awards Fellowships

New Colombo Plan

• Scholarship program
• Mobility program

Public diplomacy

• Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program
• Australia now
• UK/Australia Season 2021-22

Foundations, councils and institutes

• Australia-ASEAN Council
• Australia-India Council
• Australia-Indonesia Institute
• Australia-Japan Foundation
• Australia-Korea Foundation
• Council for Australian-Arab Relations (CAAR)
• Council on Australia Latin America Relations (COALAR)

International Labour Mobility

• Pacific Labour Mobility Scheme
• Agriculture Visa

Australian Volunteers Program

Supporting organisations in developing countries by matching them with skilled Australians. 

Sports diplomacy

Australia is a successful global leader and innovator in sport.

A global platform for achievement, innovation, collaboration, and cooperation

About Australia

Australia is a stable, democratic and culturally diverse nation with a highly skilled workforce and one of the strongest performing economies in the world.

Australia in Brief publication

This is the 52nd edition of Australia in Brief, revised and updated in February 2021

Travel advice

To help Australians avoid difficulties overseas, we maintain travel advisories for more than 170 destinations.

• Smartraveller – travel advice

International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate

Prove your COVID-19 vaccinations when you travel overseas.

• Services Australia

The Australian Passport Office and its agents are committed to providing a secure, efficient and responsive passport service for Australia.

• Australian Passport Office

24-hour consular emergency helpline

• Within Australia: 1300 555 135
• Outside Australia: +61 2 6261 3305
• Getting help overseas
• Visas for Australians travelling overseas
• Visas to visit Australia

Further steps to support Australians to travel abroad

Australians can now prepare for safe overseas travel when borders progressively re-open from 1 November, with the Australian Government reinstating country-specific travel advice levels for 177 destinations.

Further steps to support Australians to travel abroad | Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Minister for Women