International travel

The University has a duty of care to University traveller's to ensure their safety and wellbeing while travelling internationally on University business. It is the traveller’s responsibility whilst travelling to be mindful of potential risks in the local area (which might include fieldwork or laboratories) and to act in a manner that will minimise harm to the traveller. Guidance on identifying, assessing and controlling risk can be found in the WHS Risk Management Guidelines.

To meet its duty of care the University will:

  • identify potential dangers or risks present in areas where travellers may travel by providing access to information such as country guides or DFAT advice
  • seek advice from internal or external specialists such as World Travel Protection
  • take reasonable measures to control such risks, where possible.

For more information refer to the travel hub.

Travellers undertaking international travel are required to:

  • register their travel with www.smarttraveller.gov.au
  • liaise with their doctor to determine any medical requirements or other needs to ensure safe travel and implement accordingly
  • review and follow information/recommendations for the destinations including DFAT travel advice and World Travel Protection

Traveller's will be provided with updated country advice from World Travel Protection via email and the WTP App as the need arises.

International Travel Guide

If an emergency occurs while travelling overseas please contact AIG Australia in the first instance to assess the situation and provide assistance. AIG can be contacted via the following number when overseas +60 3 2772 5641 or email: auassistance@aig.com.

Alternatively, please contact the Australian Consulate for emergency assistance.
Within Australia: 1300 555 135
Overseas: +61 2 6261 3305

If whilst travelling you encounter any form of incident, injury or near miss such as a vehicle accident, security issue, injury or other non-emergency event, please contact your supervisor immediately, or as soon as reasonably practicable, and record the incident in SafetyNet online.

If you are travelling with an IMTS managed device such as a laptop, or mobile, you are required to contact the IMTS Service Desk a minimum of ten (10) business days in advance of scheduled overseas travel to advise on a variety of areas that our outlined in the Travelling Overseas with Devices Policy. Based on the information provided will determine the type of action needed to be undertaken by IMTS.

If you hold an Australian Security Clearance you will get a briefing where you will receive your clearance details and forms to complete.

If your clearance is sponsored by UOW, you will need to submit your details to UOW's Security Officer and Chief Security Officer for approval.

If your clearance is sponsored by another organisation you will need to submit your details to that organisations Security Officer and also attach a copy to UOW's Security Officer for processing.

When travelling overseas always remember to follow these simple safety tips to keep yourself and other safe:

  • Limit using unsecured public Wi-Fi
  • Try not to plug any USB's into wall based charging points
  • Do not accept any portable storage devices as gifts
  • Refrain from talking about your work with unknown people
  • Be aware of undue contact from government officials
  • Be aware of your surroundings