Travelling to Australia

Cellular Mobile Phones

You need to arrange an international roaming agreement with your local phone service provider before you arrive in Australia. If your service provider has not established a roaming agreement with a network operator in Australia, you will need to contact an Australian service provider to arrange connection.

Australia currently has two international standards for cellular mobile phones. These are GSM (digital) and CDMA (digital).

Customs and Duty Free

Information for Travellers, Australian Customs Service

Driving

Queensland Transport, Queensland Government

Emergencies

For Fire, Police or Ambulance, please dial 000.

This is a 24-hour service and is a free call from any private or public telephone.

The operator will ask which service, police, fire or ambulance you need and you will be connected.

Tax Refund

The Tourism Refund Scheme (TRS) allows visitors to claim a refund of the 10 percent Goods and Services Tax (GST) and 14.5 percent Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) paid on goods (costing $AUD300 or more) purchased in Australia. You must carry these goods as hand luggage when you depart Australia.

It does not apply to goods or services consumed (or partly consumed) in Australia (e.g. food). However, unlike other tourist shopping schemes, you can use the goods before leaving Australia (e.g. camera).

Travellers Cheques, Cash, Credit Cards and Currency Exchange

American Express, Bankcard, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa and their affiliates are widely accepted throughout Australia. Smaller stores and some towns may prefer cash. Some retailers in larger centres will also accept JCB cards.

Most banks change foreign travellers cheques. You will need to have your passport with you for identification. Enquire about fees for changing travellers cheques as they may vary from bank to bank.

All major banks exchange foreign currency. If you are mostly travelling in regional Australia however, it is recommended that you exchange your currency in Brisbane city.

Australian currency is decimal with the dollar as the basic unit (100 cents equals one dollar). Plastic notes come in $100, $50, $20, $10, and $5 denominations. Coins come in 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1, and $2 denominations.

Exchange Rate Calculator

Visas and Immigration

Visas, Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs

Voltage

Australia's public mains power supply is 240 volts, 50 Hz. If your device operates at a different voltage or different power line frequency, do not connect that appliance to the Australian public mains power network or a telecommunications network. If you do so, this may result in the device malfunctioning, and it is then possible to cause fatal injuries to yourself and others near it.

If you are uncertain about operating a device in Australia, discuss your options with a qualified electrician, licensed to operate in Australia.