Essential info for Australia

Time: Expats should note that Australia is divided into three time zones. Eastern is GMT +10, Central is GMT +9.5, and Western is GMT +8. All states observe daylight saving time during the summer months, except the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia. This means that on the first Sunday of October, clocks are advanced one hour, and on the first Sunday of April, they are dropped back on hour.

 

Electricity: The electrical current in Australia is 240/250 volts, 50Hz, and three-pin flat blade plugs are used. These plug points are different to those of most countries in the world, and most expats will need to purchase an adaptor if planning to bring electrical appliances from home to Oz.

 

Language: Expats who are English-speaking will be pleased to know that the official language is English.

 

Safety: Australia's crime rate is low, but expats should still exercise the same amount of caution in the big cities as they would anywhere else in the world. Petty crime, like pick-pocketing, occurs as regularly as it does in most big cities. Female expats should never leave their drinks unattended, as spiked drinks have caused problems in recent years.

 

Between the months of November and April tropical cyclones can occur in Western Australia, Queensland and Northern Territory, and during the summer months the risk of runaway bushfires is high and a no open flames policy is in place in most cities, especially in Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales and ACT. Summer months (October to May) also see the waters off Queensland become infested with marine stingers, or box jellyfish, whose sting can be fatal.

 

Local customs: Australians take their sports, especially rugby and cricket very seriously, but other than that a relatively informal attitude in dress and behaviour is the norm. Read the Expat Arrivals Culture Shock section for further information.

 

Business: Business in Australia is conducted in a relaxed and informal manner with business attire conservative and punctuality essential. Businessmen should wear a suit and tie, and women are expected to wear a skirt suit. A firm handshake is an acceptable form of greeting, a hug and a kiss not as common; most people in Australia will introduce themselves with their first name. Business hours are generally Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

 

Communications: Expats living in Australia should note that the outgoing access code is 0011 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 001144 for the United Kingdom). The country code for Australia is +61, and two-digit local area/city codes are in use, as well as standard eight-digit telephone numbers. 

 

To make an incoming call to Australia from abroad, dial your nation’s international access code, Australia’s country code, the two-digit area code without the zero (making it one digit) and then the eight-digit telephone number. 

 

Local calls cost a standard rate and international and long-distance calls are charged according to the length of the call. Australia uses GSM and CDMA networks for mobile phone operators, and mobile phones are easily available for rental. Internet cafés are easily accessible, and high speed broadband ADSL Internet is available through a number of providers.