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Australia
Country Specific Information
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November 10, 2009
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: 
Australia is a highly developed, stable democracy with a federal-state system. Tourist facilities are widely available.
Read the State Department Background Notes on Australia for additional information.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: U.S. citizens living or traveling in Australia are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate at the Department of State’s travel registration page in order to obtain updated information on local travel and security. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Registration is important; it allows the State Department to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency.
In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) or Queanbeyan: For emergency services (e.g., the arrest, death or serious injury of an U.S. citizen), please contact the U.S. Embassy in Canberra. The Embassy is located at Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600, telephone (61) (2) 6214-5600, fax (61) (2) 6273-3191. NOTE: Passports and other routine citizen services for Canberra and the rest of the ACT are provided by the U.S. Consulate General in Sydney (see contact information below).
In New South Wales, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island, and Queensland: For registration, passport, and other consular services for U.S citizens, please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Sydney. The U.S. Consulate General is located on Level 59, MLC Centre, 19-29 Martin Place, Sydney, NSW 2000, telephone (61) (2) 9373-9200, fax (61) (2) 9373-9184. The Consulate General offers an online appointment system for U.S citizens seeking routine non-emergency services such as registration, passport, and other consular services. To make an appointment, visit their web site. Hours open to the public: 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Monday to Friday (except U.S. and Australian holidays and the first Wednesday of each month). For emergency services (e.g., the arrest, death, or serious injury of a U.S. citizen) after 5:00 p.m. weekdays, holidays and weekends, please call (61) (2) 4422-2201.
In Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and the Northern Territory: For registration, passport, and other consular services for U.S. citizens, please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Melbourne located at 553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004, telephone (61) (3) 9526-5900, fax (61) (3) 9525-0769. For routine non-emergency services such as registration, passport, and other consular services, an on line appointment is necessary. To make an appointment, visit the web site. Appointments are available Monday to Friday, except U.S. and Australian holidays and the first Wednesday of each month. For emergency services (e.g., the arrest, death, or serious injury of a U.S. citizen), between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., please contact the American Citizen Services (ACS) Unit at (61) (3) 9526-5900 or by email. For emergency services after 4:30 p.m. or on holidays and weekends, please call (61) (3) 9389-3601.
In Western Australia: For registration, passport, and other consular services for U.S. Citizens, please contact the U.S. Consulate General in Perth, located at 16 St. Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000, telephone: (61)(8) 9202-1224, fax (61)(8) 9231-9444. The Consulate General offers an online appointment system for U.S. citizens seeking routine non-emergency services such as registration, passport, and other consular services. To make an appointment, please visit the Consulate's website. Hours open to the public for American Citizen Services: 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Monday through Thursday. For emergency services (e.g., the arrest, death, or serious injury of a U.S. citizen) outside of business hours, please call (61) (8) 9476-0081.
ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS: U.S. citizens are required to have a valid U.S. passport to enter Australia and must enter with an Australian visa or, if eligible, through the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). The ETA replaces a visa and allows tourists a stay of up to three months. It may be obtained for a small service fee. Airlines and many travel agents in the United States are also able to apply for ETAs on behalf of travelers. Please note that U.S. citizens who overstay their ETA or visa, even for short periods, may be subject to exclusion, detention, and removal by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship. More information about the ETA, other visas, and entry requirements may be obtained from the Embassy of Australia at 1601 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036, telephone (202) 797-3000, or via the Australian Embassy home page. Visa inquires may be directed to the Australian Visa Information Service at 888-990-8888.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.
THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY: Australia has instituted an alert system for possible terrorist attacks. The threat levels range from “low” to “high.” The Australian Attorney General's Office website has up-to-date information regarding the current terrorism threat level. U.S. citizens should maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. Travelers may also contact the Australian National Security Hotline at 61-1-800-123-400.
For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs' website, which contains current the Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or by calling a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges U.S citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s extensive tips and advice on traveling safely abroad.
CRIME: Visitors should be aware that street crime, burglaries, and car thefts are a daily occurrence in Australia’s larger cities. Weapons are increasingly used in such crimes, which also may be associated with drug trafficking and usage. Foreign visitors are targets for pickpockets, purse-snatchers, and petty thieves. Drink spiking is a reported common occurrence; awareness when drinking is recommended. Appropriate, common sense precautions should be taken, especially at night, to avoid becoming a target of opportunity.
The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Australia is: 000 (Triple 0). To call for fire/police/ambulance services throughout Australia, dial “000” for urgent assistance.
In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law. In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.
VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you are the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate (see the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates). This includes the loss or theft of a U.S. passport. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, help you find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends, and explain how funds may be transferred to you in a foreign country. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime are solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
Every state in Australia has a crime victim assistance program that includes crimes against international visitors. For more information on local programs in Australia, please visit Victim Assistance Online's website.
The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Australia is: 000 (Triple 0). To call for fire/police/ambulance services throughout Australia, dial “000” for urgent assistance.
See our information on Victims of Crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Australia’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Australia are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: The 1908 Quarantine Law gives Australian authorities broad powers to prevent the entry of diseases and other materials into Australia that might pose a threat to its welfare. In the event of a public health emergency involving a communicable disease, passengers arriving in Australia may be subject to strict health screening measures, including testing, monitoring, and assessment for possible quarantine. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the infectious diseases section of the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.
Australian customs authorities enforce very strict regulations concerning the importation from all countries of items such as agricultural and wood products, as well as very strict quarantine standards for other products, animals, and pets. These regulations also apply to items tourists bring with them, including small quantities of food such as fruit. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Australia in Washington, D.C., or one of Australia's consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements or visit the Australian Government's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry web site.
Visitors are cautioned that Australian fauna can be dangerous. From jellyfish off the Great Barrier Reef to crocodiles, sharks, poisonous insects, and snakes, the continent and its waters host wildlife that merit awe and respect in equal doses. Visit the Wet Tropics Management Authority visitor info guide for information on Australian wildlife and marine life. Swimmers should use safety precautions, swim between the flags only where a lifeguard is present, and never swim alone. SCUBA diving can be a treacherous sport. Over the past few years there have been numerous deaths related to diving incidents. Divers are urged to follow recommended precautions and never dive alone.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Excellent medical care is available in Australia. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Most doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash/credit card payment for health services. Travel insurance should be considered.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as food safety, water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the infectious diseases section of the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to consult their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to determine whether their policy applies overseas and whether it covers emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. For more information, please see our overseas medical insurance page.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens will encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning driving in Australia is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Visitors are reminded that all traffic operates on the left side of the road and all vehicles use right-hand drive. Visitors should use caution when crossing streets and when driving. When crossing roads, pedestrians are reminded to look carefully in all directions. Seat belts are mandatory, and fines apply for not wearing them. Speed limits and laws regarding driving while intoxicated are rigorously enforced. Roads and streets are frequently narrower and less graded than U.S. highways. Outside the major metropolitan areas, most highways are two-lane roads with significant distances between destinations. Speed limits vary throughout Australia and are measured in kilometers, not miles. Visit the Roads and Traffic Authorities web site concerning traffic rules and regulations.
Drivers are urged to exercise caution while passing or merging with adjacent traffic. When driving in rural areas, drivers should be cautious of free-roaming animals, such as kangaroos, and "road-trains" (several semi-truck trailers connected together). It is dangerous to pass road-trains, and is advisable to pull over to allow on-coming road-trains to pass so as to avoid being sideswiped. A number of fatalities have occurred in the Northern Territory where vehicles driven at high rates of speed have skidded and overturned after hitting loose gravel on the shoulder of the road. U.S. drivers, especially those inexperienced with 4-wheel drive vehicles, should exercise common-sense when driving in outback Australia.
For specific information concerning Australian driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, mandatory insurance, and the rental and operation of motor vehicles in Australia, visit the Australian Tourist Commission web site.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information or visit the Roads and Traffic Authorities web site for Australia specific information.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Australia’s Civil Aviation Authority (ACAA). The FAA has determined the ACAA is in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Australia’s air carrier operations. Further information can be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information about children’s issues see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Australia dated April 30, 2009, without substantive changes.
