Australia

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'Outback and beyond'

Australia has come a long way since the days when Captain Cook stumbled ashore to find an aboriginal way of life that went back for tens of thousands of years. Even the outdated images of Crocodile Dundee types swilling beer around the Opera House have long been replaced by a forward-looking attitude that embraces Australia's Pacific Rim location and a growing reputation for first-class cuisine and high fashion notable in its cosmopolitan, twenty-first-century metropolis, Sydney.

The high quality of life in the country's effervescent largest city is enhanced by one of the world's great harbours, but there is far more to Australia city-wise than just Sydney. Its big rival, Melbourne, is blessed with a more European ambience, with trams and pavement cafes as much a part of the experience as the buzzing sports and cultural scene, while coastal Darwin, Perth and Brisbane offer other worlds to explore.

Away from the cities, Australia's stunningly diverse landscape boasts everything from vast, barren deserts, where kangaroo and emu bound through the arid surroundings, to tropical rainforests, rugged mountains and pristine beaches, such as world-class Bondi, Cable Beach and Whitehaven. Then, of course, there's the epic monolith of Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the Great Barrier Reef, where another undiscovered world opens up beneath the surf. With tourist numbers up and interest in Australia never higher, this is the perfect time to bury those anachronistic Crocodile Dundee cliches and discover the real Australia.

Area
7,692,030 sq km (2,969,909 sq miles).
Population
20.1 million (estimate 2005).
Population Density
2.54 per sq km.
Capital
Canberra. Population: 309,900 (official estimate 1999).
Time
Australia spans three time zones:
1. GMT + 10 (GMT + 11 October to March, except Queensland).
2. GMT + 9.5 (GMT + 10.5 October to March, except Northern Territory).
3. GMT + 8.
Some States operate daylight saving time during the Australian summer. Clocks in these States are put forward by one hour in October and put back again in March.
Geography
Australia is bounded by the Arafura Sea and Timor Seas to the north, the Coral and Tasman Seas of the South Pacific to the east, the Southern Ocean to the south, and the Indian Ocean to the west. Its coastline covers 36,738km (22,814 miles). Most of the population has settled along the eastern and south-eastern coastal strip. Australia is the smallest continent (and the largest island) in the world. About 40 per cent of the continent is within the tropics and Australia is almost the same size as the mainland of the United States of America. The terrain is extremely varied, ranging from tortured red desert to lush green rainforest. Australia's beaches and surfing are world-renowned, while the country is also rich in reminders of its mysterious past. These range from prehistoric Aboriginal art to Victorian colonial architecture. The landscape consists mainly of a low plateau mottled with lakes and rivers and skirted with coastal mountain ranges, highest in the east with the Great Dividing Range. There are rainforests in the far northeast (Cape York Peninsula). The southeast is a huge fertile plain. Further to the north lies the enormous Great Barrier Reef, a 2000km (1200 mile) strip of coral that covers a total area of 345,000 sq km. Although Australia is the driest land on Earth, it nevertheless has enormous snowfields the size of Switzerland. There are vast mineral deposits. More detailed geographical descriptions of each State can be found in the individual State entries.
Government
Constitutional Monarchy. Gained independence from the UK in 1901. Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor-General Michael Jefferey since 2003. Head of Government: Prime Minister John Winston Howard since 1996. All individual States and Territories have their own autonomous legislative, executive and judicial systems (though certain powers remain under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government). Recent history: In March 1996, tiring of Labour, the Australian public turned to the Liberal Party led by John Howard. Howard's centre-right coalition was returned to office for a third term at the 2004 general election. Aboriginal issues continue to affect Australian Governments. Since Howard's re-appointment, race riots have already occurred. The country's foreign policy is now geared to the strengthening of economic and political links with the countries of the Asian Pacific Rim and the affirmation of the existing links with the USA (exemplified by Australia's participation in the 2003 invasion of Iraq). Under the Howard Governments, migration has also come to dominate the Australian political agenda. The hard line which Howard set down has been rigorously pursued. The Government's hard line was reinforced by the October 2002 bomb in Bali, which killed 200 mostly Australian tourists. This brought Australia to the centre of the US-inspired global 'war against terrorism'.
The bicameral Federal Parliament holds legislative power. Both chambers are elected by universal adult suffrage. The 76-member Senate serves a six-year term, while the House of Representatives is voted in every three years. The Prime Minister is the leader of the largest party in the Lower House and wields executive power at the head of a Cabinet of Ministers. The Queen of England is formally head of state, represented locally by a Governor General. Each of Australia's six states also has its own directly elected legislature, enjoying considerable autonomy in areas such as health, education and transport policy.
Language
The official language is English. Many other languages are retained by minorities, including Italian, German, Greek, Vietnamese, Chinese dialects and Aboriginal languages.
Religion
26 per cent Roman Catholic, 24 per cent Protestant and smaller minorities of all other major religions.
Electricity
220/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Three-pin plugs are in use, however sockets are different from those found in most countries and an adaptor socket may be needed. Outlets for 110 volts for small appliances are found in most hotels.
Social Conventions
A largely informal atmosphere prevails; shaking hands is the customary greeting. Casual wear is worn everywhere except in the most exclusive restaurants, social gatherings and important business meetings. Most restaurants forbid smoking.

Activities

The range of activity, adventure and special interest holidays is almost limitless. Detailed information is given under each individual State section. Below is a brief outline with practical information on some of the most popular sports and activities available in Australia. Further trade information can also be obtained via Tourism Australia (see Contact Addresses section).

Bushwalking
This is an Australian term coined in the 1920s to distinguish serious walkers from casual hikers. Australia's wilderness areas, national parks and vast tracts of sparsely populated countryside make bushwalking one of the country's most popular pastimes. Maps are widely available, either from the many guide books on offer or from State government offices. Fires are a threat during summer, and walkers must respect fire ban warnings. Outdoor clothing and equipment tends to be expensive. Each State and Territory has its own independent parks authority.
Self-drive tours
Three-quarters of Australia's land mass lies in the outback. 4-wheel-drive vehicles are a favourite means of transport and there are a number of scenic highways and roads leading to the often remote outback destinations. On such journeys, it is not unusual to drive for hours without seeing another person. It is advisable to take extra water and petrol in case of emergencies.
Diving
With 36,735km (22,826 miles) of coastline, Australia provides outstanding opportunities for watersports, particularly diving and snorkelling. The tropical waters along the 2500km (1500 miles) of the Great Barrier Reef and its multitude of tiny islands form one of the world's best-known diving locations. Requirements for dive courses (which are widely available) vary from state to state, but generally, beginners must be at least 12 years of age and have a medical certificate of fitness in accordance with Australian standards. To obtain the basic scuba diving qualification, visitors can participate in either a one-week full-time course or a two-week part-time course; tailor-made courses are also available. Certified divers must be able to produce their international certification card and log book for solo dives, unless they participate in fully supervised dives with a professional. For further information, contact Dive Directory, PO Box 5264, Cairns, Queensland 4870 (tel: (7) 4046 7304; fax: (7) 4031 1210; e-mail: info@dive-australia.com).

Fishing
The seas off the east coast are reputed to be one of the world's best game-fishing areas, and the waters off north Western Australia are also particularly abundant. The area north of Queensland is well-known for marlin fishing while the streams in the high country in New South Wales and Victoria are very good for trout. Newspapers and radio have comprehensive tide and fishing reports. Fishing licence requirements vary from state to state. For further information, contact the Australian Recreational and Sport Fishing Industry Confederation, PO Box 854, Dickson ACT 2602 (tel: (2) 6257 1997; fax: (2) 6247 9314; e-mail: recfish@sportnet.com.au; website: www.recfishoz.com).
Surfing
There are surfing schools all over the country, offering instruction for beginners or advanced surfers. For details, contact Surfing Australia, PO Box 1613, Kingscliff, NSW 2487 (tel: (2) 6674 9888; e-mail: crystalj@surfingaustralia.com; website: www.surfingaustralia.com).
Golf
Facilities are excellent and the settings often spectacular. For further details and a copy of the Australian Golfers Handbook, contact the Australian Golf Union, 153-155 Cecil Street, South Melbourne VIC 3205 (tel: (3) 9699 7944; fax: (3) 9690 8510; website: www.agu.org.au).
Skiing
Possible from May to mid-October in the mountainous areas of the southeast. The best skiing slopes are located on the eastern mountain ranges on the state borders of New South Wales and Victoria. For further information, contact Ski & Snowboard Australia, Level 1, 1 Cobden Street, South Melbourne 3205 (tel: (3) 9696 2344; fax: (3) 9696 2399; e-mail: info@skiandsnowboardaustralia.org.au; website: www.skiingaustralia.org.au).
Special interest holidays
A huge range of these are available - farming, flying and gliding, ballooning, cycling, rafting, pony trekking, gemstone fossicking, bungee jumping, camel treks, whale watching, etc. For further details, see the individual State and Territory sections.

Culture

Food & Drink
There are numerous speciality dishes and foods Australia also offers an enormous variety of cuisines, including Italian, French, Greek, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Thai, Japanese, Indian, African, Lebanese and Korean.
Things to know: Service is European-style and varies from waitress and waiter service to self-service. Bistros, cafes, family-style restaurants and 'pub' lunches at the counter offer good food at reasonable prices. Most restaurants and hotels are licensed to serve alcohol; private hotels and guest houses cannot be licensed by law. Some restaurants will allow guests to bring their own alcohol and are called 'BYO' restaurants. Licensing hours in public bars are 1000-2200 Mon-Sat, however most pubs are open until 2400; Sunday hours vary. Restaurants, clubs and hotel lounges have more flexible hours.
National specialities:
o Sydney rock oysters.
o Barramundi (freshwater fish).
o Tiger prawns.
o Macadamia nuts.
o Yabbies (small freshwater lobsters).
o Beef is the most popular meat and lamb is also of a high quality.
o There is a wide variety of excellent fruits and vegetables.
National drinks:
o Australian wine.
o Australian beer.
The major vineyards (wineries) are outside Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Canberra and Adelaide. The largest single wine-growing region is in the Barossa Valley, South Australia, two hours' drive from Adelaide, where high-quality red and white wines are produced. For further information, visit www.australianwineandbeer.com).
Legal drinking age: Drinking age is 18 years or over.
Tipping: Not as common as it is in Europe and America, nor is a service charge added to the bill in restaurants. 10 per cent for food and drink waiters is usual in top-quality restaurants, but is optional elsewhere. With taxis it is usual not to tip but round up the cost to the next dollar.
Shopping
Special purchases include excellent local wines; wool, clothing, leather and sheepskin products; opal and other precious or semi-precious stones; and modern art sculpture and paintings. Exhibitions of bark paintings, boomerangs and other tribal objects are on view and for sale in Darwin, Alice Springs and the State capitals; many depict stories from the Dreamtime. Many cities and towns have small shops devoted to the sale of 'Australiana', where Australian souvenirs, ranging from T-shirts to boomerangs, can be bought. Shopping hours: Opening hours for most stores in the cities are Mon-Fri 0900-1730, Sat 0900-1700. Late-night shopping is available Friday to 2100 in Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart and Darwin. Late-night shopping is available Thursday at the same times in Sydney, Canberra and Perth. Major stores in some states are open 1000-1600 Sunday. Corner stores, restaurants and snack bars are open in most cities until well into the night. For further information on shopping and trading, contact the ACT Office of Fair Trading (tel: (2) 6207 0400; website: www.fairtrading.act.gov.au).

Environment

Climate
Australia is in the southern hemisphere and the seasons are opposite to those in Europe and North America. There are two climatic zones: the tropical zone (in the north above the Tropic of Capricorn) and the temperate zone. The tropical zone (consisting of 40 per cent of Australia) has two seasons, summer ('wet') and winter ('dry'), while the temperate zone has all four seasons.
November to March
(spring to summer): Warm or hot everywhere, tropical in the north, and warm to hot with mild nights in the south.
April to September
(autumn to winter): Northern and central Australia have clear warm days, cool nights; the south has cool days with occasional rain but still plenty of sun. Snow is totally confined to mountainous regions of the southeast.
Note : For further details, including climate statistics, see under individual State entries.

Required clothing
Lightweights during summer months with warmer clothes needed during the cooler winter period throughout most of the southern States. Lightweight cottons and linens all year in the central/northern States with warm clothes only for cooler winter evenings and early mornings. Sunglasses, sunhats and sunblock lotion are recommended year round in the north and during the summer months in the south.

History
Terra Australis, as the continent was first known to Europeans, is thought to have been inhabited by man for at least 40,000 years. The aboriginal population, whose modern remnants describe themselves as Kooris, are thought to have migrated from southern India or Sri Lanka. The first European settlements were initiated by the Dutch East India Company in 1606. The company charted and claimed for their mother country the 320km (200 miles) of northwest coast, which they named New Holland.

The explorations of Captain James Cook, 150 years later, opened up the east coast. The British Empire, having just lost her American colonies, was in need of a new prison colony. By 1868, when transportation ended, Britain had sent more than 160,000 convicts to Australia. They were settled around the coast - several of modern Australia's biggest cities grew from the penal settlements and those set up by freed convicts and other European immigrants - and eventually enabled the British crown to claim the entire continent. The colonisers treated the Kooris with appalling brutality but as long as European settlement was confined to the coast, the majority of tribes were able to live as before.

This ended in 1851, when, following an exodus to the gold fields of California, the administrators sought to stem the tide by offering rewards for the discovery of gold in Australia. The subsequent gold rush prompted the first wave of voluntary migration to the continent in modern times; the population doubled within months of the discovery of gold in Victoria. Around the same time, the interior was charted for the first time, while towns sprang up both there and on the littoral. The Kooris, meanwhile, were massacred, driven into barren areas or into lives of virtual slavery. Most of Australia was granted the right to self-government in the 1850s.

The Commonwealth of Australia, a Federation of States, was set up in 1901, establishing Australia as an independent democracy. Nonetheless, close links with the UK were maintained; Australian troops fought alongside the British during both World Wars. The politics of the country remained under firm British supervision until years after World War II. In the aftermath, Australia assumed some of the trappings of a regional power, taking control of some of Germany's former territories in the area and developing links with Japan, India and South East Asia. It also joined in a secretive strategic alliance with Britain, the USA, Canada and New Zealand, which remains the country's principal defence commitment. Until its abandonment in the mid 1960s, a 'White Australia' policy was officially adopted with regard to immigration.

Between 1949 and 1972, Australian governments were composed of the Liberal Party in a centre-right coalition with the smaller National Country Party. Sir Robert Menzies was the dominant political figure, serving 16 years as Prime Minister. In 1972, the coalition was finally defeated at the polls as the Labour Party under Gough Whitlam took office with a comparatively radical agenda. There followed one of the most controversial periods of recent Australian history, culminating in the Whitlam government being dismissed by the Governor General, Sir John Kerr, in circumstances still hotly disputed. The immediate beneficiary was the Liberal Party leader, Malcolm Fraser, who won the next elections, which followed in December 1975, within weeks of Whitlam's dismissal. Fraser remained in office until 1983, when Labour was returned to power under the leadership of the ex-trade-union leader, Bob Hawke. Under Hawke and his acerbic Treasury Minister and eventual successor, Paul Keating, the Labour party won five elections in a row.

Finally, in March 1996, tiring of Labour, the Australian public turned to the Liberal Party led by John Howard. Howard's centre-right coalition was returned to office for a third term at the 2004 general election. Aboriginal issues continue to affect successive Australian governments who have found considerable difficulty in reconciling Koori peoples' traditional claims and conceptions of land ownership with, to take but one example, the requirements of mining companies. Since Howard's re-appointment, race riots have already occurred - one of which, in a district of Sydney, was catalysed by the death of an Aboriginal teenager in police custody.

The other dominant political issue of the last few years was Australia's constitutional future. There were two options: to maintain the existing link with Britain; or to establish Australia as a fully fledged republic. A split in the republican camp produced a surprise victory for the traditionalists in the national referendum on the subject, held in October 1999. Despite that, most Australians now look to links with America and Asia as more important and relevant to their future than those with the 'Old Country'. The country's foreign policy (irrespective of the party in power) is now geared to the strengthening of economic and political links with the countries of the Asian Pacific Rim and the affirmation of the existing links with the USA (exemplified by Australia's participation in the 2003 invasion of Iraq).

Under the Howard governments, migration has come to dominate the Australian political agenda. The hard line which Howard set down has been rigorously pursued - 'boat people' from the troubled states of Asia have been prevented from landing in Australia and instead directed to small Pacific islands; those who do reach Australia are detained in remote outback encampments. The government's hard line was reinforced by the October 2002 bomb in Bali, which killed 200 mostly Australian tourists. This brought Australia to the centre of the US-inspired global 'war against terrorism'.
Government
The bicameral Federal Parliament holds legislative power. Both chambers are elected by universal adult suffrage. The 76-member Senate serves a six-year term, while the House of Representatives is voted in every three years. The Prime Minister is the leader of the largest party in the Lower House and wields executive power at the head of a Cabinet of Ministers. The Queen of England is formally head of state, represented locally by a Governor General. Each of Australia's six states also has its own directly elected legislature, enjoying considerable autonomy in areas such as health, education and transport policy.

Money

Currency
Australian Dollar (AUD; symbol A$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of A$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of A$2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents.
Currency exchange
Exchange facilities are available for all incoming and outgoing flights at all international airports in Australia. International-class hotels will exchange major currencies for guests. It is recommended that visitors change money at the airport or at city banks.
Credit & debit cards
Major credit cards are accepted. Use may be restricted in small towns and outback areas. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Traveller's cheques
Widely accepted in major currencies at banks or large hotels. However, some banks may charge a fee for cashing traveller's cheques. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in a major currency.
Currency restrictions
Export and import of coins/notes in Australian or foreign currency above A$10,000 must be declared to customs at the port of entry or departure. Export of local currency above A$2000 must have reserve bank approval.
Banking hours
Mon-Thurs 0930-1600, Fri 0930-1700. These hours may vary slightly throughout the country.
Duty Free
The following items may be imported into Australia by persons over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty:
250 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco or cigars; 2.25l of any alcoholic liquor; articles for personal hygiene and clothing, not including perfume or fur apparel; other goods to a value of A$900 (A$450 if under 18).
Prohibited items
There are very strict regulations against the import of non-prescribed drugs, weapons, firearms, wildlife, domestic animals and foodstuffs (including meat, poultry and dairy; plants or parts of plants [including fruit, nuts and seeds]; animal products [including wool, skins and eggs] and any equipment used with domestic animals) and other potential sources of disease and pestilence (such as vaccines or viruses). There are severe penalties for drug trafficking. For further details on customs regulations, contact the information centre of the Australian Customs Service (tel: (2) 6275 6666 (from outside Australia) or (1 300) 363 263 (from anywhere in Australia); website: www.customs.gov.au). Customs information booklets can be obtained from the Australian High Commission or Embassy.

Traveller's Guide

Australian visa regulations (including visa application charges) change from time to time. The information provided below is valid at the time of publication, but visitors should check that this information is still current by visiting the Department of Immigration online (website: www.immi.gov.au) or by calling the Australian Immigration and Citizenship 24-hour Information Service (tel: (09065) 508 900; calls cost £1 per minute).

Passports
Valid passport required by all.
Visas
Required by all except the following:
(a) nationals of New Zealand;
(b) nationals of the following countries do not need to obtain a transit visa before travel if they are continuing their journey to a third country (and they hold confirmation of booking and documentation to enter country) within eight hours of arriving in Australia: Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Hong Kong (SAR or BNO passport holders), Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Korea (Rep), Lativia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Papua New Guinea, The Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Samoa (Western), San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (if issued by the authorities in Taiwan), Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, UK (and its colonies), USA, Vanuatu, Vatican City and Zimbabwe.
All other nationals must obtain a transit visa before travel if intending to remain in Australia no longer than 72 hours and a 'stopover' is intended. Transit visas are free of charge.
Note: Not all airports remain open all night; travellers should check with the airline.
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visas
The ETA is an electronically stored authority for travel to Australia that allows people from certain countries (see below) to visit Australia for up to three months for tourism, short-term business or elective study purposes. An ETA is invisible and therefore will not show up in your passport.
ETAs (Visitor and Business - Short Validity ETAs only) may, for some nationals, be obtained online from the main Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA; website: www.eta.immi.gov.au) or from over 10,000 travel agents and airline offices throughout the UK.
Please note, the Australian High Commission in London does not offer an automatic ETA service.
Only nationals of the following countries are eligible for an ETA: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, British Overseas Territories, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong (SAR), Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea (Rep), Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (China), UK, USA and Vatican City.
Types of ETA and cost
Tourist Visit/Business Visit (short-term): Free of charge.
Note: A service fee of A$20 is charged when applying for an ETA online through the DIMIA ETA website. Some travel agents and airlines issuing ETAs also charge a processing fee.
Validity of ETAs
Tourist Visit ETAs are valid for 12 months from date of issue (or until the passport expires, whichever comes first) and permit multiple entries into Australia for a stay of up to three months on each visit. Short-term Business Visit ETAs are valid for 12 months from date of issue (or until the passport expires, whichever comes first) for a single entry of up to three months. Long-term Business Visit ETAs are valid for 10 years (or the life of the passport) and permit multiple entries for a stay of up to three months for each visit.
Other types of visa and cost
Visitors not eligible for an ETA, or seeking a longer stay than an ETA offers, may apply for Tourist Visit (Non ETA) and Temporary Business Short-stay and Temporary Business Long-stay (Non ETA) visas. Tourist Visit and Business Short-stay visas cost £35; Business Long-stay visas cost £70. There are also student visas available, plus sponsored family visitor visas; please enquire at the Australian High Commission. Visa fees are generally adjusted on 1 January and 1 July each year.
Validity of non-ETA visas
For non-ETA visas, the validity varies according to the type of visa, the purpose of the trip and the validity of the passport. The validity will be stated on the visa label in your passport.
Application to
ETA: Authorised travel agents or airlines, by telephone or, in some cases, online through Australian Visas Ltd (see above). Non-ETA: Australian Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates; see Passport/Visa Information. There is a Tourist Short-Stay visa available online for passport holders of Bahrain, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Oman, Poland, Qatar, Slovak Republic, Slovenia and the United Arab Emirates.
Application requirements
ETA: (a) Valid passport. (b) Fee (if applicable). (c) Completed application form giving details of passport number and expiry date, airline, names of travellers etc (if applying by post). Tourist Visitor (Non ETA): (a) Completed application form. Application forms for tourist and business visitor visas can be downloaded from the Department of Immigration (website: www.immi.gov.au). (b) An A4 stamped, self-addressed, registered envelope for return of passport. (c) Valid passport with two unused visa pages. (d) Fee (payable by credit or debit card, American Express and Diners Card are not accepted). (e) One or more recent passport photos as required. (f) Evidence of sufficent funds.(g) Tourists over the age of 70 require a medical certificate. Business Visitor (Non ETA): (a)-(f) and, (g) Applicant must provide proof of sponsorship and business interest. Business visa forms are also available from Australian Outlook, 3 Buckhurst Road, Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex TN40 1QF, UK. Transit: (a) Photo (signed on back), itinerary, onward booking, correct documentation to onward country and completed incoming passenger card.
Note: (a) Prior to lodging an application, visitors should confirm the current visa fees at www.immi.gov.au. (b) All travellers to Australia, except Australian citizens and permanent residents, must satisfy health and character requirements. (c) All travellers, including minors travelling on a parent's passport, require their own visa or ETA. (d) Students must, before commencing study, pass a chest X-ray examination, carried out by a qualified radiologist.
Working days required
ETA: When issued through DIMIA's ETA website (website: www.eta.immi.gov.au), or through travel agents or airline offices, ETAs are usually processed and valid immediately or within three working days. Non-ETA: 10-15 working days.
Temporary residence
Applicants for temporary residence, working holidays and long-stay business visits to Australia should contact DIMIA online (website: www.immi.gov.au) or the High Commission online (website: www.australia.org.uk).

Contact Addresses

Note
Addresses of Tourist Representatives for individual States can be found at the head of each State entry.

Australian High Commission in the UK
Australia House, The Strand, London WC2B 4LA, UK
Tel: (020) 7379 4334 or (09065) 508 900 (24-hour immigration and citizenship enquiries; calls cost £1 per minute).
Website: www.australia.org.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700 (general); 0900-1100 (visa and immigration); 0930-1530 (passport and consular).

Tourism Australia in the UK
Australia Centre, Australia House, 6th Floor, Melbourne Place, The Strand, London WC2B 4LG, UK
Tel: (020) 7438 4601 (trade enquiries only).
Website: www.australia.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1730.

Embassy of the Commonwealth of Australia in the USA
1601 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036, USA
Tel: (202) 797 3000 or (888) 990 8888 (visa information line; toll-free in the USA).
Website: www.austemb.org
All visa enquiries should be directed to the Embassy in Washington, DC or Consulate General in Los Angeles.

Tourism Australia in the USA
6100 Center Drive, Suite 1150, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA
Tel: (310) 695 3200.
Website: www.australia.com

Health
A yellow fever certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving within six days of leaving or transiting countries with infected areas.
Food & drink
Standards of hygiene in food preparation are very high. Milk is pasteurised and meat and vegetables are considered safe to eat. Care should be taken, however, when sampling 'bush tucker' in outback areas as some insects and fauna are highly poisonous unless properly cooked.
Other risks
Occasional outbreaks of dengue fever and Ross River fever have occurred in rural areas in northern Australia in recent years. There have been reports of Murray Valley encephalitis in the Northern Territory. Inland, there are suggestions that this risk extends from Western Australia to Queensland. Corals, jellyfish and fresh water crocodiles may prove a hazard to the bather, and heat is a hazard in the northern and central parts of Australia. Insectivorous and fruit-eating bats have been found to harbour a virus related to the rabies virus and should be avoided. Venomous snakes and spiders exist throughout Australia and can be extremely dangerous. Medical assistance should be sought immediately if bitten.
Note
There are strict customs and health controls on entering and leaving the country, and Australian law can inflict severe penalties on health infringements. Australia reserves the right to isolate any person who arrives without the required certificates. Carriers are responsible for expenses of isolation of all travellers arriving by air who are not in possession of the required vaccination certificates. All arriving aircraft are sprayed before disembarkation to prevent the spread of disease-carrying insects.
Health care
Doctors and dentists are highly trained and hospitals are well equipped. There is a reciprocal health agreement with the UK, in emergencies only, which allows residents from the UK free hospital treatment. Passport or proof of UK residence, such as an NHS medical card or a UK driving licence, must be shown. Prescribed medicines, ambulances and treatment at some doctors' surgeries must be paid for. Personal insurance for illness and accidents is highly recommended for all visitors. Those wishing to benefit from the agreement should enrol at a Medicare office; this can be done after treatment.

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