Visa Requirements
ALL travellers to Australia must have a valid visa before boarding their plane. Travellers to Australia cannot apply for a visa on arrival. For many countries, the visa is paperless and added automatically to your air ticket. Check with your travel agent if uncertain.
Information about attending an event in Australia can be found at www.immi.gov.au/visitors/index.htm (Visa Arrangements for Events, Conferences and Meetings in Australia). You can apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) directly through the following link www.eta.immi.gov.au. Details for contacting the appropriate visa office closest to the applicant's place of residence can be found at www.immi.gov.au/contacts/overseas/index.htm
General Information
Currency and Exchange
The official currency of Australia is the Australian Dollar (AUD)
Australian currency is comprised of notes and coins and are of decimal currency. In view of the currency, you may occasionally see prices such as $2.98, this figure is rounded up to the nearest five cents, in this case $3.00. Money exchanges can be found all around the city and most major tourist destinations. Banks also offering money exchanging services and cashing of travellers cheques.
Throughout Perth you will find numerous Currency Exchange desks, most hotels also have exchange rates at the Reception Desk, however, some hotels have a limit to what you can exchange. All the major banks also offer money exchange services and cashing of travellers cheques. Your passport will be needed for indentification purposes when cashing travellers cheques.
Banks and Banking Hours
Normal banking hours are Monday - Thursday 9:30am-4:00pm and Fridays 9:30am-5:00pm, excluding public holidays. 24 Hour Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) can be found throughout the City and Shopping Centres.
There are four major banks in Australia which offer a full range of banking services including currency conversions and sales of travellers cheques:
Electricity
Australia uses 240V mains electricity and use 'three point' power sockets. Please click here to view the standard plug used within Australia, Type I. Universal adapters are available from most gift stores and electrical shops around the city.
To find out more please visit Electricity World Standards
Weather
Average temperatures in Sydney October (Spring) - Click here
To view the latest forecast - Click Here
Australian Websites
Australia - Tourism information www.australia.com or http://australia.gov.au/
Australian News / Media ABC online The Australian Newspaper
Australia Exchange Rates http://www.rba.gov.au/statistics/frequency/exchange-rates.html
Australian Currency http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/currency.html
Australian Weather Bureau of Meteorology
Smartraveller - The Australian Government's travel advisory and consular information service. http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
This site is designed to help you get through the security checkpoints at the airport quickly and easily. It will help you understand the aviation security measures in place at Australian airports and why they are necessary. It provides information on preparing for your trip, what you are prohibited from taking on board, and travelling with children, medicines or sporting equipment. It also provides a number of videos that explain the screening process and liquids, aerosols and gels restrictions. This site will be updated with new information to reflect changes in airport security arrangements as they occur.
Australian Customs - Information for travellers - http://www.customs.gov.au/knowbeforeyougo/default.asp
