VISITING AUSTRALIA FOR TOURISM OR SHORT TERM BUSINESS PURPOSES
All visitors to Australia, including children, require a visa or an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) to enter Australia except Australian and New Zealand citizens.

Australian Law does not permit the grant of visas of ETAs to Australian citizens irrespective of the passport held.

For general information on visas and application forms visit - HYPERLINK http://www.immigov.gov.au - www.immigov.gov.au.

The Electronic Travel Authority or ETA.
An ETA is an invisible, electronically stored authority for short-term or business entry. There are no application forms or a visa label. ETAs are confirmed electronically by the carrier at check-in for the journey to Australia and again at the Australian border. ETAs are suitable for passengers travelling to Australia by air and sea.

There are 2 types of ETA: the tourist ETA and the business ETA. For details on this, please visit HYPERLINK http://www.immigov.gov.au - www.immigov.gov.au.

For those who are not eligible for an ETA or where the period of stay or visa validity exceeds the tourist and business ETA, an application for a visa should be made to your nearest Australian Embassy or High Commission in your country.

BUSINESS HOURS
Banks are generally open 9.30am-4pm Monday-Thursday; 9.30am-5pm Friday. General office hours are 9am-5pm, Monday -Friday. Post offices are open 9am-5pm Monday-Friday.

CLIMATE
The climate is generally pleasant without extremes in temperatures. Broadly there are two climate zones. In the north, above the Tropic of Capricorn, about 40 per cent of Australia is in the tropical zone. The remaining areas lie in the temperate zone.

The temperate regions have all four seasons, while those in the tropical zone have two (summer ëwetí and winter ëdryí). Australiaís seasons are the opposite to those of the Northern Hemisphere.

• Spring - September - November
• Summer- December - February
• Autumn - March - May
• Winter - June - August

DISABLED VISITORS
Access for people with disabilities in Australia has improved significantly in recent years, and it remains a priority. Australian hotels, airlines, attractions and major transport carriers generally provide access for people with disabilities.

Advance notice and reservation well ahead will also help ensure that you receive the best possible assistance.

ELECTRICITY
The electrical current in Australia is 220-240 volts, AC 50Hz. The Australian three-pin power outlet is different from that in some countries, so you will need an adaptor. If your appliances are 110V, check if there is a 110/240V switch; if not, you will need a voltage converter.

FOOD AND RESTAURANTS
Australia is known for its superb seafood, tropical fruit, excellent beef and lamb and dairy products. Unique local delicacies include kangaroo, buffalo, crocodile and emu.

Australia is a multicultural country and so every type of cuisine is available.

The fine food is complemented by excellent Australian wines and locally brewed beer. Many restaurants have a full liquor service; others allow you to 'bring your owní (BYO) wine or beer to serve with your meal.

LIQUOR LAWS
Regulations on the consumption and sale of alcoholic beverages vary from state to state. You must be 18 years or older to buy or consume alcohol. Young travellers can be asked for evidence of age to gain entry to licensed venues or to purchase alcohol.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Generally, school holidays are from the middle of December until the end of January, then two weeks after Easter, two weeks in June-July and two weeks in September-October.

SHOPPING
Shopping hours vary from state to state but generally big department stores open from 9am-5.30pm Monday to Friday, with late night shopping either on Thursday or Friday until 9pm; and 9am-5pm on Saturday. Some states have Sunday trading and major stores open from 10am-4pm.

Duty-free shops are located in city centres and at international airports.

SMOKING
Smoking is not permitted in government buildings, on public transport including domestic flights, tourist coaches and inside all Australian airports. Some international airlines prohibit smoking while flying in Australian airspace. Many restaurants provide non-smoking dining areas and large hotels have non-smoking rooms.

TAXES
On the 1st of July 2000, Australia introduced a goods and services tax (GST) of 10 per cent.

However; International flights and domestic flights purchased overseas by non-residents will be GST free.
Continuous domestic legs of international journeys will be GST free for international visitors.

The New South Wales and Northern Territory bed tax will be abolished.

Departing tourists would be able to claim a refund (at departure gate) for GST paid on goods purchased in Australia that they take with them.

For more information see HYPERLINK http://www.taxreform.ato.gov.au www.taxreform.ato.gov.au

TELEPHONES
Local calls from Telstra public payphones are untimed and charged at 40c. Public payphones accept all Australian coins and Telstra Smart Phonecards. Creditphones accept most participating credit-card suppliers. Country Direct is a service that lets you speak directly with an operator in your home country or you can use an automated service.

TIME ZONES
There are three time zones in Australia -

• Eastern Standard Time (EST) which operates in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland;
• Central Standard Time (CST) operates in South Australia and Northern Territory.
• Western Standard Time (WST) operates in Western Australia.
• CST is one half hour behind EST, while WST is two hours behind EST.

TIPPING
Tipping is not the general custom in Australia and service charges are not added to accounts by hotels and restaurants. Porters, taxi drivers and hairdressers do not expect to be tipped although you may do so if you wish. In better-class restaurants it is usual to tip food and drink waiters up to 10 per cent of the bill for good service. At any time tipping is your choice.

CUSTOMS
There are strict laws prohibiting or restricting the entry of drugs, steroids, weapons, firearms, protected wildlife and associated products. Please have all your documentation ready for inspection by Customs officers on arrival.

There is no limit on the amount of Australian and/or foreign cash that may be brought into or taken out of Australia. However, amounts over A$10,000, or equivalent in foreign currency, must be reported on arrival and departure. Currency means notes and coins of legal tender but does not include travellers cheques or other monetary instruments. Forms for reporting currency transfers are available from Customs officers at ports or airports. Reporting is required by law.

Each traveller over 18 years of age may bring into Australia 1,125ml of alcoholic liquor and 250 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco products duty/sales tax free. A duty/tax-free allowance of A$400 per person 18 years or older or A$200 per person under 18 years is available for other goods, including those intended as gifts. These articles must accompany you through Customs and must not be intended for commercial purposes.

Visitors are permitted to bring reasonable quantities of prescribed (non-narcotic), clearly labelled and identifiable medications. For large quantities, it is advisable to bring a doctorís certificate to produce to Customs if necessary, and to an Australian doctor if required. All medication must be carried in personal hand luggage.

QUARANTINE
Australia is a beautiful country free from many pests and diseases found elsewhere in the world. Itís vital that you declare anything that could harm our wildlife, agricultural industries and plants, including fresh and packaged food, fruit, eggs, meat, vegetables, seeds, animals, plants and items made from plants or wood. Amnesty bins are available for unwanted items as you leave your aircraft on arrival in Australia.

If youíve declared any food, plant or animal items on your Incoming Passenger Card, make sure you have them inspected. Many items will be allowed in after inspection or treatment; for banned items, you may be given an option to re-export them.

Quarantine officers use detector dog teams, X-ray machines and random baggage checks to detect undeclared quarantine items. If you conceal items of quarantine concern, you may receive an on-the-spot fine or you could be prosecuted.

MONEY MATTERS
The Australian currency is decimal with the dollar as the basic unit. Notes come in $100, $50, $20, $10, $5 denominations. Coins come in 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1, $2 denominations. Prices are marked in single cents and rounded to the nearest 5c.

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

HEALTH AND SAFETY
You will encounter few health hazards when travelling in any part of Australia. Standards of hygiene are high, particularly in food preparation. Overseas visitors are strongly recommended to take out travel insurance with a comprehensive health component before departure to cover the duration of their stay in Australia.

Australia has reciprocal health-care agreements with the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Italy, Malta, Finland, the Netherlands, Sweden and Ireland. The agreements provide visitors from these countries with access to immediately necessary health care but do not cover treatment in a private hospital, treatment as a private patient in a public hospital, dental care, costs arising en route, elective treatment, ambulance services or allied health services. For some services covered by the agreements, there may be an out-of-pocket cost. The agreements do not cover repatriation in the case of illness or injury.

SUN PROTECTION
Enjoy outdoor activities without the risk of harmful exposure to the sun by using simple protection. Wear a broad-brimmed hat, a shirt with a collar and sleeves, and pH 15+ broad-spectrum, water-resistant sun screen on exposed areas of skin.

Try to avoid the sun during the middle of the day, when the ultraviolet rays are at their strongest.

SURF SAFETY
Popular beaches are patrolled by volunteer Surf Life Saving Association members from October to April. Always swim or surf at places patrolled by surf lifesavers or lifeguards. Remember to swim between the red and yellow flags that mark the safest area. If you are unsure of surf conditions, ask a lifesaver.

From late October to early May, venomous box jelly fish, also called stingers or sea wasps, occur in the coastal waters of northern Australia. The jellyfish does not exist in the waters surrounding most of the islands of Queensland and is rarely found on the Outer Barrier Reef. In the Northern Territory, the stingers are present at all beaches, while in Western Australia they affect the Kimberley coastline. Those beaches affected by stingers have warning signs for visitors. During this time, visitors are advised to swim in the ocean where protective enclosures are provided.