Quick Facts

All visitors to Australia require a visa — only New Zealand nationals are exempt.

Visa application forms are available from Australian embassies, travel agents or the website of the Department of Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs.  Please note that there are several different types of visas. Be sure to arrange for the one most relevant to your travel status and plans.

View visa requirements from the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs

The unit of money is the Australian Dollar (AUD), made up of 100 cents.

Credit cards are accepted in major hotels as well as shopping malls. 24-hour automated teller machines (ATMs) are widely available.

Here are the most recent exchange rates for some common currencies.

AUD 1.00 equals:

A 10% Goods and Services Tax applies to most purchases.

This tax is refundable to visitors with purchases in excess of AUD 300 per store made within 30 days before departing Australia. It applies only to goods visitors take with them as hand luggage.

Please call 1300 363 263 or visit www.customs.gov.au for further information.

Tipping is not compulsory. However, it is acceptable to give a gratuity for good service.

Bank Hours
9am - 5pm, Monday through Friday

Office Hours
9am - 5pm, Monday through Friday

Shop Hours
9am - 5pm, Monday through Friday
10am - 5pm, Saturday and Sunday

Healthcare in Australia follows Western practices with advanced medical resources widely available. We do recommend, however, that all travellers be in good health prior to undertaking any strenuous travel.

From late October to early May, venomous box jellyfish are present in the coastal waters of northern Australia. They are also found around many of the Queensland islands. They are rarely found on the Outer Barrier Reef.

Drinking water from the tap is safe throughout Australia. Bottled drinking water is also available in every hotel room.

Australia is known to be casual in its approach to living. However, light suits and dresses are appropriate for business events. A light raincoat may be useful throughout the year.

Cairns has a tropical climate with even, warm temperatures throughout the year.

Temperatures range from 21°C to 32°C (69°F to 89°F) during the October to January summer months and 16°C to 28°C (61°F to 82°F) during the June to September winters. Higher levels of rainfall occur during summer between the months of January and March.