The Australian Government's Smartraveller service publishes an essentials checklist for people travelling overseas. This guide explains the thinking behind its main areas, so you can decide what matters for your own trip. For official, up-to-date requirements, always use Smartraveller and your destination's own authorities.
1. Your destination
Check the official travel advice for your destination, and consider subscribing to updates for the places you will visit. Look up local laws, because things that are legal at home can be offences elsewhere. If you hold more than one citizenship, find out how that affects your travel.
2. Documents and insurance
- Passport: Smartraveller advises confirming at least six months' validity beyond the end of your trip. Some countries have their own rules.
- Visas: check entry and transit visa requirements for every country you will pass through, including with the relevant embassy or consulate.
- Travel insurance: choose comprehensive cover that suits your destination and what you plan to do, and read what it excludes.
- Children and driving: check the documents needed when travelling with children, and whether you need an international driving permit.
3. Health
Talk to a doctor about the health risks of your destination and any vaccinations well before you leave, ideally at least eight weeks before departure, because some take time to arrange. Think about your physical and mental fitness for the trip as well. Check that your medications are legal and available at your destination, carry enough with a copy of the prescription and medical documentation, split essential medication across your bags, and consider a first aid kit and insect protection where relevant.
4. Packing
Check your airline's baggage rules and dangerous goods restrictions, especially for spare batteries and power banks (see our guide, Travelling with batteries and power banks). Pack for the weather, your activities and local customs, and check the limits on how much currency you can take in or out of each country.
5. Money and contacts
Tell your bank you are travelling and carry a backup way to pay. Share your itinerary with someone at home, and tell them if you expect gaps in communication.
6. Emergencies
Keep backup copies of your passport, visas, insurance and bookings, including paper copies, and leave a set with someone you trust. Keep a list of emergency contacts, know the local emergency numbers, think about how you would cope in a crisis, and understand what Australian consular services can and cannot do for you.
This guide is general information, not official travel advice. Requirements change, so check current advice with Smartraveller and the authorities at your destination.
Sources and further reading
- Australian Government, Smartraveller: The essentials checklist (last updated August 2026)