Food and water
Choose freshly cooked hot food, peel your own fruit, and drink bottled or treated water in higher-risk areas. Be careful with ice and salads.
Wash hands often or use hand sanitiser.
Travel health, before you go
Travel health consultations at Morisset Doctors, with advice and vaccines tailored to where you are going, what you will be doing and your health. Book 6 to 8 weeks before you travel. Travel vaccines are privately purchased and attract a fee.
We are a Medicare Bulk Billing Practice
Fees and eligibilityGP consultations are bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card: children 15 and under, patients 65 and over with a pension or Health Care Card, and all other pension and Health Care Card holders.
Good to know before you book
01Book 6 to 8 weeks ahead
Some vaccines need several doses or time to work.
Tap to see moreLast-minute travellers can still be helped.
Book nowBulk billed for eligible patients02Bring your itinerary
Where, when, how long and what you will do.
Tap to see moreRural travel, adventure activities and visiting family change the advice.
What to bring03Travel vaccines attract a fee
Most travel vaccines are not on the free program.
Tap to see moreReception will explain costs.
Fees04Check Smartraveller
Official destination advice from the Australian Government.
Tap to see moresmartraveller.gov.au
Call receptionFind the care that fits
Choose a topic to see what is involved, what it costs, the questions people ask most, and how to book.
Destination-specific
Travel vaccines
Depending on your destination, vaccines may include hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, cholera, meningococcal or yellow fever, plus routine vaccines such as measles and flu.
Yellow fever vaccine is only given at accredited yellow fever centres.
- 1Itinerary review
- 2Vaccines recommended
- 3Doses scheduled
- 4Records provided
What it costsTravel vaccines are privately purchased and attract a fee.
Do I need yellow fever vaccine?
For some parts of Africa and South America; it must be given at an accredited centre.
Can vaccines be given together?
Often, yes.
Food, water and insects
Preventing illness
Many travel illnesses come from food, water and mosquitoes. Safe eating, hand hygiene, insect repellent, long clothing and bed nets help.
Your GP may discuss medicines for malaria prevention or travellers' diarrhoea depending on your destination.
- 1Food and water safety
- 2Insect protection
- 3Medicines if needed
- 4Know when to seek care
What it costsConsultations are bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card.
Do I need malaria tablets?
Only for some destinations; your GP will advise.
What should be in my travel kit?
Your GP can suggest a kit for your trip.
Planning ahead
Travelling with health conditions
If you have a chronic condition, take enough medicine for the whole trip plus extra, in original packaging, with a letter from your GP.
Long flights increase the risk of blood clots; move regularly and stay hydrated.
- 1Medicine supply
- 2GP letter
- 3Insurance
- 4Plan for care overseas
What it costsConsultations are bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card.
Can I take my medicines overseas?
Usually, but check the rules for your destination.
Do I need travel insurance?
Strongly recommended.
Feeling unwell
After you return
If you develop a fever, diarrhoea, rash or other symptoms after returning, see your GP and tell them where you travelled.
Fever after travel to a malaria area needs urgent assessment.
- 1Note symptoms
- 2Book promptly
- 3Tell your GP where you went
- 4Tests if needed
What it costsConsultations are bulk billed for eligible patients with a valid Medicare card.
How long after travel can illness start?
Some infections start weeks later.
Is fever after travel urgent?
After a malaria area, yes.
Understanding travel health
Plain-language information to help you know what to expect and make informed decisions with your GP.
Mosquitoes
Dengue, malaria, Zika and Japanese encephalitis are spread by mosquitoes. Use repellent containing DEET, picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus, cover up and sleep under nets where advised.
Some mosquitoes bite during the day.
Animal bites and rabies
Avoid touching dogs, monkeys and bats overseas. Wash any bite or scratch with soap and water for 15 minutes and seek medical care urgently.
Rabies vaccination before travel may be recommended.
Travel insurance
Medical care overseas can be very expensive. Comprehensive travel insurance that covers your pre-existing conditions and activities is strongly recommended.
Check what your policy covers before you leave.
Plan your trip
Choose a region to see common considerations, then follow the countdown. Advice is general; your GP will tailor it to your itinerary, activities and health.
- 8 weeks before
Book your travel health consult and check routine vaccines.
- 6 weeks before
Start vaccine courses that need more than one dose.
- 2 weeks before
Most vaccines working; collect medicines and a GP letter.
- Departure
Pack your kit, insurance and medicines in original packaging.
- Home again
See your GP if you feel unwell, especially with fever.
Common travel illnesses
Prevention and early care make a big difference.
01Travellers' diarrhoeaTap for details
Travellers' diarrhoea
- Signs
- Loose stools, cramps.
- Where and how
- Usually within the first week.
- What to do
- Fluids; see a doctor if severe or bloody.
02DengueTap for details
Dengue
- Signs
- Fever, headache, joint pain.
- Where and how
- Mosquito areas.
- What to do
- Seek care; avoid bites.
03MalariaTap for details
Malaria
- Signs
- Fever, chills, sweats.
- Where and how
- Specific regions.
- What to do
- Urgent assessment if fever after travel.
04Hepatitis ATap for details
Hepatitis A
- Signs
- Fever, jaundice, nausea.
- Where and how
- Food and water.
- What to do
- Vaccine prevention.
05TyphoidTap for details
Typhoid
- Signs
- Fever, abdominal pain.
- Where and how
- Food and water.
- What to do
- Vaccine and food care.
06RabiesTap for details
Rabies
- Signs
- Spread by animal bites.
- Where and how
- Dogs, monkeys, bats.
- What to do
- Wash wound, urgent care.
Myth or fact?
Test what you know about travel health. Choose an answer to reveal the explanation.
01
Travel vaccines can always be done the week before you leave.
Some need several doses; book 6 to 8 weeks ahead.
02
Fever after travel to a malaria area needs urgent assessment.
See a doctor promptly.
03
Travel vaccines are covered by Medicare.
Most travel vaccines are privately purchased.
0 of 3 answered
Evidence, sources and advertising standards
Information on this page is general, evidence-based and drawn from Australian health authorities and professional guidelines, including:
Morisset Doctors advertises its services in line with the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law and AHPRA's Guidelines for advertising a regulated health service. We do not use testimonials, offer inducements, or make claims about outcomes. Individual results and experiences vary. Please talk to your GP about your own situation.
The numbers worth knowing
6–8Weeks before travel
Ideal time to book.
0Itinerary
Bring it to your appointment.
FeeApplies
Travel vaccines are privately purchased.
0Years
Some vaccines give long-lasting protection.
Everyone involved, around you
Your care can involve more than one person. Choose a part of the care team to see how it fits together.
Youat the centre of your care
Travel health at every stage
Book 6 to 8 weeks before.
Medicines, kit and insurance.
Feeling unwell after travel.
Who can help
Every GP at Morisset Doctors can help with travel health. These team members list it among their interests.
GP FellowDr Mofada Hadi
Book now
Chronic and complex care, geriatrics, mental health, skin cancer medicine and women's health.
Book now
GP and directorDr Ali ZubaidyBook now
Skin checks and procedures, geriatric medicine, paediatrics, chronic conditions and men's health.
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GP registrarDr Prishantha SirisenaBook now
Women's health, paediatrics, geriatric medicine and chronic disease. Taking new patients.
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General practitionerDr Alice NajjarBook now
Women's health, children's health, pregnancy care and preventive care. Taking new patients.
Book now
General practitionerDr Christina YeongBook now
Holistic, evidence-based care with an international perspective, for patients from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Book nowMake the most of your appointment
A little preparation gives you and your doctor more time for what matters. Your doctor will explain the options, benefits and risks, and only examine with your consent.
What to bring0 of 6 ready
Your health, your choice
Book online at any hour, or call reception from 8:00am, Monday to Friday. New patients welcome.
Travel health questions, answered
If yours is not here, call (02) 4006 8222 and reception will help.
When should I book a travel consult?
6 to 8 weeks before you leave.
Are travel vaccines free?
No; most attract a fee.
Do you give yellow fever vaccine?
Yellow fever vaccine is only given at accredited centres; ask reception.
Can I get a letter for my medicines?
Yes.
What if I am leaving soon?
Book anyway; some protection is still possible.
Is the consult bulk billed?
Consultations are bulk billed for eligible patients; vaccines attract a fee.
