Asia and Oceania

The Australian authorities will take action against anyone who imports or is found to be trafficking illegal substances.  Prosecution can lead to a lengthy jail sentence and non-Australian nationals are usually deported at the end of their sentence. Deportation may lead to a ban on returning to Australia for several years. Laws, and the penalties for breaking them, can differ from State to State.
 
Australia has an established tradition of tolerance towards homosexuality, however there are still isolated incidents of homophobic related crimes. Gay and lesbian travellers should be aware of local sensitivities particularly when visiting rural communities.
 
Travellers spending a gap year in Australia (or elsewhere) may like to view www.gogapyear.com.
 

Quarantine Procedures

 
Australian authorities are rigorous in their efforts to keep out any pests and diseases that could affect plant, animal and human health.  All luggage is x-rayed on arrival, whether arriving by plane with visitors or by mail.  Any items of quarantine concern are further inspected, treated and, if necessary, confiscated and destroyed.
 
Before landing you will be given an incoming passenger card on the plane, on which you must declare any food or goods of plant or animal origin.  These goods include nuts, dried fruit and vegetables, herbs and spices, biscuits, cakes and confectionery, teas, coffees and milk-based drinks and sporting equipment (including camping gear), amongst others.  A full list of items which must be declared, as well as prohibited goods, can be found on the  Australian Quarantine & Inspection Service website. Breaches of quarantine regulations can result in large fines.
 
You must also declare on the passenger card if you have 'visited a rural area, or been in contact with, or near, farm animals outside Australia in the past 30 days'.  As a result of these quarantine procedures, you should expect some delay on arrival.

 

For more general information for different types of travellers see Your Trip.