http://www.smarttraveler.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins Information about general issues or specific events which may affect Australian travellers. en foreign; affairs; trade; diplomacy; australia; international; treaties; diplomatic; economy corporateName: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade corporateName: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Collection Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2005 Global daily 4 2004-01-01T12:00+11:00 http://www.smarttraveler.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins http://www.dfat.gov.au/lib/images/dfat_logo_small.gif http://www.smarttraveler.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Commonwealth_Games,_New_Delhi,_India This Travel Bulletin has been revised. It contains new information in relation to a seasonal outbreak of dengue fever in New Delhi, further information on security arrangements for the Games and includes additional information on indicative costs of medical evacuation that supports our strong recommendation that Australians obtain comprehensive travel insurance before departure. India 2010-09-04T11:39:23Z 2010-05-11T01:12:29Z 2010-09-04T11:39:23Z 2010-09-04T11:39:23Z http://www.smarttraveler.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Kidnap_Threat_in_Africa Africa 2010-08-30T03:46:57Z 2010-04-09T06:55:46Z 2010-08-30T03:46:57Z 2010-08-30T03:46:57Z http://www.smarttraveler.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/United_States-New_Entry_Requirements The United States government has introduced an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) which applies to all Australian passport holders visiting or transiting the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Holding an ESTA is mandatory for all eligible Visa Waiver Program travellers to the United States. 2010-08-16T00:27:28Z 2008-10-27T05:40:26Z 2010-08-16T00:27:28Z 2010-08-16T00:27:28Z http://www.smarttraveler.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Ramadan_2010 The Islamic holy month, Ramadan, is expected to begin on or around 11 August 2010 and finish on or around 9 September 2010. The exact timing of Ramadan depends on the sighting of the moon and this differs from country to country. 2010-07-20T02:24:49Z 2010-07-20T02:24:49Z 2010-07-20T02:24:49Z 2010-08-26T08:26:13Z http://www.smarttraveler.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Partying_Overseas Large numbers of Australians get into trouble overseas as a direct result of partying too hard and forgetting about simple safety precautions. Parties and festivals like Full Moon Parties in Koh Phangan, Thailand and Oktoberfest in Germany can be fun experiences but drinking too much or taking drugs can put you in difficult and often dangerous situations far from home. Australians have had their drinks spiked, had their documents stolen, been assaulted, injured, arrested, imprisoned and even killed. If you are planning to attend a Full Moon or other party or festival overseas, think about your personal safety and take appropriate precautions so that your trip is memorable for all the right reasons. 2010-07-05T05:50:11Z 2009-12-15T04:23:13Z 2010-07-05T05:50:11Z 2010-07-05T05:50:11Z http://www.smarttraveler.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Flight_Disruptions_in_Europe Australians flying into and out of Europe should be aware that volcanic activity in Iceland is continuing and that further disruptions to flights could occur with little warning. Europe 2010-04-20T09:57:10Z 2010-04-20T09:47:30Z 2010-04-20T09:57:10Z 2010-08-26T13:30:38Z http://www.smarttraveler.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/aviation Travellers should be aware that there are a range of factors that can affect the safety of aircraft and airlines. These include the weather, terrain, aviation infrastructure and the ways in which a country regulates its aviation industry. Aviation safety and security standards in some countries may not be equal to standards in Australia or meet those set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Global 2010-03-26T03:25:56Z 2010-03-26T03:25:56Z 2010-03-26T03:25:56Z 2010-04-29T04:43:04Z http://www.smarttraveler.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Chad-Security_Situation Australians are strongly advised not to travel to Chad because of the volatile security situation, ongoing violent civil unrest and the threat of terrorism. The situation could deteriorate further without warning. If you are in Chad, you should consider leaving if it is safe to do so. Chad 2010-03-15T03:37:05Z 2006-05-02T04:36:44Z 2010-03-15T03:37:05Z 2010-03-29T04:32:40Z http://www.smarttraveler.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Helping_to_Fight_Child_Sex_Crimes_Abroad It is a criminal offence to engage in sexual activity with children, whether in Australia or in another country. 2009-12-22T00:55:08Z 2003-12-02T22:37:46Z 2009-12-22T00:55:08Z 2010-07-26T04:53:41Z http://www.smarttraveler.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/International_Scams Commercial and internet scams or fraud are common and often originate outside Australia. Scams have a devastating financial and emotional impact on many Australians. Detailed information about scams, what to look out for and how to protect yourself from scams can be found in The Little Black Book of Scams published by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Tel 1300 302 502, and the SCAMwatch website. 2009-12-16T00:05:17Z 2008-03-05T00:38:15Z 2009-12-16T00:05:17Z 2009-12-16T00:05:17Z http://www.smarttraveler.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Europe_Schengen Australians are advised that only the country you plan to visit can provide up-to-date and accurate information about its specific visa requirements. Travellers should contact the nearest High Commission, Embassy or Consulate of the countries they plan to visit well in advance of travel. 2009-12-15T23:58:28Z 2002-03-20T09:31:02Z 2009-12-15T23:58:28Z 2009-12-15T23:58:28Z http://www.smarttraveler.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Hurricanes Tropical cyclones often produce winds in excess of 200 km/h, causing extensive damage to property and turning debris into dangerous missiles. They can also bring flooding rains and storm tides which cause further damage to property and increase the risk of drowning. Cyclones can cause huge seas, putting vessels in danger both in harbour and out at sea. Most deaths from cyclones occur as a result of drowning, collapsed buildings, mudslides or flying debris, which becomes lethal in high winds. 2009-12-15T23:53:37Z 2006-09-15T06:54:56Z 2009-12-15T23:53:37Z 2009-12-15T23:53:37Z http://www.smarttraveler.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Health-Swine_Influenza 2009-04-28T04:53:25Z 2009-04-28T04:53:25Z 2009-04-28T04:53:25Z 2009-11-25T22:13:39Z http://www.smarttraveler.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Health-Avian_Influenza 2008-12-11T03:57:14Z 2004-07-21T00:22:36Z 2008-12-11T03:57:14Z 2009-04-16T23:50:07Z http://www.smarttraveler.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Overseas_Road_Safety 2008-10-10T05:00:34Z 2008-10-10T05:00:34Z 2008-10-10T05:00:34Z 2009-10-12T00:05:08Z