How Australians use consular services overseas
Southeast Asia is a dangerous place for Australian travellers.
Important:
Travel insurance rules continue to change as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. We’re working hard to keep up and make sure our guides are up to date, however some information may not be accurate during the pandemic. It’s even more important to double-check all details that matter to you before taking out cover. Please know that some policies may not be available through Finder at this time. Here are some helpful tips:- If you're buying a policy today, it's unlikely that you'll be covered for any coronavirus-related claims
- If your travel plans go against government advice, your policy will most likely be voided and you won't be covered
There were almost two million Australian passports issued in 2015/16 and 10.2 million departures recorded, up 5% over the last year.
Comparatively, there were 15,740 consular cases opened in the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT) Consular Information System throughout 2015/16.
While this figure is slightly down on last year's total (15,824) improved data categorisation has resulted in apparent increases in some case types and a lower number of cases categorised as "other".
There were more cases of arrest, imprisonment, hospitalisation, repatriation, welfare support, theft and assault reported in 2015/16 than in previous years.
Australia's embassy in Bangkok remains the busiest consular post, with a total of 836 cases reported in 2015/16, up 25% from 667 in 2014/15.The biggest increase in cases year-on-year were in Indonesia, up 26% to 688, while cases in the United States rose 19% to 770 and those in the Philippines increased 11% to 530.
Cases in Italy decreased 11% to 542 between 2014/15 and 2015/16.
While case numbers may be high, this doesn't reflect complexity. Some cases might be quick and easy to resolve, while others may take weeks, months or even years to complete.
Just under half (47%) the cases of Australian deaths overseas in 2015/16 were a result of illness or natural causes. Around one in seven deaths were accidental and a small proportion (3%) were murders.
The most deaths occurred in Southeast Asia's Thailand (205), the Philippines (124) and Indonesia (105).
The top five countries for Australian hospitalisations worldwide were Thailand (176), Indonesia (153), USA (122), New Caledonia (75) and Vietnam (72).
While DFAT doesn't keep separate stats on cases in which mental health is a concern, staff around the world reported an increasing number of such instances. In some cases, mental health conditions affected a person's ability to help themselves or made them more vulnerable.
If you’re managing a mental health condition, carefully compare travel insurance brands and plans to ensure you're covered should you need help overseas.
The number of Australians arrested overseas increased 23% to 1,551 in 2015/16. Immigration detention, where Aussies have been denied entry or breached visa conditions, account for much of the rise.
Travellers are advised to check the entry requirements of the countries they're visiting and ensure they have at least six months validity on their passport, since this is a condition of entry for many countries.
For the cheapest deals on flights, tours, accommodation, cruises and car hire check out our in-depth travel guide and discover hidden gems using our destination guides and handy tips and hacks.
Latest travel insurance headlines
- Ethereum Price: Massive slide observed as market continues to be faced with bearish pressure
- What’s in the LUSH Valentine’s Day 2021 collection?
- UFC 257 Poirier vs McGregor 2: Tale of the tape and full fight preview
- Top performing super funds for 2020: Is yours on the list?
- A 1.75% fixed rate home loan hits the market, but how long will it last?
Picture: Shutterstock