Due to the prevalence of the coronavirus (Covid-19), the Australian authorities have introduced entry denials to Australia for foreign nationals. Nor will transit via Australian airports be possible. Read more about the coronavirus in the Health section.
Safety
Australian authorities consider the possibility of a terrorist threat to Australia “probable” and recommend extra vigilance. Australia, on the other hand, is generally a safe country to travel in. Travelers should have travel insurance, which covers expenses that can occur in the event of accidents and deaths throughout their stay. Travelers should also be wary and take reasonable precautions to reduce the risk of being hit by crime. Australia generally has strict laws against the possession and use of drugs, including cannabis.
Forest fires have always been a natural part of the ecosystem in Australia and are a regular occurrence. At times, the spread of fires can be a natural disaster and threaten life and health, as well as lead to significant air pollution due to smoke, which can be harmful to health. Areas with forest fires should be avoided and advice from Australian authorities in each state should be followed. See links to contemporary overview of each state’s events/fires below:
- Victoria
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- Northern Territories
- Western Australia
- Tasmania
- South Australia
Australia can also be hit by tropical storms, floods, tsunamis and earthquakes. Tropical storms with heavy rainfall and flooding can occur in the northern areas of Australia and especially in Queensland.
The coast of Queensland, especially the areas around Brisbane can be hit by tsunami. The same is true of the coast off Broome, south of Darwin, in Western Australia. Check the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Center (JATWC) for notification as well as announcements on radio and television.
Earthquakes can occur in large parts of Australia. For advice and information on earthquake hazards in Australia, use Geoscience Australia ‘s websites. To get updates on earthquakes, sign up for their Eartquake Notification Service.
Follow local news and follow the advice and advice of Australian authorities in the event of a crisis.
For an overview of available emergency assistance, use the government’s Disaster Assist tool. For information on how to prepare for natural disasters, use the Red Cross’s RediPlan.
It is recommended to take extra good care of passports, credit cards, cash and tickets. Always take this with you when you leave the car and always take extra care of your handbag/wallet wherever you go. Take advantage of the hotels’ safe deposit box offer. Due to very large distances, it will take time and incur extra costs to get a passport replaced.
In Australia, it is a left-hand drive. Therefore, always remember to look to the right when crossing the road or when crossing junctions or roundabouts. A good rule is to look at both sides. Road safety is given high priority by Australian authorities. There are relatively severe penalties for traffic offenses.
Local emergency numbers are as follows:
- Landline emergency number and most mobile phones: 000
- Emergency number for GSM and satellite phones: 112
- Emergency number for text-based mobile phones (TDD): 106
- International emergency number: 1300 555 135 (within Australia)
See full list of contact details for Australian emergency services at Emergency services.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs encourages anyone traveling abroad to register on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel registration . Travel registration is also recommended for anyone who is going to be abroad for an extended period of time, including students and other residents.
Contact family members in Norway if you have reason to believe that they may be worried about you. Family members can also contact the local authorities in the affected areas.
Entry
Please note that entry regulations may change. The Foreign Service is not responsible if the following information on entry regulations or visa requirements is changed at short notice. It is the responsibility of the traveler to ensure that travel documents are valid for entry and to familiarize themselves with the current entry rules for each country.
Norwegian citizens must have an electronic visa for shorter stays in Australia. Visas are available from travel agents or airlines. Visas are valid for stays up to three months at a time within a twelve month period. For more information see the Australian Border Force website.
Norway has a bilateral agreement on working holiday visas with Australia. Such visas give Norwegians under the age of 31 upon arrival in Australia, access to stay and work in Australia for up to twelve months. For more information, see Working Holiday visa.
Australia has no special rules regarding validity of the passport, but please note that in transit through Asia most countries require that the passport must be valid for at least six months at the time of travel.
Australia has very strict quarantine rules. All luggage is checked upon entry. All food and articles of untreated wood, leather, natural material etc. must be declared upon entry and approved by quarantine inspectors. Failure to declare will be fined on the spot. Pets such as dog and cat can only be imported with prior consent and valid papers. For more information – see the Australian Government website.
Health
Coronavirus (covid-19): Due to the prevalence of the coronavirus, the Australian authorities have introduced entry denial into Australia for foreign nationals. Nor will transit via Australian airports be possible. Travelers should therefore contact airlines for alternative itineraries.
Information on the Australian entry restrictions can be read on the Department of Home Affairs website. Norwegian travelers should also keep up to date on the development of the corona virus, and follow the Australian authorities’ guidance and directions.
You can find more information and guidance from the Norwegian health authorities on the website of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. See also UD’s answers to frequently asked questions about travel and coronavirus.
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It is recommended that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ general advice on travel, including travel insurance, be followed. For information on the bilateral health agreement, read the Embassy’s review of the Health and
Travel Insurance Scheme in Australia or the agreement document between Norway and Australia.
Health and sanitation are about the same as in Norway. It is recommended to follow travel vaccine advice from the National Institute of Public Health. Fountains can be drunk in the big cities. Otherwise it is recommended that you ask for each place. Bottled water is easily accessible.
There are a number of poisonous species of spiders and snakes throughout Australia, including in urban areas. There are also shark and poisonous jellyfish along the coast. If you are bitten by unknown animals/insects, follow local precautions and seek medical advice.
Australia has consistently experienced a warm climate with very strong sun. Due to a thinner ozone layer than in Northern Europe, the UV radiation is extra high. Therefore, be careful about the sun protection.
Practical information
According to allcitycodes, the area code for phone calls to Australia is +61. Time difference is eight hours at Norwegian summer time and ten hours at Norwegian winter time. Power uses 240 volts and three-point plugs. Adapters are usually available in stores.
Mobile coverage is good in cities, but partly poor in peripheral areas. Time differences vary between states as they belong to different time zones and the date of change of summer/winter time varies.
All regular credit and debit cards are accepted at ATMs and shops/ hotels. Vending machines are readily available in cities. It is not possible to withdraw money from foreign cards in stores. It is not possible to get fuel from card pumps after closing time. In peripheral areas, gas stations close earlier than in Norway.
Public offices are open Monday to Friday at. 09: 00-16: 00. Stores are normally open from 09:00 to 17:30. Grocery stores usually have longer opening hours and also stay open on holidays. Shopping malls are normally open both Saturday and Sunday.
English is the official language. Passports are the only valid credentials for tourists. Australians usually dress relatively formally at work, but very informally in their free time, even during opera and theater visits. Tips are common, but not necessary. Smoking is generally not allowed indoors in hotels, restaurants, bars and cafes, as well as public buildings.
For short stays, Norwegian driver’s licenses are accepted by authorities and car rental companies. However, this requires that you either have an English translation of the driver’s license or have an international driver’s license. Roads in cities and towns are generally of good quality. In the outskirts, dirt roads are common.
For further information, please contact the Norwegian Embassy in Canberra or Consulate. Contact information can be found here.