The federal government has urged Australians travelling to Hong Kong to exercise a high degree of caution, as it updated its travel advice for the region on Wednesday.
Authorities can request access to personal electronic devices and passwords from anyone in Hong Kong, even if visitors are only transiting through the airport.
As of last month, it is illegal for anyone to refuse to disclose their devices’ passwords to Hong Kong’s police, under the city’s broad national security law. Any person who does not comply faces a penalty of HK$100,000 ($18,000).
From Thursday, importing or possessing “alternative smoking products” such as vapes and herbal cigarettes in public places – even while transiting inside the airport – will also be banned.
The Australian government’s Smartraveller website advised travellers that Hong Kong’s national security laws can be “interpreted broadly (and can) be applied to activities outside Hong Kong, including social media posts”. The laws were introduced by the Chinese government from 2020 following pro-democracy protests in the city.
“The maximum penalty under Hong Kong’s national security laws is life imprisonment, “the advice read.
“Citizens of other countries, including Australia, have been arrested, convicted and imprisoned under Hong Kong’s security laws.”
Travellers are also warned local authorities can detain a person without charge for up to 16 days and deny them access to a lawyer for up to 48 hours, according to Smartraveller.
The warning comes as the number of Australians travelling to Hong Kong has surged to record highs.
According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, some 469,000 Australians touched down in the city during 2025 – a 27 per cent increase on the previous year.
The board said the introduction of more direct flights from Australia, numerous new sporting and cultural events, and the city’s popularity as a “stopover city of choice” were behind the surge in tourism numbers.
