Australia has urged its citizens not to travel to Afghanistan under any circumstances, citing severe security risks, arbitrary detention and limited consular assistance.
In an updated travel advisory published on Monday, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the security situation in Afghanistan remains extremely dangerous and advised Australians, including dual Australian-Afghan nationals, to avoid travelling to the country for any reason.
The advisory warned that Australians in Afghanistan face risks including armed violence, terrorism, kidnapping, arbitrary arrest and death. It also noted that the Australian government has only a limited capacity to provide consular assistance inside Afghanistan and said most travel insurance policies would not cover travel to the country.
Australia is among several Western governments that maintain the highest-level travel warnings for Afghanistan following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Germany have issued similar advisories, citing persistent security threats and the absence of normal diplomatic services.
The warning comes as Afghanistan continues to face a deep humanitarian and economic crisis, with millions relying on international aid amid widespread poverty, restrictions on women and girls, and ongoing concerns over security. Foreign governments continue to advise against travel, saying the operating environment remains unpredictable despite a decline in large-scale fighting.
