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Website disclaimer
DFAT does not guarantee, and accepts no legal liability whatsoever arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any material contained on this website or on any linked site.
DFAT recommends that users exercise their own skill and care with respect to their use of this website and that users carefully evaluate the accuracy, currency, completeness and relevance of the material on the website or on any linked site.
The material on this website is a summary only of the subject matter covered and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Australian Government or DFAT. It is not intended to be nor should it be relied on as a substitute for legal or other professional advice. Users should obtain any appropriate professional advice relevant to their particular circumstances.
The material on this website may include the views or recommendations of third parties, which do not necessarily reflect the views of DFAT, or indicate its commitment to a particular course of action.
Links
This website and social media profiles used by DFAT (as outlined below) contain links to other websites that are external to DFAT. DFAT has no direct control over the content of the linked sites, or the changes that may occur to the content on those sites. DFAT is not responsible for the content or reliability of links, or for any loss or inconvenience arising from their use. Providing links to external websites does not constitute an endorsement or a recommendation of any material on those sites or of any third-party products or services offered by, from or through those sites. Users of links provided by this website are responsible for being aware of which organisation is hosting the website they visit.
Security
DFAT applies a range of security controls to protect its website from unauthorised access. However, users should be aware that the internet is an insecure public network that gives rise to a potential risk that a user's transactions are being viewed, intercepted or modified by third parties or that files which the user downloads may contain computer viruses, disabling codes, worms or other devices or defects.
DFAT does not warrant or represent that the material will not cause damage, or is free from any computer virus or any other defects or errors. DFAT accepts no liability for any interference with or damage to a user's computer system, software or data occurring in connection with or relating to this website or its use. Users are encouraged to take appropriate and adequate precautions to ensure that whatever is selected from this site is free of viruses or other contamination that may interfere with or damage the user's computer system, software or data.
DFAT is not liable to users of the material for any loss or damage however caused resulting from the use of the material.
Foreign embassies and consulates in Australia
Inclusion of a name in the Diplomatic List and the list of representatives of international organisations does not of itself imply that the person listed is entitled to any particular privileges or immunities under the relevant Conventions. Some listed persons may, for example, be affected by Article 37 or Article 38 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Inclusion of a name in the Consular List does not itself imply that the person is entitled to any particular privileges or immunities under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. Some listed persons may, for example, be affected by Article 71 of the Convention.
Social Media Terms of Use
DFAT uses a number of social media services to complement its traditional public outreach activities. These services include Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook. The number and nature of social media services used by DFAT will change over time. The following Terms of Use apply to all social media services used by DFAT at any given time, regardless of whether they are listed on this page.
Any persons who use DFAT's social media pages ("Users") to transmit, publish, post, upload, distribute, disseminate or otherwise make available data, text, sound, photographs, graphics, images, videos, messages or other materials ("User Content") agree that their access to and use of any of DFAT's social media pages is subject to these Terms of Use and all applicable laws, and that any such access or use is undertaken at their own risk.
DFAT reserves the right to alter these Terms of Use without advance notice by publishing the Terms of Use at DFAT.gov.au and by posting revised Terms of Use on DFAT's social media pages.
User Content licence
Any User Content provided on DFAT's social media pages will be treated as non-proprietary and non-confidential, and DFAT does not claim any ownership rights to the User Content. However, by transmitting, publishing, posting, uploading, distributing, disseminating or otherwise making available User Content on DFAT's social media services, Users grant to DFAT a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, irrevocable, non-transferable, perpetual licence to use, modify, copy, delete from, add to, publicly display and/or reproduce, such User Content, in any form of media or expression, including elsewhere on the internet, without limitation on its social media pages and website.
By providing User Content on DFAT's social media pages, Users represent and warrant that they own all rights in the User Content or have otherwise obtained appropriate rights and permissions from any and all other persons and/or entities who own, manage or otherwise claim any rights with respect to such User Content. Users represent that the User Content does not infringe the rights including but not limited to copyright, trade mark, moral rights, privacy or any other legal rights, of any third party and that DFAT's use of the content will not infringe any such rights.
Users agree to indemnify and hold DFAT and its officers harmless from any and all claims by any third party arising from or in connection with the use of the User Content, including but not limited to claims of infringement of trade mark, copyright, moral rights or other intellectual property rights, or rights of privacy.
DFAT has no control over User Content once it leaves the DFAT social media pages and it is possible that others may duplicate material found on DFAT's social media pages. DFAT does not accept responsibility for User Content that is duplicated by other persons on third party internet sites including on any social media sites.
Liability
Any content, views, opinions and/or responses to questions or views uploaded, expressed or submitted by Users to DFAT's social media pages, other than the content provided by DFAT, are solely the views, opinions and responsibility of the User and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of DFAT or the Australian Government.
DFAT is not responsible for, and does not endorse User Content transmitted or posted on its social media pages and does not guarantee the accuracy, integrity or quality of the User Content. DFAT and its officers accept no liability whatsoever for any User Content provided on its social media pages, including, without limitation, in relation to the currency, accuracy or completeness of the User Content and disclaims all liability for any loss or damage which may arise from the use of User Content provided on its social media pages.
Users should exercise their own skill and care with respect to their use of User Content on DFAT's social media pages and should carefully evaluate the accuracy, currency, completeness and relevance of the User Content or any material contained on any linked site.
DFAT's social media pages may occasionally be unavailable and DFAT accepts no responsibility whatsoever for lack of service due to any reason.
Privacy
User Content on DFAT's social media pages is publicly viewable and searchable and is not confidential. DFAT has no obligation to maintain the confidentiality of any User Content, except pursuant to DFAT's Privacy Policy.
By using DFAT's social media pages, Users consent to DFAT's collection, use and disclosure of personal information the User provides for the purpose of DFAT's public outreach and public diplomacy activities, as described in these Terms of Use. DFAT may also use and disclose Users' personal information for the purposes of administering its social media pages, including considering and addressing any comments made by Users therein. In doing so, DFAT may disclose Users' personal information to social media services, many of which are located overseas. By agreeing to this disclosure, Users acknowledge that if the social media service breaches the Australian Privacy Principles, DFAT will not be accountable under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the User will not be able to seek redress under that Act.
Social media services (such as Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook) have their own terms of use and privacy policies on the collection, use and disclosure (including to overseas servers) of Users' personal information, over which DFAT has no control. Users should familiarise themselves with the terms of use and privacy policies of each social media service before use.
If Users do not agree to the collection, use and disclosure of their personal information described above, they should not use DFAT's social media pages or otherwise provide DFAT with personal information. For further information about how DFAT handles Users' personal information, please consult DFAT's Privacy Policy.
Acceptable Use
DFAT takes a strong stance against content which is discriminatory, hateful or threatening and actions which may defame, offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate.
When contributing to DFAT's social media pages, Users agree to not:
- abuse, harass or threaten others,
- make defamatory or slanderous comments,
- use insulting, provocative or hateful language,
- use obscene or offensive language,
- post material that infringes the intellectual property rights of others,
- post multiple versions of the same view,
- incite, encourage or make reference to conduct that may constitute a criminal or civil offence or otherwise violate Australian law,
- promote commercial interests in their posts,
- post comments promoting personal professional interests
- include internet addresses or links to websites or any email addresses
- include video, audio or images of another person without their permission (or in the case of a minor, the minor's legal guardian),
- post overtly political comments (e.g. reference to candidates, fundraisers, support for political parties).
- post anything which:
- racially or religiously vilifies others,
- incites, induces or aids violence, discrimination, harassment, victimisation or hatred towards others, or
- is likely to offend, insult or humiliate others, particularly on the basis of their race, colour, descent, national origin, religion, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation or any disability.
Users further agree to:
- protect their personal privacy and that of others by not including personal information about themselves or others in comments (such as names, email addresses, private addresses or phone numbers),
- post material to the forum that is relevant to the issues being consulted on, and
- represent their own views and not impersonate or falsely represent any other person.
Moderation policy
Subject to the comment moderation features available on a social media service, DFAT has the right to remove any User Content that violates these Terms of Use or is otherwise objectionable and reserves the right to suspend or terminate access to DFAT's social media platforms without prior notice for any User who violates these Term of Use or infringes the rights of others.
While DFAT reviews public comments on a regular basis, there may be times when posts or comments that do not meet the Acceptable Use requirements, above, appear before they can be removed.
DFAT's social media pages
The purpose of DFAT's social media pages is to provide the public with updates on DFAT related issues such as Australia's foreign and trade policies, breaking news and media releases, key speeches, recruitment information, announcements of upcoming events and publications.
DFAT also uses its social media pages to showcase DFAT's work both locally and globally. The pages are used to provide users with access to DFAT's work as diplomats and promote campaigns to help explain Australia's position on international policy issues as well as conduct public diplomacy activities.
Twitter is a web-based group messaging service. DFAT has an account @dfat which is available to any user who wishes to follow it. Travel updates are available on a separate Twitter account @Smartraveller.
If you follow DFAT on Twitter, DFAT will not automatically follow you back.
YouTube
YouTube is a video publishing and sharing service. DFAT has a YouTube channel.
DFAT will not automatically accept YouTube friend requests.
Facebook is a social networking site which allows users to connect with individuals and institutions with similar interests. DFAT has a public Facebook account @dfat.gov.au.
Instagram is a mobile image and video-sharing social networking platform which allows users to take picture and film short videos to share publicly or privately among followers. DFAT has a public account @dfat.
LinkedIn is business and employment-oriented social networking platform primarily used for professional networking and career development, and allowing job seekers to post their CVs and employers to post jobs. DFAT has a public account @department-of-foreign-affairs-and-trade
Other Accounts
Australian posts overseas may also establish social media pages to provide news and information about Australia's foreign and trade policies, and public diplomacy events held in-country, and to ensure timely delivery of consular and passport messages to Australian citizens travelling or living abroad.
Certain DFAT programs also have their own social media accounts to provide information on their work.
Links to external websites
DFAT's social media pages may contain links to websites external to DFAT. Links to external websites and social media profiles not managed by DFAT are provided as a convenience to users and DFAT has no direct control over the content of the linked sites, or the changes that may occur to the content on those sites. DFAT is not responsible for the content or reliability of links, or for any loss or inconvenience arising from their use.
Providing links to external websites does not constitute an endorsement or a recommendation of any material on those sites or of any third-party products or services offered by, from or through those sites.