Australia

   ESSENTIAL TRAVEL INFORMATION

PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS

• Your passport must be valid for the length of stay planned in Australia.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

• All travelers to Australia, other than Australian and New Zealand citizens, are required to hold a valid visa to travel to Australia.
• Most US citizens may apply for an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority). The cost for the ETA is $20 (Australian dollars), and it is valid for three months within a twelve-month period from the date of grant.
• Application for a tourist visa costs $100 Australian dollars and can be completed online, in person, or by mail. With this visa, you can apply for a stay of up to twelve months.
• Please note that American citizens that overstay their ETA or visa, even for short periods, may be subject to exclusion, detention, and removal.
• Notice for passengers arriving to Australia via New Zealand: Beginning October 1, 2019, all travelers from 60 visa waiver countries and all cruise travelers (excluding Australians), will be required to hold an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) when transiting through New Zealand, even if New Zealand is not their final destination.

• Read more at: US Department of State Profile for Australia

LANGUAGE

• Although Australia does not have a national language, the most widely spoken language in the country is Australian English.

CURRENCY

• The unit of currency is the Australian Dollar (A$ or AUD).
• As of August 1, 2014, Australia operates using only the "chip and PIN" system - credit cards with a computer chip instead of a magnetic strip that require a PIN for use. All major credit cards with a computer chip and PIN number, as well as traveler's checks, in any international currency, are widely accepted.

TIME ZONE:

GMT +10 (New South Wales, Queensland, Capital Territory), GMT +9:30 (Northern Territory, South Australia), GMT +8 (Western Australia)

VOLTAGE:

230/240 Volts AC, 50Hz

PLUG TYPE:

Australia uses the type I plug.

IMPORT & EXPORT RESTRICTIONS

Visitors to Australia over age 18 may bring goods not exceeding 900 Australian dollars and limited to:

• 2.25L of alcohol
• 250 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco (one opened packet of 25 cigarettes is allowed)

• For detailed import and export regulations, please consult the IATA Travel Centre.

   TRAVELERS’ HEALTH & SAFETY

REQUIRED IMMUNIZATIONS

• Although yellow fever is not a disease risk in Australia, the government requires travelers age one year and older arriving within six days from countries where yellow fever is present to present proof of yellow fever vaccination, including São Tomé and Príncipe, Somalia, Tanzania, and the Misiones Province of Argentina.
• This includes airport layovers of 12 hours or more.

• Please visit the CDC.gov website for recommended immunizations to visit Australia.

OTHER SAFETY NOTES

• Petty theft and other personal property crimes occur in major cities. Be vigilant of your surroundings.
• If traveling to the Murray River region or the Outer Torres Strait Islands, vaccination for Japanese encephalitis may be recommended by a travel medicine professional.
• Take precaution against insect bites. While malaria is not found in Australia, other diseases spread by insects such as dengue and Ross River virus do occur.
• Sunblock is a must in Australia, but ensure that the sunblock is legitimately a "reef safe" product in order to assist the country with their sea conservation efforts.

LOCAL LAWS AND CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Accessibility: Australian law prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and mandates access to buildings for individuals with disabilities. However, physical accessibility may vary at tourist spots, especially on beaches or in the historic downtown areas of major cities that were constructed in the 1800s.
• LGBTQIA+: There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relationships in Australia, and same-sex marriage is allowed under the law. However, attitudes may vary among individuals.
• Prescription drugs: Please contact the embassy for specific questions about your prescription medications. DO NOT attempt to bring cannabis-derived products into or out of Australia. Penalties for possession or use of illicit drugs are strict and carry lengthy jail sentences.

   GRATUITIES

In Australia, tipping is not customary in Australia and may be refused. These guidelines are for situations in which you feel someone has gone above and beyond to provide exemplary service. Tipping is acceptable in Australian dollars (AUD, $).

Please remember, there is no obligation to tip and American standards for tipping are some of the highest in the world. The following list is only a suggestion for your convenience and may vary by itinerary.

Amounts listed are per person, unless otherwise noted.

• Porter: AUD 2 per bag
• Guide – full day: AUD 30 per day
• Guide – half day: AUD 20 per day
• Driver – full day: AUD 20 per day
• Driver – half day: AUD 15 per day
• Resort/lodge staff: AUD 10 per day
• Resort/lodge guide; AUD 10 per day
• Train staff: AUD 25 per day

A 10% tip in upscale restaurants is acceptable. Waiters and waitresses do not rely on tips for their income. Bar staff in pubs are happy with loose change. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, but it is usual to round-up the fare to the nearest dollar or two.

   WEATHER

Australia is a vast country with diverse climates, so the weather can vary significantly depending on the region. Generally, Australia experiences four distinct seasons: summer, autumn, winter, and spring. However, the timing and intensity of these seasons can differ across different parts of the country.

Summer (December to February):

• In the southern parts of Australia (e.g., Melbourne, Sydney), summers are typically warm to hot, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 40 degrees Celsius (77 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit).
• In the northern parts (e.g., Brisbane, Cairns), summers are hot and humid, with temperatures often exceeding 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) and occasional tropical storms.

Autumn (March to May):

• Autumn is generally mild and pleasant in many parts of Australia, with gradually cooling temperatures. Daytime temperatures may range from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius (59 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit).

Winter (June to August):

• Winters in the southern parts can be cool to cold, with temperatures ranging from 5 to 20 degrees Celsius (41 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Northern parts, particularly in Queensland, experience mild winters with temperatures rarely dropping below 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit).

Spring (September to November):

• Spring sees a gradual warming of temperatures, with blooming flowers and increasing daylight hours. Daytime temperatures may range from 15 to 30 degrees Celsius (59 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit).

It's important to note that Australia's interior, known as the Outback, can experience extreme temperatures, with hot summers and cold winters. Additionally, coastal areas are influenced by the surrounding ocean, moderating temperature extremes.