Lexi Webster
Australians travelling abroad should be aware of the various requirements and recommendations in place for leaving and entering different countries. For instance, when travelling to the Schengen Area in Europe, Australians can stay visa-free for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, it is important to keep track of the days and ensure your passport is valid for at least 3 months beyond your departure date, as well as obtaining an entry stamp. Additionally, there are considerations to make regarding health care, payments, concession cards, and child support when travelling or living overseas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Leaving Australia | No court order required |
| MyGov Account | Required for access to Medicare, Centrelink, Child Support |
| International Social Security Agreements | In place with some countries |
| Health Care | Access may be available in certain countries |
| Payments | May be affected by travel plans |
| Concession Cards | May be affected by travel plans |
| Child Support | May be affected by travel plans |
| Visa-Free Travel | Available in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period |
| Passport Validity | Must be valid for at least 3 months beyond intended departure date |
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What You'll Learn
How your plans may affect your payments, concession cards, health care and child support
If you are planning to leave Australia, it is important to understand how this may impact your payments, concession cards, health care, and child support arrangements. Here are some key considerations:
Payments and Concession Cards
Travelling or moving overseas can affect the payments and concession cards you receive. Some payments and concessions may be temporarily halted while you are away, and in some cases, you may need to notify the relevant authorities of your travel plans. It is important to continue meeting the normal eligibility rules to maintain your payments or concessions. You can notify the authorities about your travel plans through your Centrelink online account or by calling the phone number related to your payment.
Health Care
Medicare does not provide coverage for individuals while they are overseas. Therefore, it is essential to arrange alternative health care coverage before travelling. Certain countries have Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with Australia, which may cover some of the costs. However, this does not replace the need for travel insurance. When you return to Australia, you may need to enrol in Medicare again, depending on the length of your absence.
Child Support
If you have child support obligations, it is crucial to contact the Child Support enquiry line before leaving the country. Your departure may impact the management of your case. If you have a child support debt, a Departure Prohibition Order may be issued, preventing you from leaving Australia until the debt is addressed. Any changes in your circumstances while overseas should be reported by calling the Child Support international lines.
International Social Security Agreements
It is worth noting that Australia has international social security agreements with certain countries. If you are travelling to one of these countries, you may be able to claim payments or access social security benefits during your stay. Be sure to research the specific agreements and requirements for your destination country.
Other Considerations
When planning your trip, it is also essential to consider any income support payments, concession cards, or other benefits you may be receiving. These include the Pensioner Concession Card, Carer Payment, Carer Allowance, Family Tax Benefit, and various payments for families with newborns or multiple births. Understanding the eligibility requirements and any necessary arrangements will help ensure that your travel plans do not disrupt these essential services.
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Staying healthy and accessing healthcare while overseas
When travelling overseas from Australia, it is important to be aware of how to stay healthy and access healthcare in your destination country. Here are some key considerations:
Understanding the Healthcare System
Before travelling, take the time to understand the healthcare system of your destination country. This includes knowing whether you will be covered by any form of public healthcare scheme or if you need to rely on private health insurance. For example, in Australia, Medicare is the public healthcare scheme that provides free or subsidised health services for citizens and some overseas visitors from countries with Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA). However, Medicare does not cover Australians when they are overseas, so it is important to explore other options.
Travel Insurance
Consider purchasing travel insurance that includes coverage for medical costs. Even if your destination country has an RHCA with Australia, it is still recommended to have travel insurance to cover any unexpected healthcare expenses. Read the product disclosure statement of your insurance policy carefully to ensure you understand what is covered and what is not.
Vaccinations and Medicines
Ensure that you are up to date with any recommended vaccinations for your destination and have proof of vaccination if required. Additionally, if you need to carry specific medicines with you, check with your pharmacist or doctor to ensure they are legal in the country you are travelling to. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) has strict rules about travelling overseas with medicines, so it is important to be informed.
Accessing Healthcare Services
When seeking healthcare services overseas, be aware that the process may differ from Australia. Research in advance how to access healthcare services in your destination country, including how to find reputable healthcare providers and what payment methods are accepted. Keep important contact information handy, such as the contact details of your insurance provider and the location of nearby medical facilities.
Cultural and Language Barriers
Be prepared for potential cultural and language barriers when accessing healthcare overseas. Consider learning some basic phrases in the local language to help communicate your needs, and be open to different cultural approaches to healthcare. Carrying a translation app or dictionary can also be helpful in these situations.
Staying healthy while travelling overseas requires preparation and awareness of the healthcare system in your destination country. By taking the necessary steps, you can ensure that you have access to the care you need and can focus on enjoying your trip.
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Claiming a payment from an agreement country
Australia has international social security agreements with over 30 countries to share responsibility for social security coverage. These agreements can help you meet eligibility for the age pension if you haven't been an Australian resident for 10 years, but your time in an agreement country covers the gap. For example, 7 years in Australia plus 3 years in an agreement country may make you eligible for the age pension.
The rules around social security agreements can be complex, so it is recommended to get professional advice from Services Australia if you're thinking about claiming a payment while in an agreement country. You may get the age pension for the whole time you're outside Australia, even if you're leaving to live in another country. However, you must inform Services Australia that you're travelling overseas, as changes like these may impact your eligibility for payment.
If you're outside Australia and need help with your Centrelink payment, you can use one of the specific country numbers provided by Services Australia. You can also use the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app to track the progress of your application. If you live in Australia and receive a foreign pension, public holidays may cause a delay in getting your payment. In such cases, you should contact your overseas pension authority during their opening hours for information about their payments.
Some of Australia's agreements also regulate the payment of superannuation contributions and equivalent contributions in the agreement country. This avoids double coverage for workers seconded between countries. You can visit the Australian Taxation Office's website for more information on superannuation.
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Visa-free travel to Europe
Australian citizens do not need a visa to travel to countries in the Schengen Area for short stays. The Schengen Area is made up of 29 European countries with common border rules, including Spain, France, and Switzerland, that let travellers move freely between member countries. Australians can travel visa-free in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. However, each country operates the visa waiver in its own way. Most countries need you to use the visa waiver at the end of your Schengen Area travel.
There are also other European countries where you can travel visa-free. Travel to these countries does not count towards your 90 days for Schengen Area travel. Most of these countries let you stay for up to 90 days, while some may allow longer stays.
Starting in 2026, most travellers from visa-exempt countries, including Australia, will need ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) approval before entering Schengen Area nations. The ETIAS system is an online travel authorization that will be mandatory for Australians and citizens of around 60 other countries. It applies to non-EU nationals who currently enjoy visa-free travel to the Schengen Zone. The ETIAS approval simplifies access to Schengen countries, making international travel safer and more structured. It also ensures compliance with border security measures while allowing visitors to continue enjoying visa-free travel.
To apply for ETIAS approval, you will need a valid passport with at least three months of validity remaining beyond your intended departure from the Schengen Area. The ETIAS system collects personal details, passport information, and travel history before granting approval. It also involves automated security checks that screen applicants against databases like Europol and Interpol to detect potential threats.
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Passport validity and entry/exit requirements
To enter Australia, your passport must be valid for the length of your planned stay. Many countries, including Australia, require at least six months of validity remaining on your passport even if you're just transiting and do not pass through immigration. If you're a British-Australian dual national, you must enter and exit the country using your Australian passport.
You must have a visa to visit Australia. British citizens can usually obtain an eVisitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) through the iOS or Android app. While the eVisitor visa has no application or service fee, the ETA may have a service charge.
There are strict rules about the goods you can bring into or take out of Australia. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. Australia has strict quarantine rules to prevent pests and diseases that could affect plants, animals, or humans. You must fill out an Incoming Passenger Card and declare any goods considered risky, such as food, animal products, and plant materials (including wooden articles). You can dispose of these goods at the airport or seaport bins. Additionally, you must declare if you have been in contact with farms, farm animals, wilderness areas, or freshwater streams/lakes in the past 30 days.
Australian authorities X-ray luggage and inspect, treat, and, if necessary, confiscate and destroy items of concern. Violating quarantine rules can result in heavy fines. For more information on quarantine rules, you can refer to the Department of Agriculture.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there is no requirement to inform the Australian government before leaving the country. However, you should check your myGov Account settings to ensure you can access it while travelling overseas.
Yes, it is important to understand how your travel plans may impact your health care and access to healthcare services while overseas.
Yes, Australia has international social security agreements with some countries, which may allow you to claim payments from that country.
Australians can travel to the Schengen Area without a visa for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. However, your passport must be valid for at least 3 months after your intended departure date.
