Being safe and aware while travelling Australia

Australia is a wonderful country in which to travel. There are lots of activities, different type of destinations and friendly people. But like travelling anywhere, Australia is not without its own risks. If you do your preparations and use commonsense, in most cases you should have problem free travel.

Emergency Number - 000

The emergency number dials a central switchboard that will transfer your call to the relevent emergency service. Police, Firemen and Ambulance.

The City

Just like any big cities in the world, there is great shopping, restaurants, nightclubs, bars and hotels in Australia's cities. And just like any big city, there are those on the fringes of society that would prey on visitors new to town. There are a few simple steps to take when in the city.

Try not to travel alone in out of the way places. Watch your drinks at hotels and bars. Be careful who you make friends with and don't carry a lot of cash on you. Always let someone know where you are going and what time you expect to be back at your hotel. If using an Autormatic Teller Machine, cover you hand when entering you PIN, so that the numbers you enter cannot be seen by someone standing nearby, or if a camera has been installed illegally to photograph you entering your PIN.

The Beach

Slip, Slop, Slap is the phrase Australian use when going to the beach. Slip on a shirt or appropriate covering for hot climates, Slop on sunscreen and Slap on a hat. Australia is not called the sunburnt country for no reason. It is the melanoma capital of the world. While it is good to get a tan on your holidays, its no fun at all spending your last days getting chemo! Dont be alarmed, just sensible, the fairer your skin, the more damage that can be done. Dont bake in the middle of the day. When you are at the beach, it is recommended you swim between the flags, unless you are a strong swimmer or surfer.

Off Road

Travelling off road is a unique experience and will give you great memories and experience. Just be prepared. You can see most of what Tasmania has to offer without having to leave sealed (paved) roads. If you do drive off the beaten track, however, carry the equipment you need to get you out of mud or boggy situations. Carry spare water and fuel. Make sure you have charged phones, but be aware that the most remote corners of Tasmania do not have mobile phone coverage. Alway let others know where you are going.

Your Consumer Rights

While in Australia, visitors are covered by Australian consumer protection laws which require all businesses to treat consumers fairly. To help visitors understand their consumer rights while travelling and shopping in Australia, we recommend you read and/or download a Fact Sheet covers information about Shopping; Shopping-subsidised tours; Buying duty-free and GST-free goods using the sealed bag method; Tax back for travellers – the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS); Buying medicines in Australia; Buying Indigenous arts and crafts; Your rights to a refund; Consumer complaints; and Interpreter assistance to call government agencies.

Download or Read Fact Sheet Online

Health Care

Before visiting Australia, it is important to understand how the Australian healthcare system works and what it means for you when applying for your visa. On selected visas, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) may require you to purchase and maintain adequate health insurance for the duration of your stay in Australia.

Australia's Healthcare System

The Australian Government has signed Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA) with the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Belgium, Norway, Slovenia, Malta and Italy. These agreements entitle you to some subsidised health services for essential medical treatment while visiting Australia.

More information

Dealing With The Police - Your Rights

The police can approach you and ask you questions at any time. Always find out why the police want to talk to you. When dealing with the police it is important to try to stay calm and polite. By co-operating with them, you are assisting them in doing their job - which is protect and serve the community. Don’t resist or be abusive or violent. The police cannot take you anywhere unless they arrest you or you agree to go.

The Lawstuff website has prepared information regarding your rights, which you can access by following the link below. Please remember that each State or Territory has its own police force, and therefore the information relating to each may differ from one to another. The Lawstuff website gives the option to read information pertaining to a particular state or territory.

Lawstuff website