dfat travel advisory

School operations

Including camps and adventure activities

• Student medical information
• Student Activity Locator
• Risk management planning
• Emergency or critical incident management
• Staffing – roles and responsibilities
• Supervision
• Student preparation and behaviour
• Liability, waivers and indemnities
• External providers
• Venue selection
• Weather and emergency warnings
• Communications
• Identification
• Overseas travel
• Adventure activities – including swimming and water-based activities

On this page:

Dfat travel advice, travel insurance for overseas excursions, documentation, contingency funds, travel forecast, travel application process, pre-trip briefing, post-travel reporting, using third-party providers, travel insurance, staffing and supervision, risk assessment, medical information form – camps and overseas excursions, designated school contact.

As well as the requirements for all excursions (such as approvals, risk management planning, consent) there are additional steps when planning and conducting overseas excursions. When planning and conducting overseas excursions, schools are required to:

• at least 6 months before travel, submit a travel forecast (via the School Staff Travel Applications External Link page) (staff login required)
• comply with DFAT travel advice
• ensure all parents or carers have completed the Medical information form – camps and overseas excursions (DOCX) External Link
• ensure all participants have appropriate travel insurance
• ensure copies of appropriate documentation are available on the excursion and at the school
• ensure a School Staff Travel Application has been completed and approved within the correct timelines
• complete a post-travel report on the School Staff Travel Applications External Link (staff login required) page
• ensure staffing arrangements are sufficient in the event of an emergency
• ensure excursion planning and risk management planning considers the school’s child safety responsibilities. This is especially important if there are any times where students are not under the direct supervision of school staff (such as homestay arrangements). For more information refer to Child Safe Standards .

Schools should also:

• ensure there are appropriate contingency funds available for staff on the excursion to access in the event of an emergency
• develop a communications plan, including assigning a designated school contact
• conduct a pre-trip briefing for staff, students and the parents/carers of students attending the excursion.

Schools must confirm that the locations and activities planned comply with any current Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade travel advice External Link . Risk and emergency management plans must be developed in consideration of the location, students, activities planned, types of travel undertaken and any relevant advice from DFAT.

The Smartraveller External Link website is the DFAT travel advisory and consular assistance service. This site also provides useful travel information and tips. Before travelling overseas, schools should check the Smartraveller website to ensure that they have the most up-to-date travel advice for the proposed countries and locations to be visited.

Schools planning and conducting overseas excursions must ensure that they:

• comply with any DFAT travel advice current for the proposed location
• subscribe to receive automatic travel advice updates from the Smartraveller website both prior to the excursion and when overseas
• review their risk assessment if there are any changes to the DFAT travel advice. This will require the principal to consider whether there is a need to cancel, recall or alter excursion arrangements.

This section describes the 4 levels of DFAT travel advice with the required actions and considerations:

• Level 1: Exercise normal safety precautions.
• Level 2: ‘Exercise a high degree of caution’ – requires additional attention to planning and assessment of risk.
• Level 3: ‘Reconsider your need to travel' – would generally mean excursions should be postponed or cancelled as the educational goals are unlikely to justify the risks. Any decision to continue would require consultation with the Security and Emergency Management Division ( [email protected] ), a detailed risk assessment and treatment plan together with detailed contingency planning.
• Level 4: ‘Do not travel' – principals must cancel or postpone the excursion.

For a sample overseas travel risk register refer to: Sample Overseas Travel Risk Register External Link (staff login required).

All students and staff must take out travel and medical insurance for the entire overseas trip. Where possible, it is recommended all staff and students travelling overseas are covered by the same insurance provider. This makes it easier to manage multiple claims within a group.

It is strongly recommended that staff and students take out insurance cover directly and not via a tour operator. This ensures that insurance coverage has been obtained as required (there have been past instances where tour operators have accepted pre-payments on account of insurance but failed to take out the insurance as promised leaving staff and students uninsured).

Before taking out any insurance cover, staff and families of student travellers should ensure they:

• consider whether or not the insurance cover excludes events that may disrupt travel plans such as pandemics, wars, storms, floods, and strikes
• make an independent assessment of whether or not the level of cover provided is appropriate for their needs.

For information regarding insurance coverage for travellers who are diagnosed as COVID-19 positive, please refer to the guidance on insurance policies – 2.4 Travel insurance for teachers and students at Insurance for Schools.

The department strongly recommends schools and students arrange travel insurance through the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA). The department has arranged a cost-effective travel insurance facility for students and accompanying teachers on international excursions which provides generally broader cover than most commercial insurers.

Travel insurance purchased through VMIA also provides the travellers access to AHI Assist, a 24/7 medical assistance company and emergency hotline, which includes services such as:

• immediate access to doctors and nurses
• case management if hospitalised
• assistance in replacing a lost or stolen passport
• legal assistance
• the arrangement for transport by road, aircraft or special air ambulance to an appropriate medical centre if this is required for treatment, accompanied if necessary by a doctor or nurse
• arrangements for evacuation and transportation home if necessary
• civil unrest evacuation
• natural disaster evacuation
• immediate access to safety and security experts.

Refer to Insurance for Schools for further information on VMIA travel insurance.

The teacher in charge of the excursion must have access to the following documentation while overseas:

• front page (the photo page) of each participant’s passport and any visas
• medical information/relevant health management plans for all participants
• risk management plan
• emergency management plan (including details for in-country emergency assistance)
• Medical information form – camps and overseas excursions (DOCX) External Link
• communications plan (if applicable)
• contact details of families
• contact details for students (if applicable)
• contact details for host school (if applicable)
• contact details for host families (if applicable)
• each student’s consent form (paper copy preferred)
• detailed itinerary
• details of travel insurance for all participants.

A copy of these documents must also be left at the school.

Teachers accompanying students on overseas excursions should have access to sufficient contingency funds provided by the school to be used in the event of an emergency. Contingency funds must be approved by school council.

Forecasting travel is crucial in managing the operational risks associated with travel.

All school-based staff intending to travel representing the department must notify the department of this travel via completion of a travel forecast form, at least 6 months before travel is scheduled to occur.

Schools must submit a travel forecast using the School Travel Forecast form External Link (staff login required) on the department’s intranet.

Schools must read the department’s Travel policy including the Travel Rules of Use – School-based Staff before completing a travel application.

Schools must complete the DE School Staff Travel Application form located on the School Staff Travel Applications External Link (staff login required) intranet page. The DE Travel Tracker – Admin/User Guide External Link is a useful resource throughout the application process.

International travel applications must be completed at least three weeks advance.

The information included in the travel application will be reviewed by the region’s travel registrar and will determine whether the travel is approved by the regional director. The application is then forwarded to the central travel registrar for a quality assurance check and approval by the Assistant Deputy Secretary, Schools and Regional Services.

For further details regarding the travel application form, please contact your region’s travel registrar External Link .

When conducting an overseas excursion, a communications plan should be developed. This should consider the type of communication, the responsible party, timing of communication in response to a variety of situations (including emergencies).

Any overseas excursion must have a teacher in charge, who is the central point of contact for the group on the excursion. It is also recommended that schools assign a designated school contact. This should be a senior staff member who is not travelling with the group and can be contacted in the event of an emergency. The designated school contact should be used as a key liaison between the travelling group and the department, parents/carers and the school community.

Schools should undertake a pre-trip briefing for students attending the overseas excursion and their parents.

Attention should be given to the following topics:

• educational purpose
• code of conduct for students while on the trip
• cultural considerations
• emergency response procedures (including communications)
• risks associated with specific activities
• travel SIM cards
• passports/visas and security measures
• recommended packing lists (including weather considerations).

Upon return of the overseas trip, a staff travel report must be submitted to the regional travel registrar to within 14 days of return from trip. The template for the travel report can be found on the School Staff Travel Applications External Link (staff login required) intranet page. The completed report musty be uploaded to the existing online form. Change the tracking status to: 'Submit Travel Report' and assign to your regional travel registrar. Please refer to the department's Travel policy for further details.

Many schools engage third party providers (tour operators) to organise and facilitate overseas experiences for students. These tour operators provide unique travel experiences and manage many of the logistics and administrative burden that would otherwise be placed on schools. Note that the department does not recommend using tour operators to obtain travel insurance – refer to the section above headed Travel insurance for overseas excursions External Link .

It is important to remember that engaging a tour operator does not fully transfer duty of care and schools will still need to take reasonable steps to reduce foreseeable risk by following all relevant aspects of the Excursions policy.

Before parents enter into any agreement with a tour operator to run all or part of an overseas experience, the school should consult with the department’s Legal Division.

The school must ensure that parents are made aware of the fact that the school bears no responsibility for any agreement entered into between parents and the tour operator. As the school is not a party to the agreement between parents and the tour operator, the school will not be liable for any loss or damage incurred by a parent as a result of a tour operator breaching the terms and conditions of an agreement. All queries or concerns about agreements with third-party providers should be directed to the department’s Legal Division via [email protected]

The principal and parents of students attending the trip organised by a tour operator must understand the terms or conditions in relation to cancellations, alterations/postponements, and refunds. Before any decision is made by the school to cancel a trip the school should contact the department’s Legal Division for advice on the implications of cancellation (including incurring cancellation fees or loss of coverage under the insurance policy.

If a tour operator cannot honour a booking or cancels a tour part-way through the tour, through no fault of the students attending the tour as planned, then any payments made in respect of that cancelled booking should be refunded. However, there is unlikely to be the ability to claim damages from the tour operator beyond the amount of the refund.

Tour operators often offer travel insurance as part of the travel package. The department strongly recommends against using tour operators to obtain insurance. Principals should refer to the guidance in the Travel insurance for overseas excursions External Link section above and make arrangements for the school staff and students to be covered under VMIA.

The supervision requirements set out in the Supervision chapter of these guidelines apply to overseas excursions. School staff must read this chapter carefully to ensure the staffing arrangements meet the policy requirements.

Tour operator or activity operator staff (external staff) can only be included in the overall staffing numbers for the excursion when they are on duty and available on the same basis as school staff. This means that when the external staff are ‘off duty’, or will not be with the school group (including flights), they cannot be included in the overall staff-student supervision requirements.

Many tour operators who conduct overseas travel experiences for schools will complete and provide risk assessments to the school. However, the school must complete their own risk register for the excursion as part of the approval process and as set out in the Risk management planning chapter of these guidelines.

It is important that schools complete their own risk register in order to:

• ensure all risks are clearly identified
• ensure measures in place to manage the risks (controls and treatments) are consistent with relevant department policy
• ensure specific risks to students and staff (including but not limited to risks associated with having external staff supervising the excursion) are addressed.

Schools should consider drawing upon the advice in the tour operator risk assessment when identifying controls or treatments for specific risks.

Staff should also familiarise themselves with the emergency management procedures of the tour operator to ensure they complement the school’s excursion emergency management plan.

The Medical information form – camps and overseas excursions (DOCX) External Link must be completed by a parent or carer prior to their child going on camp or an overseas excursion. The information on this form will be used if a child requires medical assistance while on camp or overseas. The information on this form must be current at the time of the camp or overseas excursion.

Some tour operators may have a dedicated emergency support hotline or contact person. However, the school must still have a designated contact person in the event of an emergency as per the requirements set out in the Emergency or critical incident management chapter of these guidelines.

Reviewed 10 March 2023

• Print whole topic

Update May 10, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Share this page:

Germany Travel Advisory

Travel advisory may 1, 2024, germany - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued after periodic review with minor edits

Exercise increased caution in Germany due to  terrorism .

Country Summary:  Terrorist groups keep planning attacks in Germany. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning. They target tourist locations and transportation hubs. They also target markets/shopping malls and local government facilities. They target hotels, clubs, and restaurants. They also attack places of worship, parks, and major sporting and cultural events. They target schools, airports, and other public areas.

Read the  country information page for additional information on travel to Germany.

If you decide to travel to Germany:

• Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues.
• Follow the instructions of local authorities.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter . 
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Germany.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, germany map, search for travel advisories, external link.

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

• Work & Careers
• Life & Arts

Become an FT subscriber

Try unlimited access Only $1 for 4 weeks

Then $75 per month. Complete digital access to quality FT journalism on any device. Cancel anytime during your trial.

• Global news & analysis
• Expert opinion
• Special features
• FirstFT newsletter
• Videos & Podcasts
• Android & iOS app
• FT Edit app
• 10 gift articles per month

Explore more offers.

Standard digital.

• FT Digital Edition

Premium Digital

Print + premium digital, weekend print + standard digital, weekend print + premium digital.

Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device. Pay a year upfront and save 20%.

• Global news & analysis
• Exclusive FT analysis
• FT App on Android & iOS
• FirstFT: the day's biggest stories
• 20+ curated newsletters
• Follow topics & set alerts with myFT
• FT Videos & Podcasts
• 20 monthly gift articles to share
• Lex: FT's flagship investment column
• 15+ Premium newsletters by leading experts
• FT Digital Edition: our digitised print edition
• Weekday Print Edition
• Videos & Podcasts
• Premium newsletters
• 10 additional gift articles per month
• FT Weekend Print delivery
• Everything in Standard Digital
• Everything in Premium Digital

Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders. Pay a year upfront and save 20%.

• 10 monthly gift articles to share
• Everything in Print

Terms & Conditions apply

Explore our full range of subscriptions.

Why the ft.

See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times.

International Edition

U.S. soldier detained in Russia and accused of stealing, officials say

A U.S. soldier was detained in Russia last week, a U.S. Army spokesperson said in a statement.

The soldier, Staff Sgt. Gordon Black, had been stationed in South Korea and traveled to Russia on his own, not on official business, according to four U.S. officials.

He had finished his deployment and was heading back to the U.S. when he made a side trip to Vladivostok, Russia, to visit a woman he was romantically involved with, officials said. They added that he had traveled there without permission from his superiors and that he is being held in pretrial confinement.

The soldier is accused of stealing from a woman, the officials said. It was not immediately clear whether it was the same woman he was visiting.

The soldier was detained Thursday, U.S. Army spokesperson Cynthia O. Smith said in a statement.

Smith said the soldier was apprehended in Vladivostok "on charges of criminal misconduct."

"The Russian Federation notified the U.S. Department of State of the criminal detention in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations," Smith said. "The Army notified his family and the U.S. Department of State is providing appropriate consular support to the Soldier in Russia. Given the sensitivity of this matter, we are unable to provide additional details at this time."

Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said he is "deeply concerned" by reports that a soldier was detained in Russia."Putin has a long history of holding American citizens hostage," McCaul said in a post shared on X . "A warning to all Americans—as the State Department has said, it is not safe to travel to Russia."

Current travel guidance from the U.S. State Department restricts travel for citizens to Russia. "Exercise increased caution due to the risk of wrongful detentions," according to the State Department advisory. The Defense Department also restricts travel for Pentagon personnel.

Black is one of a number of Americans detained in Russia, including several civilians.

Arrests of Americans in Russia have increased as the relationship between the two countries has sunk to Cold War lows, The Associated Press reported . The U.S. has accused Russia of targeting Americans and using them as bargaining chips, according to the AP.

Among the most prominent U.S. citizens to be detained are Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was jailed last March , and former Marine Paul Whelan, who was arrested in 2018. The U.S. government has said that both Gershkovich and Whelan are wrongfully detained.

WNBA star Brittney Griner spent 10 months in Russian penal colonies for drug-related charges but was released  in a  rare prisoner exchange  for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in 2022.

Courtney Kube is a correspondent covering national security and the military for the NBC News Investigative Unit.

Mosheh Gains is a Pentagon producer for NBC News.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Northern Lights Set to Return During Extreme Solar Storm’s 2nd Night

Electrical utilities said they weathered earlier conditions as persistent geomagnetic storms were expected to cause another light show in evening skies.

By Katrina Miller ,  Ivan Penn and Emmett Lindner

Night skies in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere are expected to bloom again on Saturday night with the vivid colors of the northern lights , or aurora borealis, as a powerful geomagnetic storm caused by a hyperactive sun persists through the weekend.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , which monitors space weather, said in an update on Saturday that it continued to observe solar activity that could lead to periods of “severe-extreme” geomagnetic storms . The federal agency first issued a warning on Friday as bursts of material from the sun’s surface traveled into Earth’s atmosphere, causing irregularities in power, navigation and communication systems.

Major power utilities had largely prepared their electrical grids for the solar storm, and their customers were unaffected.

For most people, the solar storm was a gift: It caused ribbons of pink, purple and green light across night skies of much of the United States, Canada and Europe . Where evening skies are clear on Saturday, the lights can be expected again.

Known as aurora, the light is caused by particles from the sun interacting with gases in Earth’s atmosphere, and is usually only observed at latitudes closer to the North or South Pole. But on Friday night, residents of lower latitudes, including those in North Carolina and Arizona, saw the dancing lights.

Jane Wong, 30, of San Francisco, drove to the Presidio overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge where conditions started out foggy. But at midnight, her wait paid off as the sky started to clear.

“It’s right here, which is really magnificent,” she said.

Benjamin Williamson, 41, of Bath, Maine, drove to the Portland Head Light, a lighthouse in the state. An aurora enthusiast, he’d seen the northern lights during another major solar event in 2003, and in Iceland in 2017. None of those events, nor the April 8 solar eclipse, prepared him for what he saw on Friday.

“The solar eclipse last month, I thought that was the coolest thing I’d ever seen,” he said. “This might have beat it.”

Solar storms are caused by violent expulsions of charged particles from the sun’s surface. When directed toward Earth the material can interact with our planet’s magnetic field, resulting in a geomagnetic storm.

NOAA categorizes geomagnetic storms on a “G” scale of 1, or “minor,” to 5, “extreme.” On Thursday, the agency issued its first watch in 19 years for a G4, or “severe,” storm, which escalated into a warning on Friday afternoon.

Activity has exceeded the agency’s prediction, and some of it is now classified as G5, making it the strongest storm to reach Earth since October 2003.

The storm is caused by a giant cluster of sunspots, or dark, cool regions on the solar surface with strong magnetic fields. (If you still have your eclipse glasses handy, you may be able to see the sunspots during the day.) According to NOAA, the cluster will continue to flare and explode, with effects on Earth through at least the weekend. In 1989, a geomagnetic disturbance disrupted power systems in Canada and the United States. Energy providers have been on guard ever since.

“The utilities have been preparing for a large storm with the required vulnerability assessments,” said Bob Arritt, a technical executive at the Electric Power Research Institute, an independent research and development organization.

Some utilities saw high temperature alarms triggered overnight on parts of the electric grid, Mr. Arritt said, but added that it was too early to know if the alarms were related to the solar storm. He said he could not disclose the locations of the alerts as of Saturday.

But while the power system faced some additional stress from the storm, he added, “We have no reason to feel that there is any imminent threat to damaging equipment.”

The solar storm prompted managers of a number of electric grids to take extra precautions to keep electricity flowing, and to issue warnings to customers about potential disruptions.

PJM, the manager of the nation’s largest grid network across 13 states from the East Coast to the Midwest, said its geomagnetic disturbance warning would continue through the end of Saturday. ISO New England, which manages the electric grid for six states in the Northeast, issued a precautionary alert, which notified participants in wholesale energy markets and owners of electrical generation equipment that abnormal conditions are present on the power system.

Katrina Miller is a science reporting fellow for The Times. She recently earned her Ph.D. in particle physics from the University of Chicago. More about Katrina Miller

Ivan Penn is a reporter based in Los Angeles and covers the energy industry. His work has included reporting on clean energy, failures in the electric grid and the economics of utility services. More about Ivan Penn

Emmett Lindner writes about breaking and trending news. He has written about international protests, climate change and social media influencers. More about Emmett Lindner

What’s Up in Space and Astronomy

Keep track of things going on in our solar system and all around the universe..

Never miss an eclipse, a meteor shower, a rocket launch or any other 2024 event  that’s out of this world with  our space and astronomy calendar .

A dramatic blast from the sun  set off the highest-level geomagnetic storm in Earth’s atmosphere, making the northern lights visible around the world .

With the help of Google Cloud, scientists who hunt killer asteroids churned through hundreds of thousands of images of the night sky to reveal 27,500 overlooked space rocks in the solar system .

A celestial image, an Impressionistic swirl of color in the center of the Milky Way, represents a first step toward understanding the role of magnetic fields  in the cycle of stellar death and rebirth.

Scientists may have discovered a major flaw in their understanding of dark energy, a mysterious cosmic force . That could be good news for the fate of the universe.

Is Pluto a planet? And what is a planet, anyway? Test your knowledge here .

Russia announces nuclear weapon drills after ‘provocative’ Western threats

Military exercises involving tactical nuclear weapons to be held after top European leaders indicated deepening backing for Ukraine.

Russia has said it will hold drills that will include practice for the use of tactical nuclear weapons, days after top European leaders voiced stronger military support for Ukraine.

The Kremlin said on Monday the military exercises ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin were in response to statements by Western and NATO-member countries about sending troops into Ukraine, which Russia invaded more than two years ago.

Keep reading

Putin views russia’s new nuclear submarines, says more being rolled out, russia to move newest nuclear sub to pacific in august, putin hints russia could return to nuclear testing, putin says russia is ready to use nuclear weapons.

They will include practice for the preparation and deployment of nonstrategic nuclear weapons intended to “increase the readiness … to fulfill combat tasks” after “provocative statements and threats of certain Western officials”, the Ministry of Defence said.

Missile formations in the Southern Military District and naval forces will take part in the drills, which would take place “in the near future”, it added.

Russia’s strategic nuclear forces regularly hold exercises but the statement marked the first public announcement of drills involving tactical nuclear weapons, which are usually smaller in yield – the amount of power released during an explosion – than the strategic nuclear weapons designed to destroy entire cities.

The move marks an escalation of tensions that have risen since French President Emmanuel Macron said last week that his country would consider sending ground troops to Ukraine if Kyiv requests backup. A day later, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron said Ukraine could use British weapons against targets inside Russia if it wanted.

Russian officials condemned both statements and warned Moscow would retaliate to what they called a “dangerous escalation trend”. Moscow has long warned that conflict with NATO would become inevitable if European members of the military alliance sent in their soldiers to fight in Ukraine.

Relations between Western countries, led by the United States, and Russia broke down after Russian forces invaded neighbouring Ukraine in February 2022.

Since the war began, Russia has repeatedly warned of rising nuclear risks – warnings which the US says it has to take seriously though its officials note they have seen no change in Russia’s nuclear posture.

Russia and the US are by far the world’s biggest nuclear powers, holding more than 10,600 of the world’s 12,100 nuclear warheads. China has the third largest nuclear arsenal, followed by France and the United Kingdom.

What makes a nuclear weapon ‘tactical’?

While there is no universal definition, tactical nuclear weapons are often defined by their size and range, or their use for limited targets.

There is no agreed-upon size that characterises tactical weapons but they are usually much larger than conventional bombs, causing radioactive fallout and other deadly effects beyond the explosion itself.

They are often referred to as “nonstrategic weapons”, in contrast with strategic weapons, which the US military defines as designed to target “the enemy’s war-making capacity and will to make war”, including manufacturing, infrastructure, transportation and communication systems, and other targets.

Tactical weapons, by contrast, are designed to accomplish more limited and immediate military goals that win a battle. They can be mounted on missiles, airdropped bombs, or even artillery shells that have a relatively short range, far less than the huge intercontinental ballistic missiles designed to travel thousands of kilometres and hit targets across oceans.

“Tactical nuclear warheads were created to give military commanders more flexibility on the battlefield. In the mid-1950s, as more powerful thermonuclear bombs were being built and tested, military planners thought smaller weapons with a shorter range would be more useful in ‘tactical’ situations,” according to Al Jazeera’s defence editor Alex Gatopoulos.

“Modern warheads have a variable ‘dial-up’ yield, meaning an operator can specify its explosive power, and a tactical weapon would be anywhere from a fraction of a kilotonne to 50kt in strength. For scale, the weapon that destroyed Hiroshima was roughly 15kt. A single kilotonne is equivalent in power to 1,000 tonnes of TNT,” he said.

Search Smartraveller

Papua New Guinea

Latest update.

Exercise a high degree of caution in Papua New Guinea overall due to high levels of serious crime.

Higher levels apply in some areas.

Papua New Guinea (PDF 782.48 KB)

Pacific (PDF 1.26 MB)

Local emergency contacts

Fire and rescue services, medical emergencies.

Call 111 or go direct to the hospital.

Call 112 or go to your local police station.

Advice levels

Exercise a high degree of caution in Papua New Guinea overall.

Exercise a high degree of caution in Papua New Guinea due to high levels of serious crime.

Reconsider your need to travel  to Mount Hagen in the Western Highlands, all of the Southern Highlands, Hela and Enga Provinces. 

Reconsider your need to travel  to Mount Hagen in the Western Highlands, all of the Southern Highlands, Hela and Enga Provinces due to the potential for unrest and ongoing security concerns.

See ' Safety '

• Civil disorder, rioting and looting can escalate rapidly. Always pay close attention to your personal security and your surroundings. Australian officials always follow heightened security measures, including while travelling through PNG. Avoid high-risk areas and activities and consider using private security.
• Kidnapping  can happen with criminal motives. There have been incidents of kidnapping in remote areas and near some mining sites. Targets have included foreigners. 
• The risk of violent crime and sexual assault in PNG is high. Criminals often use 'bush knives' (machetes) and guns (including homemade ones). Always be alert to your surroundings. Avoid going out after dark.
• Civil disorder and criminal activity have occurred at tourist resorts. Keep doors and windows locked, including when travelling by vehicle. Consider using private security.
• Civil unrest and violent inter-group and tribal conflict are common and can increase without warning. Avoid protests, demonstrations, political rallies and areas where tribal fighting is happening. Criminal groups operate in remote areas of Papua New Guinea, particularly in the Highlands, including across provincial borders and in areas around logging, mining, oil and gas sites. Check security conditions and tensions by monitoring the media and local security reports before travelling to new areas. 
• PNG can experience severe weather, heavy rains, flooding, landslides, earthquakes and tsunamis. Monitor the  Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System  for updates. Infrastructure can be damaged, and roads can't be passed. Follow the advice of local authorities.
• On 20 November 2023, the Ulawun Volcano in New Britain erupted, causing disruptions to services and flight cancellations. Active volcanoes erupt regularly in PNG. Flights may be cancelled at short notice due to ash clouds. Check the  Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre  for updates.

Full travel advice:  Safet y

• Medical facilities are poor. If you're seriously ill or injured, you'll need to be evacuated to Australia. Make sure your travel insurance covers this.
• Insect-borne diseases include malaria, Zika virus, dengue, chikungunya and Japanese encephalitis. Use insect repellent. Ensure your accommodation is insect-proof. If you're pregnant, ask your doctor about the risk of Zika virus before you travel.
• Poliovirus outbreaks have occurred. Make sure you're vaccinated against polio. Tuberculosis is common. Children under five years and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk. If you think you have tuberculosis, get urgent medical treatment.
• HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections are widespread. Take precautions to reduce your risk of infection.
• Dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis and waterborne parasites are also common. Boil drinking water or drink bottled water. Avoid bathing in freshwater sources.

Full travel advice:  Health

• Adultery and possessing or selling pornography or sex items are illegal. Same-sex relationships are illegal. Prison sentences may apply.
• PNG recognises dual nationality for a limited number of countries, including Australia. Our ability to help dual citizens may be limited.
• In PNG, the local custom of 'payback' includes violence or demands for money.
• Dress and behaviour standards are conservative. Take care not to offend. Ask permission before taking photos of people, cultural sites and spirit houses.

Full travel advice:  Local laws

• You need a visa to enter PNG and must apply for one before travel. Visas can't be obtained on arrival. You can apply for certain visas online, such as eVisas. eVisas are available through the  PNG eVisa portal . Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest high commission/embassy or consulate of PNG for the latest details.
• Poor road maintenance and crime make road travel dangerous. Keep windows up and doors locked. Consider using a security escort. Avoid driving at night. Avoid travel by motorcycle, taxis and public transport. Travelling by boat can be dangerous. Marine search and rescue services are limited in PNG. Consider alternative options.
• Fuel supply and availability of transport cannot be guaranteed, you should consider this when planning domestic travel in PNG.
• Ongoing aviation fuel shortages can disrupt domestic air travel with little or no notice. Check your flight schedule with your airline.
• Travel restrictions, including restriction of movement or checkpoints, often occur at short notice. Follow the advice of local authorities.

Full travel advice:  Travel

Local contacts

• The  Consular Services Charter  tells you what the Australian Government can and can't do to help when you're overseas.
• For consular and passport help, contact the  Australian High Commission in Port Moresby or Australian Consulate-General in Lae if you're in Morobe province.
• To stay up to date with local information, follow the High Commission’s social media accounts.

Full travel advice:  Local contacts

Full advice

Crime levels are high and police response can be slow.

Violent crime

Crime is common in PNG, but particularly in Port Moresby, Lae and other urban centres. This includes:

• sexual assault  and gang rape
• bag snatching

Squatter settlements in towns and cities are dangerous.

'Bush knives' (machetes) and guns are often used in assaults and  robberies .

The crime rate increases leading into the Christmas holiday period.

Most crime is opportunistic but foreigners have been targeted at home, at work or while travelling.

Robbery is a higher risk while:

• driving (carjacking)
• walking on the street (particularly after dark)
• at shopping centres or markets
• visiting hotels or restaurants
• visiting areas frequented by foreigners
• at major urban areas, including Port Moresby and Lae

Most robberies involve guns and/or knives and machetes.

Criminal groups operate in remote areas of Papua New Guinea, particularly in the Highlands, including across provincial borders and in areas around logging, mining, oil and gas sites. There have been incidents of kidnapping  in remote areas and near some mining sites.

Women are at greater risk of sexual assault and theft.

Disciplinary forces are poorly resourced and corruption is prevalent, many organisations, including the Australian High Commission, use private security.  

More information:

• Advice for women travellers

Road-based crimes

Carjacking is common in Port Moresby, Lae, and along the highway between Lae and Nadzab Airport, especially at night.

Criminals may use roadblocks outside of towns to stop and loot vehicles and attack you. 

To stay safe on the roads:

• keep car doors locked and windows up, even when moving
• consider using a security escort or travel in convoy if you travel at night
• avoid travel by taxi or public transport, especially if you're a woman

See  Travel

Tourist resorts

Civil disorder and criminal activity, including armed robbery, has happened at tourist resorts in coastal areas and at other locations across PNG.

Trekking safely

Consider using a security escort.

There have been armed robberies and attempted carjackings of foreign day trekkers near Sogeri, Varirata National Park and on the Kokoda Track, mostly recently in 2023. 

Ensure walking companies are experienced.

Find out more about trekking the Kokoda Track under  Travel .

Cyber security

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.

• Cyber security when travelling overseas

Civil unrest and political tension

Tension between tribal, communal or clan groups can increase without warning. There's an increased risk during election periods. There have been instances of unlawfulness during elections and in response to arrest and detention sometimes resulting in deaths. Violent tribal clashes occurred in Enga Province, Mendi and Nipa in the Southern Highlands Province. Similar incidents have occurred in Hela Province since 2018, including in 2022. 

Civil unrest occurs regularly, including in Port Moresby, and can escalate quickly. Avoid non-essential travel when civil unrest is occurring. Disputes between police and the Government often lead to civil unrest and can rapidly deteriorate into violence, rioting and looting. Activity is generally opportunistic or focussed around government infrastructure. Significant civil disorder, violence and looting occurred in Port Moresby and other parts of PNG in January 2024. 

Civil unrest events often disable local transport networks, medical and social services, and force the closure of retail businesses. 

Fighting often involves guns. Rioting and looting can follow.

Outbreaks of violence have happened in squatter settlements, marketplaces and urban centres, and during elections including:

• Port Moresby
• Mt Hagen (Western Highlands)

If a clash happens, it may cause:

• destruction of property
• serious injury
• disruption to services, including ground and air transport
• an increase in opportunistic crime

There's ongoing violence because of illegal mining at the Porgera gold mine. People have been killed and injured.

Demonstrations and protests

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent quickly.

To protect yourself during periods of unrest:

• avoid non-essential travel to areas where civil unrest is occurring
• avoid demonstrations and protests
• monitor the media, including local social media, and local security reports
• consult airlines, accommodation or other local service providers
• check on security conditions and tensions before travelling to a new area
• avoid trouble spots
• follow the instructions of local authorities
• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Kidnapping occurs across the world with political, ideological, and criminal motives. Foreigners, including Australians, have been kidnapped overseas whilst travelling. Kidnaps can happen anywhere, anytime, including destinations that are typically at lower risk. 

There have been incidents of kidnapping in remote areas and near mining sites. A number of foreigners, including Australians, have been kidnapped in Hela and Southern Highlands Province since 2022. Isolated cases will continue to occur and can involve foreigners, especially in isolated rural locations. An Australian was kidnapped in Hela Province in February 2024.

If, despite our advice, you travel to an area with a high risk of kidnapping our ability to provide consular assistance in these destinations is limited. 

To reduce the risk of kidnapping: 

• always be alert to your personal security and surroundings 
• get professional security advice for travel in locations with a heightened kidnap risk 
• check your accommodation has appropriate security measures 
• avoid isolated locations, particularly when travelling alone 
• notify family or friends of planned travel and share your location 
• avoid talking about your money or business affairs 
• use ATMs in public places and during daylight hours 
• avoid giving personal details to strangers online or over the phone 

The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers. 

Ransom payments to kidnappers have funded further terrorist attacks and criminal activity. Paying a ransom to terrorist groups will likely break Australian counter-terrorism financing laws. 

More information: 

Personal security

Many organisations, including the Australian High Commission, use private security:

• to get a quick response to calls for help
• as security escorts

Australian officials always follow heightened security measures, including while travelling through PNG.

Officials receive security training and follow strict guidelines, which may include limiting or avoiding travel in certain areas during periods of increased risk.

To safeguard your personal security:

• avoid high-risk areas and activities
• arrange appropriate security in public and private spaces
• consider using private security
• keep accommodation and vehicle doors and windows locked
• always be alert to your surroundings

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

• Bougainville

In Bougainville, you're more at risk in Central Bougainville and Southern Bougainville because of:

• remote terrain
• former combatants with weapons
• sensitivities around mining, especially the old Panguna mine in Central Bougainville

Medical services in Bougainville are basic. Make sure your insurance covers medical evacuations.

To reduce your risks while you're in Bougainville:

• avoid political gatherings
• monitor local media
• check with local sources about the security situation before travelling
• be alert to your surroundings
• turn back if you're concerned for your safety
• take personal security precautions

Climate and natural disasters

PNG experiences  natural disasters  and  severe weather , including:

• volcanic eruptions
• earthquakes

To protect yourself during a natural disaster:

• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location
• monitor local media and other sources, such as the  Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
• follow the advice of local authorities and your employer
• keep in contact with friends and family
• contact your airline or travel agent for updates

If you're visiting after a natural disaster, contact your tour operator to check if services are affected.

Severe weather

Timing of the wet season varies across the country.

During the wet season, heavy rain can cause:

• damage to roads and infrastructure
• disruption to services
• injuries and deaths

Tropical storms can also happen in other months.

If you're arriving during the wet season, contact your tour operator to check if services are affected.

On 20 November 2023, the Ulawun Volcano in New Britain erupted, causing disruptions to services and flight cancellations. Active volcanoes erupt regularly in PNG. Volcanic eruptions often lead to displacement of communities and disruptions to services, including airport closures or flight cancellations. Monitor the local media and follow the advice of local authorities. 

Active  volcanoes  erupt regularly, particularly around:

• East Sepik province
• East New Britain province
• Manam Island
• West New Britain province

Get updates on ash clouds from the  Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre .

Earthquakes and tsunamis

PNG can experience  earthquakes  and tsunamis. Tsunamis can happen after an earthquake in the region.

In September 2022, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Morobe Province causing some deaths and disruptions to power and telecommunications across Madang, Eastern Highlands and Morobe. In 2018, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake occurred in the Southern Highlands and Hela Provinces where over 100 people died.

Get updates on earthquakes via the  US Geological Service .

To reduce your risk of harm during an earthquake:

• follow the advice of local authorities
• follow the advice of your accommodation provider
• monitor  Pacific Tsunami Warning Center  and local sources
• if you're in a coastal or low-lying area, move to higher ground

Travel insurance

Get comprehensive  travel insurance  before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won’t pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you’ll be away

Physical and mental health

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. 

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare, or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your  nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate  to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips  (Healthdirect Australia)

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to take medication, check if it's legal in Papua New Guinea. Take enough legal medication for your trip, including for potential travel delays.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medication is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use
• Medications

Health risks

Insect-borne diseases.

Insect-borne diseases occur throughout PNG, including in Port Moresby.

Malaria  and dengue are common throughout the year.

Cases of  chikungunya  and Zika virus  have been reported.

Japanese encephalitis  is a low-risk for short-term visitors in urban areas.

If you're pregnant, the Australian Department of Health recommends you:

• discuss travel plans with your doctor
• consider deferring non-essential travel to Zika virus-affected areas

To protect yourself from disease:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

Consider taking medication to prevent malaria and getting vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis.

Seek medical advice if you have a fever, muscle pain, rash or severe headache.

• Infectious diseases

A national vaccination campaign was undertaken in 2018 and 2019 following the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting cases of  vaccine-derived poliovirus (type 1)  in parts of PNG.

Make sure you're vaccinated against  polio .

• Papua New Guinea confirms poliovirus outbreak, launches response
• Vaccine derived poliovirus – Papua New Guinea

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis  is common.

Multi-drug-resistant strains are present, including in Port Moresby and Western Province.

People at greater risk include:

• children aged under 5 years
• those with medical conditions that affect their immune system

If you think you have tuberculosis, get urgent medical treatment.

HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases

The  HIV/AIDS  infection rate is high. Other sexually transmitted infections are widespread.

Take precautions if you're doing anything that exposes you to risk of infection.

Other health risks

Foodborne, waterborne and other infectious diseases are common. These include:

• dysentery (shigellosis)

Local water services can be polluted or turned off. Waterborne parasites occur in many rivers. Outbreaks of whooping cough have been reported in some provinces, including Oro Province.

To protect yourself from illness:

• drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
• avoid ice cubes
• avoid uncooked and undercooked food, such as salads
• avoid bathing in fresh water sources

Seek medical attention if you suspect food poisoning or have a fever or diarrhoea.

Emergency health responses

The government may declare a national emergency if there's a health outbreak of diseases such as:

• seasonal influenza

In an emergency, the government may make provisions, laws, orders or regulations to stop the spread of diseases. This can happen without notice.

During an emergency health response there could be:

• travel restrictions
• restaurant closures
• closed water sources

Animal bites and stings

Venomous snakes are common. Reports of snake bites increase during the wet season.

Jellyfish and other marine animal stings can be fatal.

Seek advice from local authorities, your tour operator or hotel about:

• seasonal conditions
• recommended precautions
• other potential dangers

Medical care

Medical facilities.

Health care facilities are poor, including in Port Moresby.

Large towns usually have enough facilities for routine problems and some emergencies.

Health facilities in rural areas, including along the Kokoda Track, are basic.

Ambulance services outside Port Moresby are limited.

If you're seriously ill or injured, you'll need to be evacuated to Australia. Medical evacuation can be very expensive. 

If you're diving, the only hyperbaric (decompression) chamber is in Port Moresby.

If you plan to dive in PNG:

• dive well within safety limits
• check your travel insurance covers it
• make sure you're covered for medical evacuation

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our  Consular Services Charter . But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

You may get a fine or jail sentence if you:

• possess or sell pornography or sex items
• commit adultery

War materials

It's illegal to remove surplus war material from PNG. This includes:

• aircraft or vehicle parts
• other items used during WWII
• PNG Customs

LGBTQIA+ information

Sexual acts between people of the same sex are illegal. Prison sentences apply.

• Advice for LGBTQIA+ travellers

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you’re overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Dual citizenship

PNG only recognises dual nationality for a limited number of countries, including Australia.

If approved by the PNG Government, PNG nationals can apply for dual citizenship with Australia – see  Immigration and Citizenship Authority (ICA) PNG .

If you're a dual citizen travelling on a non-Australian passport, this limits the  consular services  we can give if you're arrested or detained.

Always travel on your  Australian passport .

• Dual nationals

Local customs

The traditional custom of 'payback' occurs.

You could face 'payback' if you:

• offend local customs
• engage in illegal or inappropriate sexual or financial relations
• damage someone's property (including livestock)

'Payback' can include violence or demands for money.

Dress and behaviour standards are conservative. Take care not to offend.

Ask permission before taking photos of:

• cultural sites
• spirit houses

Visas and border measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering. 

Visa conditions 

You need a visa to enter PNG and must apply for a visa before travel. Australian citizens cannot obtain a visa on arrival. You can apply for certain visas online, such as eVisas. eVisas are available through the  PNG eVisa portal .

There have been reports of fraudulent websites targeting foreign nationals applying for eVisas to PNG. If applying for an eVisa, use the official PNG Immigration and Citizenship Authority website. It's illegal to work in PNG on a tourist visa.

If you breach PNG immigration laws, you can be:

• banned from re-entry

Border measures

Entry and exit conditions can change. Contact your airline or your nearest embassy or consulate of Papua New Guinea  for details about the latest visa and entry requirements.

You can't bring fruit or vegetables into PNG due to quarantine restrictions.

Some countries won’t let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you’re just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport’s expiry date before you travel. If you’re not sure it’ll be valid for long enough, consider getting  a new passport .

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the  Australian Passport Information Service .
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest  Australian embassy or consulate .

Passport with ‘X’ gender identifier 

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can't guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest  embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination  before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.

• LGBTQIA+ travellers

The local currency is the PNG Kina (PGK).

Declare all amounts over PGK20,000 when you arrive or leave.

Most hotels accept international credit cards.

ATMs are in Port Moresby and major urban centres but aren't always working. Only use ATMs in hotels and other secure locations due to the high risk of crime.

Ask your bank if your Australian cards will work in PNG.

Local travel

Local restrictions.

Travel restrictions, including restriction of movement or checkpoints, may occur at short notice. Follow the advice of local authorities.

Kokoda Track trekking

Walking the Kokoda Track is physically demanding. You must have a high level of fitness.

Weather conditions can be unpredictable.

Health risks include:

• dehydration
• poor local services
• delayed medical evacuation

Every year several Australians are medically evacuated. It's expensive. You or your travel insurance provider must cover the costs. Some people have died.

Adequate travel insurance is essential.

Serious crime and civil disorder occur throughout PNG, including:

• along the Black Cat Track in Morobe Province
• along the Kokoda Track
• at the ends of the Kokoda Track in Central and Oro Provinces

Unexploded weapons and remnants of war are found in PNG. Especially along the Kokoda Track, Milne Bay and Rabaul.

The condition and stability of these weapons is unknown. They can maim or kill you.

If you find a war remnant, don't disturb it.

Permits for the Kokoda Track

The PNG Government regulates trekking along the Kokoda Track. You'll normally need a permit before you trek.

Your trekking operator will need a permit issued by the Kokoda Track Authority before you trek. Make sure they have the permit before you start trekking.

Track blockage by local communities can occur anywhere. In August 2023, the track was blocked at Kovelo and the local community was demanding additional payment. Make sure your trekking company has contingency plans if the track is blocked.  

If you plan to trek the Kokoda Track:

• prepare with extensive training
• get medical advice and fitness testing before you commit to trekking
• make sure your travel insurance covers your planned activities and medical evacuation
• use guides from reputable trekking companies
• give your itinerary and trekking company contact details of family or friends in Australia

While on the Kokoda Track:

• stay hydrated
• protect yourself from dysentery
• store your passport in a waterproof bag or container
• pay close attention to your personal security
• stay with your group
• don't touch or disturb anything that could be an unexploded war weapon, whether near the track or on display
• follow local rules and customs, and let your trekking company handle conversations and negotiations with local communities

Other trekking

• You should ensure trekking companies have made arrangements with landowners to ensure safe passage.  
• You should ensure trekking companies have a safety plan if something goes wrong.
• Tourism Promotion Authority
• Kokoda Track Authority

Telecommunications

Satellite and mobile phone global roaming services can be patchy.

Landline phones can have outages.

To stay in communication:

• check mobile coverage with your service provider
• make contingency plans for service outages
• consider carrying a satellite phone

Driving permit

You can drive in PNG for up to 6 months using a valid Australian driver's licence.

After 6 months, you'll need a local licence.

Road travel

You're more likely to die in a motor vehicle accident in PNG than in Australia.

Roads are poor, especially in rural areas.

Other hazards include:

• unpredictable and drunk drivers
• poorly maintained vehicles
• overcrowded vehicles

Large crowds can form quickly after road accidents. These crowds can become violent with no warning.

Flash floods and landslides can cause roads to close during the wet season. This can result in travel delays. The timing of the wet season varies across the country.

Parts of the Highlands Highway between Lae and Mount Hagen are particularly affected.

Police use roadblocks to check licences and vehicle registrations in Port Moresby.

If you plan to drive in PNG:

• monitor local media about fuel shortages
• know local traffic laws and practices before driving
• keep your car windows and doors locked
• avoid driving at night
• if you travel at night, consider using a security escort or travel in a convoy (see  Safety )
• consider using a security escort along the Highlands Highway (including between Lae and Nadzab Airport)
• make sure your licence, vehicle registration and safety stickers are up-to-date to minimise problems at roadblocks
• Driving or riding

Motorcycles

Avoid travel by motorcycle.

Poor roads and high crime risks mean riding a motorbike in PNG is more dangerous than in Australia.

It's safer to travel in a locked vehicle.

Make sure your travel insurance covers riding a motorcycle.

Always wear a helmet.

Avoid taxis, especially if you're a woman.

Taxis are poorly maintained and often targeted by criminals.

Use vehicles hired from a reputable company, hotel or secure transport provider.

Public transport

Avoid public transport.

Also avoid privately owned minibuses, known as public motor vehicles (PMVs). They are poorly maintained and often targeted by criminals.

• Transport and getting around safely

Travel by ferry or small local boats can be dangerous. Modern boats may be overcrowded and lack basic safety equipment (especially for small children), these include:

• life jackets
• fire extinguishers

Several ferries have sunk in rough weather. Many people have died.

Boat services can be disrupted at short notice. Overcrowding of ferries and boats is common.

Consider flying to your destination instead.

There are limited marine search and rescue services in PNG.

To reduce your risk when travelling on the water:

• check with your tour operator/crew to determine safety standards and safety equipment provided is appropriate
• carry your own life jacket, an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) and a satellite telephone
• avoid single-engine boats and travelling at night unless the vessel is appropriately equipped
• travel in convoy with all boats at half capacity or less
• tell your family or friends in Australia when you expect to leave and arrive
• use another provider if appropriate safety equipment isn't available

Register EPIRBs and PLBs with the  Australian Maritime Safety Authority . In case of maritime accident, notify the PNG National Maritime Safety Authority on its 24-hour emergency number: +675 7351 7017.

International passengers arriving by sea require a visa. Seek further advice from your cruise company or PNG Customs . You may be detained or fined if you arrive illegally.  

• Travelling by boat

Flying in PNG can be dangerous because of:

• difficult terrain
• extreme weather
• poor conditions of some remote airfields

Since 2000, there have been more than 20 aircraft accidents.

Flight delays and cancellations are frequent. Ongoing shortages of aviation fuel can disrupt domestic air travel with little or no notice. Check your flight schedule with your airline.

DFAT doesn’t provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check  PNG's air safety profile  with the Aviation Safety Network.

Emergencies

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Consular contacts

Read the  Consular Services Charter  for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

For consular assistance, contact the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby or the Australian the Consulate-General in Lae (if you are in Morobe province) to make an appointment. Note the Consulate-General in Lae can't issue emergency travel documents.

Australian High Commission, Port Moresby

Godwit Road Waigani NCD Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Phone: +675 7090 0100 Fax: +675 325 9239 Website:  png.embassy.gov.au Facebook:  Australian High Commission Papua New Guinea X:  @AusHCPNG  

Check the High Commission website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

For passport or consular services email [email protected]

Australian Consulate-General, Lae

Nanbawan Supa Building 4th Floor, 2nd Street Lae, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea

Phone: +675 7999 5300 Email:  [email protected] Website:  png.embassy.gov.au/pmsb/Lae.html X: @AusCGLae

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia

Travelling to Papua New Guinea?

Sign up to get the latest travel advice updates..

Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.

Countries, economies and regions

Select a country, economy or region to find embassies, country briefs, economic fact sheets, trade agreements, aid programs, information on sanctions and more.

International relations

Global security.

• Australia and sanctions
• Australian Safeguards and Non-proliferation Office (ASNO)
• Counter-terrorism
• Non-proliferation, disarmament and arms control
• Peacekeeping and peacebuilding

Regional architecture

• Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
• Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
• East Asia Summit (EAS)
• Australia and the Indian Ocean region
• Pacific Islands regional organisations

Global themes

• Child protection
• Climate change
• Cyber affairs and critical technology
• Disability Equity and Rights
• Gender equality
• Human rights
• Indigenous peoples
• People Smuggling, Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery
• Preventing Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment
• Australia’s treaty-making process

International organisations

• The Commonwealth of Nations
• United Nations (UN)
• World Trade Organization

Foreign Arrangements Scheme  

Trade and investment, about free trade agreements (ftas).

• The benefits of FTAs
• How to get free trade agreement tariff cuts
• Look up FTA tariffs and services market access - DFAT FTA Portal
• Discussion paper on potential modernisation – DFAT FTA Portal

About foreign investment

• The benefits of foreign investment
• Investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS)
• Australia's bilateral investment treaties
• Australia's foreign investment policy

For Australian business

• Addressing non-tariff trade barriers

Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai

Stakeholder engagement.

• Ministerial Council on Trade and Investment
• Trade 2040 Taskforce
• First Nations trade

Australia's free trade agreements (FTAs)

• ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand (AANZFTA)
• Chile (ACLFTA)
• China (ChAFTA)
• Hong Kong ( A-HKFTA & IA)
• India (AI-ECTA)
• Indonesia (IA-CEPA)
• Japan (JAEPA)
• Korea (KAFTA)
• Malaysia (MAFTA)
• New Zealand (ANZCERTA)
• Peru (PAFTA)
• Singapore (SAFTA)
• Thailand (TAFTA)
• United Kingdom (A-UKFTA)
• USA (AUSFTA)
• Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
• European Union (A-EUFTA)
• India (AI-CECA)
• Australia-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
• Australia-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

Trade and investment data, information and publications

• Fact sheets for countries and regions
• Australia's trade balance
• Trade statistics
• Foreign investment statistics
• Trade and investment publications
• Australia's Trade through Time

WTO, G20, OECD, APEC and IPEF and ITAG

Services and digital trade.

• Service trade policy
• Australia-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement
• Digital trade & the digital economy

Development

Australia’s development program, performance assessment.

• Development evaluation
• Budget and statistical information

Who we work with

• Multilateral organisations
• Non-government organisations (NGOs)
• List of Australian accredited non-government organisations (NGOs)

Development topics

• Development issues
• Development sectors

2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

• Sustainable Development Goals

Where we deliver our Development Program

Humanitarian action.

Where and how Australia provides emergency assistance.

People-to-people

Australia awards.

• Australia Awards Scholarships
• Australia Awards Fellowships

New Colombo Plan

• Scholarship program
• Mobility program

Public diplomacy

• Australian Cultural Diplomacy Grants Program
• Australia now
• UK/Australia Season 2021-22

Foundations, councils and institutes

• Australia-ASEAN Council
• Australia-India Council
• Australia-Indonesia Institute
• Australia-Japan Foundation
• Australia-Korea Foundation
• Council for Australian-Arab Relations (CAAR)
• Council on Australia Latin America Relations (COALAR)

International Labour Mobility

• Pacific Labour Mobility Scheme
• Agriculture Visa

Australian Volunteers Program

Supporting organisations in developing countries by matching them with skilled Australians. 

Sports diplomacy

Australia is a successful global leader and innovator in sport.

A global platform for achievement, innovation, collaboration, and cooperation

About Australia

Australia is a stable, democratic and culturally diverse nation with a highly skilled workforce and one of the strongest performing economies in the world.

Australia in Brief publication

This is the 52nd edition of Australia in Brief, revised and updated in February 2021

Travel advice

To help Australians avoid difficulties overseas, we maintain travel advisories for more than 170 destinations.

• Smartraveller – travel advice

International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate

Prove your COVID-19 vaccinations when you travel overseas.

• Services Australia

The Australian Passport Office and its agents are committed to providing a secure, efficient and responsive passport service for Australia.

• Australian Passport Office

24-hour consular emergency helpline

• Within Australia: 1300 555 135
• Outside Australia: +61 2 6261 3305
• Getting help overseas
• Visas for Australians travelling overseas
• Visas to visit Australia

Our embassies and consulates overseas

Australian embassy, russia, head of mission.

Australian Ambassador to Russia

13 Kropotkinsky Pereulok Moscow 119034 Russia Location Map  (Yandex) Location Map  (Google Maps) Closest metro: Park Kultury

+7-495 956 6070

+7-495 956 6170

Australian Embassy in Russia website