Before starting your backpacking trip you should make sure you have done all necessary preparations and all important information about your destinations.
Preparations before departures
Passport
You will definitely need a valid passport to enter. The passport often has to be valid during your entire stay in a particular country. No exceptions made. So go check your expiration date before booking the flight or the visa. If you are doing a stopover on your flight you should check if there are any additional requirements regarding the validity of your passport.
Visa
With your valid passport you can apply for a visa. If you intend to work during your stay you should check if there is a form of visa that allows you to work. If you are just going to visit a country as a backpacker without working you can often apply for a tourist visa. Sometimes you will also need a return ticket when entering a country. Check the entry regulations of all countries that you would like to enter during your journey.
Import
In Australia, you can get in trouble when importing e.g. food or wood. You need to be aware of customs and duty, quarantine and import permits of the country you intend to enter. So check the import regulations of the countries you like to visit.
Vaccination
You might need some special vaccination, e.g. Malaria or Hepatitis, depending on your destination. You can find detailed information on health risks for travellers on the website of the World Health Organization WHO.
