This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information in the Summary and under Security and Safety: Civil Unrest/Political Tension (state of siege/emergency lifted in all areas except Ermera district). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Summary

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.

In planning your activities, consider the kind of places known to be terrorist targets and the level of security provided. Possible targets includes hotels, clubs, restaurants, bars, embassies, schools, churches and other places of worship, shops, outdoor recreation events, tourist areas and transport hubs or identifiably western businesses and interests.

Civil Unrest/Political Tension

We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to East Timor at this time because of the fragile security situation and the risk of violent civil unrest. The situation could deteriorate without warning.

On 11 February 2008, East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta was shot during an attack on his home and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao's convoy was fired on. Australians are advised to exercise extreme caution at this time and avoid unnecessary local travel. You should also monitor local information sources for details of possible new safety or security risks. On 22 April 2008, the state of siege and the state of emergency was lifted in all areas apart from Ermera district. In Ermera, the state of siege was extended for 30 days until 23 May 2008 and a 10pm to 6am curfew and restrictions on public gatherings and protests remain in force.

Areas of military activity: Military operations are underway to apprehend those involved in the attacks against the President and the Prime Minister. Australians are strongly advised not to travel to areas where these operations are known or likely to be conducted because of the extremely dangerous security situation. If you become aware of any nearby military activity, you should leave the area immediately. You should remain vigilant and obey all instructions given by authorities and security forces.

There is a possibility that Australians and Australian interests may be specifically targeted. Violence could occur anywhere at any time in East Timor. You should take particular care to avoid demonstrations, street rallies and public gatherings as they may turn violent and you could get caught up in attacks directed at others.

There may be tensions due to changes to food distribution in Dili during April 2008.

You should check the security situation with the United Nations Police (UNPOL) by telephone on 112 or (670) 723 0365.

In Dili, there have been violent disturbances in several areas since May 2006. Violence could erupt without notice. Known trouble spots include Nicolau Lobato Airport and its surrounds, Bebonuk including the Comoro River, Bairo Pite, Tasitolu, Aitarak Laran, the Comoro Market area and internally displaced people's (IDP) camps, including near the Dili port.

Explosive devices have recently been detonated in Dili, including at the International Stablisation Force (ISF) base know as Camp Phoenix pm 7 February 2008, in Aitarak Laran on 6 February 2008 and outside the Australian Defence Co-operation House, adjacent to the Australian Embassy on 4 October 2007. No-one was injured in any of these explosions.

Violent disturbances have also occurred outside the city of Dili. Australians should check with United Nations Police (UNPOL - see contact details under Local Travel) before travelling to the districts and maintain extreme vigilance and caution.

Demonstrations and protests can be a catalyst for civil disorder. You should take particular care to avoid demonstrations, street rallies and public gatherings as they may turn violent and you could get caught up in attacks directed at others. From time to time, protesters have expressed anti-Australian sentiments and threats have been directed towards Australians and Australian interests.

Demonstrations can occur at or near symbols and institutions of the Government of East Timor, including the Palacio do Governo (government buildings), the court, the Prosecutor General's office, the Presidential Palace, the National Parliament and houses belonging to prominent politicians. Banging of poles, shops shutting quickly and the sudden disappearance of street vendors can be indications that trouble is imminent.

The risk of demonstrations, protests and civil unrest may increase in the lead-up to and on days of national, political or historic significance.

At present, law and order is maintained by UNPOL working with the local police. The UN police are supported by a joint taskforce of Australian and New Zealand forced invited by the East Timorese Government after violence resulting in deaths and injuries in late April 2006.

If you decide to travel to East Timor, you should maintain a high level of personal security awareness and avoid minor disputes or other incidents that may occur as they could escalate.

Staff at the Australian Embassy have been advised to avoid travel to known trouble spots (listed above) and take additional practical security measures, particularly if travelling at night.

Australians who decide to remain in East Timor should ensure that they have personal security measures in place. You should seek accommodation with good security.

Crime

There have been continuing incidents of gang-related violence, robbery, arson and vandalism in Dili. Australians and other foreigners have been caught up in incidents of armed robbery and assault both in Dili and on nearby beaches. Some gangs in Dili have attacked cars with potentially lethal stones and darts fired from slingshots, particularly during the early evening and at night. You should avoid armed irregular groups, including martial arts groups, both in the districts and in Dili.

Assaults, theft and armed robbery have been directed at foreigners in East Timor, particularly individuals travelling alone or at night. 'Smash and grab' style theft of property from vehicles does occur. Harassment and violence against women, including expatriate women, has been reported. You should exercise caution if using taxis.

Local Travel

If you decide to stay in East Timor, you should exercise extreme caution, particularly when travelling at night. Australians are advised to check the security situation and road conditions with UNPOL before undertaking travel.

The United Nations police (UNPOL) emergency and security information numbers can be called 24 hours a day on 112 or (670) 723 0365. You can get more information from the Security Information Co-ordination Centre within the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor Leste (UNMIT). The centre can be contacted 24 hours a day on (670) 331 2210, extension 5454 or (670) 723 0635.

Driving conditions are frequently hazardous due to poor road quality, poor signage and a lack of street lighting. Make-shift barricades are sometimes used as unauthorised road blocks and may appear anywhere in East Timor. A bridge located one kilometre west of Ermera on the Gleno-Ermera Road has been assessed by Australian Defence Force engineers as unsafe to carry traffic.

Staff at the Australian Embassy have been advised to avoid travel to known trouble spots and take additional practical security measures, particularly if travelling at night.

Border regions: Concerns remain about criminal activity and general instability in the border regions.

All motor vehicles are required to be registered with the Motor Vehicle Office. Third party motor vehicle insurance is not available. Visitors staying more that three months must obtain a local driver's licence from the motor vehicle office as soon as possible after arrival.

International telephone calls are possible into and out of Dili where local lines are operational. Mobile telephone coverage is increasingly available outside of Dili but in quite a few areas communications are still only possible by satellite phone. There are a number of internet cafes in Dili but internet access is limited outside Dili.

For advice on travel to Indonesia (including West Timor), travellers should consult our Indonesia travel advice.

Piracy occurs in the coastal areas of East Timor. See our travel advice on shipping and ports for more information. The International Maritime Bureau issues weekly piracy reports on its web site.

Airline Safety

Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.

If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.

The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.

Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate

East Timor is in an active seismic zone and is subject to earthquakes.

All oceanic regions of the world can experience tsunamis, but there is a more frequent occurrence of large, destructive tsunamis in the Indian and Pacific Oceans because of the many large earthquakes along major tectonic plate boundaries and ocean trenches. See the Tsunami Awareness brochure.

Tropical storms and cyclones are unusual in East Timor, but they may occur during the wet season, November to April. You should monitor the information available through the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and plan accordingly. Further information can also be obtained from the Asia-Pacific Centre for Emergency and Disaster Information the World Meteorological Organisation Severe Weather Information Centre or the Humanitarian Early Warning Service.

If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of the local authorities.

Wildlife Watching

Australians are advised 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.

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. Check with your bank whether your ATM card will work overseas. Relatively few establishments (hotels, shops and restaurants) in East Timor will accept credit cards.

The official currency of East Timor is the US dollar, which is the only currency that can be accepted as legal tender.

Three commercial banks operate in Dili: the ANZ Banking Group, Bank Mandiri and the Banco Nacional Ultramarino. All offer telegraphic transfer facilities. The ANZ also operates three ATMs which dispense US dollars using credit cards or debit cards which are Cirrus/Maestro linked. The ATMs are subject to occasional down times. When they are off line, cash can be obtained from the ANZ bank, but only out of a local account or from Visa or Mastercard credit cards. Western Union also provides a money transfer service.

Make two photocopies of valuables 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.

For Parents

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or child care facilities overseas, we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or child care facilities in Australia.

Ideas on how to select child care providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.

Local Laws

When you are in East Timor, 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.

There are severe penalties for drug offences in East Timor.

Foreigners who interfere in local political processes or engage in political activity may be subject to fines, detention and deportation.

Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism 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 laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.

Local Customs

There are conservative standards of behaviour and dress in East Timor. You should take care not to offend. If in doubt, seek local advice.

Religious days are closely observed. Loud noise and frivolous behaviour are frowned on during these times.

Revealing clothing should not be worn in public places, including churches and markets.

Public displays of affection are not socially acceptable.

Information for Dual Nationals

East Timor does not recognise dual nationality. This may limit the ability of the Australian Government to provide consular assistance to Australian/East Timorese dual nationals who are arrested or detained.

Our Travel Information for Dual Nationals brochure provides further information for dual nationals.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of East Timor for the most up-to-date information.

You do not need to obtain a visa prior to arriving in East Timor. An entry visa (of up to 30 days duration) will be issued to valid passport holders on arrival based on the purpose and period of stay stated by the applicant at the time of entry and provided entry into East Timor is regarded by local authorities as being for a legitimate purpose. There is a charge of US$30 on arrival at Nicolau Lobato International Airport for an entry visa. There are no money exchange facilities at the airport. A departure tax of US$10 also applies to departing travellers.

If travellers can demonstrate that they have a valid reason for extending their stay beyond 30 days in East Timor, an application to extend a visa may be submitted to the Migration Department, Ministry of Interior, located at Vila Verde. People applying for a work visa in East Timor are required to provide proof of their place of employment upon arrival. Foreign businesspeople can apply for a resident visa if they can provide proof of the registration of their business.

It is illegal to import currencies other than US Dollars into East Timor, above certain limits, without a permit issued by the Banking and Payments Authority (BPA). It is not permissible, for example, to import more than the equivalent of US$2,000 in Australian dollars during each calendar month without approval from the BPA. For queries regarding importation of currency the BPA can be contacted on (670) 331 3712; 331 3714; 331 7151 and 331 3718 or by e-mail to info@bancocentral.tl.

Health Issues

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, 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.

Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about 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 staying healthy and travelling with medicines while overseas.

Medical facilities are limited and evacuation may be required in cases of serious illness or accident. Generally, expatriates attend Dili National Hospital for treatment. Dental facilities are extremely limited. A limited supply of basic medicines is available.

Mosquito-borne diseases: Malaria is prevalent in all areas of East Timor. Chloroquine-resistant strains are reported in some locations. Other insect-borne diseases such as filariasis and dengue fever are also prevalent with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. Japanese encephalitis is occasionally reported. We encourage you to consider taking prophylaxis against malaria and taking measures to avoid mosquito bites, including using an insect repellent at all times.

Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (such as tuberculosis, hepatitis and rabies) are prevalent. We encourage you to consult your doctor about which vaccinations, including childhood booster shots, you may need before travelling. We advise you to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering diarrhoea.

Avian influenza. 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 and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.

The World Health Organization has confirmed deaths from avian influenza and outbreaks of avian influenza amongst birds in the region. The Department of Health advises Australians who reside in East Timor for an extended period to consider, as a precautionary measure, having access to influenza antiviral medicine for treatment. Long term residents are at a greater risk of exposure to avian influenza over time. You should seek medical advice before taking antiviral medicines. Australians intending to travel to East Timor for shorter periods are at much lower risk of infection but should discuss the risk of avian influenza with their doctor as part of their routine pre-travel health checks.

If the avian influenza virus mutates to a form where efficient human-to-human transmission occurs, it may spread quickly and local authorities could move quickly to impose restrictions on travel. Australian travellers and long-term residents in East Timor should be prepared to take personal responsibility for their own safety and well-being, including deciding when to leave an affected area and ensuring they have appropriate contingency plans in place. Australians in East Timor should monitor the travel advice and bulletin for updated information and advice, and ensure that their travel documents, including passports and visas for any non-Australian family members, are up to date in case they need to depart at short notice.

The Australian Government has decided as a precautionary measure to hold a limited supply of the antiviral medicine oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and protective face masks at most of its overseas missions. The antivirals would primarily be used to protect emergency staff providing consular and other essential services in the event of a widespread outbreak of avian influenza amongst humans. Australian missions will not be in a position to provide influenza antiviral medicines to Australians in affected areas. It is the responsibility of individual Australians to secure their own supply of such medicines (such as Tamiflu or Relenza), if required.

Where to Get Help

In East Timor, Australians and Canadians can obtain consular assistance from the:

Australian Embassy
Avenida dos Martires da Patria
Dili, East Timor
Telephone: (670) 332 2111
Facsimile: (670) 332 2247
Website: http://www.easttimor.embassy.gov.au/
E-mail: austemb_dili@dfat.gov.au

If you are travelling to East Timor, 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 on-line 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 Embassy 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.