Student Guides

Student facts about Australia

Place	Melbourne
Area	8,806 sq km / 3,400 sq miles
Population	3,200,000
Time Zone	GMT/UTC +10 (Eastern Standard Time)
Daylight Saving Start	last Sunday in October
Daylight Saving End	last Sunday in March
Currency	Australian Dollar (A$)
Electricity	220-240V 50Hz
Electric Plug Details	Australian-style plug with two flat angled blades and one vertical grounding blade
Visas
If you are not an Australian citizen you need a valid visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) to enter and spend time in Australia. With the exception of New Zealand citizens, all foreign nationals must obtain a visa/ETA before travelling to Australia. New Zealand citizens are issued with a visa on arrival in Australia.
Customs
Prior to landing in Australian, you will be handed an incoming passenger card to complete, as well as Customs and Agriculture Declaration forms. Australia has particularly strict quarantine laws – you must declare all goods of animal or plant origin, and you’re not allowed to bring into the country fresh vegetables or fruit. If you’re concerned about bringing any items into Australia, declare them. And if you’ve been snacking on the flight, place any leftovers in the amnesty quarantine bins available in the arrival area or on the way to the luggage collection bay. Australian customs regulations allow anyone over 18 to import the following goods duty free: AUD$400 worth of goods, not including alcohol or tobacco; 2.25 litres of alcohol; 250 cigarettes, or 250 grams of cigars or tobacco products (other than cigarettes).
Embassies
For information on all foreign embassies within Australian log onto http://www.dfat.gov.au/embassies.html
Meeting Etiquette
Australians are not very formal so greetings are casual and relaxed with a hand shake and a smile. Aussies prefer to use first names, even at the initial meeting. While an Australian may say, 'G'day' or 'G'day, mate', this may sound patronizing from a foreigner. Visitors should simply say, 'Hello' or 'Hello, how are you?'
Events
Melbourne and Victoria host some of Australia's most prestigious events throughout the year, including the Spring Racing Carnival culminating in the Melbourne Cup in November, the Australian Open Tennis Championships in January, the Formula 1™ Australian Grand Prix in March, the Melbourne International Arts Festival in October, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show in March and April. Your tastebuds will be rewarded with a number of food and wine events around the state.