Australian travellers risk bringing back more than just souvenirs when going away by not visiting their local doctor to get health advice prior to travel, according to researchers.

The University of Sydney's Family Medicine Research Centre reported three in five Australian’s travelling won’t visit their doctor to get health advice before setting off, risking picking up serious diseases overseas.

Travellers visiting destinations with a risk of infectious diseases like rabies, hepatitis A and B or typhoid fever can have consequences ranging from losing a few days of the trip to gastro or the flu to ending up in hospital with a serious disease.

Travel Doctor TMVC clinic in Sydney medical director Dr Conrad Moreira said while most people who travel won't get any serious illness the message is that these diseases are preventable.

Of the 670 people who took part in the research project, only 30 percent had visited their doctor before going overseas.

While there are more high-risk areas than others, Dr Moreira adds "the risk depends on the destination as well as the type of person travelling.”

"Certain groups of travellers are at higher risk of infectious diseases, including pregnant women, children, people with impaired immunity and immigrants returning to their country of origin to visit friends and relatives.''

Travellers are advised to visit their doctor or a travel clinic between six and eight weeks before they are due to depart to ensure they are aware of their destination health risks and any required inoculations.