Australia is a popular tourist destination thanks to the country being blessed with great weather, breathtaking landscapes and a host of natural and man-made attractions. Thousands of people choose to come to Australia to live here for extended stays as well as to do business in the country every year for the same reasons. If you’re lucky enough to be planning a business trip or extended stay in Australia then you may be looking for any relevant information to help you to prepare and avoid any inconvenience.
From visas to the weather and more, see below for everything you need to know before you make your trip to the land Down Under, Australia.
Getting to Your Destination in Australia
No matter where you are coming from in the world to do business or for an extended stay in Australia you will probably have little trouble in getting airplane tickets into the country. There are many airlines that travel to Australia but prices vary and the distances involved require you to shop around for the best prices and flights with stopovers if required.
Once you touch down in Australia, the quickest way to cover the vast distances between major cities is by flying with one of a number of the country’s domestic carriers. All state capitals and many regional centres are covered and all have good transport links between towns, suburbs and neighbourhoods.
Visa Requirements and Customs
Any other passport holders travelling to Australia other than Australians and New Zealanders are required to obtain the necessary visa before travel. New Zealand passport holders can apply for a visa upon arrival, but everyone else will have to acquire one of a range of visas depending on the purpose of your visit.
Australia’s customs also has a strict policy that prohibits bringing weapons, drugs, protected wildlife, and even fresh food so be sure to check that your luggage complies. In terms of currency there is no limit to how much you can bring into the country although amounts over AUD$10,000 will have to be declared.
Climate and Time zones
Australia is a vast continent and so its weather varies although most parts of the country tend to get all four seasons over the course of the year. The tropical north simply has a wet and dry season but in general the Australian summer goes from December to February, and a mild winter from June to August. The whole of Australia is covered by three time zones; Eastern Standard Time (UTC+ 10 hrs), Western Standard Time ( UTC + 8 ), and Central Standard Time (UTC + 9 ½ hrs).
In conclusion, it is important to pay particular attention to currency, visa and customs laws, as well as health and safety before embarking on your journey. The information above is an important part of your business or extended stay to Australia and hopefully it helps you to plan ahead well!
