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What you need to know before you travel
You may need to prepare several things before you travel, including passports, immunisations and travel insurance. It is also a good idea to check whether there are any travel bans or safety alerts for the countries to where you are travelling.
Passports
If you are travelling internationally to another country you will need to organise a passport. Your passport will last for 10 years, however, you need to make sure that it has at least 6 months left of its expiry date so you will be allowed to travel and to ensure it will be accepted by the countries you wish to visit.
You can apply for a passport online through the Australian Passport Office website. You will need to lodge your completed application with a passport photo which can be organised at your local Australia Post Office. They will also have a hard copy if you would prefer to fill it out by hand.
Renewal applications can also be completed online through the Australian Passport Office website and lodged with Australia Post.
It usually takes 3 weeks to process your application, so make sure you allow enough time for your passport to arrive before you are due to travel.
Visa and travel alerts
You may also need to complete a visa application, depending on the countries you are travelling to. Visit the Australian Government Smart Traveller website for further information on visas, safety advice, local laws, travel alerts and bans on the countries you are wanting to travel to.
If you experience any issues
If you think you are going to miss your flight, contact the airline as soon as possible. They might be able to rebook you to another flight, and any other connecting flights, which can incur a fee. However, you can talk to your travel insurance company on whether these fees can be reimbursed, especially if the circumstances for the missed flight/s were beyond your control.
The Australian Government Smart Traveller website also provides advice when things go wrong overseas, such as if you get sick, experience an emergency, get lost, arrested or experience money issues.
Immunisation
Some countries may have a higher risk of infectious diseases which is why vaccination may be recommended before you travel. You may need to get vaccinated a few months prior to travel so there is enough time for your immune system to respond. Some countries may also need proof of your vaccination before you can enter the country, such as for Covid-19 and yellow fever. You can ask your doctor for advice or visit the Australian Government Smart Traveller website for more information on recommended vaccinations prior to travelling overseas.
Medications
Some medicines are banned overseas and local versions may not be available or of poor quality. Visit the Australian Government Smart Traveller website or check with the embassy for advice on the destination you want to travel to. If you need to take prescription medication with you when you travel overseas, make sure you keep it in its original packaging and get a script and/or letter from your doctor outlining what the medication is, how much you need to take and that it is for your own personal use. Your doctor may be able to recommend alternatives if your medication is banned overseas.
Travel insurance
There are different types of travel insurance, depending on what you need cover for, that will protect you if you get into difficulty overseas. This includes if you need medical help, if you experience travel delays, cancellations or lost, stolen or damaged personal items.
Some credit cards include free travel insurance, so it is a good idea to check with your financial institution. You might need to purchase your flights or accommodation using your credit card to activate your insurance.
You can find a travel insurance provider through different comparison websites, websites such as World Nomads or the Insurance Council of Australia Find an Insurer website.
Other
You may also want to organise the following before you travel overseas.
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International driving permit which is valid for 12 months
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Let your friends and / or family know where you are going and leave a copy of your itinerary with them
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Tell your bank when and where you are travelling so they will be aware of potential overseas purchases
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Think about how you will pay for purchases and services overseas and if you want several options in case you have any issues. You can get money exchanged into the local currency before you go or when you arrive in the country, however, the exchange rates are often higher at the airport, so do your research on the places or companies that offer the best rates. You may also want to consider a travel money card which can load several currencies onto it. Also check the international fees and charges and conversion rates if you use your credit card overseas.
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