The latest Consular State of Play shows the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provided consular assistance and crisis support in over 26,000 cases during the last financial year.
More than 17,000 Australians and their families received support during conflict in the Middle East and the earthquake in Vanuatu.
The Consular State of Play is a snapshot of the consular assistance and crisis support that the Australian Government provides to Australians overseas.
The number of consular cases in 2024-25 was slightly higher than in 2023-24. Welfare cases remained the most prominent type of consular case, followed by death cases, illness and hospitalisation, and arrest cases. All four case types saw a slight increase compared to 2023-24.
The top five locations for consular assistance in 2024-25 were:
- Thailand with 1017 cases (11.1% of total cases)
- Indonesia with 685 cases (7.5% of total cases)
- Philippines with 502 cases (5.5% of total cases)
- United States of America with 463 cases (5.0% of total cases)
- Vietnam with 443 cases (4.8% of total cases)
In 2024-25, DFAT’s Emergency Centre answered more than 61,500 calls for help, averaging one call every 8.5 minutes.
DFAT consular staff around the world, including those at the 24/7 Consular Emergency Centre in Canberra, work tirelessly to support Australians overseas.
The latest Consular State of Play snapshot shows that DFAT was handling at any time around 1,500 active consular cases around the world during the past financial year.
Australians planning to go overseas should visit Smartraveller.gov.au, check the travel advice, and sign up for free updates to stay informed.
The full Consular State of Play is available on the Smartraveller website.