Travel to Community

Learn more about visiting our communities

Overview

Important information on visiting our communities. Click the link below to complete the visitor registration form.

Community Entry Form

People reside across the 14 islands TSIRC encompasses

 4000
Divisions make up the TSIRC footprint

 15
Square kilometres of water runs between the communities TSIRC services

 42,000

Visiting the Torres Strait

Visiting communities

All visitors are required to submit a visitor registration form, prior to arriving to Torres Strait Island Regional Council Communities.

Applying to visit a Torres Strait community

The Torres Strait community is home to a particularly vulnerable population, many of whom struggle with chronic illnesses. The well-being of our people is the responsibility of Council, community and guests. We ask visitors to take all precautionary measures to help us fulfill our duty of care to our residents. Entry requirements depend on where you are travelling from and where you have been in the most recent 14 days. Visitors are required to submit a visitor registration form prior to arriving.

Application process

Following an application submission, the request is sent to the community the individual is requesting to visit for review. The elected Councillor of that division will review and if approved sign and submit an advice notice back to the applicant. In some instances, the Councillor may send the application back to the applicant and seek additional information or decline the application.

Arriving at a community

All visitors are required to sign in to the local Council office upon arrival.

We ask that all visitors:

  • Obey national laws, local laws (hyerlink to that page) and customs
  • Respect the traditional way of life - be aware of your behaviour and that of those you are travelling with
  • Help us maintain the natural beauty of our communities by not littering or creating excessive waste
  • Adhere to biosecurity requirements. See facts below under related resources.

Torres Strait Treaty

About the treaty

The Torres Strait Treaty is between Australia and Papua New Guinea. It was signed in December 1978 and became active in February 1985. The treaty concerns matters of sovereignty and maritime boundaries in the area known as the Torres Strait, the Protected Zone also protects the land and sea environment of the Torres Strait.

The Treaty allows free movement (without passports or visas) of traditional inhabitants between Australia and Papua New Guinea for traditional activities in the Protected Zone and nearby areas.

The Torres Strait Protected Zone (TSPZ)

The Protected Zone is an area of the Torres Strait recognised by Australia and Papua New Guinea as needing special attention.

The main reason for the Protected Zone is so that traditional inhabitants can carry on their traditional way of life. For example, traditional people from both countries may move freely (without passports or visas) for traditional activities within the Protected Zone. The formation of this zone has also helped to preserve and protect the land, sea and air of the Torres Strait, including the native plant and animal life.

More information

More information can be found via the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Contact Us

All enquiries, please contact us:

Phone: 07 4034 5700

Email: info@tsirc.qld.gov.au

Postal Address: PO Box 7336 Cairns QLD 4870