Decoding DFAT’s travel advice

WHILE planning Christmas holidays it’s important to be aware of Defence’s policy for overseas travel.

Defgram 675/03 states ADF members must consult the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Travel Advisory relevant to their intended destination. These advisories use the statements “we advise against all travel” and “we advise that you reconsider your need to travel” where there could be danger for visiting Australians.

Where either of these or similar statements are mentioned in a travel advisory, for the whole destination country or to provinces/regions within a country, ARA personnel and reservists on CFTS are prohibited from travelling to them without a CDF waiver.

Further travel information is contained on the DSN or Regional Security Sections.

No-go zones
DFAT currently have the following countries listed, making the country off limits to ADF personnel without the CDF’s approval. Remember to check before you book.

DFAT advise against:
Afghanistan
Burundi
Iraq
Ivory Coast
Liberia
Somalia

DFAT advise to reconsider travel to:
Angola
Central African Republic
Colombia
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Ethiopia
Haiti
Indonesia (Bali),
Yemen
Israel, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank
Nepal
Pakistan
SaudiArabia
Sudan