Travelling to Australia: Yellow Fever Risk Countries

If you’re planning a trip to Australia and your journey takes you through or originates from certain regions in Africa, the Caribbean, Central, or South America, it’s crucial to be aware of yellow fever risks and the measures in place to protect public health.

Vaccination is Essential: Before you pack your bags, consider this – it’s highly advisable to get vaccinated against yellow fever if you’re travelling to or transiting through a high-risk area. This isn’t just about your safety; it’s also a requirement for entering Australia if you’ve been in one of these regions in the past six days.

Declaration and Proof: Upon your arrival in Australia, you’ll need to declare whether you’ve stayed overnight or longer in a yellow fever-risk country recently. Additionally, you must present your International Certificate of Vaccination against yellow fever. This certificate serves as your golden ticket for entry.

No Certificate, No Worries (Initially): If you find yourself without a valid vaccination certificate, don’t panic. You won’t be denied entry. Instead, Australian authorities will provide you with a Yellow Fever Action Card, a handy guide that tells you what to do if you develop any yellow fever symptoms while you’re in the country.

The Risk Countries: Here’s the lowdown on the countries deemed at risk for yellow fever:

Africa:

  • Angola
  • Benin
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burundi
  • Cameroon
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • Congo, Democratic Republic of
  • Congo, Republic of
  • Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Ethiopia
  • Gabon
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Kenya
  • Liberia
  • Mali
  • Mauritania
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • Senegal
  • Sierra Leone
  • South Sudan
  • Sudan
  • Togo
  • Uganda

South & Central America:

  • Argentina – Misiones and Corrientes Provinces
  • Bolivia
  • Brazil
  • Colombia
  • Ecuador (including the Galapagos Islands)
  • French Guiana
  • Guyana
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Suriname
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Venezuela

Check Before You Go: Before you embark on your adventure, make it a point to check the yellow fever entry requirements for every country on your itinerary, including transit stops. These requirements can vary widely depending on the country’s risk level. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides invaluable resources, including contact details for foreign missions and comprehensive travel information on their Smartraveller website.

Non-Compliance Consequences: If you travel through a yellow fever risk country without a valid vaccination certificate, you risk entry denial to many countries or may even be required to get vaccinated upon arrival.

A trip to Australia from a yellow fever risk country demands meticulous planning and adherence to vaccination and documentation mandates. Being well-informed and prepared is your passport to a seamless and safe journey.