smartraveller.gov.au - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
It's a must see destination.
It's a must see destination.
Living and working overseas At any one time there are around one million Australians living and working overseas. This brochure is designed to provide Australian expatriates with guidance and information about issues to consider when planning to live abroad.
There are a number of things you can do before you leave Australia to ensure the transition to your new environment is as hassle-free as possible.
1. Check the latest travel advice for your destination at smartraveller.gov.au before you go. Subscribe to receive free email notification each time the advice is updated.
2. Take out travel insurance to cover hospital treatment, medical evacuation and any activities, including adventure sports, in which you plan to participate.
3. Before travelling
overseas register your travel and contact details online at smartraveller.gov.au,or at
the local Australian embassy, high commission or consulate once you
arrive so we can contact you in an emergency.
Moving will be less stressful if you take the time before you leave to do some research. Familiarise yourself with the political, security, cultural and economic conditions of the country in which you plan to live and/or work. Also find out about local health issues and standards of medical care.
Apart from a visit to your local library, you might find it worthwhile to do an internet search. Most countries have an official government website and many tourist organisations have sites with links to political, historical and cultural information. Try to familiarise yourself with the employment conditions by talking to people who have worked in that country.
If you are planning to work in a non-English speaking country you may also find it beneficial to undertake language training before leaving. Even ‘survival’ language skills can be helpful.
If you cannot afford travel insurance, you cannot afford to travel.
It might sound a bit harsh, but organising insurance is an essential part of preparing for your overseas trip.
Comprehensive travel insurance should cover all medical expenses for injury or illness, as well as theft of your valuables and cancellations or interruptions to your flight plans, baggage damage and more. It also saves you the worry and financial burden if you have an accident or illness overseas – it’s not an exaggeration to say that medical costs can be in the tens of thousands of dollars and that many families have been burdened financially in paying these costs.
When organising travel insurance ensure you’re covered for general medical expenses, pre-existing medical conditions (be honest or you may find the insurance company won’t pay out), hospitalisation, medical evacuations and the return of remains to Australia.
If the insurance company refuses to cover your pre-existing medical condition, be sure to take out insurance to cover other health and travel-related issues not related to your pre-existing condition. If you cannot obtain travel insurance to cover your personal medical circumstances you should consider the potential financial risks very carefully before deciding whether to proceed with planned travel overseas.
Shop around for the policy best suits your individual needs, and the destinations you plan to visit. Make sure your insurance covers you for the full length of your time away. Always read the fine print!
Some hospitals overseas will not admit you unless you have insurance, no matter what is wrong with you. Medicare will not cover you outside of Australia.
If you are living overseas long-term you may need to consider local insurance to cover your needs rather than travel insurance. Check your travel insurance expiry date to make sure you don’t get caught without cover.
If you intend being abroad for an extended period, it is a good idea to take your personal records with you, including certificates relating to birth, citizenship, marriage and divorce. Keep them in your hand luggage while travelling and be sure to leave copies with a friend or family member in Australia in case you misplace them overseas.
Your passport is your most important travel document. All Australian citizens must have a valid passport before leaving Australia and maintain a valid passport while overseas. More information on passports can be found at the Passports Office or by calling the Australian Passport Information Service (APIS) on 131 232 (in Australia). If you are overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy, high commission or consulate.
Some countries may deny you entry if you don't have a passport with a minimum of six months validity. Check whether this applies to your destination and plan accordingly.
Contact the relevant foreign embassy, high commission or consulate to get information on visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations), travelling with medicines and working overseas. Remember to also check the visa requirements for countries that you may visit or transit through.
A visa does not guarantee entry to a country, particularly if authorities suspect you intend to contravene the conditions upon which the visa was issued. When you apply for a visa, be honest about yourself and your plans and take notice of the visa conditions.
If you plan to work in a foreign country, you may also need a work permit or a visa that allows you to work. Neither the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade nor Australian embassies, high commissions or consulates abroad can help you to obtain visas or work permits. These permits/working visas must be obtained from the authorities of the foreign country before you leave Australia.
Some countries require your prospective employer to sponsor you in order for you to be provided with a work permit/working visa. Be sure to find out all the details before you leave Australia.
If you intend on departing and re-entering the country you are working in, enquire about a multiple-entry visa.
Australia has reciprocal arrangements with some countries that allow Australians to work there while on holiday.
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.
If you plan to drive overseas you may need to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP). An IDP is proof that you hold a valid driver's licence in your home country and must be carried with a valid Australian driver's licence. In Australia, IDPs are issued by the Australian Automobile Association - contact details can be found at www.smartraveller.gov.au.
If you are offered a job overseas by an organisation or company, you should to do some research before you accept the offer.
CASE STUDY: Around 600 Australians employed by a company in Japan found they were not paid when the employer experienced financial difficulties. Some of them risked being evicted from their homes since the company also organised their accommodation but failed to pay rent.
It is important to have enough reserves / savings to cope with such events and to pay for return to Australia, if required.
An increasing number of Australians are migrants, children of migrants or were born overseas. This means that many Australians are dual nationals or could be regarded as dual nationals by another country. You may not even know that you are a dual national.
Being a dual national, may have implications if you travel to the country of your other nationality. Before you depart, it is important to consider the implications of local laws concerning issues such as military service, divorce and child custody. For example:
For information on the effect of dual nationality and Australian citizenship, call the Citizenship Information Line on 131 880.
For further information, obtain and/or download a copy of the brochure Travelling dual nationals.
Before departing Australia, consider advising people and organisations you deal with of your forwarding address. If you are unsure of where you will be living overseas it is often useful to have your mail forwarded to a friend or family member.
You can also use the services of a commercial organisation to forward mail to you overseas. Check the Yellow Pages directory under ‘Postal Services’ for company details. Australia Post also offers an international mail redirection service, at a fee, for periods ranging from one to 12 months.
Please note that Australian embassies, high commissions or consulates cannot receive or store personal mail on your behalf.
Contact Centrelink and find out if your Centrelink payments are likely to be affected while you’re away. If you don’t let them know your plans, you could be required to pay back overpayments.
When you go overseas there are requirements you must meet in order to remain on the electoral roll. Familiarise yourself with your electoral responsibilities by visiting the Australian Electoral Commission website. Bulletins are published at smartraveller.gov.au, containing details of state and federal elections, including information for Australians who choose to vote while overseas.
It is a good idea to have a health and dental check-up before you leave. Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about immunisations and disease outbreaks overseas.
You can find out more about health travel and vaccinations from:
For further information, obtain and/or download a copy of the brochure Travelling well.
Before leaving home you should check that any medications you intend to take with you are legal in the countries you will be visiting. You can do this by contacting the relevant embassy or high commission.
Under the National Health Act, 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. Only Australian residents living in Australia at the time a PBS prescription is dispensed are entitled to receive PBS-subsidised medication. There are restrictions on the amount of PBS medicine that can be carried or sent overseas.
It is also advisable to take a letter from your doctor detailing the contents of tablets or other medicine you’ll be carrying with you. Keep the letter and a copy of the doctor’s prescription with the medication.
If you wear glasses take a copy of your glasses or contact lens prescription in case they need to be replaced. Your optometrist will be able to provide you with a letter detailing your prescription.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, consider wearing a Medic Alert bracelet or necklace. These are available at chemists in Australia. Medic Alert Foundation keeps a database of patients’ details and medical history, accessible by phone worldwide. You should also check that your travel insurance covers your pre-existing condition.
Many countries require long-term foreign residents and students to prove that they are free of the HIV virus. Consult the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country in which you will be living about whether an HIV/AIDS test is required and if test results from Australia are accepted.
If Australian results are not acceptable, check on the type of test you will need to undergo and if you can to supply your own disposable needle.
Australia has health care agreements with some countries, including Finland, Italy, Norway, Republic of Ireland, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
These agreements enable Australians to access urgent or emergency medical treatment 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’s intended return date.
It is important to remember that:
Further information about international health agreements can be found at the Medicare Australia website or by calling Medicare Australia on 132 011.
Before you leave Australia, make sure that you have sufficient funds available to get you settled in your new country/home. If you are going overseas to work, your employer may provide you with a settling-in allowance, but this may not be paid to you for a few weeks.
Remember that living expenses vary in different parts of the world. There are also many expenses to take into account when setting up a new home, such as connecting utilities. Find out what your obligations are up front so there are no nasty surprises. If you run out of money, it may take some time before friends or relatives can get money to you.
Shipping your personal and household belongings overseas can be very expensive. Take only what you need and find out what you can buy when you get there. If you know where you’ll be working, you should check with your employer to see if they will cover the relocation of your goods and if they will provide you with essential items on your arrival.
Check with the embassy, high commission or consulate of the country you are going to concerning import and customs regulations, as you may not be allowed to bring certain items into the country.
Before departing Australia it is also advisable to check with your bank about the ease and cost of transferring money internationally between accounts in Australia and the country in which you will live. Your local bank may also be able to help with introductions or references to banks overseas.
If you are staying in a country for an extended period of time, you may want to set up a bank account in that country. To do this, you will need to go to a bank in your country of destination with your passport.
If transferring money to overseas accounts, it is important to find out if your host country has any rules which could limit the amount of funds you can transfer between your Australian bank accounts and your host country. Currency laws can be quite restrictive, so research the situation in the country where you will live or where you travelling to. Speak to your accountant or the Australian Tax Office for more information.
The amount of tax that Australians must pay if they are earning money overseas will depend on personal circumstances. For further information, go to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website or call the ATO on 13 28 61.
If you earn any income while you are overseas, you may be required to pay tax on that income in the country where it is earned. Australia has reciprocal agreements in place with only a few countries to prevent double taxation. You should check the rules and regulations with the other country’s embassy, high commission or consulate before you leave Australia, or consult the nearest Australian embassy, high commission or consulate abroad.
If you live overseas permanently, you will not be able to continue to receive your social security payment, except for certain pensions. You may continue to receive certain payments from Centrelink in countries with which Australia has an agreement.
Every year Australians fall in love and get married overseas. Laws regarding marriage vary from country to country and legal complications can arise. Anyone intending to marry overseas should contact either a legal practitioner or the embassy or consulate of the country in which they would like to marry for details of the requirements that must be met.
Some countries impose strict limitations on women’s rights to seek property entitlements, inheritance, divorce, alimony, child support and custody. Accordingly, if you plan to marry overseas, check out the legal, cultural and religious implications for yourself, your intended spouse, and children either of you may have separately or together or you plan to have in the future.
In certain countries, Australian women who marry nationals of those countries can be subject to strict family controls and may be prevented from leaving that country without their husband's permission.
CASE STUDY: An Australian woman married a man from overseas and went to live with his extended family. She was subject to domestic violence and wanted to come home with her new baby. Her husband refused to sign a passport application for the baby and took out a stop order against her, which meant that she could not leave the country without undertaking lengthy and expensive legal proceedings. Her in-laws took the baby and she found that despite a custody order in her favour, the police could do little to assist her regain her child.
Dual nationality issues can be very complex. For further information, obtain and/or download a copy of the brochure Travelling dual nationals.
Divorce law can differ greatly from country to country. Rules regarding child custody and asset splitting can be different too. If your spouse is a citizen of the host country, he or she may have more rights than you do. Always make sure you understand the local laws and procedures. Seek the advice of a reputable lawyer before to making any decisions.
Australians whose child is born overseas should contact the nearest Australian embassy, high commission or consulate to register the birth. Contact details for Australian missions abroad can be found at smartraveller.gov.au.
Further information can be found on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website or on their Citizenship Information Line on 131 880.
If you are planning to place your child or children in a childcare facility or employ the services of babysitters or nannies overseas, you should satisfy yourself about the standards of childcare provided in the country concerned. Overseas childcare centres aren’t bound by Australian regulations. Standards of childcare can be very different from those in Australia.
As you would before placing your child into childcare in Australia, you may wish to research issues such as: accreditation standards of childcare providers; whether the childcare provider has appropriate strategies to prevent child abuse; the hiring and screening procedures of staff; including background criminal record checks; qualifications of the staff caring for the children; ratios of staff to children; training of staff, including training in first aid and emergency procedures; the security arrangements of the childcare centre premises; validity of personal injury liability insurance and children’s health and vaccination issues.
For useful ideas on how to select reputable childcare providers please visit either the National Childcare Accreditation Council’s website or Child Wise’s ‘Choose with Care’ program. You can also contact Child Wise on 1800 991 099 (freecall within Australia).
If you have school-age children and are planning to move overseas, schooling conditions in your host country need to be considered. It is important that you arrange for appropriate schooling for your children before leaving Australia. Take copies of your children’s school records in case they are needed.
If you have a child of secondary school age you will need to consider other factors. For children wanting to attend university in Australia it is important to research the implications of completing their secondary education overseas. Older children attending local schools can often experience difficulties adjusting to new languages or teaching styles.
Every year more parents send their children overseas on student exchange programs. Parents need to be aware that the standards of selection and screening of host families may vary. If you are considering a student exchange program, you should satisfy yourself that proper practices are in place to protect your child.
Each year approximately 700 Australians die overseas. When an Australian citizen dies abroad, the nearest Australian embassy, high commission or consulate should be notified as soon as possible. The costs for local burial or transporting a body back to Australia can be quite expensive. Make sure to get insurance to cover this cost before you leave Australia. Otherwise, in the case of your death, your relative or next-of-kin must bear these expenses. For further information, obtain and/or download a copy of the brochure Death overseas.
To avoid difficult situations or frustrating confrontations, you must learn what behaviour is appropriate in your new environment. Be aware of and sensitive to local customs. For example, in some cultures it is against the law to photograph government buildings or people may be deeply offended by revealing clothes.
Remember that while you are in another country, local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can’t get you out of trouble or out of jail. Consult the travel advice for your destination at smartraveller.gov.au for information on local laws.
While most Australian people are open-minded when it comes to homosexuality, some other countries aren’t so liberal and you should take care and be discreet. Homosexuality is illegal in some countries and engaging in a sexual act could incur severe punishment. Consult the Local Laws section of the Department’s travel advisories at smartraveller.gov.au to find out if that is the case at your destination. Remember, a violation of local laws could result in penalties being imposed, including imprisonment and, in some countries, even the death penalty.
Don’t use, carry or get involved with drugs overseas. Every year, the Australian Government provides consular assistance to Australians arrested or jailed overseas for drug offences. Consular assistance cannot override local law, even where local laws may appear harsh by Australian standards. Some countries, such as Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam may sentence convicted drug offenders to death penalty or life imprisonment.
To minimise your chances of getting into trouble with illicit drugs overseas:
In the event that you are arrested on drug charges overseas, be aware that:
§ you have the right to contact the Australian Government.
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 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 10 years in prison and/or fines for persons and companies found guilty of bribing foreign public officials.
CASE STUDY: Following widespread civil unrest in Kenya, DFAT and the Australian High Commission staff contacted registered Australians frequently to check on their welfare and offer consular support. One group of Australians did not register and subsequently received no calls or information. They fled across the border when the area they were in was attacked. Had they registered we would have been able to advise and assist them more effectively.
While travelling it is important to keep in regular touch with your family and let them know of any changes to your travel plans. You may be having a great time on your holiday but forgetting to contact family and friends can cause them needless stress and worry. Each year, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s consular service receives hundreds of calls from concerned families who have not heard from loved ones and are concerned for their safety.
To save your family and friends needless worry:
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides assistance to Australians who find themselves in trouble overseas. This support is referred to as consular services.
The Australian Government will do what it can to help Australians in difficulties overseas. However, you need to appreciate that when you go abroad you leave behind Australia's support systems, emergency service capabilities and medical facilities. There are legal and practical limits to what consular officers can do for travellers overseas and you need to have realistic expectations.
Australians made over 5 million trips in 2006-07, compared to 3.4 million four years ago. In 2006-07 alone, the Department assisted over 33,000 Australians in difficulty in over 169 countries and handled over 300,000 public inquiries.
The Australian Government cannot decide for Australians where to travel and how to behave when they are overseas. Australians are intrepid travellers and are going in ever greater numbers to out-of-the way, sometimes dangerous places. These are personal choices which the government respects. However, you need to accept responsibility to minimise risks to yourself. Consular functions are governed by international agreements and the Australian Government cannot impose Australia's laws, rules or standards on other countries.
Examples of what we CAN DO to help Australians overseas include:
Examples of what we CANNOT DO to help Australians overseas include:
For further information, obtain and/or download a copy of the brochure Consular Services Charter.
Australians overseas in need of counselling services can contact our Consular Emergency Centre (CEC), on +61 2 6261 3305, who can transfer the call through to a Lifeline Telephone Counsellor.
Consular officers can be found in Australian diplomatic and consular posts overseas. DFAT’s consular network extends to more than 170 points of service around the world. These overseas posts are usually located in capital cities but there are also some in regional centres. Sometimes the head of an Australian consulate will be an Honorary Consul.
Not all countries have an Australian diplomatic or consular post but there is usually an Australian diplomatic mission in the region. Under a consular agreement with Canada there are a number of locations where Australians can access consular services through Canadian embassies and high commissions. Informal arrangements also exist with other consular services including those of the United Kingdom and the United States to lend assistance to Australians in need.
Address and telephone numbers of Australian embassies, high commissions and consulates can be found in local telephone directories, hotels, tourist offices or police stations in the country concerned.
A directory of Australian overseas posts and Canadian posts that assist Australians appear in Travel Smart: Hints for Australian Travellers booklet. This booklet is issued with your passport.
The 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre (CEC) in Canberra can also be contacted for assistance from anywhere in the world on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 (local call cost within Australia).
Many problems encountered overseas can be avoided if some simple precautions are taken. Follow our overseas travel tips to be well on your way to having a hassle-free journey.
When you return 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 brochure Guide for travellers – know before you go and Tax back for travellers contains extensive information on what you can and can’t take out or bring into Australia and how to claim your GST refund under the Tourist Refund Scheme. For further information call +61 2 6275 6666 from overseas or 1300 363 263 from within Australia. Alternatively email information@customs.gov.au or go to www.customs.gov.au.
Many countries impose a departure tax payable prior to departing the country. When you go to the airport to leave a country, make sure you have enough local currency or convertible cash to pay the tax. If you can’t pay – you may not make your plane!
DFAT has prepared a range of brochures for Australians planning to travel overseas:
Copies of these brochures are available at DFAT state and territory offices, Australian Passport Offices, overseas posts and selected travel agents. They can also be read and ordered in hard copy online.
Travel agencies and other businesses and educational facilities organising or promoting travel may order bulk quantities of the brochures online.
While every care has been taken in preparing this brochure, neither the Australian Government nor its agents or employees, including any member of Australia's diplomatic and consular staff abroad, can accept liability for any injury, loss or damage arising in respect of any statement contained herein.
Consular Policy Branch
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
R G Casey Building
BARTON ACT 0221
Tel (02) 6261 3305; 1 300 555 135
Information for travellers and travel advisories are available from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s smartraveller website: smartraveller.gov.au.
February 2008
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