Useful Information

Transport
Australia has numerous international airports. The major ones are Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville, Hobart, Darwin, Adelaide and Perth. Australia's international airline, Qantas, also has a large domestic network. With Virgin Blue being the other major domestic carrier, there are several smaller feeder airlines. Every town of any size has an airfield, as do many individual properties in the country. Almost all business travel within Australia is done by air. There is also an excellent road network, as well as passenger rail and road coach systems. A large overnight ferry connects Melbourne and northern Tasmania. Urban transport networks range from good to adequate.

Currency
Australia has had decimal currency (dollars and cents) since 1966. Coins come as 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2 pieces and notes come in $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 denominations. Notes are now printed on a special plastic which makes forging difficult, but older paper notes are still in circulation. Australia leads the world in banknote printing technology and prints notes for various countries using this technology.

Banks
Banks are generally open between 9.30 am and 4 pm on weekdays, and close an hour later on Fridays. Some banks open on Saturdays, and Bureaux de Change may be open longer. Banking facilities at international airports provide foreign exchange services every day, including weekends and public holidays, and so do large hotels.

Credit Cards
Credit cards, especially Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club and JCB are widely accepted in Australia. There is also an indigenous card called Bankcard which is not available outside the country.

Travellers Cheques
Banks, large hotels and many trading establishments will change travellers cheques in a large number of currencies.

Shopping
The shopping is good everywhere in Australia, except perhaps in the smallest towns; in Sydney and Melbourne it is absolutely world class. Apart from central shopping areas, Australian cities also have many large, attractive suburban shopping centres. Most shops open some time between 8 and 9 am and close between 5 and 6 pm; there is usually late shopping on one night of the week. Shops are open on Saturday mornings, and more of them are opening on Saturday afternoons and Sundays. Small grocery stores and petrol stations (many of which offer basic groceries as well as fuel) are open very long hours, with some of them opening 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Duty-Free shops can be found at airports and in the centre of cities.

What to wear
Australia's lifestyle is very relaxed, and dress tends to be informal. Even in restaurants and nightclubs, neat casual clothes are acceptable. Business wear still tends to be coat and tie, except in the far north where the climate makes this inappropriate. Here, shorts and long socks are worn with open-necked shirts.

Medical and emergency services
Australian emergency services can be contacted by dialling 000 anywhere in the country, at any time of the day. This will connect you with an operator who will transfer you to the police, ambulance or fire brigade. There are both public and private medical and hospital services, and they are the equal of any in the world. Health insurance is strongly recommended. The telephone directory will list after hours medical or pharmaceutical services as well as such services as the Poisons Information Service. Sharks can be a problem, and many beaches either have nets or shark patrols. Australia has several poisonous snakes and spiders, but there are not really any other dangerous animals except in the far north where you will need to beware of crocodiles. Danger zones for these reptiles are well signposted.

Driving Licences
Overseas driving licences are valid in Australia for maximum periods of up to one year, depending on the state. International Driving Permits can be useful, especially when you are hiring a vehicle. Remember that Australians drive on the left, and be aware of the 'give way to the right' rule which requires you to do exactly that unless the road to your right has a stop or give way sign, or if you are on a roundabout.

Newspapers and television channels
Most places in Australia have a daily newspaper and several television channels. Australia is ethnically a very diverse society, so newspapers and television and radio programs are available in a number of community languages.

Telephones
Australia has an excellent telephone service, with public phones almost everywhere. Phone cards can be bought from kiosks and many other shops, and many public telephones also accept cash. Local calls are not timed, but long distance (STD) calls are.

Postal service
Post offices are open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday, and all offer poste restante services. Many large post offices also have automatic stamp and prepaid envelope dispensers, open 24 hours a day.

Tipping
This is not compulsory, and is generally only expected in taxis (where it is more a matter of convenience - round up the amount to the next dollar or two), larger hotels and restaurants (10% or so).

Electricity
Supply is 220-240 volts, and very dependable through-out the country. Plugs are an unusual three-prong design. Water All Australian cities and towns have clean, healthy public water supplies. Tap (faucet) water is safe to drink.

Public holidays
National holidays are:
. New Year's Day (Jan 1)
. Australia Day (Jan 26)
. Good Friday
. Easter Saturday
. Easter Monday
. Anzac Day (April 25)
. Queen's Birthday (second Monday in June, except Western Australia where it is the last weekend in September)
. Christmas Day (Dec 25)
. Boxing Day (Dec 26)

Each state has additional public holidays of its own.

Time
Australia has three time zones, except during Daylight Saving in summer when things can get a little complicated. The rules for Daylight Saving change frequently and are not identical between states. It is best to check with your local Australian mission for details of the time during Daylight Saving (approximately November to March). Normally, Eastern Standard Time (Queensland, New South Wales, Canberra, Victoria and Tasmania) is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. Central Australian Time (Northern Territory and South Australia) is nine and a half hours ahead and Western Standard Time (Western Australia) is 8 hours ahead.

Language
English is the official language, but because Australia is ethnically very diverse, a large number of community languages are also spoken. It is extremely rare to hear one of the Aboriginal languages being used.