Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Australia depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for AustraliaEmergency Numbers
- General
- 000
Currency
- Name
- Australian Dollar
- Code
- AUD
- Symbol
- $
Power Outlets
- Outlet type
- Type I
- Voltage
- 230V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
Time Zone
AEST (UTC+10) / ACST (UTC+9:30) / AWST (UTC+8)
Australia has multiple time zones across states — Queensland does not observe DST
Best Time to Visit
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Northern Australia wet season: November–April (heat and flooding). Summer in Melbourne/Sydney: December–February
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 0–10% | Not customary — tipping appreciated for exceptional service only |
| Taxi | Not expected | Round up is fine |
| Hotels | Not expected | — |
Dress Code
- Very casual — shorts and thongs (flip-flops) are standard
- Slip/Slop/Slap: slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat — UV is severe
- Smart casual for nicer restaurants
Social Etiquette
- Egalitarian culture — no bowing, no formal titles in casual settings
- Mateship is valued — directness and humour are appreciated
- Don't queue-jump
- ANZAC Day (25 April) is deeply solemn — respect it
- Acknowledge Country on Indigenous land — listen for Welcome to Country speeches
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- Strict biosecurity: declare ALL food, plant material, and animal products at customs — fines are heavy
- Seatbelts compulsory for all passengers; fines are severe
- Drink driving heavily penalised — random breath tests common
- Coral reefs and national parks have strict rules — touching or removing coral is illegal
- Many beaches have flags — swim between the red-and-yellow flags only
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| No problem / You're welcome | No worries | universal; means everything from 'you're welcome' to 'that's fine' |
| Afternoon | Arvo | ar-VOH |
| Service station | Servo | SER-voh |
| Sunglasses | Sunnies | SUN-eez |
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