Australia
About Australia
| Currency | Australian dollar (AUD) |
| Language | English |
| Capital | Canberra |
The Commonwealth of Australia is a continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean. It is the sixth-largest country in the world with a population of about 23 million. Australia’s government is a parliamentary democracy with the Queen of England as the chief of state and a prime minister as head of government.
Australia’s aboriginal people probably arrived about 40,000 years ago. In 1788, the first groups of settlers to arrive in Australia were British, many of whom were convicts. British Captain James Cook annexed land in the east to Britain. Penal colonies were established, but gradually more free men arrived. After the discovery of gold in the mid-1800s, waves of immigrants arrived and led to a population boom. Citizens began to demand self-government, and by the 1890s, all the colonies were self-governing. Britain maintained control of foreign affairs and defense. By 1901, the new nation of the Commonwealth of Australia was created.
Australia has one of the highest standards of living. The country is known for the Great Barrier Reef, the outback, Aboriginal cultures, beautiful beaches, and a relaxed and friendly people.
Recommended Vaccinations For Australia
For Most Travellers
Hepatitis B Vaccine
There is a risk of exposure to hepatitis B in this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended
For Some Travellers
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine
A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for infants aged 6 to 11 months.
Rabies Vaccine
Rabies vaccination is recommended for travellers who may come in contact with bats (i. e. cavers, adventure travellers, researchers, and anyone working with bats).
Yellow Fever Vaccine
There is no risk of yellow fever in this country. However, Australia requires all persons over 1 year of age to have proof of the yellow fever vaccination if arriving from a country or region where yellow fever is present, and with the exception of the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, including transit of 12 hours or more in an airport of a country where there is a risk of yellow fever transmission and with the same exception as mentioned above.
Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine
Vaccination is recommended for short-term travellers (less than one month) who plan extensive outdoor activities in tropical areas, particularly on the islands of the Torres Strait and Cape York Peninsula in northeastern Australia and in the Murray River. It is also recommended for long-term travellers (trips lasting a month or more) in the endemic areas.
Recommended Medications For Australia
There are no recommendations for Australia at this time.
Diseases To Be Aware of for Australia
For Most Travellers
Dengue Fever
Dengue fever outbreaks have occurred in north and central Queensland.
For Some Travellers
West Nile Fever
There is a risk of acquiring West Nile virus in this country.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis occurs in tropical and subtropical regions of Australia.
Hepatitis B
There is a risk for acquiring hepatitis B in this country.
Measles
There is a risk of acquiring Measles in this country.
Tuberculosis
Travellers to this country are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the healthcare field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.
Hanta Virus
There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.
Ross River Fever
There is a risk of acquiring Ross River virus in some areas of Australia.
Murray Valley Encephalitis Virus
Outbreaks of Murray Valley encephalitis occur in some parts of Australia, usually during the warm, rainy summer months when the mosquito population is increased.
Japanese encephalitis
In Australia, there is a risk for Japanese encephalitis year-round on the islands of the Torres Strait and Cape York Peninsula in northeastern Australia and in the Murray River. The risk for travellers of contracting Japanese encephalitis is low, but visiting the listed areas and extensive outdoor activity in rural areas will increase this risk.
Rabies
Rabies occurs in bats in this country.
Yellow Fever
There is no risk of yellow fever in this country. However, Australia requires all persons over 1 year of age to have proof of the yellow fever vaccination if arriving from a country or region where yellow fever is present, and with the exception of the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, including transit of 12 hours or more in an airport of a country where there is a risk of yellow fever transmission and with the same exception as mentioned above.
Safety & Security in Australia
Personal Safety
Australia records a homicide-related victimisation rate of approximately 2 per 100,000 persons - among the lowest in comparable advanced nations. While violent crime is generally low in major cities and regional areas, property and theft offences remain more common, especially in retail and tourist hubs. In 2024 a record 40,087 victims of sexual assault were recorded nationally. State data show recent notable upticks: Queensland reported a 5 % increase in assault victims in 2024 (61,644 victims), and Victoria experienced an 18.3 % rise in recorded criminal incidents in the year to June 2025 (483,583 incidents). Many violent incidents are between individuals who know each other rather than random attacks by strangers. Travellers should remain cautious in retail, parking and transport hubs, particularly in outer suburban zones where theft and break-ins are more prevalent.
Extreme Violence
Australia experiences very few terrorist attacks compared to global averages, although authorities continue to treat the threat as present. Between 2014 and 2025, security agencies disrupted more than 20 planned attacks before execution. In April 2024, a 16-year-old stabbed a bishop and priest during a church service in Sydney, which police classified as a terrorist act. The December 2024 firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue was later assessed by ASIO in August 2025 as having Iranian involvement. Most foiled plots since 2014 have involved individuals radicalised by extremist ideologies rather than organised networks. Gun violence remains exceptionally rare due to Australia’s strict firearm controls, and the risk of random extreme violence in public spaces is minimal. Authorities continue to monitor right-wing and ideologically motivated extremism as emerging threats. Following the Israel-Gaza conflict in October 2023, antisemitic incidents - including vandalism and threats - rose across several states.
Political Unrest
Political demonstrations are common in Australia’s major cities, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne. Since October 2023, pro-Palestinian rallies have been notable; on 3 August 2025 approximately 90,000 participants marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge. These large-scale gatherings are typically peaceful, although disruptions such as road closures and transport interruptions do occur. Authorities routinely deploy substantial policing resources - including mounted units, riot squads and geo-targeted alerts - to manage crowd safety. While anti-immigration and Indigenous-rights protests also occur, and environmental groups stage periodic actions, most are announced in advance and proceed without major violence. Visitors should avoid the immediate vicinity of protest routes, and remain alert when counter-protest groups are present.
Areas To Avoid
Major Australian cities generally remain safe, but crime rates vary significantly by suburb and region. For example, Mount Druitt in Sydney records violent-crime rates well above the Greater Sydney average. In Adelaide the suburb Noarlunga Centre has been identified as having one of the highest per-capita rates of serious offences metropolitan-wide. Visitors should exercise particular caution when staying in outer-western or outer-south-western suburbs of major cities, and undertake research into specific neighbourhood crime profiles before choosing accommodation. Inner-city districts in Melbourne, Perth and other capitals tend to be better serviced and more secure, but no area is completely immune to robbery or assault.
