• Check the latest travel advice for your destination and subscribe to receive free e-mail notification each time the travel advice for your destination is updated.
• Take out appropriate travel insurance to cover hospital treatment, medical evacuation and any activities, including adventure sports, in which you plan to participate.
• Before travelling overseas register your travel and contact details online or at the local Australian embassy, high commission or consulate once you arrive, so we can contact you in an emergency.
• Obey the law. Consular assistance cannot override local laws, even where local laws appear harsh or unjust by Australian standards.
• Check to see if you require visas for the country or countries you are visiting or transiting. Be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry.
• Make copies of your passport details, insurance policy, travellers cheques, visas and credit card numbers. Carry one copy in a separate place to the originals and leave a copy with someone at home.
• Check with health professionals for information on recommended vaccinations or other precautions and find out about overseas laws on travelling with medicines.
• Ensure your passport has at least six months’ validity from your planned date of return to Australia.  Some countries will refuse entry on arrival and some airlines will not allow passengers to board flights if their passport does not meet this requirement.  Before travelling, you should contact the Embassy or High Commission of each country you intend to visit to confirm the entry requirements.
• Leave a copy of your travel itinerary with someone at home and keep in regular contact with friends and relatives while overseas.
• Before departing Australia check whether you are regarded as a national of the country you intend to visit. Research whether holding dual nationality has any implications for your travel.

National and School holiday dates for 2011:

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS

JANUARY 2011:
New Year’s Day – Saturday, January 1
New Year’s Day public holiday – Monday, January 3
Australia Day – Wednesday, January 26

MARCH 2011:
Labour Day (WA) – Monday, March 7
Labour Day (VIC) – Monday, March 14
Eight Hour Day (TAS) – Monday, March 14

APRIL 2011:
Good Friday – Friday, Apr 22
Easter Sunday – Sunday, Apr 24
Easter Monday – Monday, Apr 25
Anzac Day – Monday, April 25

MAY 2011:
Labour Day (QLD) – Monday, May 2
May Day (NT) – Monday, May 2

JUNE 2011:
Foundation Day (WA) – Monday, June 6
Queen’s Birthday Holiday – Monday, June 13, (All States except WA)

SEPTEMBER 2011:
Australian National Flag Day – Saturday, September 3 (not a Public Holiday)

OCTOBER 2011:
Queen’s Birthday (WA) – Monday, October 3
Labour Day (NSW, ACT & SA) – Monday, October 3

NOVEMBER 2011:
Melbourne Cup Day (Melbourne Metropolitan Area only)
- Tuesday November 3

DECEMBER 2011:
Christmas Day – Sunday, December 25
(Public holiday for Christmas Day will be observed on Monday, December 26)
Boxing Day – Tuesday, December 27
(New Year’s Day 2012 – Sunday, January 1)

SCHOOL TERMS – 2011:

New South Wales:

1st Term: Jan 28 – Apr 8
2nd Term: Apr 26 – Jul 1
3rd Term: Jul 18 – Sep 23
4th Term: Oct 10 – Dec 20
(resumes Jan 27, 2012)