australian travel overseas registration

Registration

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has opened a portal for new registrations for Australians in the following countries:

• Lebanon –  Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members in Lebanon are invited to register.
• Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories –  Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian Territories are invited to register. Parents of Australians are also able to register if they are currently in Gaza.

You should only register if you are in one of the countries listed above, or on behalf of an Australian citizen, permanent resident or immediate family member (as defined below) in one of the countries listed above.

 The registration portal is for Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members.

Immediate family members include:

• partner of an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• minor children and parents of Australian minors. Please attach supporting evidence of your relationship, and/or or a valid visa, and/or an exemption to enter Australia as this may be required.
• Parents of Australians (only for those parents currently in Gaza).

Do not register if you are not an Australian citizen, permanent resident or an immediate family member as defined above .

If you have registered with DFAT previously

If you have already registered an eligible parent of an Australian citizen or permanent resident who is in Gaza with DFAT, please contact [email protected] . 

For all other registrations, if you have an existing registration with DFAT, you will need to login to your existing account by selecting the Login icon on this page and updating your registration. Alternatively, you can use a different email address to create a new registration through the Register icon on this page.

Why register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade?

DFAT delivers a range of consular services for Australians travelling or living overseas. Major incidents or other events that affect a large number of Australians overseas usually require a response beyond our normal consular services.

Establishing the whereabouts of Australians overseas is important in the event of a major incident, such as a natural disaster or large-scale accident,  civil unrest , major health event, terrorism  or conflict.

A registration system is opened in response to a major incident that affects the safety and wellbeing of a large number of people, or as a contingency measure in locations where the security conditions can change at short notice.

Registering with DFAT allows Australian citizens, permanent residents, and their immediate family members to tell the Australian Government of their location overseas. Registration makes it easier for DFAT to contact you and your loved ones in the event assistance is required.

Urgent assistance

If you’re in a life-threatening situation, contact the local emergency authorities. Find the local emergency numbers under ‘Local contacts’ in the  travel advisory for your destination .

If you’re overseas and need urgent consular assistance, contact your nearest  Australian embassy, high commission or consulate , or call our 24-hour consular emergency call centre in Canberra on +61 2 6261 3305.

See  I need urgent help  for more information. See also our  Consular Services Charter  on what we can and can’t help with.

More information

Australians travelling abroad or living overseas do not need to register their travel with DFAT. 

If you are trying to return to Australia, we encourage you to:

• continue to contact your airline or travel agent for available flights
• read our  travel advisories  and  subscribe  for updates
• follow us on  Facebook  and  Twitter
• check the website of the  Australian embassy or high commission  in your destination and follow them closely on  social media  for any updates

Personal information provided in your registration will be managed in line with the Privacy Act. The Smartraveller website provides information on the department’s privacy policy, including on the collection, use and disclosure of personal information. For further information go to:   https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/consular-services/resources/consular-privacy-collection-statement

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• Minister for Foreign Affairs
• Minister for Women

Senator the Hon Marise Payne

• Media Releases
• Transcripts

This content has been archived.

Ticket to safe travel overseas.

• Joint media release
• Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women
• The Hon. Greg Hunt MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care
• The Hon Dan Tehan MP, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment
• The Hon Karen Andrews MP, Minister for Home Affairs
• The Hon Stuart Robert MP, Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business
• Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC, Minister for Government Services and Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme

Australians are another step closer to safe overseas travel with the introduction of the Australian Government’s International COVID-19 proof of vaccination.

From tomorrow, 19 October 2021, Australians and Australian visa holders who have a valid passport and their COVID-19 vaccination recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) can obtain an International COVID-19 proof of vaccination.

The international proof of vaccine will enable fully vaccinated Australians to depart Australia and to travel internationally consistent with the National Plan to transition Australia’s COVID-19 Response.

It can be downloaded digitally or printed and is compatible with COVID-19 travel apps such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Travel Pass.

The international proof of vaccination features a secure QR code to prove COVID-19 vaccination status to border authorities around the world and increases a person’s ability to travel safely and with confidence.

The Visible Digital Seal technology within the international proof of vaccination is world-leading, it is as secure as an Australian passport, and authenticated in the same way.

The international certificate meets the new global standard specified by the International Civil Aviation Organization and conforms with World Health Organization guidance.

Australia will share the Visible Digital Seal technology, building a curated library of technical documents to assist interested countries develop their own vaccination certificates.

The launch of the international proof of vaccination is a key step towards safely reopening international borders and supporting Australia’s COVID-19 economic recovery.

Requesting an international certificate is free and easy. The easiest way to get your free international certificate is by using your Medicare account through myGov , or the Medicare Express app.

For more information visit Services Australia - How to get proof .

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What to organise before travelling

All Australians need a valid passport to travel overseas. This includes Australian citizens and dual citizens wanting to travel as an Australian. Some countries won’t let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country.

Applying for or renewing a passport

You can renew or apply for a passport on the Australian Passport Office website. It may take 6 weeks or more for you to receive your passport. Child applications and first time applicants may take longer. You should submit your application as early as possible and consider not booking your travel until you get your passport.

Find out more about how getting a passport works on the Australian Passport Office website.

Urgent applications

You may be able to pay a fee to have your application processed more quickly. Find out more about urgent applications on the Australian Passport Office website.

Emergency passports

If you have an urgent need for a new passport while outside of Australia you can apply for an emergency passport. Find out more about emergency passports on the Australian Passport Office website.

Foreign visas

You need a visa to enter many foreign countries and territories. The type of visa you need depends on the purpose of your travel. Find out more about types of visas and how to get a visa on the Smartraveller website.

If you breach your visa

You are breaking the law if you travel to a foreign country or territory on the wrong visa or breach your visa’s conditions. You may be fined, arrested or deported. Find out more about the consequences of breaching your visa on the Smartraveller website.

Travel insurance

Getting travel insurance is strongly advised to help cover the costs if something goes wrong when you’re travelling overseas. Most travel insurance policies cover:

• medical costs
• cancellations and changes to travel costs due to delays
• lost or stolen baggage and valuables.

You can find out more about travel insurance including how to choose the right travel insurance on the Smartraveller website.

Driver licence

You need a valid Australian driver licence if you plan to drive overseas. You may also need an international driving permit to drive in some countries. Find out about the benefits of international driving permits and how to get one on the Smartraveller website.

Documents to organise when travelling with children

In some situations you may need to provide extra documents for children travelling overseas.

If you’re travelling solo with your child

If you don’t have full custody of your child, you may be breaking the law by taking them outside of Australia. You need a court order or the consent of any person or institution with parental responsibility before your child can leave Australia.

Some countries may need you to prove your relationship to your child when you enter or leave, particularly if your last names don’t match.

Find out more about child custody on the Smartraveller website.

If a child is travelling without both parents

Many airlines require you to fill out a permission form for a child under 15 to travel outside of Australia on their own. Your child may need to show other documents when they arrive at their destination before they can enter. Find out more about children travelling without their parents on the Smartraveller website.

Foreign national Australian visa holders intending to return to Australia

If you’re a foreign national travelling overseas and hold an Australian visa, you should check your Australian visa’s expiry date and conditions before you travel. You need a valid visa to return to Australia.

You can use the Department of Home Affairs’ Visa Entitlement Verification Online system (VEVO) to check your visa details and conditions .

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• Integrated Cargo System (ICS)

Crossing the border Incoming Passenger Card

​​​incoming passenger card (ipc).

Passengers arriving in Australia are required under Australian law to identify themselves and provide certain information through the completion of a passenger card.

Australian law concerning completion of a passenger cards is set out in the Migration Act 1958 (the Migration Act) and the Migration Regulations 1994 (the Migration Regulations).

What is a passenger card?

A passenger card is a document providing passenger identification and an effective record of a person's entry to Australia.

An Incoming Passenger Card (IPC) is to be completed by passengers entering Australia.​​​​​ IPCs will be provided to travellers on board their flight or ship before arrival or by the Australian Border Force in the arrival terminal.​​

Passenger cards also serve as:

• a declaration in relation to health and character requirements for non-Australian citizens
• a visa application form for Special Category Visa applicants and for Norfolk Island Permanent Residents.

Who needs to complete a passenger card?

Most passengers are required to complete and present a passenger card when entering Australia. However, particular people are exempt from completing a passenger card (as prescribed in regulation 3.06 and schedule 9 of the Migration Regulations).

Australian citizens who refuse to complete an IPC may be penalised. Non-Australian citizens may be penalised and refused immigration clearance.

Completing a passenger card in English

An IPC must be completed in English. Passengers requiring assistance to complete a passenger card can download printable sample versions of the IPC, including translations (see Passenger Card Samples section below).

Completing an incoming passenger card

Passengers entering Australia are required to accurately provide the following information on both sides of the IPC:

• family/surname, given names and passport number
• flight number or name of ship
• intended address in Australia
• if they intend to live in Australia for the next 12 months
• declarations relating to customs and quarantine.

• the country in which they boarded the flight/vessel
• their date of birth and usual occupation
• nationality as shown on their passport
• contact details in Australia and emergency contact details.

Passengers are required to sign and date the IPC, and are also required to correctly answer additional questions concerning their migration status, health status and any prior criminal convictions. For non-Australian citizens, providing false information can affect their visa status.

Completing a passenger card on behalf of another traveller

An IPC can be completed on behalf of another traveller where a person is in charge of that traveller. This includes parents/guardians of minors and carers of travellers with special needs.

A non-Australian citizen is considered to have completed a passenger card where the card is completed on their behalf.

Further information

Information about the Departments access to passenger information of all persons taking or proposing to take international passenger air service flights into and out of Australia.

See: ​ Collection of passenger name records

Information about arrival and departure records in the Movements Reconstruction database and how to request access to the information.

See: Movement Records ​​​​​​​

Need a hand?

How to get a passport when overseas

Our 5 step guide.

• Gather original documents and two passport photos.
• Ask someone to be a guarantor.
• Fill in your application.
• Lodge your application and pay the fee .
• We’ll tell you when your passport is ready.

Step 1: Gather original documents and two passport photos

For an adult, unless you qualify for a passport renewal , you will need:

• Your full birth certificate
• Evidence that you’re an Australian citizen
• Identity documents showing your photo, signature, and current residential address
• Documents that prove any change of name or change of gender  (if applicable)
• All applications must include two passport sized photos that comply with our photo guidelines .

For a child, you will need:

• The child’s full birth certificate
• Evidence that the child is an Australian citizen
• Documents that prove any change of name  (if applicable)
• Any court orders and additional passport forms we require to establish who has parental responsibility for the child (if applicable).

These details are required to complete the application. When you lodge the application, you must bring the original documents with you.

Step 2: Ask someone to be the guarantor

Unless you qualify for a passport renewal , you’ll need a guarantor.

A guarantor must be :

• 18 years of age or over
• known to the applicant for at least 12 months or, for children under one year old, the applicant must have known the child since birth
• an Australian citizen who has a current Australian passport with at least two years’ validity or a person of any nationality who’s employed in an approved occupational group.

To find out about approved occupational groups, check with the Australian diplomatic or consular mission  where you’ll be lodging the application.

For an adult application, your guarantor cannot be :

• any kind of relative
• in a de facto relationship with you
• living at the same address as you.

For a child application, your guarantor cannot be :

• related in any way to the child or to a person who has parental responsibility for the child
• in a de facto relationship with the person who has parental responsibility
• living at the same address as the child or a person with parental responsibility.

The application will require the details of your guarantor’s:

• telephone number
• either Australian Passport details or professional details for overseas guarantors.

Your guarantor will also need to sign section 11 of the application form and endorse the back of a passport photo by writing ‘This is a true photo of [your full name]’ and signing in black pen.

Step 3: Fill in your application

When overseas, there are two ways to fill in an application form:

• Complete an application form online .  Our system will generate an application form that you will need to print .  It will tell you which documents you must bring when you lodge your printed application.
• Request a pre-filled application form from your closest Australian diplomatic or consular mission .

Consent is required for a child passport.  Everyone who’s giving  consent   must sign section 15 of the form in front of a witness.  If they can’t easily do that because they’re in different parts of the world, follow our  instructions .

Passport renewal forms are available  online or can be requested from your closest Australian diplomatic or consular mission .

Step 4: Lodge your application and pay the fee

You will need to lodge your completed application at an Australian diplomatic or consular mission .

Visit the Australian diplomatic or consular mission's  website for local advice on lodging your application, including if you need to make an appointment.

You must bring your completed application form, your passport photos and the original documents requested on the application form.

If you’re applying for a child aged 16 or 17, the child must come with you when you lodge the application.

Please allow a minimum of  6 weeks  to receive your passport after you lodge your application.

A child passport application without  consent  from everyone who has parental responsibility takes  much longer .

Step 5: We will tell you when your passport is ready

When your passport is ready, we’ll send you an email or SMS, depending on the contact details you provided.

Entering or leaving Australia

Australia welcomes millions of overseas visitors each year. Anyone who is not an Australian citizen needs a valid visa to enter the country.

International passenger caps have been removed for all international passenger arrivals into Australia.

All travellers should be aware that: People entering Australia do not need to provide evidence of vaccination status People entering Australia do not need to complete the Digital Passenger Declaration or Maritime Travel Declaration People leaving Australia will not be asked to provide evidence of their vaccination status Unvaccinated visa holders do not ​ need a travel exemption to travel to Australia Mask wearing on international flights to Australia is no longer mandatory . It is important to remember that airlines, vessel operators and other countries may have specific requirements that travellers need to comply with.

Australian Citizens

All Australian citizens must enter and exit Australia on an Australian passport. Your Australian passport must be valid (not expired) on the day of your arrival in Australia. It does not need to have six months remaining validity to enter Australia unless you are passing through a third country that requires it. Citizens are not entitled to a visa, even if you are also a citizen of another country. Please see the  Department of Home Affairs website  for more information. 

Immigration and Visas

All foreign travellers, except New Zealand citizens, must obtain a visa or travel authority before travelling to Australia.

»    Immigration and visas

If you have a specific question, please contact the Department of Home Affairs .

You will also need to know what you can and cannot bring into Australia, knowing the duty-free concession limits and what to experience when travelling through Australian airports and seaports.

Please visit the Department of Home Affairs website for more information.

Plan your trip with  australia.com , the official Tourism Australia website, offering a wide range of travel information and planning tools including over 2000 images, a currency converter, daily weather updates, interactive maps, suggested holiday itineraries, holiday deals, specialist travel agents and more. Available in nine languages.

Tourist Refund Scheme

The  Tourist Refund Scheme  enables you to claim a refund, subject to certain conditions, of the goods and services tax (GST) and wine equalisation tax (WET) that you pay on goods you buy in Australia.

• Individuals myGov is a simple and secure way to access online government services.
• PRODA Log in to access HPOS, Business Hub, Aged Care Provider Portal and a range of other government online services.
• Centrelink Business Online
• Child Support Business Online
• When you’re returning home
• Top payments
• Most useful information

While you’re overseas

What your obligations are while you’re overseas. Staying safe and getting help while you travel.

on this page

Keep us up to date, setting up online accounts while you’re overseas, get help in an emergency, prepare for returning home.

It may be difficult to keep us up to date while you are overseas if you haven’t set up your online account. It’s important you do this before you go, so you can check your sign in options.

If you can’t access myGov while you’re away, you can’t update your details online.

If you’re already overseas, you can create a myGov account. You can link your services including Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support. Read more about how to create a myGov account on the myGov website.

After you’ve set up your account, check your sign in options. If you choose your Digital Identity or secret questions and answers to sign in, you won’t need your Australian mobile number. Read more about accessing myGov while overseas on the myGov website.

You can get help creating and managing your myGov account in the help section of the myGov website. Read more about how to contact myGov or your linked services in the contact us section of the myGov website.

Once you have a myGov account, you can set up your myGov app. Then you can access the same account through the myGov app. Read more about the myGov app on the myGov website.

If you get a Centrelink payment or concession card

You must continue to meet the eligibility rules to keep your payments or concession card while you’re outside Australia .

If your Centrelink online account is linked to myGov you can keep us up to date online.

Sign in to myGov

You can also update us by calling us on the phone number that relates to your payment.

If you’re enrolled in Medicare

Medicare doesn’t cover you while you’re overseas. Make sure you have a plan for health care before you travel. Countries that have a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with us may cover some of the cost.

If your Medicare online account is linked to myGov you can update your details online.

If you have a Child Support case

If your situation or circumstances change while overseas, you’ll need to keep us up to date.

If your Child Support online account is linked to myGov you can do this online.

You can also call us on one of our Child Support international lines .

If you’re overseas and are impacted by an emergency, contact an Australian consulate. Read more about consular services on the Smartraveller website.

Consulates can help if you:

• need an emergency passport
• have experienced a natural disaster, terrorist attack or civil disturbance
• are a victim of a crime
• have been arrested
• need help with a death of an Australian.

What happens when you come home depends on which state or territory you’re returning to. Make sure you’re aware of any changes while you’re away.

How to make sure you stay informed and up-to-date when you’re living overseas.

This information was printed 12 September 2024 from https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/while-youre-overseas-and-outside-australia . It may not include all of the relevant information on this topic. Please consider any relevant site notices at https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/site-notices when using this material.

Printed link references

Equipment, design upgrades and new terminal revealed in plans for $5 billion airport project in Brisbane

By Julius Dennis

Topic: Air Transport Industry

Brisbane Airport is being renovated as part of a $5 billion plan to give the international terminal a makeover, upgrade the domestic terminal, and work to construct a third terminal. 

The upgrades focus on security and passenger experience, while the new terminal will service both domestic and international travellers. 

What's next? 

There may be some impact to passengers flying to and from Brisbane, with work on the international terminal expected to wrap up in 2027.

Brisbane's international airport is getting a facelift as part of a $5 billion plan to upgrade the airport over the next decade.

The plan also includes the construction of a third terminal and upgrades to the domestic terminal.

"We have begun planning for a terminal three development, which will be conveniently located between our two parallel runways," Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) chief executive Gert-Jan de Graaff said on Thursday.

Gert-Jan de Graaff said the new terminal will service both domestic and international travellers. ( ABC News )

It's planned that the third terminal will service both domestic and international flights.

Mr de Graaf said the upgrades at the airport are focused on security and passenger experience, but notes that the airport is "currently not capacity".

The new design features space for multiple dining options within the terminal. ( Supplied )

"There is still room in the existing building for more flights," he said.

BAC said it needed to upgrade its security measures by end of 2025 to meet government standards.

The makeover is part of a multi-billion-dollar plan to upgrade Brisbane's airport. ( Supplied )

Jeff Moomaw from Delta said the US airline would start flying into Brisbane from December 4.

He said the airport upgrades would bring Queensland in line with other major international terminals, such as Los Angeles.

Mr Moomaw said Brisbane's growing population, commercial opportunities, and strong tourism market have played a part in the airline's decision to fly in and out of Brisbane.

What's changing at the airport?

The revamp of the international terminal will streamline and upgrade security measures and implement self-service check-in and more efficient baggage systems.

It is hoped new computed tomography bag screeners, which allow passengers to leave laptops and tablets in their bags, will make for faster-moving queues.

The same technology will be used in the domestic terminal.

The new technology is expected to make the check-in process quicker. ( Supplied )

BAC said ground support equipment such as "pushback tugs, belt loaders, cargo loaders, and baggage tugs" will be converted from fossil fuels to electric as part of the project.

It is expected construction at the international terminal will be finished in 2027.

Mr de Graaf said while guarantees are "very difficult to give" he remains confident the expansion project will be finished in time for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Mr de Graaf acknowledged that the work about to get underway would have "some impact on passengers".

"We will do everything possible to minimise that. That's why this is quite a lengthy project, because we do everything in incremental steps," he said.

But he said they do not expect the work to increase the time people spend at the airport and that people would not need to arrive any earlier than normal for flights.

Overseas Arrivals and Departures, Australia

Statistics on international travel arriving in and departing from Australia.

• Next Release 15/10/2024 Overseas Arrivals and Departures, Australia, August 2024
• Next Release 12/11/2024 Overseas Arrivals and Departures, Australia, September 2024
• Next Release 11/12/2024 Overseas Arrivals and Departures, Australia, October 2024
• View all releases
• Overseas Arrivals and Departures, Australia Reference Period June 2024
• Overseas Arrivals and Departures, Australia Reference Period May 2024
• Overseas Arrivals and Departures, Australia Reference Period April 2024

Key statistics

In July 2024:

• Short-term visitor arrivals: 658,970 – an increase of 5.4% on one year earlier
• Short-term resident returns: 1,146,340 – an increase of 15.1% on one year earlier
• Total arrivals: 1,925,260 – an increase of 10.4% on one year earlier
• Total departures: 1,650,530 – an increase of 10.4% on one year earlier

These statistics report on the number of international border crossings rather than the number of people. Most data in this release are rounded to the nearest 10. As a result, sums of components may not add exactly to totals.

Overseas Migration Statistics

This release presents statistics on all overseas arrivals and departures, which is not the same as overseas migration statistics.

If you are looking for ABS statistics on overseas migration, please refer to:

• Overseas Migration ;
• National, state and territory population .

Arrivals and departures

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• Provisional data for the most recent month has not had the full quality assurance methods applied as is done for the earlier months. Provisional data will be revised in the next issue of this publication.
• Provisional data for the most recent month has not had the full quality assurance methods applied as is done for the earlier months. Provisional estimates will be revised in the next issue of this publication.
• For further information about categories of travel, see the Glossary section of the Methodology page .
• Category of travel data is not available from provisional estimates.

Visitor arrivals - short-term

Compares international visitor arrivals each month by source country and change at the state and territory level. Analysis in this section is undertaken on short-term trips (less than 1 year).

For visitor arrivals to Australia:

• A total of 658,970 short-term trips were recorded, an increase of 33,850 compared with the corresponding month of the previous year.
• The number of trips for July 2024 was 16.6% lower than the pre-COVID level in July 2019.
• New Zealand was the largest source country, accounting for 18% of all visitor arrivals.

Countries where visitors came from

The three leading source countries where visitors came from were:

• New Zealand (121,320 trips)
• China (103,840)
• The USA (42,030).
• Top 10 source countries for July 2024.
• Excludes SARs and Taiwan.

State or territory of stay

All travellers are asked their intended address in Australia upon arrival. For July 2024, the highest number of visitor arrivals for short-term trips was observed for New South Wales (234,450), whilst Tasmania recorded the fewest (3,900).

2.3 Short-term visitor arrivals, state or territory of stay - July 2024

This map presents the number of short-term visitor arrivals in Australia in July 2024, by their state of intended stay.

• Includes Other Territories.

Visitor arrivals - state and territory

Compares international visitor arrivals each month by source country for each state and territory. Analyses in this section are undertaken on short-term trips (less than 1 year) unless otherwise stated.

New South Wales

For visitor arrivals to New South Wales:

• There were 234,450 short-term visitor arrivals, an increase of 910 compared with the corresponding month of the previous year.
• The number of trips for July 2024 was 12.5% lower than pre-COVID levels in July 2019.

The three leading source countries for New South Wales were:

• China (41,090 trips)
• New Zealand (32,250)
• The USA (20,710).

Long-term visitor arrivals

For visitors arriving in New South Wales for a long-term trip (1 year or more):

• There were 31,370 arrivals, a decrease of 710 compared with the corresponding month of the previous year.
• The number of trips for July 2024 was 26.7% higher than pre-COVID levels in July 2019.

For visitor arrivals to Victoria:

• There were 161,390 short-term visitor arrivals, an increase of 8,120 compared with the corresponding month of the previous year.
• The number of trips for July 2024 was 20.1% lower than pre-COVID levels in July 2019.

The three leading source countries for Victoria were:

• China (34,170 trips)
• New Zealand (23,290)
• India (9,580).  

For visitors arriving in Victoria for a long-term trip (1 year or more):

• There were 32,020 arrivals, a decrease of 450 compared with the corresponding month of the previous year.
• The number of trips for July 2024 was 18.2% higher than pre-COVID levels in July 2019.

For visitor arrivals to Queensland:

• There were 171,360 short-term visitor arrivals, an increase of 18,500 compared with the corresponding month of the previous year.
• The number of trips for July 2024 was 17.2% lower than pre-COVID levels in July 2019.

The three leading source countries for Queensland were:

• New Zealand (55,700 trips)
• Japan (17,060)
• China (17,000).

For visitors arriving in Queensland for a long-term trip (1 year or more):

• There were 13,540 arrivals, a decrease of 860 compared with the corresponding month of the previous year.
• The number of trips for July 2024 was 24.8% higher than pre-COVID levels in July 2019.

South Australia

For visitor arrivals to South Australia:

• There were 15,820 short-term visitor arrivals, a decrease of 2,670 compared with the corresponding month of the previous year.
• The number of trips for July 2024 was 27.9% lower than pre-COVID levels in July 2019.

The three leading source countries for South Australia were:

• China (2,870 trips)
• New Zealand (1,910)
• India (1,260).

For visitors arriving in South Australia for a long-term trip (1 year or more):

• There were 4,620 arrivals, a decrease of 670 compared with the corresponding month of the previous year.
• The number of trips for July 2024 was 23.7% higher than pre-COVID levels in July 2019.

Western Australia

For visitor arrivals to Western Australia:

• There were 56,420 short-term visitor arrivals, an increase of 9,970 compared with the corresponding month of the previous year.
• The number of trips for July 2024 was 13.5% lower than pre-COVID levels in July 2019.  

The three leading source countries for Western Australia were:

• Singapore (6,940 trips)
• New Zealand (5,860)
• China (4,870).  

For visitors arriving in Western Australia for a long-term trip (1 year or more):

• There were 12,470 arrivals, an increase of 1,350 compared with the corresponding month of the previous year.
• The number of trips for July 2024 was 95% higher than pre-COVID levels in July 2019.

For visitor arrivals to Tasmania:

• There were 3,900 short-term visitor arrivals, a decrease of 260 compared with the corresponding month of the previous year.
• The number of trips for July 2024 was 31.3% lower than pre-COVID levels in July 2019.

The three leading source countries for Tasmania were:

• China (510 trips)
• New Zealand (470)
• Hong Kong (420).

For visitors arriving in Tasmania for a long-term trip (1 year or more):

• There were 690 arrivals, a decrease of 30 compared with the corresponding month of the previous year.
• The number of trips for July 2024 was 20.6% lower than pre-COVID levels in July 2019.

Northern Territory

For visitor arrivals to the Northern Territory:

• There were 6,740 short-term visitor arrivals, an increase of 1,220 compared with the corresponding month of the previous year.
• The number of trips for July 2024 was 28.7% lower than pre-COVID levels in July 2019.

The three leading source countries for the Northern Territory were:

• New Zealand (1,000 trips)
• The UK (690)
• The USA (640).

For visitors arriving in the Northern Territory for a long-term trip (1 year or more):

• There were 700 arrivals, a decrease of 70 compared with the corresponding month of the previous year.
• The number of trips for July 2024 was 16.8% higher than pre-COVID levels in July 2019.

Australian Capital Territory

For visitor arrivals to the Australian Capital Territory:

• There were 8,810 short-term visitor arrivals, a decrease of 1,970 compared with the corresponding month of the previous year.
• The number of trips for July 2024 was 20.8% lower than pre-COVID levels in July 2019.

The three leading source countries for the Australian Capital Territory were:

• China (3,170 trips)
• New Zealand (810)
• The USA (690).

For visitors arriving in the Australian Capital Territory for a long-term trip (1 year or more):

• There were 2,810 arrivals, a decrease of 510 compared with the corresponding month of the previous year.
• The number of trips for July 2024 was 9.8% higher than pre-COVID levels in July 2019.

Arrivals - international students

Compares international student arrivals each month by visa type.

• In July 2024 there were 132,970 international student arrivals to Australia, an increase of 1,330 students compared with the corresponding month of the previous year.
• The number of student arrivals in July 2024 was 7.6% lower than the pre-COVID levels in July 2019.
• International student visa holders whether it be for a short-term (less than 1 year) or long-term (1 year or more) duration. This is not the same as when a traveller self reports 'education' as their main reason for journey.
• English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students.

Resident returns - short-term

Compares international resident returns each month by destination country and change at the state and territory level. Analysis in this section is undertaken on short-term trips (less than 1 year).

For residents returning from overseas:

• A total of 1,146,340 short-term trips were recorded, an increase of 150,760 compared with the corresponding month of the previous year.
• The number of trips for July 2024 was 2.1% higher than the pre-COVID level in July 2019.
• Indonesia was the most popular destination country, accounting for 15% of all resident returns.

Destination countries

The three leading destination countries residents returned from were:

• Indonesia (169,520 trips)
• New Zealand (117,770)
• The UK (85,220).
• Top 10 destination countries for July 2024.

State or territory of residence

All travellers are asked their intended address in Australia upon arrival. For July 2024, the highest number of resident returns from short-term trips was observed for New South Wales (370,920), whilst the Northern Territory recorded the fewest (6,210).

12.3 Short-term resident returns, state or territory of residence - July 2024

This map presents the number of short-term resident returns in Australia in July 2024, by their state of intended residence.

Data downloads

1. Additional provisional data is available under the Data downloads for State of clearance (Table 13), Country of citizenship (Table 14), and Visa group (Table 15). No further breakdowns of provisional data are available, other than those which appear in this release.

2. The ABS identified a data quality issue with OAD processing which affected the state of clearance and visa grouping data. As a result, Overseas Arrivals and Departures data from September 2007 to August 2015 was revised and released in the March 2023 publication. A further revision to data from July 2007 to June 2017 was released in the April 2023 publication. For further information see Methodology page, in the History of changes section for the year 2007. 

3. Due to improvements made to the quality of the imputations used to estimate duration of stay, OAD data from January to March 2022 has been revised and released in the April 2022 issue. These imputations use historical data and have been impacted by changed travel behaviour during the COVID-19 travel restrictions period. For further information see Methodology page in the History of changes section for the year 2022.

4. The ABS identified a data quality issue with the source data which affected the state and territory of stay/residence data. As a result, Overseas Arrivals and Departures data from July 2021 to February 2022 was revised and released in the March 2022 issue. For further information see Methodology page in the History of changes section for the year 2022.

5. For all Short-term Visitor Arrivals (STVA) and Short-term Resident Returns (STRR) series, the trend estimates have been suspended from February 2020 and the seasonally adjusted estimates have been suspended from April 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on international travel. For more information, see the Seasonally adjusted and trend estimates section in the Methodology page associated with this release.

6. The quality of the imputation used to estimate duration of stay for some resident departures was impacted by changed travel behaviour during COVID-19 travel restrictions. The proportional split between short-term resident departures and long-term resident departures was impacted from April 2020 to December 2021. Where possible, instead of departure volumes, we recommend clients use short-term resident returns and long-term resident returns for greater accuracy. For more information on how this variable is imputed, please see paragraph 28 of the Imputations and derivations section of the Methodology page.

7. Occasionally situations occur that necessitate breaks being applied to the trend series. For an overview of the breaks currently included in the trend series, see paragraph 14 of the Seasonally adjusted and trend estimates section in the Methodology.

8. For further information about the data, including updates or changes, see the Methodology page.

Time series spreadsheets

Table 1: total movement, arrivals - category of movement, table 2: total movement, departures - category of movement, table 3: short-term movement, visitors arriving - selected countries of residence: trend, table 4: short-term movement, visitors arriving - selected countries of residence: seasonally adjusted, table 5: short-term movement, visitors arriving - selected countries of residence: original, table 6: short-term movement, visitors arriving - intended length of stay and main reason for journey: original, table 7: short-term movement, residents returning - selected destinations: trend, table 8: short-term movement, residents returning - selected destinations: seasonally adjusted, table 9: short-term movement, residents returning - selected destinations: original, table 10: short-term movements, residents returning - length of stay and main reason for journey: original, table 11: short-term movement, visitors arriving - state of intended stay: original, table 12: short-term movement, residents returning - state of residence: original, table 13: total arrivals and total departures - state of residence/stay and state of clearance, table 14: total arrivals and total departures - country of citizenship, table 15: total arrivals and total departures - visa group, table 16: total arrivals - state of residence/stay by visa group, table 17: total departures - state of residence/stay by visa group, data explorer datasets.

Two Overseas Arrivals and Departures datasets are available in Data Explorer.

1.  Visitor arrivals and resident returns, Selected Countries of Residence/Destinations

2.  Visitor arrivals and resident returns, Intended Length of Stay and Main Reason for Journey

Caution: Data in Data Explorer is currently released after the 11:30am release on the ABS website. Please check the reference period when using Data Explorer.

For information on Data Explorer and how it works, see the  Data Explorer user guide .

This release contains overseas movement data which should not be interpreted as 'persons'. See the Scope section, paragraph 1 in the Methodology for more detail.

The statistics in this release have been rounded. See the Confidentiality section in the Methodology for more detail.

For enquiries about these and related statistics, contact the Customer Assistance Service via the ABS website  Contact Us  page. The  ABS Privacy Policy  outlines how the ABS will handle any personal information that you provide to the ABS.

Previous catalogue number

This release previously used catalogue number 3401.0.

Article archive

Overseas arrivals and departures, Australia - 2023-24 financial year

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