The data in each Global Safety Net Report is divided into nine categories, each dealing with a unique aspect of travelling. These categories are as follows:

Passport and Tourist Visa Conditions

The primary purpose of this section of the report is to inform Australian Travellers whether or not they require a visa to enter their intended destination as a tourist. If a traveller does require a visa, this area will usually inform them of the cost, time taken to issue, validity period and length of stay allowed by a visa to this country. Also stated here will be any other documentation required to enter the country, such as records confirming finances, onward tickets, itinerary or health insurance.

Many countries also have entry requirements that relate to passport issues. Some require a minimum validity of up to 18 months on a persons passport, while other countries demand that a passport have a minimum number of free pages. Some countries, such as Lebanon, will refuse entry if there is evidence in a persons passport that they have entered another particular country. In such cases this information will usually be provided here.

Finally, some countries require foreign nationals to undertake tasks once they have been granted entry into the state, such as reporting to a police station. If such measures are applicable these will generally be included in this area of the report.

Current Travel Advice Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade currently offer travel advice for most destinations. Under the above title, a synopsis of this advice is given, as well as the date for which it is current.

Travellers are also urged at this point in the report to visit the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to read the complete version of the travel advice, which offers further information on various topics including safety and security, local law, customs and health issues.

If no Travel Advice is currently issued for the destination, this is also stated.

Vaccinations and Health Precautions

The aim of this field is to give travellers a general idea of what vaccinations may be required when visiting their destination. Since medical advice can only accurately be given on an individual basis by a health professional, travellers are advised to contact a local travel health professional or the Travel Doctor, who provide the majority of the information contained in this section.

If Australia maintains a reciprocal health care agreement with the country in question, this is also mentioned in this area of the report, along with guidance to the relevant websites that explain what implications this can have if a traveller becomes ill while overseas.

When a country or a region is experiencing a disease outbreak, such as the recent emergence of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), advice relating to the current situation, risk and recommendations are given here. This information is usually drawn from the World Health Organisation, which offers the most comprehensive and up to date coverage of such situations.

Finally, all travellers are advised of their need to take out adequate insurance to cover themselves for the length of their journey. Here, travellers are also directed to view the information regarding travel insurance presented on the Smartraveller website.

Representation in Australia

Most countries listed in the Global Safety Net Reports maintain consular representatives throughout Australia. In this section of the report, the contact details are given for these various missions in order to allow travellers to easily contact the relevant authorities should they require a visa or seek particular information from the government of the country that they intend to visit.

Some countries however do not maintain a representative in Australia. When this is the case, an embassy, consulate or national tourism body in another county may be listed as the relevant contact.

Exchange Rate

The currency rates listed here are current as of the report issue date. These rates usually compare single units of currency, and are calculated as of the report date.

Time Differences with Australia

The time zone(s) of the relevant country are given here in relation to Greenwich Mean Time. If a state also implements daylight saving time throughout their summer, this is also noted and compared with Greenwich Mean Time.

Following this, the time differences between Sydney and the country in question are also given, by comparing the time in the respective county with Sydney at noon in Summer and Winter.

Important Contact Numbers

The contact numbers section seeks to provide travellers with resources to assist them in giving others the relevant information to contact them while abroad and to aid them in contacting both Australia and relevant financial institutions should the need arise.

The standard information listed under Important Contact Numbers includes:

• The international code for the respective county
• The standard procedure for dialling Australia (incorporating the relevant local international access code and the country code for Australia).
• The Australia Direct Reverse Charge access numbers for the relevant county (this service is provided by Telstra and is currently available in 70 countries).
• The contact numbers nominated by Visa, MasterCard and American Express for assistance while travelling in this country.
• The telephone number for the international operator.
• Telephone numbers to call in an emergency, such as the local Police, Fire and Ambulance numbers. If a country has special ‘Tourist Police’ or dedicated English speaking lines, these are usually given here.

In some reports other contact numbers deemed relevant are also listed in this area.

Information to be Recorded Before Travelling

This area of the report prompts travellers to record information that may become vital should they loose their passports, credit cards or travel insurance information. It also encourages them to record information regarding their travellers cheques and airline tickets and to store this information separately to their original documents, as well as to leave a copy with friends or family in Australia.

Australian Representation Abroad

This segment of the report lists the contact details of the Australian representative in that country or accredited to that county. In instances where this representative is located abroad, a representative of Canada or Britain is often given as a provider of limited assistance to Australian travellers, as stated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The telephone number of the 24 hour Consular Emergency Centre in Australia is also listed here to provide travellers with a backup contact, should the local representatives be unavailable at the particular time they require assistance.

In regards to many countries, Australian travellers are urged to register their with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. When this is the case, this information is repeated here, and the relevant details of how to register are also displayed.