According to the website "Smart Traveller" put on by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Australia, over 7 million Aussies travel overseas every year.
That is almost everyone in NSW. Can you imagine NSW empty?
How many of those people do research before they leave? According to the site 20,000 will need the assistance of the Australian consulate while they are away. Don't be a statistic - take some precautions before you go. It could ensure you have a much more relaxing, safe and peaceful time away.
7 million Aussies travel abroad / Image Source: Morgue File
The following tips are from the website to keep your travels safeguarded:
1- Check Travel Advice on the site for your destination to receive free email update notifications.
These recommendations let you know Canada is a safe place to travel, Niger is not recommended for travel.
2- Travel insurance covers you for things you tend to do and places you go. It covers you for medical expenses and lost items.
Get police reports for stolen or lost items and keep receipts.
3- Register your travel plans and contact details online or at the local Australian embassy, so you can be contacted in case of emergency.
4- Obey the laws of the country you are in.
Enough said.
5- Ensure you have the correct visas for each country you will travel to.
Get correct visas for the places you will travel to / Image Source: Morgue File
6- Make copies of your passport, driver's license, insurance policy, visas and credit cards. Carry the copies separately from the originals.
7- Vaccinations are a must for some countries. Health precautions could save your life from illnesses depending on where you go.
Malaria and other goodies abound out there.
8- Check your passport for validity. It needs to be valid for 6 months before you travel. Carry extra passport photos with you in case yours is lost or stolen.
9- Keep in contact with family or friends. It is good for someone to know where you will be and when.
Leave a copy of your itinerary with someone you trust.
10- Check to see if you are a national of the country you plan to visit and whether dual nationality will have implications for your travel.
The rest of the website has valuable information such as When Things go Wrong and Travelling Responsibly. The Research the Country section deals with currency, language, dangers and the like.
The Services section deals with Getting Help Overseas, Your Privacy and Legalising Documents plus so much more.
The 24 hour Consulate Emergency Centre phone numbers are as follows:
61 2 6261 3305 (outside Australia)
1 300 555 135 (within Australia)
Plan well and enjoy! / Image Source: Morgue File
Visit
www.smarttraveller.gov.au for more information.
Plan well and you will have an amazing adventure that you will remember for your lifetime.