Consular News 10 Nov 2005
Travel Advisory Changes / Launch of Australian ePassport
Dear Australians in south China
Please find below the details of some recent changes and updates in the area of consular and passports.
1. Travel Advisories - Changes
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has introduced a number of changes to the way its travel advisories are written and presented. The changes have been designed to make the travel advisories easier to navigate and understand, and include the introduction of:
. a more straightforward five-level travel advice system
. a graphic table indicating the relative level of risk
. a simpler, dot point summary
. a simple map to assist you understand advice about specific areas.
These changes are simply intended to make travel advice easier for you to use and do not indicate any change in our assessment of the level of risk at particular destinations.
You can read more about the travel advice changes from the following links: http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/new_advisories.html http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/advice_meaning.html http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2005/fa138_05.html
2. Avian Influenza Travel Bulletin
Australians are encouraged to continue to monitor the Avian Influenza Travel Bulletin at:
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/zw-cgi/view/TravelBulletins/Health_:_Avian_Influenza
Other travel advice and information can be found at:
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au
3. Launch of the ePassport
The next generation of Australian passport, the 'ePassport', was introduced on 24 October 2005. ePassports will be issued to all new applicants and those renewing their passports. The introduction of the ePassport will not affect the validity of your current passport and you will not have to get a new passport. Your current passport will be valid for travel and entry into all countries (subject to a valid visa). The existing L and M series passports will continue to be very secure documents for the duration of their validity.
More information can be viewed at the following links: http://www.dfat.gov.au/dept/passports/ http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2005/fa132_05.html
Yours sincerely
Kelli-Ann Kerin
Consul