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Travel

Indonesia

Page last updated on 31 August 2023
Latest security advice
Exercise a high degree of caution
Before entering Indonesia, you need to complete an electronic health declaration (the SATUSEHAT Health Pass). You can complete the form online before you check in for your flight to Indonesia (see 'Travel'). If you have Mpox symptoms, you may be referred to a hospital for treatment on arrival (see 'Health').

We advise:

Exercise a high degree of caution in Indonesia overall due to security risks.

Higher levels apply in some areas.

Indonesia has a bit of everything for everyone. Whether you’re looking to experience the palm-fringed beaches and nightlife in Bali, climb the volcanoes in Java, or brave a trek in the deep jungles of Sumatra, Indonesia truly is a hidden gem. 

If you’ve ever planned a holiday in Indonesia, you’ve probably been drawn to Bali. In fact, TripAdvisor awarded Bali as “best destination” winner of the 2017 Travelers’ Choice Awards, and that’s no surprise as Bali has so much to offer its visitors. For starters, there’s plenty of nightlife (if that’s your scene), beautiful white-sand beaches, lush jungles filled with amazing wildlife, not to mention the hard-to-beat culinary scene.

If you’re looking to take the road less travelled (and a little less touristy), visit the island of Sumatra. Sumatra is the wild, rugged hotspot for adventure and one of the only places in Indonesia where you can still see wild orangutans. If wildlife is on your list, you can’t miss exploring Gunung Leuser National Park, which is home to an abundance of wildlife, including monkeys, variety of bird species and most importantly, orangutans. 

Whatever activities you have planned on your trip to Indonesia, it’s important to consider your travel health and ensure you come home with nothing but the best of memories.

Speak with your healthcare professional about how you can best protect yourself from contracting any disease or illness prior to your departure.
 

Before you go to Indonesia

Do I need vaccinations to visit Indonesia?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all travellers are up-to-date with their routine vaccinations; measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio, influenza and pneumococcal. These vaccinations are given as part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP).  For a full list please refer to the NIP schedule, available here. In some cases, you may need a booster or re-vaccination against a disease to ensure you still have immunity. 

Travellers to Indonesia who are aged 5 years or older should also ensure they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Other diseases that are considered a risk in Indonesia include hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, malaria and rabies. Your doctor will be able to let you know which vaccinations or medications are recommended for you, based on the time of year, destination/s, activities planned and the duration of your stay.

How long before you travel to Indonesia do you need vaccinations?

It is best to consult with your doctor or travel health clinic at least a month prior to your departure. They will be able to advise you about any vaccinations that you may need for your trip well before you leave, based on your specific travel plans. 

What your doctor will need to know:

  • When you plan to travel (time of year/season)
  • The duration of your trip 
  • The regions of Indonesia you are visiting 
  • Your planned activities (i.e. if you are going trekking or visiting remote and/or wilderness areas)
  • If you will be in contact with animals
  • If you are up-to-date with your routine vaccinations  

Your doctor may also conduct a general health check-up. This may be needed for your travel insurance if you have a pre-existing medical condition.

If you are not up-to-date with your routine vaccinations or if the doctor believes you may be at an increased risk of contracting a vaccine-preventable disease, then they may recommend you get a booster or be revaccinated against a particular disease. 
 

Are vaccines covered by private healthcare?

In some circumstances, your private healthcare may cover the cost of the vaccination. 

This will however depend on the specifics of your policy with your provider – the type of cover you have (hospital, hospital + extra) and the specifics of your extras cover. 

Contact your provider to find out if vaccinations are included as part of your cover. 

I’m trekking in Bali, what vaccines do I need?

If you are trekking in Bali, you should consider vaccination against hepatitis A and typhoid, as these diseases occur in Indonesia. Other vaccines which might be considered include vaccination against Japanese encephalitis, hepatitis B and rabies.

It is also important to ensure that your routine and COVID-19 vaccinations are up-to-date including measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, polio, influenza and pneumococcal disease. 

How to keep healthy when travelling in Indonesia?

The standard of healthcare facilities in Indonesia is generally lower than in Australia, so it is important you a prepared before heading off on your trip.  

Before travelling 

  • Register your trip with Smart Traveller 
  • Make sure you have enough of your regular prescription medicines;
  • Ensure you’re up-to-date with your routine vaccinations 
  • Take out travel insurance - to cover you and your family for medical and other costs resulting from unexpected incidents and accidents, or COVID-19
  • Put together a travel kit with medication for pain, diarrhoeal medicine, oral rehydration salts, antiseptic lotion or ointment, adhesive bandages and other wound dressings, insect repellent, sunscreen, latex gloves, thermometer, motion sickness medicine, water purification tablets and compression stockings

During travel 

  • The tap water is Indonesia is not safe to drink. 
  • Only drink bottled or filtered water and check the seal on water bottles (some stores sell boiled water in recycled bottles). Avoid ice in your drinks, and check that salad and fruit have been washed with filtered water prior to eating. 
  • Drink spiking/poisoning from alcoholic drinks is common in parts of Indonesia. Alcoholic drinks have been known to have been contaminated with harmful substances (e.g. methanol). To protect yourself from poisoning, never leave your drink unattended while you are out, avoid home-made alcoholic drinks and drink only at reputable, licensed premises. 
  • Traveller's diarrhoea is common in Indonesia.  Important ways to prevent traveller's diarrhoea include:
    • ensure you wash your hands regularly.
    • where possible opt for fully cooked fresh food and only eat fruit that you peel yourself.
  • Avoid mosquito bites, as you may be at risk of contracting illnesses such as malaria. Malaria transmitting mosquitoes bite predominantly between dusk and dawn. 
    There is no vaccination for malaria available in Australia. Preventative medication is available and needs to be taken before, during and after visiting the area where malaria occurs. 
    Other mosquito borne illnesses which travellers need to be concerned about include dengue, zika, and Japanese encephalitis. 
  • Rabies is a deadly disease and considered a risk in Indonesia, particularly in Bali. It is spread by the bite, lick or scratch of an infected animal, such as a dog or a monkey. Avoid close contact with wild and domestic animals, this is especially important for children. Do not carry food around, or feed/play with monkeys or other animals. Vaccinations for rabies are available– your doctor can advise whether vaccinations are required for your trip. 
  • Use condoms to prevent sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, human papillomavirus (HPV), herpes, syphilis, hepatitis B and HIV/AIDS.
  • Diseases such as HIV and hepatitis B can also be spread through fluids such as blood and semen. 
    To protect yourself, do not inject drugs, do not share needles or devices that can break the skin including those used for tattooing, piercings or acupuncture. Vaccinations are available for hepatitis B. 

Make sure you see a doctor for a travel health consult at least 6 weeks before leaving. If this is not possible, see your doctor as soon as you can.

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Sources & Citations

  1. Worldometer, Indonesia Population (live). Available at: https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/indonesia-population/ [accessed 31 August 2023].
  2. Lonely Planet. Destination Indonesia. Available at: http://media.lonelyplanet.com/shop/pdfs/indonesia-9-getting-started.pdf [accessed 07 February 2022].
  3. Travel Guide, The Jakarta Post. TripAdvisor presents Bali with the 2017 Travelers’ Choice Awards. Available at: http://www.thejakartapost.com/travel/2017/04/21/tripadvisor-presents-bali-with-2017-travelers-choice-awards.html [accessed 07 February 2022].
  4. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Travelers Health – Indonesia. Available at: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/indonesia [accessed 07 February 2022].
  5. Australian Government, Department of Health. National Immunisation Program Schedule. Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/immunisation/immunisation-throughout-life/national-immunisation-program-schedule [accessed 07 February 2022].
  6. Finder, Travel Vaccinations – Can I claim travel vaccinations on my private health insurance? Available at: https://www.finder.com.au/travel-vaccinations [accessed 07 February 2022].
  7. Australian Government. Smart Traveller – Indonesia. Available at: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/indonesia#health [accessed 07 February 2022].
  8. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Traveler’s Health Pack Smart. Available at: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/pack-smart [accessed 07 February 2022].
  9. NSW Government. Mosquitoes are a health hazard fact sheet. Available at: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/mosquito.aspx [accessed 07 February 2022].
  10. Australian Government. Smart Traveller – Infectious Diseases. Available at: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/before-you-go/health/diseases [accessed 07 February 2022].

MAT-AU-2200165   Date of preparation March 2022

 

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