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Hints for Aussies Travelling
      #33642 - 23/06/05 12:36 AM

From Smartraveller.gov.au

Hints for Australian Travellers
Planning your trip
Checklist
While you're overseas
Returning to Australia
Your information base
Message from the Minister

All Australians travellers are encouraged to consult our country-specific travel advisories as part of their routine travel preparations. The advisories provide up-to-date information about each destination's security environment as well as practical information on a range of topics including visa requirements, health and medical issues and cultural and religious differences.

Hints for Australian Travellers gives general information only and should not be relied upon for the purposes of any particular travel or transactions. The Commonwealth, its employees, agents and contractors accept no liability for injury, loss or damage arising from any material contained or referred to in this booklet. Where the booklet refers to other sources of information, the Commonwealth accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information provided by those sources.

Travellers should check any information they use to make decisions and rely on their own inquiries. Travellers should seek detailed advice from travel agents, doctors, airlines, insurers and the diplomatic missions of the countries they intend to visit.

Travellers must take responsibility for their own travel arrangements, getting any necessary visas, documents and permissions, obtaining medical and legal advice, insuring themselves and informing themselves of the current situation in countries they visit.



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Re: Hints for Aussies Travelling [Re: Links]
      #33643 - 23/06/05 12:36 AM

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.



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Re: Hints for Aussies Travelling [Re: Links]
      #33644 - 23/06/05 12:38 AM

The hints checklist - Hints for Australian Travellers
What to do in the months before you go
Study your destination and its laws, customs and climate.
Organise appropriate clothing and learn some useful phrases.
Think about your personal safety on your trip. Check the latest travel advice for your destination and subscribe to receive instant email notification each time the travel advice for your destination is updated.
See your doctor or travel health centre. Get your vaccinations and plan to stay healthy. (Note that some vaccinations can take three or even six months to become effective.)
If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid for at least six months from planned entry to another country.
If you need a new passport, apply for it in plenty of time.
If you have a disability, check the facilities of places where you want to go.
Book your ticket and organise appropriate travel insurance.
Find out what visas you need and obtain them.
Check that your medicines are legal where you intend to visit.
Arrange for sufficient medicines to meet your personal medical needs.
Double-check that you have adequate health and travel insurance.
If you are receiving a payment through Centrelink, call to inform them of your trip.
Write or update your will.
Get adaptor plugs for electrical equipment you plan to take.
Check what you can take back to Australia. If you're thinking about shopping overseas, read Guide for travellers -know before you go (pdf) and What can't I take into Australia?; and if in doubt check it out! Does your luggage break wildlife laws?.
Consult Tax back for travellers (pdf). It tells you how to claim your GST refund under the Tourist Refund Scheme.
Organise your travellers cheques, credit cards, foreign cash and phone card.
Register your presence overseas to make it easier for us to contact you in an emergency, whether it be a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
If you will be away for a long time
Consult your tax accountant or contact the Australian Taxation Office.
Inform your local electoral office.
Leave a power of attorney document with a person you trust.
Register your presence overseas
A few days before you go
Check the current travel advice for any countries you plan to visit and subscribe to travel advice updates if you have not already done so.
Confirm your reservations.
Check your travel documents.
Leave a copy of your itinerary, visa, passport photo page, credit card, phone card and travellers cheque details with family or a friend.
Pack your own copy of your travel documents and other details separately from your handbag or wallet.
Label all your luggage clearly.


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Re: Hints for Aussies Travelling [Re: Links]
      #33645 - 23/06/05 12:38 AM

While you're overseas - Hints for Australian Travellers
Look after your passport
Stay in touch
Coming and going
Your exit date
Living and working overseas
Obey the law
Don't carry illegal drugs
Child sex crime
Bribery
Wildlife trade
Your access to consular services
Observe local customs
Don't be a victim
Look after your health
Death overseas
Marriage overseas
Departure tax
Look after your passport
Your passport is essential. You need it to enter and leave Australia and other countries, check into accommodation and use travellers cheques.

Write your personal details in the back of your passport. You can do this in pencil so it's easy to change. Apart from this, never alter or tamper with your passport. That's illegal. Never sell, give away or use your passport as security for a debt.

Carry your passport separately from other 10 and credit cards to protect against losing all your identification at once. Safeguard your passport from theft or loss. Replacing it will cost money and may take time. The replacement may have limited validity.

If your passport is lost or stolen, contact the local police. Take a copy of the police report to the nearest Australian embassy, high commission or consulate.

General information on passports can be found at the passports website or by calling the Australian Passport Information Service (APIS) on 131232 (from anywhere in Australia).

HINTS

Take extra passport photos in case you need to apply for a new passport while overseas.
Do not give your home contact details to strangers.
Do not let strangers have your itinerary details, and be wary about giving your room number out.

Stay in touch...
... with home
Leaving a copy of your travel itinerary with friends or family and keeping in regular contact with home is important. The DFAT consular service receives thousands of calls from worried families or friends who have not heard from travellers.

Keep in touch by telephoning or emailing regularly and be sure to advise your family of any changes to your original itinerary.
Be aware that not all places have internet or international phone facilities and be realistic when advising your family how often they can expect to hear from you.

...with Australian overseas posts
Register your presence overseas before you depart or at the local Australian embassy, high commission or consulate once you arrive. By registering you will make it easier for us to contact you in the event of an emergency-whether it be a natural disaster, civil disturbance or family issue.

The information you provide when you register is protected by Australia's strict privacy laws.
Call home

When a crisis of any sort takes place overseas, we receive many calls from anxious relatives who haven't been able to contact a traveller. Help us reassure them - ring home if something like a major transport accident, natural disaster or terrorist attack happens somewhere in your region. It can sometimes be to your direct advantage to call home.

Coming and going
A visa is no guarantee of entry. If a barrier official suspects you won't obey the visa conditions or rules for visa-free entry, you may be refused entry. London and Los Angeles are the most common points for Australians to be turned back.

Vague, incomplete or inconsistent answers, discovery of a resume in your bag or even a suspicious manner can create a perception that you intend to work illegally or overstay. Some countries do not give reasons for denying entry.

The Australian Government probably won't be able to help if you are turned back.
Your exit date
When a country lets you in, it usually gives you an entry permit that tells you a date when you must exit. If you want to stay longer, you need to apply for an extension. Visa-free schemes may not permit extension. If you overstay, you could be fined or jailed.

Living and working overseas
At anyone time there are approximately 800 000 Australians living overseas. For most Australians this is a positive experience. The consular brochure Living and working overseas offers more advice.

For Australians who travel frequently in the Asia-Pacific region for trade and investment, the APEC Business Travel Card provides streamlined entry to several regional countries.

Obey the law
When you land in another country, its laws apply to you. Ignorance is no defence. You remain subject to relevant Australian laws as well.

Don't carry illegal drugs
In some countries, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, drug offences carry the death penalty or life imprisonment. Don't assume 'soft' drugs carry milder penalties. Penalties even for marijuana or alcohol use can be severe.

Nearly 200 Australians are in jail overseas. Drugs are the main reason.

HINT

Don't carry anything in or out of another country for another person. Don't leave your bags unattended or in the care of a stranger.

Remember: consular assistance cannot override local laws, even where local laws appear harsh or unjust by Australian standards

Child sex crime
It is a criminal offence to have sexual relations with children, whether in Australia or in another country. Australian law prohibits sex with children under 16 overseas. Australia has introduced laws that provide for jail terms of up to 17 years for Australian citizens and residents who engage in sexual activity with children in foreign countries. The laws also prohibit the incitement, encouragement of, or gaining benefit from such activities, for example by organising sex tours.

To report a possible violation of Australia's child sex laws, please telephone the Australian Federal Police hotline on 1800813784, or write to: Transnational Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking Team, Australian Federal Police, GPO Box 401 , Canberra ACT 2601, Australia.

HINT

In some places accepting even a polite invitation to go out can give the wrong signal and lead to sexual assault.

Both men and women need to recognise that drinking alone and accepting friendly invitations can lead to dangerous situations.

Bribery
It is a criminal offence under Australian law for an Australian resident, citizen or company to bribe a foreign public official, whether in Australia or in another country. An Australian in another country who bribes or attempts to bribe an official of that country can be prosecuted in an Australian court.

Australian law provides for up to ten years in prison and fines for persons and companies found guilty of bribing foreign public officials.

Wildlife trade
Australian and international laws regulate trade in endangered and threatened wildlife and native Australian wildlife. Take care when buying wildlife products and souvenirs. It may be illegal to take them out of or bring them into the country. For further information contact the Department of the Environment and Heritage on +61 262741900.

Your access to consular services
If you are arrested in another country, you have the right to contact the Australian Government within a reasonable period of time. You can ask the police to contact us-they may not, unless you ask. Consular staff will do what they can to help, but they can't get you out of jail, represent you in court or obtain special treatment for you.

Observe local customs
Find out as much as you can about local customs (from guide books or the internet) before you arrive in a country and observe them. At some religious or cultural events or sites, special rules of conduct apply. In many countries, special protocols apply when visiting a private home.

In some Islamic countries women's arms, legs and hair must be covered. Violating these standards can lead to unpleasantness or even arrest. In South-East Asia, Buddhist temples and palaces have dress rules about covering limbs.

Both men and women need to know when to take off their shoes in some countries.

HINT

You may be approached to take something out of the country or to buy drugs to take out yourself. Don't take the risk. Don't leave valuables unattended in cars for even a few minutes. Always keep your credit card in sight during transactions. In some places accepting even a polite invitation to go out can give the wrong signal and lead to sexual assault. Both men and women need to recognise that drinking alone and accepting friendly invitations can lead to dangerous situations.

Don't be a victim
You need to know if localities are unsafe or if civil unrest is likely. Get the latest travel advice on the countries you plan to visit. Don't wander into dangerous situations or do provocative things like taking photos of military installations. In certain countries you can be arrested for taking photos without a permit.

Many travellers are assaulted and robbed after accepting drinks or food that have been spiked with drugs. Invitations to private gambling sessions can lead to rip-offs or worse. Scammers offer travellers deals that are indeed too good to be true. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

Hitchhiking can be very risky, especially for women.

Don't present yourself as a rich target. Keep your valuables concealed, preferably with a money belt under clothing. Bag and jewellery snatching is common in some countries. A bum bag is no safer than a shoulder bag and both are easy targets for thieves.

Stay in rooms where you can secure both doors and windows against intruders. Be wary about giving strangers your home contact details or your room number. Don't leave your valuables in the room-use safety deposit boxes if these are available.

HINT

Touching, pointing, staring, sitting and standing in ways that are regarded as disrespectful or threatening by the local culture can cause offence

Look after your health
You may do things overseas you wouldn't dream of doing at home. Always think about your health and safety. Some diseases that are unknown here are common overseas.

Practise safe sex. Never assume that your partner is not HIV-positive or carrying another sexually transmitted infection such as gonorrhoea. Use a condom at all times.

Hepatitis A is passed on through contaminated food or water, or through oral contact indirectly with infected faeces. This is why it is important to always wash your hands after going to the toilet and immediately before handling food.

Contaminated food and water also spread typhoid, cholera, diarrhoea and dysentery. In places where these diseases are common, drink only bottled water (with an unbroken seal on the cap) or boil water for ten minutes, and avoid ice. Stay away from unpasteurised milk and dairy products, reheated or precooked foods, cold meat, seafood and salads. Peel your own fruit.

Malaria is a problem in parts of the Pacific, Asia, eastern Mediterranean, Africa, Central and South America. Mosquitoes spread malaria and some other diseases. Take precautions.

Rabies is common in many countries and even apparently normal animals may carry the virus. If you are bitten or scratched by any animal-especially a dog, cat, monkey, bat or fox-you should immediately wash the wound with soap and water, then seek competent medical advice and treatment.

Blood borne viruses such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C and hepatitis B can spread through contact with infected blood through skin puncture, including tattooing and body-piercing and medical procedures (through unsterile surgery, injections, dental procedures and blood transfusions). HIV! AIDS and Hepatitis B are also spread through sexual contact.

Be sure needles and syringes are sterile-you may ask to see an unbroken, sterile pack-or carry your own supply if it is acceptable to the country you are visiting. Try to ensure that an injectable drug or vaccine is taken from an unopened single-use vial.

If you are managing a condition with prescribed medication, remember to take your medicine with you.

To check if your medication is legal in the countries you are visiting, get in touch with their embassy or consulate before you leave Australia.
Be aware that medicine sold over the counter in Australia may be illegal in other countries.
If you are carrying PBS medicines, keep them in their original packaging and include a letter from your doctor detailing the generic name of the medication and specifying that it is for personal use.
Many travellers take a holiday to relax. Recognise that travel can be stressful too.

If you do require medical assistance while overseas, the local Australian post will be able to supply you with a list of English speaking doctors.

Further information on heaLthy travel is in our brochure Travelling well.

HINT

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Australians who are concerned about the risks of SARS should seek medical advice, including on the main symptoms, and consult information provided by the World Health Organization and the Department of Health and Ageing

Death overseas
Each year over 700 Australians die overseas. For the families of those Australians who are not covered by appropriate travel insurance, this can mean costs of between A$1 a 000 and A$20 000 to bring the remains of their loved ones back home. Our brochure Death overseas provides more information.

Marriage overseas
Every year people fall in love and get married overseas. If you are planning on getting married overseas, you need to be aware that laws regarding marriage vary from country to country and legal complications can arise.

If you plan to marry overseas, check out the legal implications for yourself, your intended spouse and any children either of you may have now or at a later date, For exact details of what requirements will need to be met, persons wishing to marry overseas should contact either a legal practitioner or the embassy or consulate of the country in which they would like to marry.

A note of caution: In a few tragic cases, Australians who married overseas have been scammed or even killed for their assets.

HINTS

If you acquire another citizenship on or after 4 April 2002, you do not lose your Australian citizenship.

You can't automatically give someone Australian citizenship by marrying them.

If you have a child overseas, remember to register the child for Australian citizenship by descent. The child must be registered before turning 25 years of age.

Departure tax
Many countries have a departure tax, When you go to the airport to leave a country, make sure you have enough local or convertible cash to pay the tax. If you can't pay the local authorities you may not make your plane!



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Re: Hints for Aussies Travelling [Re: Links]
      #33646 - 23/06/05 12:39 AM

Returning to Australia - Hints for Australian Travellers
Citizenship
Health requirements
Bringing things back
Quarantine
Other issues
Citizenship
If you are a dual citizen you must use your Australian passport to leave from and return to Australia. If your family members are Australian citizens, they must use Australian passports too.

For advice on Australian citizenship issues talk to the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs on 131881 (within Australia) or visit its website for contact details outside Australia.

Health requirements
You need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if, during the six days before arriving in Australia, you have visited a country declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be infected with yellow fever. You can find out about these countries from a travel health advisory service or from the WHO website.

If you become ill unexpectedly on your return to Australia, you may have a travel-related illness. See your doctor and inform them that you have been travelling overseas recently, Do not delay seeking medical treatment, as you may have a serious infectious disease.

Bringing things back
When you are returning to Australia you must complete an Incoming Passenger Card that details what you have in your luggage, You must do this correctly and honestly-there are serious penalties if you don't.

The Australian Customs publication Guide for travellers-know before you go (pdf) contains extensive information on what you can and can't bring back. If you need to know more, you can ring +61 262756666 from overseas or 1300363263 from within Australia.

Quarantine
Some items you might bring back from overseas can carry pests and diseases that Australia doesn't have. When you return, declare all food, meat, fruit, plants, seeds, wooden souvenirs, animal or plant materials or their derivatives.

Australia has strict quarantine laws and tough on-the-spot fines. Every piece of luggage is now screened or x-rayed by quarantine officers, detector dog teams and x-ray machines. If you fail to declare or dispose of any quarantine items, or make a false declaration, you will get caught. In addition to on-the­spot fines, you could be prosecuted and fined more than A$60 000 and risk 10 years in prison. All international mail is also screened.

For more detailed information about bringing in food, animals, plants, animal or plant materials or their derivatives, ring the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) on 1800020504 or your nearest AQIS office as listed in the white pages, or check out What can't I take into Australia

Wildlife products
Uncontrolled trade in wildlife and wildlife products threatens many of the world's animals and plants. The import and export of wildlife products to and from Australia is regulated by the Australian Government.

The Department of the Environment and Heritage administers the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Under the Act, many wildlife products need permits before they can be imported or exported. There are severe penalties for importing or exporting wildlife without the necessary permits. These controls are in addition to those of Customs and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service.

For information about importing or exporting wildlife (animals and plants), wildlife products or souvenirs to and from Australia, contact the Department of the Environment and Heritage on +61 2 62741900 or email wildlifetrade@deh.gov.au

Other issues
For more detailed information about drugs, therapeutic substances and vitamins, ring the Therapeutic Goods Administration, Drug Safety and Evaluation Branch on +61 262328610 or 1800020653. All herbal and traditional medicines must be declared. Ring AQIS on 1800020504 for details.

For questions about bringing in cash (in any currency valued at more than A$1 0 000), ring the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre on +61 299500055 or 1800021 037

For information about firearms, weapons and ammunition, call the Customs Information Line on +61 262756666 or 1300363263 or contact Customs via email information@customs.gov.au

For information about bringing back communications equipment (for example a mobile or cordless phone, fax machine, wireless microphone, or portable computer) visit the Australian Communications Authority website or call +61 3 99636800.

You should check whether the equipment is safe to operate in Australia. Technical differences in power voltage or radio frequencies can endanger health and safety and cause interference problems.



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Posts: 123
Re: Hints for Aussies Travelling [Re: Links]
      #33647 - 23/06/05 12:40 AM

Your information base - Hints for Australian Travellers
Assisting Australians in difficulty overseas
Emergency services
Feedback
Fees
Privacy
Useful contacts
Useful publications
Lost credit cards or travellers cheques
Directory of Australian overseas posts
Assisting Australians in difficulty overseas
If you encounter serious problems on your trip, contact the consular service at the nearest Australian diplomatic post. Our consular network has more than 160 points of service around the world. These posts are usually located in capital cities but some countries have consular posts in other centres as well. In some countries Canadian posts also help Australians.

Emergency services
In emergencies. you can contact Australian posts outside ordinary hours. All posts have after hours contacts to handle emergencies.

You can also ring the consular services number in Australia on 1300555135. The emergency centre is staffed 24 hours a day so you can talk to a person, not a machine.
Before you make an emergency call, please consider whether your problem is so serious that it cannot wait. If a passport is lost or stolen you should tell the local police and get a copy of their report. Usually the consular post cannot start its work until a police report is presented during ordinary office hours.

What a consul can and cannot do
Consular staff must follow rules about what consuls can and cannot do.

Feedback
We value your comments, They help us keep informed about how we can provide you with consular services of the highest quality possible,

To submit feedback on the consular assistance you have received:

complete the online feedback form
send an email to consular.feedback@dfatgov.au
write to: Assistant Secretary, Consular Branch, Department of Foreign Affairs, and Trade, RG Casey Building, Barton ACT 0221
send a fax: 02 6261 3336 (within Australia) - +61 (2) 6261 3336 (from overseas)
Fees
By law the consular service must charge fees for notarial and certain other services, These fees are determined by an Act of Parliament and do not reflect the full cost of providing consular services.

Privacy
If you need the help of consular officials while overseas, you should be aware that your rights to privacy are protected by the Privacy Act 1988, Information about you cannot be disclosed, even to your immediate family or friends, without your consent

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been granted a waiver under the Privacy Act that permits personal information to be disclosed in certain limited circumstances. These include serious threats to someone's health or life, where there are humanitarian reasons, or to confirm, correct or clarify media reports that an Australian citizen has been arrested or imprisoned overseas. The waiver is rarely used. See the full text of the Privacy Commissioner's limited waiver affecting consular work.

Useful contacts
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
You can also contact the department by telephone on the following numbers: Australian Consular Services: 1300555135

Australian Passport Information Service: 131232

Other Australian government organisations
All Australian government websites

We have listed some of them below, as well as telephone and email contacts, Australian Citizenship Information Line: 131880

Australian Communications Authority: (03) 99636800

Australian Customs Service: 1300363263
email: information@customs.gov.au

Australian Electoral Commission: 132326

Australian Federal Police: 1800813784

Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service: 1800020504
email: airports@aqis.gov.au

Australian Taxation Office: 132861

Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre: (02) 99500055 or 1800021 037

Communicable Diseases Australia

Department of the Environment and Heritage: (02) 62741111

Export permit for cultural heritage objects

Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs: 131881

Department of Veterans' Affairs: 133254

HIC Drug Diversion inquiry line: 1800500147

HIC Medicare inquiry line: 132011

Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage: (02) 62741810

Therapeutic Goods Administration, Drug Safety and Evaluation: (02) 62328610 or 1800020653

Wildlife Protection: (02) 62741900

Centrelink

If you are receiving a payment through Centrelink and are travelling overseas call them on:

Employment Services 13 2850
Retirement 13 2300
Disability, Sickness and Carers 13 2717
Family Assistance Office 13 6150
Youth and Students 13 2490
Centrelink Multilingual Services 13 1202
TTY Service 1800 810 586
(The TTY Service is only for people who have a hearing or speech impairment A TTY phone is required to use the service)

Other useful websites
US Centers for Disease Control World Health Organization Youth Hostels of Australia

World Health Organization

Youth Hostels Australia

Auto clubs
NSW: 136762 (NRMA)

QLD:131905(RACQ)

SA: (08) 82024589 (RAASA)

NT: (08) 8981 3837 (AANT)

VIC: 131955 (RACV)

WA (08) 9421 4444 (RACWA)

TAS: (03) 62326300 (RACT)

ACT: 132132 (NRMA)

Useful publications
Customs: You can get the brochures Guide for traveliers-know before you go and Tax back for travellers from travel agents, airlines, website and Customs offices. They provide essential information, which may help speed your passage through Customs. For example, they contain information about what you can and can't take out of Australia, or bring back in, and details about how to claim your GST refund under the Tourist Refund Scheme.

Health: The Health Insurance Commission, the government agency that administers Medicare, publishes a useful brochure called Your health care while travelling overseas. The brochure is available from Medicare offices or by calling 132011.

Wildlife protection: If in doubt check it out! Does your luggage break wildlife laws? and topic-specific information sheets are available from the Department of the Environment and Heritage on +61 2 62741900.

Quarantine: What can't I take into Australia? is available from travel agents and posts. Call 1800 020 504

Australian consular services brochures
You can view all these brochures online or pick up hardcopies from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade state and territory offices; Australian Passport Offices; overseas posts: and selected travel agents.

Lost credit cards or travellers cheques
Emergency numbers
Remember to dial the international access code for the country you are calling from, then the number. The following numbers can be called reverse charges (through an operator) and 24 hours a day, except where noted.

Banks
ANZ Bank +61 396437044 (for ANZ Visa call Visa Global Customer Assistance)

Commonwealth Bank +61 2 132221 (8am-8pm, Sydney time) - +61 299993283 (24 hours, but not reverse charges)

National Australia Bank - (MasterCard-see MasterCard Global) - (Visa-see Visa Global Customer Assistance)

St George Bank +61 2 133330, +61 295535883

Westpac +61 293747082 (Card Service Centre)

Bank of Melbourne +61 2 93747082 (Card Service Centre)

BankWest +61 8 94492136 (24 hours, but not reverse charges)

Currency exchange and money transfer services
American Express - For lost cards, contact your nearest American Express Travel Service or Representative Office. For lost travellers cheques contact a Travellers Cheques Worldwide Refund Service Centre.

Credit Card Sentinel +61 1800022 043

MasterCard Global + 1 3145427111

Thomas Cook +44 (1733) 318950

Travelex Australia +61 1800649 565 (free call) - (8am-7pm Sydney time)

Visa Global Customer Assistance + 14105819994, +14105813836

Western Union +61 1800649565 (8am-7pm Sydney time)

Directory of Australian overseas posts
You will find consular officers in Australian diplomatic and consular posts abroad. Sometimes the head of an Australian consulate will be an honorary consul (shown below by an asterisk). If a country has no Australian diplomatic or consular post the directory refers you to the nearest post that has responsibility for that country. as well as to Canadian and other posts that give consular assistance to Australians in that country. You may also find that another country's representatives will help you until you can establish contact with an Australian consular official.



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