Supporting Australians when trouble strikes overseas

The 2022-23 Consular State of Play reflects an increase in post-pandemic travel, with non-crisis consular cases growing towards pre-2020 levels.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provided assistance more than 9,200 consular cases last financial year. DFAT's 24/7 Consular Emergency Centre answered, on average, one call for help every 11 minutes.

The last financial year, where we saw a record 3.1 million Australian passports issued, showed Australians are taking to the skies with enthusiasm.

Consular cases, excluding crisis cases, rose 17% compared to 2021-2022, and included:

• A 23% increase in illness and hospitalisation, with 1,122 cases
• A 28% increase of immigration detention, with 229 cases
• A 54% increase in reported assaults, with 199 cases
• A 57% increase in whereabouts enquiries, with 265 cases
• A 241% increase in theft, with 157 cases
• A 168% increase in lost or stolen passports, with 2,043 cases

During the 2022-23 period, DFAT also supported more than 800 crisis cases, including Australians impacted by conflict in Ukraine and Sudan, as well as the Türkiye earthquakes.

Insights from the Consular State of Play are a reminder of the importance of being well prepared before travel. This includes getting travel insurance and making sure you have sufficient funds.

The Smartraveller website has detailed travel advice on over 175 destinations. There is also information on passports, visas and travel insurance, and you can subscribe for destination updates.

This year the Consular State of Play has gone fully digital and can be accessed on the Smartraveller website. It includes data infographics and case studies of consular support provided to Australians.

The Consular Services Charter outlines what assistance DFAT can provide to Australians overseas.