Planning your trip - Hints for Australian Travellers
Study your destination
Online registration system
Visas - sort it out early
Dual nationality
Plan to stay healthy
Insurance is essential
Accommodation
Tips for women travellers
Tips for travelling parents
Money
Personal mail
Driving overseas
Voting
Things you can't take with you
Secure your personal information
Study your destination
Researching your destination before you depart can make your travel experience more enjoyable and help you to be prepared for the experiences that await you.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has travel advisories for more than 140 destinations. The Travel advisories provide practical information about your destination's security situation as well as local laws and customs, health and visas. The advisories also tell you how to get in touch with the local Australian post, or if we don't have one, where else you might be able to get assistance if you need it. In other words, practical advice for every traveller.

How to get travel advice

If you don't have access to the internet you can phone the department's automated travel advice line within Australia on 1300 139 2811300 139 281.

There are also smartraveller kiosks at the Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Darwin international airports and at the Sydney and Canberra Passport Offices which allow you to print out the latest travel advice.

Online registration system
All Australians are encouraged to register their details before travelling overseas. Registering makes it easier for us to contact you in an emergency whether it be a natural disaster, civil disturbance or family issue. The registration information you provide is protected by Australia's strict privacy laws.

If you are travelling in a large group, you can telephone 1300 555 135 to organise a group registration form. Australians can also register their details at any Australian overseas post.

Visas - sort it out early
Find out early about the visas that you need by contacting the nearest embassy or consulate of the country you wish to visit.

A visa does not necessarily guarantee you entry to a country, particularly if authorities suspect you intend to contravene the conditions upon which the visa was issued.

Visa rules are not simple and they change. Some countries require visas even for a short transit stop. Others may turn you back if they find a visa for a country they don't like in your passport. London and Los Angeles are two of the places where Australians are most often refused entry and returned to their country of origin.

When you apply for a visa, be honest about yourself and your plans. Take notice of the visa conditions. Plan to give consistent answers to questions at the barrier when you land or you could be turned back.

Hints

A visa is a permit to travel to another country. It goes in your passport. You may be charged for it. If you are on a tourist visa or visa-free scheme, carrying a résumé can cause suspicion that you intend to work. Whether you have a visa or are travelling visa-free, make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from the time you enter.

Some countries restrict entry of HIV-positive travellers. Ask the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country that you intend to visit before you depart.

Dual nationality
If you or your parents were born in another country, you may be regarded as a citizen or national of that country, even though you are an Australian citizen and may never have travelled outside Australia. Being a national or citizen of two countries is called dual nationality. Some countries offer citizenship to people who marry their citizens, or to persons whose grandparents were born in that country.

Dual nationality can be a good thing, but it can create problems too. Dual nationals may be liable for military service in the country of their other nationality. A country may not permit Australian consular assistance to be given to Australian citizens who, according to its laws, are considered to be its own nationals. Some countries may not regard you as an Australian unless you are travelling on an Australian passport.

If you hold another country's passport, seek advice about using it at the country's embassy before you depart. Take your Australian passport and use it to exit and return to Australia.

If you have any questions regarding the effects of dual nationality on Australian citizenship, call the Citizenship Information Line on 13 1880.

Further information on dual nationality.

Plan to stay healthy
Vaccinations
Consult your doctor or travel health specialist before you travel and discuss your vaccination requirements and the requirements of any children travelling with you. Your doctor will determine which vaccinations are required for your trip on the basis of your planned route, duration of travel, style of travel and previous vaccination history.

Be certain to find out what vaccinations are required as early as possible as some vaccines require several doses to be given over a number of months to be fully effective.

If you are travelling to Africa or South America you may require a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

In some cases special vaccination requirements may apply for international religious events, for example the Hajj held each year in Saudi Arabia. You should check these requirements with the relevant national embassy at least three months before your trip.

Diseases
Disease risks can vary between regions within a country. You should check with local sources before travelling in remote areas.

There are a number of mosquito-borne illnesses you can contract while overseas, particularly in tropical areas. Be sure to take measures to avoid being bitten such as wearing light-coloured, loose-fitting clothing that covers your arms and legs, regularly applying an appropriate insect repellent and staying in mosquito-proof accommodation.

For more information on prevalent diseases and inoculations, see the International Travel and Health publication from the World Health Organization.

DVT
Long-distance travel by road, rail or aircraft may involve prolonged periods of inactivity, This is believed to be one risk factor for the formation of blood clots in the veins of the legs (known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT).

To minimise the risk of DVT, we recommend that you:

drink plenty of non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated fluids
regularly exercise the lower limbs to encourage blood flow
wear loose, non-restrictive clothing and avoid crossing your legs
avoid using sleeping tablets or other sedation in flight
There is a range of other risk factors, including increasing age, obesity, pregnancy, cancers and heart disease, recent surgery or lower limb injuries, and use of oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy.

If you are at higher risk, we recommend that you consult a doctor before flying, who may recommend that you consider other measures such as elastic support stockings, aspirin, or other medication.

Medications
Before leaving home, you should check that your medications are legal in the country you are visiting, You can do this by contacting the country's embassy, consulate or high commission.

Since the National Health Act was amended in 1999, it has been an offence to carry or post Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines overseas unless they are for your personal use, or the use of someone travelling with you.

If you plan to travel with medicines, make sure you leave the medicines in their original packaging, carry a letter from your doctor or dentist detailing what the medicine is, how much you will be taking and that it is for your own personal use.

If your medication requires injection, purchase only unbroken sterile packs of needles and syringes, or carry your own supply if this is acceptable to the country you are visiting.

More information on travelling with medicine is available from the Health Insurance Commission (Tel. 1800500147).

Mental illness
Australians in difficulty overseas are often faced with unfamiliar environments, which can exacerbate feelings of fear and bewilderment. This can be particularly true of those experiencing mental illness, including depression and anxiety.

If you have a history of mental illness and are travelling, take adequate supplies of prescribed medication, and a letter from your doctor advising your medical needs. If you consume alcohol, do so in moderation, Don't take illicit drugs.

Travellers with disabilities
If you have a disability and are planning to travel overseas, the first thing to remember is that Australia's arrangements for people with disabilities are among the best in the world. As it is unlikely that you will find similar facilities in many countries overseas, it is important to plan ahead.

Tips for travellers with disabilities are included in For the travelling senior.
CASE STUDY - INSURANCE

A young man worked in a US ski resort for four months, then took time off to travel around the United States. His 12-month travel insurance policy expired just a few days before his departure for home. He was hit by a car and suffered serious head injuries. He was admitted unconscious to hospital and required intensive care until he could be fl own back to Australia. He was still unconscious and returned home on a stretcher. The cost to the family for the medical evacuation alone was about A$80 000. They have taken out a second mortgage on their house to raise the funds.

Insurance is essential
If you cannot afford travel insurance, you cannot afford to travel. Illness or injury on an overseas trip can be a financial disaster. Some families have been bankrupted or forced to sell off assets such as homes or cash out superannuation to pay medical bills.

When organising travel insurance, ensure you are covered for general medical expenses, existing medical conditions, hospitalisation, medical evacuations and the return of remains to Australia. Shop around for a policy that meets your needs and covers you the whole time you will be away. If you plan on participating in adventure tourism or sports like scuba diving or parasailing, be upfront about your plans with your insurance provider and ensure your policy covers these activities. Also, seek advice from your insurer on what type of circumstances and activities are the subject of exclusions in their policy. Read the fine print!

Reciprocal health care agreements
Australia has health care agreements with Finland, Italy, Norway, Ireland, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Under these agreements, Australians can be provided with urgent or emergency medical treatments overseas. However, general medical services are only provided when the need for treatment arises during the visit and it would be unreasonable to delay treatment until the individual returns home. If you wish to be treated under a reciprocal health care agreement you must advise the medical staff in the country you are visiting and provide local authorities with your Australian passport and a valid Medicare card. These health care agreements are not a substitute for travel insurance.

Further information about international health agreements can be obtained from the Health Insurance Commission (Tel. 132011).

Department of Veterans' Affairs ( DVA) Gold Card
While the DVA Gold Card can be used anywhere in Australia, it cannot be used overseas for all conditions. There is no guarantee that Gold Card holders will be covered for all health care overseas.

You must notify DVA of your intention to travel overseas before you leave and get detailed information about your entitlements and your responsibilities. For further Information, contact DVA on 133254.

Accommodation
No matter what country you're visiting, accommodation is an important part of your trip.

You may wish to pre-book accommodation for your first few nights in a foreign country until you find your feet. To find accommodation that is suited to your needs you can contact the local tourist office, search the internet for information and reviews of accommodation at your destination, and ask for advice from other travellers.

Tips for women travellers
Women travellers can sometimes be targeted when travelling overseas, particularly if they are alone. Being aware of cultural sensitivities and risks within your destination country can help you to remain safe overseas.

If you are in the last trimester of pregnancy you should seek medical advice and check with your airline about any restrictions that may apply before flying. If you are breastfeeding, find out if it is tolerated in public. If expressing milk, take the equipment you need.

Find out whether essentials are readily and cheaply available in your chosen destination. In some countries supplies of feminine hygiene products and contraceptives (including condoms) can be unreliable, so it may be best to stock up before you leave.

Our brochures Tips for women travellers and If you are the victim of sexual assault while travelling overseas give more details.
Tips for travelling parents
If you are travelling with babies or very young children, it is a good idea to research the availability of baby products in your country of destination before travelling. Stock up on nappies and other essential products if necessary. Also consider how best to secure your belongings while traveling -you may be more vulnerable to thieves and pickpockets if you don't have a hand free.

Good Beginnings National Parenting Project has prepared free information brochures for people travelling by air with babies and young children. They are also available by phoning Good Beginnings on (02) 92152600.

Child care
Parents planning to place their children in child care facilities or employ the services of baby-sitters or nannies overseas may wish to research the standards of child care provided in their country of destination. Standards of child care may vary considerably from those provided in Australia. Some of the factors that parents might wish to consider are: the qualifications of the staff caring for children; the ratios of staff to children; the hiring and screening procedures for staff; training of staff in first aid and emergency procedures; personal liability insurance; and the accreditation standards of child care providers. For useful ideas on how to select reputable child care providers please visit either the National Childcare Accreditation Council's website or Child Wise's website.

Children's passports
Remember that every child, including newborn infants, must be issued with their own passport to travel overseas. Usually the consent of both parents is required for a passport to be issued.

Abduction and custody issues
In some circumstances, child custody disputes can lead to a parent removing a child to, or retaining a child in, a foreign country without the consent of the other parent. In such circumstances, the other parent may have recourse to the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction. The convention aims to ensure that children who are abducted by a parent are returned as quickly as possible to their habitual country of residence so that issues of parental responsibility can be resolved by the judicial system of that country. For urgent advice, contact the International Family Law Unit, Attorney-General's Department on the free call number 1800100480.

You should also be aware that if your child was born in or holds a passport of another country, they may be subject to local laws when in that country, including decisions regarding custody.

Money
Before departure organise a variety of financial options for while you are away, including credit cards, travellers cheques and cash. Also contact your debit card provider to confirm the location of automatic teller machines (ATMs) and whether your card will work in ATMs overseas.

Find out about currency laws in countries you will visit-some are restrictive. You can take as much cash as you like out of Australia. If you take more than A$10 000 in cash you must report it, even if some or all is foreign currency, It's the law,

For more information contact the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) on 1800021 037.

Tax
If you are going to be away for a long period, sort out your tax affairs, Ask your accountant or your local branch of the Australian Taxation Office.

Centrelink payments
If you receive a Centrelink payment, be sure to contact Centrelink before you leave Australia to find out whether your payment will be affected, If you don't advise Centrelink of your travel plans, you could be overpaid and required to pay back any extra money received.

Personal mail
There are commercial services that will forward mail to you overseas, Please check the Yellow Pages directory under 'Postal Services'. Mail can also be sent to many post offices overseas. Please note that Australian embassies, high commissions or consulates cannot receive or store personal mail on your behalf.

We recommend that you set up an email address that you can access while you are travelling.

Driving overseas
Don't assume you can use your Australian licence overseas, You can get an international driving permit from the auto club or association in the state or territory where your licence is current. See page 45 for contact details.

The Australian Automobile Association issues the International Handbook for Motorists. The handbook is also available from your local auto association.

HINT

Budget to insure for yourself, passengers, the vehicle and third party. Do not get a driving permit via the internet -they are illegal.

Voting
Contact your local office of the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) about voting overseas.

Things you can't take with you
Taking or sending out items important to Australia's cultural heritage is illegal. Our heritage law covers many kinds of objects. Australia also has strict laws about taking out native wildlife (animals and plants), endangered species or products made from them without an export permit. You also need a permit to take firearms and ammunition with you.

Direct contacts for Heritage and Wildlife are in the 'Useful contacts' section on pages 43 and 44.

You must not pack any of the following in your luggage: corrosives, gases, toxic substances, explosives, asbestos, dry ice, engines, infectious substances, flammable liquids, organic peroxides, radioactive materials, flammable solids, and oxidising or magnetised materials.

Find out more from the Australian Customs Service brochure, Know before you go-available at travel agents, airlines and Customs offices. You should be given a copy when you receive your travel tickets. If not, ask your travel agent or call a Customs Information Centre on 1300363263. Inquiries may be directed to information@customs.gov.au.

Secure your personal information
Make two photocopies of your:

itinerary
visas
passport details-a copy of the photo page will do . phone card details
travellers cheques and credit card numbers
driver's licence or international driving permit
insurance policy.
Leave one copy with your family or a friend in Australia.