Australia Travel Guide

🇺🇸 US State Department Advisory

Reissued after periodic review with minor edits. Exercise normal precautions in Australia. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Australia. If you decide to travel to Australia: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program ( STEP ) to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Review the Country Security Report for Australia. Prepare a plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist . Visit the CDC page for the lat...

🚨 Emergency Numbers

🏥 Healthcare Summary

Access: easy Hours: Most pharmacies open 8:30am-5:30pm weekdays, with some late-night and weekend hours. Major chains include Chemist Warehouse, Priceline, and Terry White. In rural areas, pharmacy access is more limited. Prescription rules: Australian prescriptions are required for most medications. Foreign prescriptions are generally not accepted — you'll need an Australian doctor's prescription. Some medications available OTC elsewhere require prescriptions in Australia. 💡 Tips Pharmacies are widely available in cities and towns. Many medications require a prescription. Some OTC items available without prescription include basic painkillers, antihistamines, and antacids. Pharmacists can advise on minor ailments.

Insurance: ⚠️ Strongly recommended Average cost: $50-100/week 💡 Tip Australia has reciprocal healthcare agreements with the UK, Ireland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Belgium, Slovenia, Malta, and Norway — citizens of these countries can access Medicare for medically necessary treatment. All others need full travel insurance. Medical evacuation from remote areas (which are common) is extremely expensive — ensure your policy covers this. 💡 Tip Australia has reciprocal healthcare agreements with the UK, Ireland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Belgium, Slovenia, Malta, and Norway — citizens of these countries can access Medicare for medically necessary treatment. All others need full travel insurance. Medical evacuation from remote areas (which are common) is extremely expensive — ensure your policy covers this.

💊 Medication Restrictions

Australia has strict biosecurity and customs rules for medications. You may bring up to 3 months' supply of personal prescription medications — carry them in original packaging with a doctor's letter. Controlled substances (opioids, stimulants, benzodiazepines) require a traveler's exemption or import permit from the Office of Drug Control. Declare all medications on your incoming passenger card.

• Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium) — RESTRICTED: Schedule 4 (prescription-only) controlled drugs. Travelers may bring up to 3 months' supply with a doctor's letter or prescription. Must be in original packaging and declared at customs.
• Adderall / amphetamines — BANNED: Dexamphetamine is available by prescription but Adderall (mixed amphetamine salts) is NOT approved in Australia. Importing requires advance approval from the TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) via the traveler's exemption scheme.
• Cannabis / CBD — RESTRICTED: Medical cannabis legal since 2016 with TGA Special Access Scheme prescription. CBD was downscheduled to Schedule 3 (pharmacy-only) at low doses in 2021. Recreational use remains illegal federally. Do NOT import cannabis products without TGA approval.
• Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) — RESTRICTED: Schedule 8 (controlled drug). Available by prescription. Travelers may bring up to 3 months' supply with prescription and doctor's letter. Must be declared at customs.
• Codeine / opioids — RESTRICTED: Codeine was reclassified to prescription-only (Schedule 4) in 2018 — no more OTC. Stronger opioids are Schedule 8. Travelers need prescription documentation and should declare at customs.

🙏 Cultural Tips

Tipping: Not expected. Australian wages are higher by law and service charges are not added to bills. A tip of 10% is appreciated for exceptional service at restaurants, but never obligatory. No tipping expected for taxis or hotels.

Cultural taboos to avoid:

• Queue jumping — Australians take orderly queuing very seriously
• Boasting or bragging — 'tall poppy syndrome' means showing off is frowned upon
• Bringing food, plants, or undeclared items through customs — heavy fines apply
• Littering — particularly in national parks and beaches
• Calling Australia 'the outback' or assuming everyone lives near crocodiles