ABOUT AUSTRALIA

Australia ranks as the world's sixth-largest country by total area, situated in the Southern Hemisphere. It boasts a variety of ecosystems, from northern tropical rainforests to interior deserts and southeastern temperate forests. Canberra serves as the capital, while Sydney is the largest city, with Melbourne not far behind.

Known for its distinctive wildlife, Australia is home to kangaroos, koalas, and numerous marsupials unique to the region. The northeastern coast hosts the Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef system globally. The country's robust economy is fueled by mining, agriculture, and the service sector. English is the official language, and Australia is celebrated for its multicultural society.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the original inhabitants, have a rich cultural heritage spanning over 65,000 years. A favoured destination for tourists, Australia features landmarks like the Sydney Opera House, Uluru, and the Gold Coast's beaches. The nation is famous for its love of outdoor activities, with popular sports including cricket, rugby, and surfing.

Entry into Australia

When planning a trip to Australia, here are the general entry requirements to be aware of:

Visas

• Tourist Visa (Subclass 600): For short-term visits for tourism or business purposes.
• Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) (Subclass 601): Allows short-term stays for tourism or business purposes. Available to passport holders from certain countries. More information here.
• eVisitor (Subclass 651): Similar to the ETA but available to EU passport holders.
• Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) and Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417): For young people from certain countries to holiday and work in Australia for up to a year.

Visa Application

• Online Application: Most visas can be applied for online through the Department of Home Affairs website.
• Documentation: Requirements vary by visa type but generally include a valid passport, personal information, and possibly proof of funds and health insurance.

Declaration Card

• Incoming Passenger Card: You must complete this card, declaring items and answering questions about your stay.

Travel Documents

• Passport: Must be valid for the duration of your stay.
• Return Ticket: Having a return or onward ticket can be a requirement, particularly for tourist visas.

Currency

The currency used in Australia is the Australian Dollar, abbreviated as AUD. The dollar is subdivided into 100 cents. The Australian Dollar is widely used in international trade and investment, reflecting Australia's strong economic position and stable financial system.

Here are the exchange rates of the AUD against some major currencies:

US Dollar (USD): 1 AUD = 0.74 USD
Euro (EUR): 1 AUD = 0.67 EUR
British Pound (GBP): 1 AUD = 0.53 GBP
Japanese Yen (JPY): 1 AUD = 81.30 JPY
Chinese Yuan (CNY): 1 AUD = 4.77 CNY

Electricity

In Australia, the standard voltage is 230 V with a frequency of 50 Hz. Electrical outlets typically use Type I plugs, which have two flat pins in a V-shape along with a grounding pin. This plug type is specific to Australia and a few other countries. Therefore, if your appliances are designed for use in the UK (Type G), the United States (Type A or B), or most European countries (Type C or F), you will need an adapter to use them in Australia. When travelling from these regions, it is important to bring a suitable adapter to ensure your electrical devices can be used without any issues.

Mobile services

In Australia, they are the main operators of mobile services:

In Australia, the main operators of mobile services are Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone. These providers offer a wide range of mobile plans and coverage across the country.

Telstra is known for its extensive network coverage, especially in rural and remote areas.  Optus provides competitive pricing and a variety of plans, while Vodafone focuses on value and innovative services. These operators play a crucial role in ensuring widespread mobile connectivity and access to telecommunications services for both residents and visitors.

However, if you're not local and need mobile data, we recommend apps like Airalo (more details here).

Important telephone numbers

There are several important phone numbers in Australia that residents and visitors should know for emergencies and basic services. Here are some of the most important ones:

Emergency services
Emergency Services (Police, Fire, Ambulance): 000
Police (Non-Emergency): 131 444
Health Direct (24-hour health advice): 1800 022 222

Interesting facts about Australia

There are several interesting facts about Australia, here are some of them:

Unique Wildlife
Australia is home to a diverse range of wildlife, with many species found nowhere else in the world, including kangaroos, koalas, and the platypus.

Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef, located off the coast of Queensland, is the largest coral reef system in the world and is visible from space.

Uluru
Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, is a massive sandstone monolith in the Northern Territory. It is a sacred site to the Indigenous Anangu people.

Indigenous Heritage
Australia has a rich Indigenous heritage with cultures that have existed for over 65,000 years, making it one of the oldest continuous cultures in the world.

Multicultural Society
Australia is one of the most multicultural countries globally, with nearly 30% of its population born overseas.

Longest Coastline
Australia has the longest coastline of any country, spanning over 25,000 kilometres.

Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world, renowned for its unique architecture and cultural significance.

Vast Deserts
A significant portion of Australia is covered by deserts, with the Great Victoria Desert being the largest.

Sports Enthusiasts
Australians are passionate about sports, with Australian Rules Football (AFL), rugby, cricket, and surfing being particularly popular.

World's Oldest Rainforest
The Daintree Rainforest in Queensland is considered the world's oldest rainforest, estimated to be around 180 million years old.