High Commission of Vanuatu in Canberra, Australia; address 29 Flinders Way, 2603, Griffith; phone +61262829931. Head of mission: Mr. Ernest Guy Soumtoh.…
Head of mission: Mr. Ernest Guy Soumtoh, Acting High Commissioner (as of 2026)
Head of mission: Mr. Donald Pelam, Consul-General (confirmed in the diplomatic list of Australia, 11 Nov 2024)
Head of mission: Mr William Longwah, Honorary Consul (as of 2010)
Vanuatu offers a unique and enriching experience for visitors, particularly Australians. Although it attracts a modest number of international tourists, those who do visit tend to spend significantly, indicating satisfaction with their experience. With around 300,000 Australians traveling abroad annually, Vanuatu presents an appealing option for some of them.
Vanuatu is generally considered safe for tourists, including those from Australia. The murder rate in Vanuatu is 0.3 per 100,000 people, which is lower than Australia's rate of 0.7. However, it's important to note that female murder rates are higher in Vanuatu at 0.7 compared to Australia's 0.4. According to the Global Organized Crime Index, Vanuatu scores better in several categories compared to Australia, particularly in mafia presence (1.0 for Vanuatu vs. 5.0 for Australia) and human smuggling (1.5 for Vanuatu vs. 3.0 for Australia). However, Vanuatu does have a higher score for fauna crime (5.5) compared to Australia's 3.5. Overall, while Vanuatu has some crime concerns, it is relatively safe for tourists, especially when compared to global averages. Travelers should remain aware of their surroundings and take standard safety precautions.