SuPPortinG AuStrAliAnS when trouBle StrikeS oVerSeAS

THE 2022-23 Consular State of Play reflects an increase in post-pandemic travel, with non-crisis consular cases growing towards pre-2020 levels.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provided assistance more than 9,200 consular cases last financial year.

DFAT’s 24/7 Consular Emergency Centre answered, on average, one call for help every 11 minutes.

The last financial year, where we saw a record 3.1 million Australian passports issued, showed Australians are taking to the skies with enthusiasm.

Consular cases, excluding crisis cases, rose 17% compared to 20212022, and included:

• A 23% increase in illness and hospitalisation, with 1,122 cases

• A 28% increase of immigration detention, with 229 cases

• A 54% increase in reported assaults, with 199 cases

• A 57% increase in whereabouts enquiries, with 265 cases

• A 241% increase in theft, with 157 cases

• A 168% increase in lost or stolen passports, with 2,043 cases

During the 2022-23 period, DFAT also supported more than 800 crisis cases, including Australians impacted by conflict in Ukraine and Sudan, as well as the Türkiye earthquakes.

Insights from the Consular State of Play are a reminder of the importance of being well prepared before travel. This includes getting travel insurance, making sure you have sufficient funds and registering with Smartraveller.

The Smartraveller website has detailed travel advice on over 175 destinations. There is also information on passports, visas and travel insurance, and you can subscribe for destination updates.

This year, the Consular State of Play, has gone fully digital and can be accessed on the Smartraveller website. It includes data infographics and case studies of consular support provided to Australians.

The Consular Services Charter outlines what assistance DFAT can provide to Australians overseas.

After meeting while travelling Malaysia and marrying in Hong Kong, Alen and Irene decided to move their family to Brisbane in 1976. Despite limited funds, they embarked on a bean sprout growing venture in a rented house in Fortitude Valley. Initially their business supplied bean sprouts to Chinese shops and traders at the Brisbane Markets, but in the 1980s they expanded to larger clients including Coles. Today, Chilik Agencies, Pallara strives for innovation through the implementation of new technologies to enhance their growing systems and packaging processes for bean sprouts. After 35 years in business, Chilik Agencies has become one of the most trusted providers of fresh food to outlets and supermarkets across Australia.

MULTICULTURAL

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE yEAR

This award recognises a multicultural Brisbane business leader that demonstrates through their business success, entrepreneurial flair, embedding a culture of innovation as a central pillar to their growth strategy. The recipient will personify the best in entrepreneurialism, possessing qualities from clear leadership and sound management to determination and ambition.

kyUNGTAE (TENNy) kIM, LITTLES LAWyERS

In 2000, Tenny's father made the decision to broaden his family's life experiences and immigrate from Busan to Australia. Tenny faced numerous challenges living in a new environment but forming new friendships in the Brisbane community assisted his transition. Understanding the needs of multicultural communities firsthand, Tenny's Littles Lawyers business has a multilingual team that is proficient in more than 33 languages to support its clients. Tenny is highly respected within the Brisbane legal community and has fostered a strong sense of unity and support amongst its members. Littles Lawyers focuses on the success of its team and has implemented innovative technology solutions to optimise its services.