| Greeting
In Australia it is customary to greet people by shaking
hands and introducing yourself, and at a business meeting
one should present a business card. Normally a casual and
relaxed atmosphere ensues no matter what the setting and
conversation generally flows very easily.
Tipping
Generally, tipping is not as prevalent as in other western
countries. Hotels and restaurants do not charge for service.
However, in more popular and expensive establishments, a
tip of between 10-15% of the total bill is seen as acceptable.
Hotel porters and room service may expect a tip of around
AUD$1 for their services. Similarly, cab drivers normally
expect the fare to be rounded up to the nearest AUD$, with
the small change on top of the fare as the tip.
Dress
In Australia it is usual to dress informally due to the
humidity of the climate. When conducting business, a light
cotton suit and tie is generally preferable for men, and
a similar weight suit, trouser suit (pantsuit) or conservative
dress for women.
When not conducting business, casual clothes are acceptable
in most situations, with the exception of some restaurants
and hotel lounges, which may require a jacket and tie to
be worn by men.
To read more on packing for a Australian holiday refer to What
to bring
Since the Second World War, Australia has seen a steady
inflow of immigrants, mainly from Europe, but also from South-East
Asia and the Middle East. These outside influences, mixing
with a society of mainly British and Aboriginal descent,
have produced a cosmopolitan and egalitarian cultural climate,
making Australia one of the world's largest ethnic melting
pots.
The official language of Australia is english, although
Australian english contains slang and diminutives... see Aussie
speak
Looking after your passport
Your passport is essential. You need it to fly, enter and
leave other countries, check into accommodation and use travellers'
cheques.
Write down your personal details in the back of your passport.
You can do this in pencil so it's easy to change. Apart from
this, never alter or tamper with your passport. That's illegal.
Never sell, give away or use your passport as security for
a debt.
- Taking extra passport photos with you is smart
Carry your passport separately from other ID and credit
cards. Do not risk losing all your ID at once. Safeguard
your passport from theft or loss. Replacing it will cost
money and may take time. The replacement may have limited
validity.
If your passport is lost or stolen, report it to the Australian
police.
Secure your personal information
Print out and complete the "Personal Details" and "Checklist" forms
in this section, carry these details separately from your
passport.
Make two photocopies of:
- Your itinerary
- Your passport details - a copy of the
photo page will do
- Your travellers' cheques and credit
card numbers
- Your driver's license or international
driving permit
- Your insurance policy
Leave one copy with family or a friend in your home country.
Note their phone number and address on the copy you take
with you.
Do not give your home contact details to strangers.
Do not let strangers have your itinerary details, and be
careful about giving out your room number.
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