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>> Passport and Visa for Australia
Passport & Visas
Visas are required by all visitors traveling to Australia except for New Zealand passport holders.
If you are planning a holiday visit or a short business trip to Australia, you will need to apply for either a visa or an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority). An ETA will let you spend up to three months in Australia.
For more information contact the Australian Embassy in your country or visit: http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/
Customs
Australia is an island and has strict quarantine regulations which apply to plant and food items. These regulations are for the protection of all who live and travel here. Limitations apply to bringing in many items such as tobacco products, alcohol and other personal possessions.
For more information contact the Australian Customs Service:
Ph: +61 (0)2 6275 6666
E-mail: information@customs.gov.au
Website: www.customs.gov.au
For more information contact the Australian Customs Service:
Ph: +61 (0)2 6275 6666
E-mail: information@customs.gov.au
Website: www.customs.gov.au
Departure Tax
The charge is A$38 per person.
Exemptions apply to children under 12 years, 24-hour transit passengers or transit passengers who stay longer than a day if departure is delayed by circumstances beyond their control.
Claiming Back Tax
The Federal Government of Australia as implimented the Tourist Refind Scheme (TRS). The 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.
To claim a refund you must:
• Spend $300 (GST inclusive) or more in the one store and get a single tax invoice
• Buy goods no more than 30 days before departure
• Wear or carry the goods on board the aircraft or ship and present them along with your original tax invoice, passport and international boarding pass to a Customs Officer at a TRS facility
• Claims at airports are only available up to 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of your flight.
• Claims at seaports should be made no earlier than 4 hours and no later than 1 hour prior to the scheduled departure time of the vessel.
• The refund only applies to goods you take with you as hand luggage or wear onto the aircraft or ship when you leave Australia. It does not apply to services or goods consumed or partly consumed in Australia, such as wine, chocolate or perfume. However, unlike other tourist shopping schemes, most of the goods, such as clothing and cameras, can be used in Australia before departure.
• The TRS is open to all overseas visitors and Australian residents, except operating air and sea crew.
The GST refund is calculated by dividing the total amount of the purchase by 11. The WET refund is 14.5 percent of the price paid for wine. For example, if you buy goods for a GST-inclusive price of $660 you will receive a refund of $60. If the $660 is made up of a camera ($460) and wine ($200), you will receive a total refund of $89 (total GST refund of $60 plus $29 WET refund on the wine).
To claim a refund you must:
• Spend $300 (GST inclusive) or more in the one store and get a single tax invoice
• Buy goods no more than 30 days before departure
• Wear or carry the goods on board the aircraft or ship and present them along with your original tax invoice, passport and international boarding pass to a Customs Officer at a TRS facility
• Claims at airports are only available up to 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of your flight.
• Claims at seaports should be made no earlier than 4 hours and no later than 1 hour prior to the scheduled departure time of the vessel.
• The refund only applies to goods you take with you as hand luggage or wear onto the aircraft or ship when you leave Australia. It does not apply to services or goods consumed or partly consumed in Australia, such as wine, chocolate or perfume. However, unlike other tourist shopping schemes, most of the goods, such as clothing and cameras, can be used in Australia before departure.
• The TRS is open to all overseas visitors and Australian residents, except operating air and sea crew.
The GST refund is calculated by dividing the total amount of the purchase by 11. The WET refund is 14.5 percent of the price paid for wine. For example, if you buy goods for a GST-inclusive price of $660 you will receive a refund of $60. If the $660 is made up of a camera ($460) and wine ($200), you will receive a total refund of $89 (total GST refund of $60 plus $29 WET refund on the wine).
Driving in Queensland
For those from non-English speaking countries, it is probably best to obtain an International Driving Permit - this will be a translation of what is on your license. This enables Australian police to compare the license with the permit, and see what types of vehicles the person is allowed to drive.
Please note:
In some states, for example NSW, those with overseas licenses are subject to special blood alcohol limits, (0.02 in comparison with the normal limit of 0.05).
Don’t forget to drive on the left side of the road!
Time
Queensland operates on Eastern Standard Time (EST). Daylight saving is not observed in Queensland.
UTC/GMT + 10 hours
UTC/GMT + 10 hours
Alcohol Consumption
The minimum legal 'drinking' age in Australia is 18.
It is recommended that you carry identification if you are going to a licensed venue, bar or nightclubs.
If you cannot prove that you are 18years or older, you may be refused entry.
Liquor stores may also ask for identification prior to purchase.
Please note that it is illegal to provide liquor to any person under the age of 18 (minor).
It is recommended that you carry identification if you are going to a licensed venue, bar or nightclubs.
If you cannot prove that you are 18years or older, you may be refused entry.
Liquor stores may also ask for identification prior to purchase.
Please note that it is illegal to provide liquor to any person under the age of 18 (minor).
Credit Cards
Major hotels will also accept American Express and Diners' Club but these are less likely to be accepted by smaller retailers.
Please note that when booking or hailing a taxi it is advisable to discuss methods of payment as not all taxi companies accept credit cards.
Money Matters
Local currency is the Australian dollar, available in units of $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5 notes and $2, $1, 50 cent, 20 cent, 10 cent and 5 cent coins.
All cash transactions are rounded up or down to the nearest 5 cents. Non-cash transactions are usually completed without rounding.
The Goods and Services Tax is applied at the rate of 10%. The price displayed usually includes this tax - it is not added at the register.
All cash transactions are rounded up or down to the nearest 5 cents. Non-cash transactions are usually completed without rounding.
The Goods and Services Tax is applied at the rate of 10%. The price displayed usually includes this tax - it is not added at the register.
Tipping
Tipping is rarely expected in Australia. Exceptional service may be rewarded in restaurants, by rounding up by around 5 – 10%. It is also acceptable to round up a dollar or two for taxi service.
Telephone, Mobile Phones and Internet Usage
Mobile phones with GSM capabilities can be used in Australia. The most common GSM standard used is 900 MHz, but 1800 is also used. 1900 MHz (used in the USA) is not used in Australia.
Internet access is very common with most built up areas having internet cafes.
Electrical Appliances
Australia operates with a triple pronged 240/250 volts AC 50HZ system. Universal outlets for 110 volts (shavers only) are standard in hotels, apartments and motels.
Metric Conversion
Temperature:
To convert ºC to ºF multiply by 1.8 and add 32
To convert ºF to ºC subtract 32 and divide by 1.8
Distance:
To convert kilometers to miles multiply by 0.62
To convert miles to kilometers multiply by 1.61
Weight:
To convert pounds to kilograms multiply by 0.45
To convert kilograms to pounds multiply by 2.20
Volume:
To convert imperial gallons to litres multiply by 4.55
To convert litres to imperial gallons multiply by 0.22
To convert US gallons to litres multiply by 3.79
To convert litres to US gallons multiply by 0.26
To convert ºC to ºF multiply by 1.8 and add 32
To convert ºF to ºC subtract 32 and divide by 1.8
Distance:
To convert kilometers to miles multiply by 0.62
To convert miles to kilometers multiply by 1.61
Weight:
To convert pounds to kilograms multiply by 0.45
To convert kilograms to pounds multiply by 2.20
Volume:
To convert imperial gallons to litres multiply by 4.55
To convert litres to imperial gallons multiply by 0.22
To convert US gallons to litres multiply by 3.79
To convert litres to US gallons multiply by 0.26
