{"metadata":{"generated":{"timestamp":1393624893,"date":"2014-02-28 23:01:33"}},"data":{"country-iso":"AU","advisory-state":0,"has-advisory-warning":0,"has-regional-advisory":0,"has-content":1,"update-metadata":"","eng":{"name":"Australia","url-slug":"australia","friendly-date":"February 18, 2014 15:10 ","advisory-text":"Exercise normal security precautions","recent-updates":"A minor editorial change was made.","advisories":"
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The decision to travel is your responsibility. You are also responsible for your personal safety abroad. The purpose of this Travel Advice is to provide up-to-date information to enable you to make well-informed decisions.<\/p>\n
Violent crime is low, but petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching occurs in larger cities. Vehicle break-ins are common. Exercise caution in the more popular tourist areas (St. Kilda in Melbourne; Kings Cross, downtown George Street, Darling Harbour, Bondi Beach and The Rocks, in Sydney; Cairns and the Gold Coast, in Queensland), where thieves target foreigners. Hitchhiking should be avoided at all times, and women should not travel alone after dark.<\/p>\n
Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum, or cigarettes from new acquaintances, as they may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.<\/p>\n
Attacks on backpackers have occurred. Ensure that your personal belongings are secure, particularly in crowded places. Robberies of safe-deposit facilities are common at inexpensive hotels and hostels.<\/p>\n
Traffic drives on the left. Exercise caution when driving in rural areas, particularly in the Northern Territory, due to roaming animals, excessive speeding and \"road-trains\" (trucks pulling two or more trailers). Pull over and allow oncoming road-trains to pass to avoid being sideswiped. Access to some remote locations may be impossible during inclement weather. When travelling by car, plan your route carefully due to the great distances between settlements and the isolation of many outback areas. Provide a friend or relative with your itinerary, and ensure that your vehicle is in good repair. Carry sufficient supplies of gasoline, water and food, as well as a cellular telephone. Permits are required when travelling on aboriginal territory.<\/p>\n
Public transportation is safe and reliable.<\/p>\n
Consult our Transportation Safety<\/a> page in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.<\/p>\n Many regions in the interior of Australia are remote, with small populations and few services. Overland travellers may have limited access to telephones and other facilities. Flash floods and bushfires occur in many parts of the country. Monitor news reports carefully. For more information, consult the publication entitled National Visitor Safety Handbook<\/a> published by Tourism Queensland.<\/p>\n Riptides in coastal areas can be strong, including at popular tourist destinations. Several drownings occur each year. Obey the lifeguards, heed flag warnings and under no circumstances swim when a red flag is displayed.<\/p>\n Dial 000 for emergency services.<\/p>","entry-exit":" It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. Canadian consular officials cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet entry requirements. The following information on entry and exit requirements has been obtained from the Australian authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is your responsibility to check with the High Commission of Australia<\/a> or one of its consulates<\/a> for up-to-date information.<\/p>\n Official (special and diplomatic) passport holders must consult the Official Travel<\/a> page, as they may be subject to different entry requirements.<\/p>\n Canadians must present a passport<\/a> to visit Australia, which must be valid on the day of entry into that country. Before you leave, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.<\/p>\n Canadians must also be in possession of an Electronic Travel Authority<\/a> (ETA). Ensure that you travel with the same passport used to apply for your ETA.<\/p>\n A health examination might be necessary to obtain certain visas. For more information, consult the website of the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship<\/a>.<\/p>\n A fee is applicable for all student visas. For more information, contact the Australian Visa Information Service in Canada at 613-216-7603, or consult the Study in Australia<\/a> <\/em>website.<\/p>\n Tourist visa: Required Children need special documentation to visit certain countries. Please consult our Children<\/a> page for more information.<\/p>\n Some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before allowing entry. Consult the World Health Organization’s country list<\/a> to obtain information on this country’s requirements.<\/p>","health":" Be sure that your routine vaccines<\/a> are up-to-date regardless of your travel destination.<\/p> You may be at risk for these vaccine-preventable diseases while travelling in this country. Talk to your travel health provider about which ones are right for you.<\/p> \n\tHepatitis B<\/a> is a disease of the liver spread through blood or other bodily fluids. Travellers who may be exposed (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment or occupational exposure) should get vaccinated.<\/p>\n<\/details> \n\tSeasonal influenza<\/a> occurs worldwide. The flu season usually runs from November to April in the northern hemisphere, between April and October in the southern hemisphere and year round in the tropics. Influenza (flu) is caused by a virus spread from person to person when they cough or sneeze or through personal contact with unwashed hands. Get the flu shot.<\/p>\n<\/details> \n\tJapanese encephalitis<\/a> is a viral infection that can cause swelling of the brain. It is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Risk is low for most travellers. Vaccination should be considered for those who may be exposed to mosquito bites (e.g., spending time outdoors in rural areas) while travelling in regions with risk of Japanese encephalitis.<\/p>\n<\/details> \n\tMeasles occurs worldwide but is a common disease in developing countries, particularly in parts of Africa and Asia. Measles<\/a> is a highly contagious disease. Be sure your vaccination against measles is up-to-date regardless of the travel destination. Yellow fever is a disease caused by the bite of an infected mosquito.<\/p> Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.<\/p>Remote areas<\/h3>\n
Swimming<\/h3>\n
Emergency services<\/h3>\n
Passport<\/h3>\n
Visas<\/h3>\n
Business visa: Required
Student visa: Required<\/p>\nChildren and travel<\/h3>\n
Yellow fever<\/h3>\n
Vaccines<\/summary>
Routine Vaccines<\/h3>
Vaccines to Consider<\/h3>
Hepatitis B<\/summary>
Influenza<\/summary>
Japanese encephalitis<\/summary>
Measles<\/summary>
\n\t <\/p>\n<\/details>Yellow Fever Vaccination<\/h3>