Help for Travellers
Information about ATAS
Look for an ATAS accredited travel agent when booking your travel.
ATAS is administered by the Australian Federation of Travel Agents, the peak industry body for Australian travel agents. AFTA measures travel agents against strict criteria. Those that meet high levels of professional standards are given national ATAS accreditation.
By booking with an ATAS accredited travel agent, you can be sure that the business is trusted, reliable and experienced at providing quality travel solutions to suit you. Additional information is available from www.atas.com.au or call 1300 00 TRAVEL.
What do I need to know about the entry requirements for the United States - ESTA?
If you are travelling to or via the United States and if you come from a country that is part of the Visa Exemption Program, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) replaces the form that has until now been completed on the plane.
It is essential that you complete the ESTA Form before you travel in order to receive travel authorization. If you do not have this authorisation or if it is invalid, the airline may refuse to allow you to board the aircraft.
Please see https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov for information regarding application for authorization for the Visa Waiver Program.
Applications may be submitted at any time prior to travel to the United States. You should complete the application process as soon as possible and at least 72 hours prior to travel as recommended by the US Department of Homeland Security.
This procedure applies to adults and children (whatever their age). The information requested includes passport number and country of residence. In most cases, electronic travel authorization is granted online almost immediately by specifying "authorization approved". It is valid for a period of two years or until expiry of the passport and allows a maximum stay of 90 days per entry.
For further information, please click on the Visa Exemption Program link.
A charge will be levied of $14 to use the compulsory Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA).
Attention: Visa Waiver Program travelers should be aware that unauthorized third-parties have established Web sites for processing ESTA applications which are not endorsed by, associated with, or affiliated in any way with the Department of Homeland Security or the United States Government. Please only use the ESTA Form link above to ensure that your application is processed correctly and valid for travel
What do I need to know about the entry requirements for Canada - eTA?
The Government of Canada has introduced a web-based visa issuance system known as the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). The ETA is the equivalent to a visa, however no stamp or label is placed in the passport. It is recommended that travellers entering Canada by air obtain the ETA prior to travel.
Your ETA covers multiple entries and is valid for up to five years (or the life of your passport). If you are travelling to or transiting through Canada, we recommend you secure your ETA now. Acquiring your ETA now gives you peace of mind that you are pre-screened to enter Canada, streamlining the immigration process.
The Government of Canada's official website to apply for an eTA. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp
It only costs $7 CAD. Most eTA applications are approved within minutes of applying.
Travel Health
We strongly recommend you contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) or visit www.smartraveller.gov.au at least six months prior to your departure. You must be aware of any health requirements for your itinerary and ensure that you carry all necessary vaccination documentation.
Make sure you're fully prepared. We recommend visiting The Travel Doctor to take care of all your travel health needs. They have the latest information and the advice as well as the best medical kit for your trip. You should make an appointment at least six months prior to your departure to ensure you can complete the vaccination schedule.
Please note that some countries consider certain Australian over-the-counter and prescription medications highly illegal or a controlled substance (for example codeine). Please check health and medications requirements for the countries you intend to visit on www.smartraveller.gove.au or the destination's own website or consulate for further information.
If you are travelling to or transiting through the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with medications, you are subjected to inspection by a UAE Ministry of Health officer upon arrival. The officer has the right to ban or allow the entry of the medications to the country. You are required to have a valid medical letter authenticated by DFAT and then have it legalized by the Embassy of the United Arab of Emirates in Canberra. Please refer to the UAE Embassy in Canberra’s website for more detailed information: http://uae-embassy.ae/Embassies/au/Content/1803
If you are travelling to Russia, the Russian Government introduced changes to laws concerning the importation (carrying) and use of medicines. These changes require all individuals arriving into Russia with medication to present documentation confirming the need for each medication. This may include medications that are available over the counter in Australia, or elsewhere, such as cold and flu medication. The documentation, normally a letter from a treating doctor, should contain a description of the medication, the reason for carrying it and the quantity required. If these documents are issued in a language other than Russian, you are required to provide a notarised translation into Russian. Travellers who do not declare restricted medications may be detained.
Smartraveller.gov.au
We strongly recommend you contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) or visit www.smartraveller.gov.au at least six months prior to departure and register your travel plans on this website prior to departure. You can also receive alerts for any threats or concerns relating to the countries you are planning to visit.
You must also be aware that some countries consider certain Australian over-the-counter and prescription medications highly illegal or a controlled substance (for example codeine). Please check the health and medications requirements for the countries you intend to visit on the www.smartraveller.gov.au or the destination's own website or consulate for further information.
If you are travelling to or transiting through the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with medications, you are subjected to inspection by a UAE Ministry of Health officer upon arrival. The officer has the right to ban or allow the entry of the medications to the country. You are required to have a valid medical letter authenticated by DFAT and then have it legalized by the Embassy of the United Arab of Emirates in Canberra. Please refer to the UAE Embassy in Canberra’s website for more detailed information: http://uae-embassy.ae/Embassies/au/Content/1803
If you are travelling to Russia, the Russian Government introduced changes to laws concerning the importation (carrying) and use of medicines. These changes require all individuals arriving into Russia with medication to present documentation confirming the need for each medication. This may include medications that are available over the counter in Australia, or elsewhere, such as cold and flu medication. The documentation, normally a letter from a treating doctor, should contain a description of the medication, the reason for carrying it and the quantity required. If these documents are issued in a language other than Russian, you are required to provide a notarised translation into Russian. Travellers who do not declare restricted medications may be detained.
Passports and Visas
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have valid passports, visas and re-entry permits for the duration of your stay. Any fines, penalties, payments or expenditures incurred as a result of such documents not meeting the entry requirements will be your sole responsibility. All travellers must have a valid passport for international travel and many countries require at least 6 months validity from the date of return to Australia.
Please visit Australian Passport Office for more information www.passports.gov.au
If you need information regarding visa requirements for your trip, please let us know. We can obtain such information from an external visa advisory service provider on your behalf. We do not warrant the accuracy of such information and accept no liability for any loss or damage which you may suffer in reliance upon it. If you wish, we can obtain visas for you through this external service and fees will apply.
Travel Insurance
We are an authorised representative of AussieTravelCover Pty Ltd – Worldwide Travel Insurance and Covermore Travel Insurance. Our AR Number is 258595, on whose behalf we act. You must obtain a Product Disclosure Statement relating to the product and consider the statement before making any decision about whether to acquire the product. Travel insurance is strongly recommended by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for all overseas travel. In addition, please note cover is excluded in relation to any airline that has filed or applied for any form of insolvency or insolvency protection at the time of effecting cover. As an agent, we are not permitted to give our opinion of the policy to you however we seek to provide you with relevant information to assist you in purchasing the correct policy for your travel arrangements. If you decline travel insurance, you may be required to sign a disclaimer.
Frequent Flyers
Please advise us of your Frequent Flyer membership details for inclusion in your flight booking. Do check your frequent flyer program for its specific membership terms. We cannot guarantee that the supplier will credit you with points for your booking. Certain airfares do not permit frequent flyer points to be earned even if the airline is a participating member of the frequent flyer program. It is your responsibility to retain your boarding passes as proof of travel. It is also your responsibility to advise us if you wish to apply for an upgrade using your points so we may apply the most appropriate airfare for your journey. Please note that we do not arrange redemption bookings or register for upgrades – the frequent flyer member must arrange their redemption tickets and register any upgrade requests directly with the airline in line with their program terms and conditions.