Australia

Latest update: 26 December 2023 - Authors: Mieke Croughs, Ula Maniewski

This page contains the main health risks for travellers and general recommendations. Travel conditions are different for everyone and each patient's health condition varies. Discuss your trip during a travel consultation with your doctor or in a travel clinic, preferably six to eight weeks before departure.

Read also the information on security, healthcare and other practical aspects on the FPS Foreign Affairs website.

Important health risks

There is a risk of Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus all over the country, especially from January until May.

Dengue can occur in Queensland or on the Cocoseilande (Throat Islands).

Cases of Japanese encephalitis are reported east Australia, mainly in Outer Torres Strait Islands in the extreme north and and around the Murray Darling River basin in the south from November to May.

Protect yourself against insects.

Ticks can transmit diseases.

Read these tips before you leave.

Vaccinations

Discuss with your doctor whether one of the following vaccinations is recommended for you:

Japanese encephalitis: vaccination is recommended for frequent or long-term stay of at least 4 weeks
- between November and May
- in the Outer Torres Strait islands and around the Murray Darling River basin
Hepatitis B
Influenza
Pneumococci

Yellow fever

Exceptionally mandatory for some travellers

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There is no risk of yellow fever in this country. Vaccination is not required if you are travelling from Belgium.

Vaccination is exceptionally compulsory if you have been in a country where yellow fever may occur in the past six days (see map). This also applies to transit through an airport.
This vaccination must be administered at least ten days prior to arrival by an official yellow fever vaccination centre and must be registered in an International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis.