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All overseas visitors to Australia (with the exception of our neighbours from New Zealand) require a visa to enter Australia. This must be obtained in advance - no exceptions. But do not despair if you are from the following countries: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom or the Vatican City. If so holidaymakers from these countries are eligible to apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). You can apply for an ETA through this site or via your own travel agent.
If you are not from one of these countries then you need to apply to your nearest Australian embassy or consulate. People wishing to work in Australia are required to obtain a working holiday visa which has a range of requirements. Please be aware that your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your intended date of departure from Australia.
Australia is a Commonwealth consisting of six states (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia & Western Australia) plus the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory (Canberra). Our head of state is the Queen of England (bit controversial that) represented by the Governor General. Of course the real power is with the prime minister who is head of the largest party in parliament. Unusally for a democracy its actually unlawful for an Australian citizen not to vote and each election many people are fined for not doing so.
We have plastic money! Australia was the first country in the world to have a complete system of bank notes based on plastic (polymer). These notes provide much greater security against counterfeiting and last four times as long as conventional paper (fibrous) notes. Australia’s currency consists of coins of five, 10, 20 and 50 cent and one and two dollar denomination; and notes of five, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollar denominations. For a guide to see how your currency converts to the Aussie buck try our calculator.
Check here for a full list of embassies and consulates here in Australia
Residents of Finland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland are entitled to the benefits of Medicare (Australia's public medical system). This provides cover for immediately necessary medical and public hospital treatment in Australia. Please note that ambulances are not covered by Medicare in Australia and this recipricol cover is not the same as having travel insurance which is strongly recommended for visitors to Australia. If you do need to reclaim medical costs via this scheme then you usually need to show your own medical benefits card at the Medicare office. For example UK nationals should bring your NHS card.
For more information go to
medicareaustralia.gov.au
Medicines brought into and taken out of Australia may be subject to respective import and export controls. Check here for more information tga.gov.au
Please do not under-estimate how particular Australia is on what can, and cannot, be taken into Australia. On arrival into the country you will be asked to declare all food and plant items and the quarantine staff at our airports are very strict in enforcing this and frown on people who do not take this seriously. These restrictions are mainly there to protect Australian agriculture so fresh fruit and vegetables for example will not allowed in (there are bins in the arrival lounge for anything you may have inadvertenly brought in). If in doubt - declare it. Similar restrictions apply when travelling between states also.
For more information check out daff.gov.au
There are new rules for taking liquids, aerosols and gels on flights into and out of Australia. These rules also apply when transiting on international flights within Australia. These restrictions are worldwide now but if you are unsure then you can check here dotars.gov.au
Austroads page containing information for overseas drivers on licences and driving while in Australia. Includes information regarding international licences. Essentially if your home licence is in English then you do not require an international licence to drive in Australia whilst on holiday. Please remember we drive on the left. More information austroads.com.au
The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) enables you to claim a refund, subject to certain conditions, of the goods and services tax (GST) and wine equalisation tax (WET) that you pay on goods you buy in Australia. customs.gov.au
Tips on Australia's climate from the Bureau of Meteorology.
www.bom.gov.au
A list of event calendars providing listings of Australian events, some also with reviews and previews. Includes city guides and events finders available throughout Australia.
www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au
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