visas & entry formalities

Travellers to Australia need a valid passport or similar certificate of identification. Everyone, except travellers with Australian or New Zealand passports, requires a visa or an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) to enter Australia. New Zealand passport holders apply for a visa upon arrival in Australia. All other passport holders must hold a visa or ETA before travelling to Australia.

visas & ETAs

Instant Online Visas - Apply Here

An ETA is equivalent to a visa, but there is no stamp or label in your passport and there is no need for you to visit an Australian diplomatic office to submit an application. If you are eligible, the ETA is issued electronically by a computer system operated for the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) of Australia. For further information on tourist visas, working holidays, business visits, students, immigration, Electronic Travel Authority (ETAs), visas and other useful contacts visit the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs website. For the location of your nearest Australian consulate go to http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/overseas/.

customs

There are strict laws prohibiting or restricting the entry of drugs, steroids, weapons, firearms, protected wildlife and associated products. If you are unsure about anything declare it to Customs upon arrival.

tax free/duty free

Each traveller over 18 years of age can bring into Australia 1125ml of alcoholic liquor and 250 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco products duty/tax free. For other goods, including those intended as gifts, a duty/tax-free allowance of $A400 per person or $A200 per person under 18 is available. These articles must accompany you through Customs and must not be intended for commercial purposes.

cash and foreign currency

If you bring in or take out of Australia more than $A10,000 cash or the equivalent in foreign currency (travellers cheques excluded), you must declare it to Customs. Failure to do is an offence.

medications

Medicinal products brought into Australia are subject to strict controls and should be declared on arrival. It is advisable to have a letter or prescription from your doctor describing your medical condition and the medication.

luggage inspection

Luggage and hand baggage may be inspected before passengers board domestic and international flights. Also upon arrival into Australia all luggage may be inspected. You need to declare all items of a quarantine concern, otherwise you may be fined or prosecuted. For further information please see Australian Customs Service.

passenger movement charge

Australia's Passenger Movement Charge (departure tax) is $A38 per person and is pre-paid with your international airline ticket. Exemptions apply to children under 12 years and 24 hour transit passengers.

There may be other government, airport and sea taxes and levies applicable which are usually included in your ticket.

quarantine

Australia’s environment is unique. Quarantine helps keep it that way. Food, plant and animal products from overseas could introduce destructive pests and diseases to the country. You can help protect our unique environment by declaring quarantine items on arrival in Australia. Quarantine items include fresh or packaged food, fruit, eggs, meat, vegetables, seeds, skins, feathers, wood and plants. The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) screens or X-rays all luggage and uses sniffer dogs to find high-risk products. AQIS also provides bins at international airports for travellers to dispose of quarantine items. Failure to declare food, plant and animal material could result in serious fines. For further information see the AQIS web site.

vaccinations

Vaccinations are not required unless you have come from, or visited a yellow fever infected country or zone within six days before arrival. No other health certificate is required to enter Australia. For further information see Department of Health and Aged Care and World Health Organisation.

taxes

Australia has a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10 per cent. Prices in Australia are shown as inclusive of GST. International and domestic flights purchased overseas, by non-residents, are GST free. Continuous domestic legs of international journeys are also GST free.

GST is payable on tourism services such as accommodation, day tours, guides, ground transport (including coach, rail and cruise), translators and meals.

The tax applies to pre-booked and pre-paid goods and services in Australia, which are purchased before arrival in Australia, for example tours or accommodation. The prices quoted for your Australian holiday, by your travel agent, will already include the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The total amount is payable at the time of ticketing your holiday.

tourist refund scheme

Departing travellers may be able to claim a refund for GST and WET (Wine Equalisation Tax) paid on goods purchased in Australia. The refund is applicable to goods, totalling $A300 (GST inclusive) or more that are being taken out of Australia. The goods must have been purchased no earlier than 30 days before leaving Australia. You can purchase several lower-priced items from one store, either at the same time or on several occasions within the 30 day period. These goods will be covered by the one tax invoice. Or you can buy goods from several stores, provided that each store’s tax invoice totals at least $A300 (GST inclusive).

Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) facilities are located at international airports and cruise-liner terminals. To claim, travellers must show their passport, international boarding pass, retailer’s tax invoice and the goods. Other conditions may apply.

miscellaneous taxes

There is a range of government, airport, sea and local taxes applicable on air and sea travel. These will usually be included in your ticket.

budgeting guide

Australia’s reasonable prices for goods and services make it a desirable holiday destination. The following list gives an approximate example of costs, although prices will vary by region and are a guide only. Prices shown are in Australian dollars and include Australia’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10 per cent. All prices are subject to change.

budgeting guide

If you buy a	It will cost about
Motorcoach sightseeing tour	$A45-$A60 half day; $A85-$A120 full day
Cruise on Sydney Harbour	$A20-$A89
Theatre ticket	$A30 and up (depending on seats)
Concert ticket	$A40 and up (depending on seats)
Opera or ballet ticket	$A60 and up (depending on seats)
Rock concert ticket	$A60 and up (depending on seats)
Ticket to a movie	$A12
Entrance to museum or art gallery	Free-$A15 (for special exhibitions)
Ticket to a sporting event	$A15-$A60
Accommodation per day (single)	$A320-$A450, 5 stars $A185-$A290, 4-4½ stars $A125-$A175, 3-3½ stars $A65-$A95 less than 3 stars $A17-$A20 hostel $A160-$A230 serviced apartment
Breakfast in a coffee shop	$A8 and up per person
Lunch at a cafe or bistro	$A15 and up per person
Dinner at a fine restaurant	$A70 per person (3 courses without wine)
Bottle of Australian wine	$A12 and up
Glass of beer at a pub	$A2.70 (10 oz glass)
Cocktai	$A9 and up
Commuter rail ticket	$A2.40-$A6.40 (one-way)
City bus fare	$A1.40-$A4.40 (one-way) $A13 day ticket (includes ferry)
City tram fare (Melbourne)	$A2.40 (two-hours travel) $A7.40 (one-day travel)
Ferry ride (Sydney Harbour)	$A4 (one-way)
Ferry ride (Sydney - Manly)	$A5 (one-way)
Jetcat (fast ferry to Manly)	$A6.30 (one-way)
Petrol (gasoline) per litre	$A0.90-$A1

currency information

Australian currency ($A) is decimal with the dollar as the basic unit (100 cents equals one dollar). Notes come in $100, $50, $20, $10, and $5 denominations. Coins come in $2, $1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c denominations. Prices are rounded to the nearest 5c.

credit cards

The most commonly accepted credit cards are American Express, Bankcard, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa and JCB.

Banks and various locations have ATMs (Automated Teller Machines). Credit cards may need to be enabled for international access so contact your credit card provider.

currency exchange

Exchange facilities are available at international airports. Changing foreign currency or traveller’s cheques can be done at most banks.

clothing sizes

Australia's clothing and shoe sizes vary from those used in Europe, Japan and North America. This easy-to-follow conversion chart gives you an idea of sizes. Naturally there are slight variations, so try before purchasing.

international clothing sizes

Men's Suits/Jackets/Sweaters
Australia & New Zealand	84	87	90	93	96	99	102	105	108
Continental Europe	44	46	48	49.5	51	52.5	54	55.5	57
United Kingdom	34	35	36	37	38	39	40	41	42
North America	34	35	36	37	38	39	40	41	42
Japan	42	44	46	48	50	52	54
Men's Shirts
Australia & New Zealand	37	38	39	41	42	43	44	45
Continental Europe	37	38	39	41	42	43	44	45
United Kingdom	14.5	15	15.5	16	16.5	17	17.5	18
North America	14.5	15	15.5	16	16.5	17	17.5	18
Japan	S	M	M	L	L	LL	LL	LLL
Men's Shoes
Australia & New Zealand	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
Continental Europe	40	41	42	43	44	45	46	47
United Kingdom	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
North America	7	8	9	10	11	12	13
Japan	25.5	26	26.5	27	27.5	28	28.5	29	29.5
Women's Dresses/Suits/Sweaters
Australia & New Zealand	10	12	14	16	18	20
Continental Europe	38	40	42	44	46	48
United Kingdom	10	12	14	16	18	20
North America	8	10	12	14	16	18
Japan	5	7	9	11	13	15	17	19
Women's Shoes
Australia & New Zealand	5	5.5	6	6.5	7	7.5	8	8.5	9
Continental Europe	35	36	36	37	37	38	38	39	39
United Kingdom	3.5	4	4.5	5	5.5	6	6.5	7	7.5
North America	5	5.5	6	6.5	7	7.5	8	8.5	9
Japan	22	22.5	23	23.5	24	24.5	25	25.5	26

health & safety

You will encounter few health hazards when travelling in Australia, and hygiene standards are high. Below is a brief outline of some of the issues you need to take into consideration.

hitchhiking

Hitchhiking is strongly discouraged throughout Australia. Public and private transport operates between most cities and towns.

insurance

Travel insurance, with comprehensive health cover, is strongly recommended. Comprehensive insurance should be taken out before departure.

medicare

Medicare is Australia’s public health care system. Eligibility is generally restricted to permanent residents of Australia.

Australia has Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with Finland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. For further information see Department of Health and Ageing.

sun protection

Enjoy outdoor activities in Australia’s beautiful weather, but minimise your exposure to the sun. Wear a broad-brimmed hat, cover up and apply water-resistant sunscreen frequently.

surf and water safety

Australia is fringed with superb beaches just waiting to be enjoyed. As with all beaches, it is advisable to follow basic precautions. Popular beaches are usually patrolled by volunteer lifesavers from October to April. Always swim or surf at patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags which mark the safest area for swimming. Take your time entering the water, and don’t swim alone. Also, don’t forget to protect yourself from the sun - take your hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and cover up, particularly in the middle of the day.

From late October to early May, venomous box jellyfish, also called stingers or sea wasps, occur in the coastal waters of northern Australia and around many of the Queensland islands. They are rarely found on the Outer Barrier Reef.

In the Northern Territory, the stingers are present at all beaches, and in Western Australia they are found along the Kimberley coastline. Beaches usually have warning signs during this time, and visitors are advised to swim where protective enclosures are provided.

Northern Australia is also home to two types of crocodiles. Freshwater crocodiles occur only in inland waters. Estuarine or saltwater crocodiles are seen mostly in the tidal reaches of rivers, but also occur in freshwater lagoons and swamps and along some beaches. They can be found in waterways hundreds of kilometres from the sea.

Crocodiles are potentially dangerous. Be ‘croc-wise’ in croc-country, by observing all warning signs and do not take unnecessary risks in crocodile areas. Do not swim where crocodiles live, camp at least 50m from the waters edge and never clean fish or discard food scraps near the waters edge. Find more information on crocodile safety Crocodiles.

general health

You should protect yourself from risks such as HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases

weather

Spending Christmas at the beach or skiing in August may seem strange but Australia's seasons are the opposite of the northern hemisphere - summer officially starts in December and winter in June. But even in winter you'll enjoy blue skies and warm, bright days.

Australia's climate and the fact that it is the driest continent on earth makes it a fabulous holiday destination all year round, whatever you're planning to do. In the Australian winter you can ski in the southern states one day and be diving in the balmy waters of the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland the next. Such temperate conditions make al fresco dining, sublime days on the beach or the water, outdoor barbeques, and a huge variety of sports a way of life here. No wonder Aussies believe life is for living!

Australian bureau of meteorology

The weather on australia.com is provided daily by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), Australia’s national authority. Weather details are indicative only.

Please check the BoM website for more up- to-date and detailed Australian weather information.

phone & mail - communications

Australia offers modern and reliable telecommunication services. Telephone, post, email and Internet services are all readily available to visitors. The details below will assist with your communications home.

telephones

Australia has a modern and competitive telephone system. You can make local calls, long-distance calls within Australia (STD), and International Direct Dialling (IDD) calls.Local calls from public payphones are untimed and charged at $A0.40. Long distance and international calls are usually timed. Public payphones accept Australian coins and some accept credit cards and pre-paid phone cards. Check phone numbers and resources with Telstra’s White Pages at www.telstra.com

USA and Canadian callers using AT&T can call 1800 881 011 toll free while in Australia to call home. This international toll free call number is available from any telephone in Australia.

mobile phones

Mobile phones are available for rent, or bring your mobile phone with you. Australia’s mobile network operates on the 900 and 1800 bands for GSM and 800 for CDMA. Contact your telecommunications carrier for activating international roaming while you are visiting Australia.

email and internet

Internet and email access is readily available at countless Internet cafes, hotels, hostels and libraries. Australia uses RJ-45 telephone plugs and Telstra EXI-160 four-pin plugs. If your connection is not correct go to a local electronic shop. Also check that your PC-card modem is suitable in Australia. An easy way to access Internet and email is via one of the many free web-based email services such as Hotmail or Yahoo.

postal services

Post offices are usually open 9.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday with some city post offices open on Saturday morning. Stamps are usually available from hotels and motels, and selected retail outlets. Travellers can arrange to collect mail at post offices throughout Australia. Mail is held for 30 days free of charge and should be marked ‘Poste Restante’. Your name should be clearly printed on the envelope. A passport is required when collecting mail.

time zones

There are three time zones in Australia, running east to west. Eastern Standard Time (EST) operates in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland. Central Standard Time (CST) in South Australia and Northern Territory. Western Standard Time (WST) in Western Australia. CST is half an hour behind EST, while WST is two hours behind EST.

daylight saving

Some Australian states and territories have daylight saving during the summer months. In New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia daylight saving runs from the end of October through to the end of March. In Tasmania, daylight saving runs from the beginning of October through to the end of March. Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland do not have daylight saving.

electricity

The electrical current in Australia is 220-240 volts, AC 50Hz. The Australian three pin power outlet is different from some other countries so you may need an adaptor. If your appliances are 110V, you may need a voltage converter. Universal outlets for 240V or 110V shavers are usually found in leading hotels.

shopping guidelines

There are a wide variety of quality products on offer in Australia at very competitive prices. When shopping, sightseeing or visiting theme parks on tours, remember you have a choice of where and when to shop. Shop around and compare prices and quality before you buy. This will help you get the great bargains that are available across a range of stores in Australia.

shop around

As in other countries, some Australian businesses pay commissions to tour operators and tour guides to bring tour groups to their stores. These costs are often passed on to you, the customer, through higher prices for products and services. If you are on a tour, do not feel you have to buy ONLY from the stores you are taken to. You should have an opportunity to visit and buy from other stores so check your itinerary for free shopping time.

While you are in Australia you are covered by Australia’s consumer protection laws, which require businesses to treat you fairly. All stores must obey these laws. Industry and governments are also working together to introduce standards of professionalism, with these to be embodied in a set of Tourism Export Code of Conduct standards for industry to follow. Your country also has similar laws that protect your consumer rights and govern the professional standards of travel wholesalers and retailers. If you are not satisfied with what you have purchased from them, contact the relevant government authority for travel and tourism in your home country.

other handy information

In Australia many stores sell duty-free and tax-free products and services. Make sure you keep originals or copies of your passport and travel ticket with you to take advantage of these discounts. If you buy an item and it does not work properly, you have the right to a refund or to have the item replaced or repaired. Also ask about the store’s policy on repairing or returning their products in your home country (keep your receipts). Before buying watches and cameras, check that they have an international warranty valid in your country. Always compare prices and itineraries for optional sightseeing and theme park tours. Restaurants usually have prices on a menu/noticeboard. Check before you order. You are not obliged to give your tour guide a tip. Tipping is not obligatory in Australia.

contact details

If you are unsure of your consumer rights or have a problem with a tour, store or product in Australia, please contact Australia’s Consumer Affairs/Fair Trading agencies in the state that the incident occurred on:

South Australia (08) 8204 9777
Canberra (02) 6207 0400
Northern Territory (08) 8999 5184
New South Wales (02) 9895 0111
Tasmania (03) 6233 4567
Victoria (03) 9627 6111
Queensland - Cairns (07) 4042 3300,
Queensland - Gold Coast (07) 5581 3300,
Queensland - Brisbane (07) 3246 1500

If you do not speak English, you may wish to talk to these agencies through an interpreter service, which will help you with your query. For 24 hour Interpreter Services telephone 131 450.

If you would prefer to pursue a complaint or query once you’ve returned home, you can find further information by visiting the following websites:

Consumer Affairs in Australia

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission

Please copy all e-mails about your complaints to the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) - info@atec.net.au to help it follow up complaints against any of its members.