Asia and Oceania

Australia
Still current at: 27 November 2009 Updated: 20 November 2009

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary and Health section (outbreak of whooping cough (pertussis). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

(see travel advice legal disclaimer)

Travel advice for this country

General

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You are advised to consider taking out separate medical insurance for the whole of your overseas visit, including any time spent in Australia. It is also advisable to have cover for unexpected losses such as cancelled flights, stolen cash, cards, passport or luggage. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is how we can help.

Mobile phones

The mobile phone network generally works well in cities and large towns but coverage on the edge of build-up areas and in rural areas can be very limited or non-existent in the more remote outback areas. You can use your UK mobile phone in Australia if global roaming has been activated, but making and receiving calls can be expensive. Many visitors prefer to buy an Australian SIM card on arrival. These are cheap to buy and calls, both local and international, are usually cheaper than using a UK SIM card. Australian SIM cards are available at some Australian airports, and at convenience stores and supermarkets.

Consular Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.

Share this with:

Contacts

Australia, Canberra, Consular Section

Address:

British High Commission
Consular Section
Locked Bag 5011
Piccadilly House
39 Brindabella Circuit
Canberra Airport
CANBERRA ACT 2609

Telephone:

1902 241 444 – Passport information line (Premium rate call – domestic calls only – charged at A$3.50 per minute)
00 11 44 20 8082 4726 – Passport credit card line (UK number – credit card only – charged at £0.69 per minute)
1902 941 555 – Visa information line (Premium rate call – domestic calls only – charged at A$2.75 per minute)
1300 858 472 – Visa credit card line (Premium rate call – credit card only - A$9.90 flat fee)

Fax:

Office hours:

Apr-Oct: 2300-0500 (GMT) 0900-1400 (Local)
Nov-Mar: 2200-0400 (GMT) 0900-1400 (Local)

Website: http://ukinaustralia.fco.gov.uk/en/

Sign-up for travel alerts

Subscribe to receive email alerts for the country of your choice

LOCATE: Register with us

Taking a gap year?

Then visit.....