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*Important Contact Details*
24-Hour Global Assistance Helpline
+61 2 8907 5995.
Swinburne Abroad
non- Emergency Number
+61 3 9214 5926
112 is the global emergency number
Before You Leave
Visit your GP, dentist, optometrist &/or any other doctor necessary early before going overseas.
Some vaccinations require a course over weeks or months, therefore it’s advised to be in contact with your GP at least six to eight weeks before your departure.
Don’t forget Swinburne Clinic (The George Building at Hawthorn) is available on campus for check ups.
Some vaccinations require a course over weeks or months, therefore it’s advised to be in contact with your GP at least six to eight weeks before your departure.
Don’t forget Swinburne Clinic (The George Building at Hawthorn) is available on campus for check ups.
Prescription Medication
It’s illegal to take Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medication out of Australia unless the medicine is for your personal use.
If you’re planning to take PBS medicines overseas you should:
If you’re planning to take PBS medicines overseas you should:
- Check Smartraveller & the embassy websites (see Resources) to ensure your medicine is legal there.
- Carry an official letter from your doctor detailing what the medicine is, how much you'll be taking, and that it’s for your personal use.
- Leave medicine in its original packaging so it can be easily identified.
- Also write down the ingredients of your medication as it can sometimes go by different names overseas.
Foreign Laws
Rules and regulations can be quite different overseas. There is no excuse, and punishment can often be severe. Any breach can lead to termination of your program.
Travel advice is available on Smartraveller Australian Embassy/Consulate locations Safety & Security Entry & Exit requirements Local travel (including international driving tips).
Travel advice is available on Smartraveller Australian Embassy/Consulate locations Safety & Security Entry & Exit requirements Local travel (including international driving tips).
Critical Incidents
What is a Critical Incident?
- A Critical incident is considered to be events that places a student in danger or a position of high risk.
- We will determine the level of support if our information sources can reliably inform us.
- However students should notify us as of such events occurring as information may not be available easily.
Swinburne's Role
If emergency or critical incidents occur, Swinburne Abroad has a ‘Critical Incident Policy’ that covers the following and more:
- Natural Disasters
- Terrorist Attacks
- Mental Illness
- Serious Physical Illness
- Pandemics
These procedures are activated when we are informed of any events occurring or we believe a student may be impacted.
It is important that you GET IN CONTACT ASAP and STAY IN CONTACT with Swinburne Abroad and your family. Be ready to
receive and respond to emails.
Who to contact
- Follow local procedures, advice and use campus and local support for what it can provide.
- Register with DFAT
- Details of Australian Embassies/high commissions/consulates offices
- Host University emergency contact details
- Emergency services in your host country
- 112 is the universal emergency number, that can be used on cell phones even without a SIM.
Examples Of a critical incident
- Terrorism
The country has had a number of suspicious individuals arrested in multiple cities and online security has been degraded. The internet has been shutdown and communication is impossible.
- Pandemic
A student becomes medically isolated because of eating food whilst travelling during exchange. Meat was pulled off the market because of a crazy chicken disease.
- Injury
A partner university reports a shooting on campus and haven’t confirmed the safety of a Swinburne Student.
- Disaster
An earthquake affects the local city, and campus is shut down indefinitely.
ACTION CHECKLIST
- Be familiar with on campus and local procedures. Many other countries manage emergencies like earthquakes, typhoons, tornadoes that Australia doesn’t have.
- Seek safety and follow local authorities. Use campus and local support for what it can provide
- It is likely that moving around will expose you to more danger and make it difficult to find you. Make an assessment on the safest option
- Get in contact as soon as you can. If you can’t try relaying messages through local authorities or Australian foreign institutions like embassies.
Going Out
Going out in another city is a chance to immerse yourself in local culture.
It also presents an excellent opportunity for others to take advantage of your unfamiliarity and lack of awareness if you are unprepared.
Swinburne Abroad encourages you to have fun in moderation, but for you to also be mindful of:
It also presents an excellent opportunity for others to take advantage of your unfamiliarity and lack of awareness if you are unprepared.
Swinburne Abroad encourages you to have fun in moderation, but for you to also be mindful of:
- foreign laws, and host university regulations (legal drinking age/curfews)
- cultural respect
- personal boundaries
- Your surroundings and if conditions deteriorate.
Safety Tips
Plan
Prepare
Protect
Say No
- Where you are going, how to get home, who you can call, what to bring.
- Check prices (drinks, food, taxi) and don’t get ripped off
- Have an escape plan.
Prepare
- Eat before you go out, know your own personal limits and don’t exceed them
- Bring your ID, spare cash, condoms, water etc.
Protect
- Stay with friends/groups, keep aware of your valuables, prevent drink spiking
- Wear a mask in crowded places, especially indoors, on planes and public transport
Say No
- If you are uncomfortable with anything, or it doesn’t feel right – go home.
- Avoid conflict, it’s better to walk away.
Additional Tips
- Be aware of your surroundings (have offline maps available on your phone, street guides, events that might interfere)
- Portray confidence where ever you go, even if you have no idea where you are.
- Ask good locals where to go & areas to avoid
- Let someone know where you are in case things go wrong
- Have transport details known like the number for a taxi in your phone/wallet
Risky Business
If considering tattoos and/or piercings:
- Ask locals with tattoos for recommendations.
- Do not simply go to the cheapest option. Remember, tattoos are permanent.
- If in foreign-speaking countries, get someone familiar with the language (i.e. a local) to act as your translator.
- Some countries it’s not advisable to get tattoos as they have a high risk of diseases.
- Most importantly, do your research and strongly consider waiting until you get back home.
Extreme Sports
- Some countries have different levels of safety standards compared to Australia (i.e. they may not provide helmets, give you sufficient gear, or thoroughly inspect equipment they give you)
- Ensure you have health & travel insurance to cover extreme activities you choose to participate in.
- Research recommendations prior to undertaking the activity, and only use the expert, recommended, established businesses.
COVID-19 Travel Tips
- Read the travel advice for your destination and all your potential transit locations. Make sure you understand the risks for every place you're planning to visit. Check the entry and exit requirements.
- Stay up-to-date with any changes to local restrictions.
- Follow the rules for the destination you're in, many places have strict penalties for breaching public health orders.
- Know what to do and who to contact if something happens while you're away. Look in the Local contacts section of your destination's travel advice for contact details of local authorities and the Australian embassy or consulate.
- Clean your hands often. Use soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub.
- Wear a mask indoors, on planes and public transport.
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