Valid passports and visas are required for business and/or leisure visitors entering Australia. Visas can be obtained from participating travel agents and airlines when making travel arrangements. They are also available from the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), via the Internet (http://www.eta.immi.gov.au). Airlines will not allow you to board their aircraft without a valid visa/ETAs and passports. A Business (short stay) visa may be issued for either single or multiple entries, normally allowing a stay of three months on each arrival. Applications are processed at most Australian diplomatic missions. The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) for businesspeople allows those who are nationals of certain countries to obtain an electronic visa, normally when they book their travel arrangements.
Currency
The currency is the Australian dollar (A$). It is divided into 100 units (cents). Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in Australia. American Express and Diners Club cards are also widely accepted, but not to the same degree as Visa and MasterCard. In all cities and regional centers, Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) are present, with money being dispensed in local currency. All current exchange rates are displayed either in the windows or foyers of most major banks. Visit www.xe.com, a currency conversion Web site, for further details.
Business Customs
Australians are personally gracious, yet informal and direct in their business dealings. Business in Australia may be conducted in a less formal manner than in other countries.
Etiquette in Australia
Tipping is optional; however, 10% of the final bill for good service in a restaurant is customary, as is a couple of dollars for taxi drivers, hotel porters and bartenders.
Telecommunications
Internet access is widely available at airports, hotels, and Internet cafés. Fax services are also available for public use in post offices, hotels, and some news agencies. Personal cell phones will work, provided you contact your service provider to allow international roaming or that you have tri- or quad-band capabilities.
Transportation
Travel time from the U.S. to Australia is comparable to that of other Asian destinations, a 14-hour non-stop flight from the West Coast, with a choice of flights on several international airlines, including United Airlines, Qantas Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, and Air New Zealand. Most departures from the U.S. and Canada leave in the evening and arrive in Australia early in the morning, with a day lost at the International Date Line. Travel time from the West Coast of Canada is comparable to that of the U.S. The airlines that service Australia are Air Canada, Delta, American, United, Qantas and Air New Zealand. Frequent interstate flights connect the five major Australian cities. Savings are available on domestic airfares when purchased in conjunction with international tickets. Australia has a very extensive and efficient domestic transportation system, including air, rail, coach, sea, chauffeured and rental cars, and urban public transport between cities and country areas. Air transport has become even more competitively priced with the operation of Virgin Blue on major air routes. Australians drive on the left side of the road with the steering wheel on the right. Considering your driving license is in English and you have proof that you are a tourist, there is no need for an additional permit. Australia has most of the major car rental companies that are offered in the U.S. and in Canada, including: www.avis.com.au www.budget.com.au www.hertz.com.au www.thrifty.com.au
Air Travel Times Within Australia
From
To
# of hours
Sydney
Melbourne
1
Sydney
Brisbane
1
Sydney
Perth
4
Sydney
Canberra
35 min
Melbourne
Brisbane
2
Melbourne
Perth
4
Brisbane
Perth
6
Health
Australia has no notable health risks and public tap water is safe to drink. Medical and dental services, and all types of health facilities, are comparable with those in the U.S. Visitors can receive medical attention easily, but may be required to pay for services immediately, by cash or credit card. Certain forms of travel insurance cover medical as well as luggage, cancellation etc.
Local Time, Business Hours and Holidays
Office business hours generally are 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Retail shops are constantly increasing business hours and all city centers have evening shopping at least one day per week, along with Saturday and (in most areas) Sunday. Bank hours are generally from 9:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 9:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. on Fridays.
Temporary Entry of Materials and Personal Belongings
Commercial goods brought into Australia with the intention of being sold will be subject to the normal rates of duty and sales tax, where applicable. Goods, commercial or personal, which are brought into Australia to remain temporarily, may be admitted duty and tax-free, subject to certain conditions. Before you arrive in Australia, you are advised to check if your communications equipment (for example, mobile phone, fax machine, wireless microphone, and notebook computer) is safe to operate in Australia. Power voltage is 240 volts/50Hz. It will be necessary to use a two or three pin adaptor, which can be purchased at electrical stores. Australia has very stringent quarantine laws and all food items must be declared upon arrival. If not, in most cases you will be fined. Items such as beef jerky, fruit and vegetables are not allowed – even if declared. On arrival just before setting down in Australia you will be given custom documents to fill in. On arrival you will be asked to present your documents, including passport, at the Entry Control Point.
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