Australian High Commission
Islamabad
Pakistan

Information for Australians in Pakistan

 

 

Australian Citizenship Certificates

Australian citizenship certificates are issued by the Department of Home Affairs. To apply for Australian citizenship, or to replace a certificate that is damaged, destroyed or lost, please visit https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/certificate

Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM)

The Australian High Commission in Islamabad Pakistan does not issue Australian birth, death or marriage certificates. If you wish to register a birth, death or marriage in Australia, or obtain a copy of your existing Australian birth, death or marriage certificate, you may apply through the official web site of the relevant State or Territory Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

ACT Government - Access Canberra

New South Wales Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages

Northern Territory Births, Deaths and Marriages

Queensland Births, Deaths and Marriages and Divorces

South Australia Births, Deaths and Marriages

Tasmania Births, Deaths and Marriages

Victoria Births, Deaths and Marriages

Western Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages

Elections and Voting while Overseas

Voting in the 3 May 2025 Federal Election

The Australian Federal Election has been announced for Saturday 3 May 2025. If you’re an Australian citizen overseas on the day of the election, you can still have your say by voting at on overseas voting centre or by postal vote.

In-Person Voting

The Australian Embassy in Islamabad will not be providing in-person voting services.

If you are travelling to other countries during the election period, you may be able to vote at another Australian Embassy/High Commission or Consulate-General. Please check their websites for relevant information. The nearest overseas voting location to Islamabad Post is UAE.

Postal Voting

If you are overseas and are unable to vote in-person, you can visit the AEC website to apply for a postal vote.

Postal vote packs will be sent to you by international courier from Australia commencing three weeks before polling day. The latest date to request an overseas postal vote from the AEC is 6pm, Wednesday 30 April 2025. Please note this may be too late for your postal vote to reach you and you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. If you provided an email address or phone number when applying for a postal vote, you will receive an automatic notification when it is dispatched.

If you did not provide an email address or phone number and your postal vote does not arrive within 10 days from the date you submitted your application, call the AEC on +61 2 6160 2600.

You should return your postal vote directly to the AEC in Australia. The cost to return your postal vote by courier or mail to the AEC in Australia is your responsibility.

For your postal vote to be counted it must be completed before 6pm AWST time 3 May 2025, and received by the AEC in Australia by 6pm Friday 16 May 2025 AEST.

Further information

You must be enrolled to vote. Check your details on the AEC website.

If you can't vote because you are overseas, you need to advise the AEC by completing an Overseas Notification Form.

Find additional information on the election and voting at these websites:

Australian Electoral Commission: www.aec.gov.au

Smartraveller:  www.smartraveller.gov.au

International Driving Permits

If you do not hold a Pakistan driver's licence and wish to drive in Pakistan, you need an international driving permit (IDP), as well as your Australian licence.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is a translation of your domestic Australian driver’s licence photo card in nine (9) languages that assists a user to drive in a foreign country. The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) is the only authorised distributor of IDPs in Australia for Australian driver’s licence holders.

Permits are recognised in 98% of countries around the world and driving abroad without a permit could be illegal.

Many rental companies won’t let you hire a vehicle without a valid IDP. Some insurance policies won’t cover you for an accident if you're driving a vehicle without an authorised licence.

We strongly recommend you get a valid IDP before leaving Australia. You can apply for an IDP online through AAA. Or, through your state or territory motoring club.

Learn more about International Driving Permits and how to apply online.

Renewal of Australian Drivers’ Licences

The renewal of Australian drivers’ licences is handled by the different State and Territory Authorities. The Embassy does not issue or renew drivers’ licences and can only assist with the witnessing and certifying of documents if required, see: Notarial Services. For additional information, or to obtain the relevant documentation for renewing your licence, please contact the transport office in the relevant Australian State or Territory.

Services Australia (Centrelink, Pensions, Social Security and Medicare)

Consular staff are unable to provide information on Centrelink, pensions, social security or Medicare. Please contact Services Australia at Phone us - Accessing our services  directly if you wish to discuss their range of payments and services.

What your obligations are while you’re overseas. Staying safe and getting help while you travel - International services - while you're overseas

Website: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au

Australian Taxation Office

Understanding your obligations and ensuring that you have appropriate taxation arrangements in place is your responsibility. Consular staff cannot advise you on taxation matters and cannot provide ‘Tax Packs’.

All queries relating to Australian taxation, including how to lodge your tax return from Pakistan, should be directed to the Australian Taxation Office (www.ato.gov.au, tel. +61 2 6216 1111).

Returning to Australia