Travel Information

TRAVEL TIPS

Visa:
American citizens visiting Australia will require a valid visa to enter the country. The type of visa depends on the length of stay and purpose of visit. For short-term tourist or business entry to Australia, an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is the recommended option, as there is no need for you to complete a visa application form. Please refer to the Department of Immigration website for further information.

Customs:
Some goods brought into Australia might require payment of customs duty and sales tax. However, you are allowed to bring in a number of goods tax-free as hand luggage. Amounts over AUD10,000 must be declared, on arrival and departure. Certain foods, plants, weapons, firearms and drugs are subject to controls or prohibition. For further information visit the Australian Customs Service website.

Currency:
Australian currency (AUD) is decimal, with the dollar as the basic unit (100 cents equals one dollar). Notes are in $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5 denominations and coins are in $2, $1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c denominations. Currency exchange facilities can be found at most banks, currency exchange specialists in Adelaide's central business district and in the international terminal at Adelaide Airport.

The International Currency Converter provides exchange rates for 270 countries and territories, updated daily.

Communications:
Telephones - Australia has a modern and competitive telephone system. You can make local calls, long-distance calls within Australia (STD), and International Direct Dialing (IDD) calls. Long distance and international calls are usually timed. Public payphones accept Australian coins and some accept credit cards and pre-paid phone cards.

Mobile phones:
Australia's mobile network operates on the 900 and 1800 bands for GSM and 800 for CDMA. Contact your telecommunications carrier for activating international roaming while you are visiting Australia.

Email and Internet:
Internet and email access is available from a variety of places which include: Internet cafes, hotels, hostels and public libraries.

Postal services:
Australia Post offices are open for business 9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday with some locations open on Saturday. Postage stamps are available from most convenience stores and hotels.

Electricity:
Australia's electricity voltage is 240 volts AC. Therefore, an adaptor is required for using electrical appliances from North America. Adaptors can be purchased at most electrical stores.

Time:
South Australia time is calculated as Greenwich Mean Time plus 9.5 hours. Daylight saving in South Australia begins the last weekend of October and continues through to the last weekend of March. Clocks are advanced one hour during this period.

Within Australia there are three time zones:
- Eastern Standard Time (EST) operates in New South Wales,
  the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland.
- Central Standard Time (CST) is 30 minutes behind EST and operates
  in South Australia and the Northern Territory.
- Western Standard Time is two hours behind EST and operates in
  Western Australia.