Contents
Summary
Entry and exit requirements
Safety and security
Local travel
Laws that apply to you
Health issues
Where to get help
Additional information
Summary
- We advise you to exercise normal safety precautions in Fiji, pay close attention to your personal security and monitor international media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
- We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Suva because of the prevalence of crime and potential for civil unrest.
- A large tropical depression west of Fiji is causing strong winds and heavy rain in the Fiji island group. Air services in Fiji have been affected with some domestic flights cancelled. There is a possibility of further flooding in low lying areas. If you are travelling to Fiji you should contact your airline to see if flights have been disrupted or to check whether tourist services at your planned destination have been affected.
- Cyclone season is November to April. See the Natural Disasters section below for more detailed advice.
- Cases of typhoid have been reported in Suva and throughout the country. For more information see Health Issues below.
- In April 2009 Fiji’s Constitution was abrogated. Fiji is currently ruled by decree. The Public Emergency Regulations (PER) implemented in April 2009, which gave the police and military extensive powers, were lifted on 7 January 2012 and replaced by the Public Order Act (Amendment) Decree of 6 January 2012. The Public Order Act (Amendment) Decree maintains many of the restrictions and powers of the PER (See Civil unrest/political tension for more information).
- In July 2010, the Fiji Interim Government expelled the Acting Australian High Commissioner. In November 2009, the Fiji Interim Government expelled the Australian High Commissioner. The Australian High Commission in Suva continues to operate normally.
- You should avoid demonstrations, street rallies and public gatherings.
- Expatriates and tourists have been the victim of violent crime, particularly in Suva. You should maintain a high degree of personal security awareness. There have been cases of sexual assaults.
- Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
- register your travel and contact details, so we can contact you in an emergency
- subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
Entry and exit
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Fiji for the most up to date information.
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity and carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
Safety and security
Terrorism
Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.
Civil unrest/Political tension
We advise you to exercise normal safety precautions in Fiji at this time. Pay close attention to your personal security and monitor international media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
In April 2009, Fiji’s Constitution was abrogated. Fiji is currently ruled by decree. The Public Emergency Regulations (PER) implemented in April 2009, which gave the police and military extensive powers, were lifted on 7 January 2012 and replaced by the Public Order Act (Amendment) Decree of 6 January 2012. The Public Order Act (Amendment) Decree maintains many of the restrictions and powers of the PER. These include restrictions on the freedom of assembly and movement, wide powers of detention, arrest and search and the ability to seek judicial redress for decisions made by the interim government under the decree.
Since April 2009 actions taken by the Fiji Interim Government have affected the interests and welfare of Australians in a number of instances. A number of high profile expatriates have been expelled from the country.
On 13 July 2010, the Fiji Interim Government issued a formal notice expelling the Acting Australian High Commissioner. The Australian High Commission in Suva continues to operate as normal. The Fiji Interim Government expelled the Australian High Commissioner and the New Zealand Deputy High Commissioner in November 2009. The New Zealand High Commissioner was expelled in June 2007 and an acting New Zealand High Commissioner was expelled in December 2008.
You should avoid military installations, military activity and concentrations of military personnel.
Suva: We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Suva because of the prevalence of crime and potential for civil unrest.
You should avoid demonstrations, street rallies and public gatherings.
Crime
Robbery, theft and violent assault occur in Fiji, including against tourists and expatriate residents. Incidents occur more frequently in urban areas and at night. Although most crime is opportunistic, there have been incidents of violent crime such as assault, sexual assault, and robbery in which expatriates and tourists have been targeted, particularly in Suva. You should maintain a high degree of personal security awareness. Home invasions also occur, affecting both locals and expatriates.
Suva: We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Suva because of the prevalence of crime and potential for civil unrest.
Money and valuables
Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work in Fiji.
Make two photocopies of valuable documents such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.
While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.
As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.
You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.
Local travel
In February 2012, a tropical depression west of Fiji is resulting in strong winds and heavy rain. Air services in Fiji have been affected with some domestic flights cancelled. If you are travelling to Fiji you should contact your airline to see if flights have been disrupted or to check whether tourist services at your planned destination have been affected.
Take care when driving, particularly at night, because of insufficient street lighting, stray animals and the poor quality of roads. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.
The safety standards you might expect of tour operators are not always met, especially for adventure sports (including diving) or on boats in coastal waters and between islands. There are sometimes insufficient life jackets for boats, rafts and kayaks. Check operators' credentials and safety equipment beforehand and ensure your travel insurance policy covers your planned activities.
Outside resorts, the dress code in Fiji is conservative.
Airline safety
Please refer to our travel bulletin for information about Aviation Safety and Security.
Laws
When you are in Fiji, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.
Since the December 2006 coup, April 2009 abrogation of the Constitution and the implementation of the Public Order Act (Amendment) Decree, actions taken by the military and other government organisations have undermined the protections ordinarily afforded by the rule of law, and have affected the interests and welfare of Australians in some instances.
Until February 2010, under the superseded Penal Code, homosexual acts between men were illegal in Fiji and those convicted could be imprisoned. However, the Penal Code has been replaced by the Crimes Decree 2009, which has decriminalised homosexual acts. Gay and lesbian travellers should be aware, particularly when visiting rural communities, that there may be local sensitivities to open displays of affection.
Possession of any quantity of illicit drugs may result in a prison sentence.
It is illegal in Fiji to be under the influence of alcohol while at an airport or when on an airplane. Airline travellers who are intoxicated may be detained by police, even on arrival.
Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism, child pornography, and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.
Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism and child pornography laws. These laws provide severe penalties for up to 25 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in child sexual exploitation while outside of Australia.
Information for dual nationals
While Fiji recognises dual nationality, we recommend dual nationals travel on their Australian passport. Australian/Fijian citizens should ensure they ask officials for consular assistance from the Australian High Commission if they are arrested or detained.
Our Dual Nationals brochure provides further information.
Health
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our 'Travelling Well' brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.
Public hospitals and medical facilities in Fiji are generally not as well-equipped as hospitals in Australia in terms of specialist equipment and pharmaceuticals. Travellers should note that hotels and resorts rely on public health facilities during medical emergencies. Hospitals usually require a confirmation of payment guarantee from medical insurers or the payment of a deposit before admitting patients. In the case of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation to Australia is usually necessary. Medical evacuation costs are considerable.
Outbreaks of mosquito-borne illnesses (including dengue fever and filariasis) are common, with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We recommend you take precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes, including using insect repellent, wearing long, light coloured, loose-fitting clothing and ensuring your accommodation is mosquito proof. For further information see the World Health Organization's dengue fever factsheet.
Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (including typhoid, hepatitis, leptospirosis, tuberculosis, measles and mumps) are common, with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. Fijian authorities have recently reported cases of typhoid in Suva and throughout the country. We recommend that you boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes, raw and undercooked food. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.
Ciguatera poisoning from eating reef fish can be a hazard. For more information on ciguatera poisoning see Queensland Health's fact sheet.
There are two operational decompression chambers in Fiji and both are located in the capital, Suva. They are at Suva Private Hospital and the Colonial War Memorial Hospital. Many of the popular dive sites are located away from Suva and divers needing emergency treatment are medically evacuated to the chambers. Rescue and emergency services are not as comprehensive as in Australia.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
Where to get help
In Fiji, you can obtain consular assistance from the:
Australian High Commission, Suva
37 Princes Road
Tamavua
Suva, Fiji
Telephone (679) 338 2211
Facsimile (679) 338 2065
If you are travelling to Fiji, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we encourage you to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.
In a consular emergency if you are unable to contact the High Commission you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.
In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.
Additional information
For Parents
For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling with Children brochure.
If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities in Fiji we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments.
Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.
Wildlife
Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.
Natural disasters, severe weather and climate
A large tropical depression west of Fiji is causing strong winds and heavy rain in the Fiji island group. Air services in Fiji have been affected with some domestic flights cancelled. There is a possibility of further flooding in low lying areas. If you are travelling to Fiji you should contact your airline to see if flights have been disrupted or to check whether tourist services at your planned destination have been affected.
Cyclone season is November to April and may result in flooding, landslides and disruptions to infrastructure and essential services. The Fiji Meteorological Service provides up to date information about the weather conditions in Fiji. If you are travelling during cyclone season, you should contact your tour operator to check whether tourist services at your planned destination have been affected.
The direction and strength of tropical cyclones can change with little warning. Information can also be obtained from the World Meteorological Organisation Severe Weather Information Centre or the Humanitarian Early Warning Service.
In the event of an approaching cyclone, you should identify your local shelter. We encourage Australians in affected areas to follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor the media for the latest developments. Flights in and out of affected areas could be delayed or suspended. Available flights may fill quickly. The cyclone could also affect access to sea ports in the region. In some areas, adequate shelter from a severe cyclone may not be available to all who may choose to stay. You should review and follow hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans. You should carry your travel documents at all times (i.e. passport, photo identification) or secure them in a safe, waterproof location. We also suggest that you contact friends and family in Australia with updates about your welfare and whereabouts. For further information, see our Travel Bulletin: Severe Weather – Cyclones, Hurricanes and Typhoons.
Fiji is subject to earthquakes.
All oceanic regions of the world can experience tsunamis, but in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, there is a more frequent occurrence of large, destructive tsunamis because of the many large earthquakes along major tectonic plate boundaries and ocean trenches. See the Tsunami Awareness brochure.
If a natural disaster occurs, follow the instructions provided by local authorities on radio and television.