Published: October 6, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Australia Travel Advisory and Australia Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Canberra
Moonah Place Yarralumla, Canberra, ACT 2600
Tel: +61 (02) 6214-5600
Hours: Monday-Friday, 0800-1700.
U.S. Consulate General Melbourne
553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004
Tel: +61 (03) 9526-5900
U.S. Consulate General Sydney
Suite 2, 50 Miller St, North Sydney, NSW 2060.
Tel: +61 (02) 8219-2100
U.S. Consulate General Perth
4th Floor, 16 St George’s Terrace, Perth, WA 6000
Tel: +61 (08) 6144-5100
OSAC Country Chapters
OSAC Country Chapters are active in Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.
Contact OSAC’s Asia team with any questions.
Australia Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise normal precautions in Australia.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth as being LOW-threat locations for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Australia.
The crime emergency line in Australia is 000.
Robberies, burglaries, assault, and auto theft are common in Australia’s larger cities. Foreign visitors in popular tourist areas are targets for pickpockets, purse-snatchers, and petty thieves. Most petty crime can be avoided if basic security precautions are taken. Be careful when visiting bars or clubs in the entertainment areas of major cities, as “bar brawls” and other assaults sometimes occur. You should watch out for drink spiking when consuming alcohol with unfamiliar people.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics regularly reports on crime victimization across the country. In its March 2025 report covering 2024, the Bureau reported the following key crime indicators compared to 2023:
- Thefts other than robbery increased to the highest number recorded in 21 years (595,660 victims).
- Almost half of all other theft occurred in a retail location (45%).
- Sexual assault recorded by police increased to the highest number recorded in the time series (40,087 victims).
- Rates of homicide and kidnappings increased by at least 9%, while blackmail rates went down by 34%
Property crime is an issue in certain locations such as Alice Springs or in low socio-economic areas. After nightfall in Alice Springs and other rural town areas in the Northern Territory (NT), remain vigilant for criminal groups. The crime rate in Alice Springs is significantly higher than the overall low crime threat level for Australia. Crime has become such a concern that the NT government has given the NT Police Commissioner new authorities to implement snap lockdowns and curfews. Central Business Districts of major cities, especially in and around nightclubs, bars and legal strip clubs attracts criminal activity to include narcotics, drink spiking, “bar brawls,” public intoxication, and anti-social behavior.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Australia.
The threat of kidnapping in Australia is very remote and is generally restricted to domestic-related child custody issues.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth as being LOW-threat locations for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Australia.
Ideologically motivated violent extremist (IMVE) groups and individuals, especially nationalist and racist violent extremists, are increasingly active in Australia, and pose a serious threat to security. Individuals, groups, and movements pursue their aims by drawing on international networks, ideas, and personalities to mobilize others, often using the internet. Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremist (REMVE) groups are right-wing extremist organizations that encompasses diverse groups with distinct beliefs and movements including white nationalists, neo-Nazis, and anti-government extremists. These groups in Australia are often associated with outlaw Biker Clubs and have a strong virtual presence. The Australian government has gone as far as officially listing some of these groups as recognized terrorist organizations. While an RMVE attack is more likely to be confined to larger metropolitan cities, IMVE individuals and groups can be geographically dispersed across the country, including in rural areas.
In response to potential threats, Australian authorities have updated the National Terrorism Threat Advisory system to inform Australians about the likelihood of a terrorist attack, and to enable authorities, businesses, and individuals to take appropriate safety and security measures. The new system includes five tiers, ranging from “Not Expected” to “Certain.” The current terrorism threat advisory level is “Probable,” signifying that “there is a greater than fifty per cent chance of an onshore attack or attack planning in the next twelve months.”
Individuals who see suspicious or unusual activity should contact Australia’s National Security Hotline at 1800 1234 00.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth as being LOW-threat locations for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Australia. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notification, often interrupting logistics and services; even demonstrations planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Australia is a constitutional democracy with a freely elected federal parliamentary government. The country conducts free and fair elections periodically, as it did in 2022, with no associated instability.
Protests & Demonstrations
Incidents of civil unrest are becoming more common. Demonstrations and political rallies are generally approved by local authorities and well publicized. Sydney and Melbourne have standing protest which occur every weekend in the city centers. Occasionally, organized protests occur at and around various government and diplomatic facilities. The potential for violence during protests does exist; avoid confrontation with protestors. Australian policing authorities are well-trained and equipped to manage such events.
Melbourne does not have a permitting system for protests, however the local government allows them to proceed since protesting is legal.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Incidents of political violence directed against the U.S. are relatively infrequent. In the past, U.S. Consulates in Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth have experienced an increase in protest activities. Assorted protest actions included blocking entrance to building lobbies and the display of placards. Most protests near U.S. diplomatic facilities continue to be peaceful. Visits by high-level U.S. dignitaries will occasionally attract various organizations to whose members protest a variety of topics.
Law Enforcement
The Australian Federal Police, and state and territorial police forces are responsible for internal security. The federal police enforce national laws, and state and territorial police enforce state and territorial laws. State police are well-equipped and professional. The Department of Home Affairs and its Australian Border Force are responsible for migration and border enforcement. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over the security forces. There are no reports that members of the security forces commit abuses. The Australian Border Force facilitates the movement of legitimate international travelers and goods, while protecting the safety, security and commercial interests of Australians. Contact Australian Border Force at 1800 009 623 to report suspicious behavior or online.
Police Response
Australian police organizations are well trained and professional. They have well-equipped emergency response teams (e.g., SWAT, EOD, Negotiator) that can mobilize and respond to any incident with short notice.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Australia, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Australia.
The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, and the government generally implements these laws effectively. There have been isolated reports of government corruption during the year.
The law prohibited arbitrary arrest and detention, and the government generally observed these prohibitions.
Cybersecurity
Cyber criminals continue to gain access to networks primarily through targeted emails and spear phishing campaigns; this is the greatest threat to cyber security in the region. The chief motivation for cyber-attacks is financial gain. This aligns with the cyber threat of most concern to the private sector, which is theft or breach of confidential information or intellectual property.
Monitor the SCAM Watch website maintained by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for the latest information on how to recognize, avoid, and report scams. The Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN) provides information on how to recognize and avoid common forms of cybercrime, including advice for victims.
Card skimming is relatively low compared to most countries, but they do occur occasionally in Australia. Cover ATM keypads when entering PINs. Taxi drivers and international organized crime groups have also been known to use card skimming machines, although the rate of incidence is low.
Import/Export Restrictions
Australian customs authorities enforce very strict regulations concerning the importation from all countries of items such as agricultural goods, including plants and food products, and wood products, as well as very strict quarantine standards for animals and pets.
Contact the Embassy of Australia in Washington, D.C., or one of Australia's consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements, and visit the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture website for additional information.
There are no issues from a Border perspective in relation to importing satellite phones to Australia, however there are only 4 satellite networks available in Australia for Sat phones to connect to and the device would need to be compatible to connect to one of the Australian networks.
The satellite phone network providers available in Australia include:
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
