Travel Tips

Whether you go by car, train, boat or plane; by yourself, with a friend or a whole tour group; are exploring new places close to home, travelling within Australia or going global to check out exotic locations across the world – having a plan, being prepared and staying safe when travelling is always important.

Smart Traveller

Smartraveller is for Australians planning to travel, or already travelling or living, overseas. Our purpose is to help Australians travel overseas safely, reduce their risks and avoid problems.

Smartraveller advises before you go overseas to:

Research your destination
Get the right travel insurance
Organise your passports and visas
Think about your packing
Organise your travel money
Copy your documents
Plan to stay healthy

While you are overseas:

Make smart decisions while you’re away
Be conscious of your safety and security
Research local transport and tours
Obey the law
Respect local customs
Consider family and relationship matters
Keep in touch with your family and friends regularly

When you return to Australia:

Have the correct documents completed and ready
Make sure you declare any restricted or prohibited items
Know your duty-free allowances
Familiarise yourself with any COVID-19 re-entry measures

Getting a Passport

The Australian Passport Office have developed a 5 step guide to getting an adult passport. Click through the links for further information.

Getting a foreign visa

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. Foreign governments often require you to get a visa before they let you enter.

How to get a visa

Each country determines their own process for visa applications and approvals.

Check the travel advisories for all destinations you’ll be travelling to or through. Some provide basic visa information.
Visit the websites for your destinations’ embassies or consulates in Australia. They usually detail the process for Australian visitors.
Some foreign embassies and consulates in Australia will direct you to an official immigration website. Others may refer to an authorised commercial service.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is an essential part of international travel and can help protect you financially if something is to go wrong when you are overseas. You might become unwell and require medical treatment, lose or have your baggage or valuables stolen or there may be a crisis which means you need to return home urgently. Travel insurance can provide financial coverage for these types of situations. There are many options available to purchase travel insurance, so do your research and find the best one for you.