You will encounter few health hazards when travelling in Australia, and hygiene standards are high. Below is a brief outline of some of the issues you need to take into consideration.

Insurance

Travel insurance, with comprehensive health cover, is strongly recommended. Comprehensive insurance should be taken out before departure.

Medicare

Medicare is Australia’s public health care system. Eligibility is generally restricted to permanent residents of Australia. Australia has Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with Finland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. For further information see Medicare.

Sun protection

Enjoy outdoor activities in Australia’s beautiful weather, but minimise your exposure to the sun. Wear a broad-brimmed hat, cover up and apply water-resistant sunscreen SPF 30+ frequently.

Surf and water safety

Australia is fringed with superb beaches just waiting to be enjoyed. As with all beaches, it is advisable to follow basic precautions. Popular beaches are usually patrolled by volunteer lifesavers from October to April. Always swim or surf at patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags which mark the safest area for swimming. Take your time entering the water, and don’t swim alone. If you are caught in a strong current, called rip, don't panic. Stay calm, float with the current and raise your hand, or swim across it, not against it.

From late October to early May, venomous box jellyfish, also called stingers or sea wasps, occur in the coastal waters of northern Australia and around many of the Queensland islands. They are rarely found on the Outer Barrier Reef.

In the Northern Territory, the stingers are present at all beaches, and in Western Australia they are found along the Kimberley coastline. Beaches usually have warning signs during this time, and visitors are advised to swim where protective enclosures are provided.

Northern Australia is also home to two types of crocodiles. Freshwater crocodiles occur only in inland waters. Estuarine or saltwater crocodiles are seen mostly in the tidal reaches of rivers, but also occur in freshwater lagoons and swamps and along some beaches. They can be found in waterways hundreds of kilometres from the sea.

Crocodiles are potentially dangerous. Be ‘croc-wise’ in croc-country, by observing all warning signs and do not take unnecessary risks in crocodile areas. Do not swim where crocodiles live, camp at least 50m from the waters edge and never clean fish or discard food scraps near the water's edge. Find more information on crocodile safety here.

Enjoying nature

Do not feed or play with native animals.

Limit your use of fire. Use a fuel stove for cooking and never leave fires unattended or unconfined. Be aware of fire bans or restrictions in place.