Overseas Delegates

Visa Information

ALL travellers to Australia must have a valid visa before boarding their plane.

Travellers to Australia cannot apply for a visa on arrival. For many countries, the visa is paperless and added automatically to your air ticket. Check with your travel agent if uncertain.

Information about attending an event in Australia can be found at www.immi.gov.au/visitors/index.htm (Visa Arrangements for Events, Conferences and Meetings in Australia)
You can apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) directly through the following link www.eta.immi.gov.au
Details for contacting the appropriate visa office closest to the applicant's place of residence can be found at www.immi.gov.au/contacts/overseas/index.htm

General Information

Currency and Exchange - The official currency of Australia is the Australian Dollar (AUD)
Australian currency is comprised of notes and coins and are of decimal currency. In view of the currency, you may occasionally see prices such as $2.98, this figure is rounded up to the nearest five cents, in this case $3.00
Money exchanges can be found all around the city and most major tourist destinations. Banks also offering money exchanging services and cashing of travellers cheques.
Throughout Brisbane you will find numerous Currency Exchange desks, most hotels also have exchange rates at the Reception Desk, however, some hotels have a limit to what you can exchange.
All the major banks also offer money exchange services and cashing of travellers cheques. Your passport will be needed for indentification purposes when cashing travellers cheques.

Banks and Banking Hours - Normal banking hours are Monday - Thursday 9:30am-4:00pm and Fridays 9:30am-5:00pm, excluding public holidays. 24 Hour Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) can be found throughout the City and Shopping Centres.
There are four major banks in Australia which offer a full range of banking services including currency conversions and sales of travellers cheques.

Electricity - Australia uses 240V mains electricity and use 'three point' power sockets. Please click here to view the standard plug used within Australia, Type I. Universal adapters are available from most gift stores and electrical shops around the city.
To find out more please visit Electricity World Standards.


Weather - Average temperatures in Brisbane in November (Spring) 15-25°C (59-77°F) - glorious sunny days followed by balmy evenings - dont' forget a light jacket. To view the latest forecast please click here


Australian websites

Australia - Tourism information www.australia.com or http://australia.gov.au/

Australian News / Media ABC online The Australian Newspaper

Australia Exchange Rates http://www.rba.gov.au/statistics/frequency/exchange-rates.html

Australian Currency http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/currency.html

Australian Weather Bureau of Meteorology

Smartraveller - The Australian Government's travel advisory and consular information service. http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
This site is designed to help you get through the security checkpoints at the airport quickly and easily. It will help you understand the aviation security measures in place at Australian airports and why they are necessary. It provides information on preparing for your trip, what you are prohibited from taking on board, and travelling with children, medicines or sporting equipment. It also provides a number of videos that explain the screening process and liquids, aerosols and gels restrictions. This site will be updated with new information to reflect changes in airport security arrangements as they occur.

Australian Customs - Information for travellers - http://www.customs.gov.au/knowbeforeyougo/default.asp


 

Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS)

The TRS enables you to claim a refund, subject to certain conditions, of the goods and services tax (GST) and wine equalisation tax (WET) that you pay on goods you buy in Australia.

To claim a refund you must:

  • Spend $300 (GST inclusive) or more in the one store and get a single tax invoice
  • Buy goods no more than 30 days before departure
  • Wear or carry the goods on board the aircraft or ship and present them along with your original tax invoice, passport and international boarding pass to a Customs Officer at a TRS facility
  • Claims at airports are available up to 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of your flight.
  • Claims at seaports should be made no earlier than 4 hours and no later than 1 hour prior to the scheduled departure time of the vessel.

The refund only applies to goods you take with you as hand luggage or wear (unless aviation security measures, effective from 31 March 2007, in regard to liquids, aerosols and gels prevent you from doing so) onto the aircraft or ship when you leave Australia. It does not apply to services or goods consumed or partly consumed in Australia, such as wine, chocolate or perfume. However, unlike other tourist shopping schemes, most of the goods, such as clothing and cameras, can be used in Australia before departure.

For further information please visit click here.