Useful information for visitors
Australian visas
Visitors to Australia must have a valid passport and the appropriate Australian visa. The type of visa depends on the purpose of the visit. Overseas visitors seeking to attend or participate in a conference or event in Australia should, in most cases, apply for a short stay business visitor visa (subclass 456). You must apply for your visa early to ensure that details are confirmed prior to your departure for the Conference.
Depending on your country of origin, most participants should be eligible to apply online for either an eVisitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). To find out which visa you are eligible for and to apply online, go to http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/business/business-visit-visa-options.htm.
If you unable to apply for your visa online, you can obtain your visa through a travel agent, an airline office or a specialist service provider who will arrange an ETA on your behalf.
Invitation letter
If you require a Letter of Invitation, please contact the Co-Convenors. You should provide details of who the letter should be addressed to.Currency
Decimal currency is used in Australia - dollars and cents. Current exchange rates can be obtained from your bank and on-line at http://www.xe.com
Banking
Banks in Australia are open Monday to Thursday 0930 to 1600, and 0930 to 1700 on Fridays. Some banks are open on Saturday. Exchange facilities are available at airports and most major hotels. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are available at a wide variety of outlets. All major credit cards are widely accepted in Australia.
Travel and Health Insurance
It is strongly recommended that you take out insurance policies to cover medical and travel expenses. If necessary, consult your travel agent.
Electricity
Electricity in Australia is 220-240V AC 50Hz. The sockets are three pin and you may need an adaptor. Universal outlets for 240V or 100V shavers are found in most leading hotels. Multi-voltage appliances as well as adaptors are readily available in department stores and luggage shops.Shopping
Riverside markets
Most stores in Brisbane open Monday to Saturday until around 1600 or 1700. Some retailers may remain open until 2100 week nights, and between 0900 to 1600 Sundays. Grocery and department stores generally open seven days a week, with late night trading until 2100 on week nights. The Queen Street Mall in the centre of Brisbane city connects to several different shopping centres and precincts.
For more information: http://www.ourbrisbane.com/shopping/centres-and-precincts/queen-street-mall
Taxes
A Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10% applies to all consumer goods and is included in retail prices. Overseas visitors may be able to claim a refund of the GST through the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS). Further information available at: http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/travellers___english1.pdf
Climate
Dolphin in Brisbane River
Tipping
There are no service charges in Brisbane or Australian restaurants and hotel bars but a tip for good service is generally given. If you do want to leave a tip, ten percent of the bill is customary. The same applies for taxi fares although there is a custom of ‘rounding up’ to the nearest dollar and perhaps an extra dollar or two if you have lots of luggage.
Water quality
The water in Brisbane (and throughout Australia) exceeds the standards for safe drinking water set by the World Health Organisation. It is safe to drink water straight from the tap in Brisbane.Smoking
In Queensland it is illegal for people below 18 years of age to be sold cigarettes or other tobacco products. Smoking is not allowed in public buildings, on public transport, in taxis and most restaurants and stores.
Public Transport
A comprehensive network of buses, ferries and trains link South Bank with Brisbane city and suburbs. Travel passes are available. A Day Rover ticket offers one day unlimited travel on Brisbane City Council bus and ferry services. The South East Explorer ticket provides unlimited travel on bus, ferry and Citytrain services. For detailed information contact Transinfo on 13 12 30 or visit their website http://www.transinfo.qld.gov.au.Australian Lingo
barbie: Barbecue.
billy tea: Tea brewed in a "billy" hung over a campfire. A billy is a metal container shaped like a large can with a wire handle. The water is boiled, a handful of tea leaves thrown in then stirred with a stick and left to brew for a few minutes.
bingle: Motor vehicle accident
bushranger: Outlaw, highwayman.
BYO: Bring your own (wine). Said of restaurants without a liquor licence.
chemist: Pharmacy or drugstore.
chook: Chicken
come good: Turn out okay.
cooee: Call to attract attention. Within cooee: Nearby
damper: Bread made from flour and water and cooked either in a camp oven (heavy cast-iron pot with lid, which you place in a campfire and heap coals around) or by wrapping dough on a green stick and toasting it over the campfire.
drongo: Someone who is stupid/inept, a dimwit
esky: Insulated container (to keep beer/food cold).
flat white: Espresso coffee with milk
fruit loop: A fool
g’day: Casual greeting
good onya: Good for you, well done
knock: Criticise.
lift: Elevator.
port: School bag
postie: Postman, mailman
prawn: Shrimp
ripper: Great, fantastic
ropable: Extremely angry or bad-tempered.
scratchy/scratchie: Instant lottery ticket.
she’ll be right: It will be alright.
shonky: Dubious, unreliable
short black: Espresso coffee, no milk
shout: Buy someone a drink (I’ll shout you a beer!)
snag: Sausage
stubbie: Small bottle of beer
sunnies: Sunglasses
thongs: Flip flops, rubber slip-on footwear
tinnie: Can of beer
togs: Swimsuit
too right: Definitely.
top end: Far north Australia
true blue: Patriotic
Vegemite: A brown yeast extract which is spread on toast and sandwiches - virtually a national food.
More Australian slang can be found at: http://www.koalanet.com.au/australian-slang.html
Last updated: 5 November 2008
