Australia Business Travel Guide

The Australia Business Travel Guide provides a range of valuable travel information to assist business travellers. The guide contains facts on Australia, visa information, business customs, useful tips and other resources. An understanding of other cultures, languages, customs and Etiquette can be of great importance to business travellers and give a real advantage to ensuring a successful business trip.


Australia Guide

Quick Facts on Australia
Australia Travel Advice
Visa Requirements
Business Customs and Etiquette
Travel Advice and Tips
Public Holidays
Australia Map
Australia Weather
Currency Converter & Travel Money Exchange
Australia Hotels & Flights
Travel Insurance


Quick Facts on Australia

Country: Australia

Capital: Canberra

Currency: Australian Dollar

Population: 20 Million

Area total: 7,682,300 sq km

Languages: English

Time Zone: GMT +8 to +10

Daylight Saving Details: Starts in late October until late March

Electricity: 220-240V 50Hz

Dialling Code: 61

GDP: USD 1,235bn (2010)

Religion: Predominately Christian (Anglican, Catholic) with Muslim and Buddhist minorities.

Political System: Federal State with British monarch as sovereign

Internet Domain: .au


Australia Travel Advice

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office offers travellers useful advice when travelling to Australia. You can find further information on entry requirements for Australia, advice on local laws and customs, health considerations, useful tips on safety and security and the address and contact details of the British High Commission in Australia. The information is regularly updated making it a useful point of reference for both business and leisure travellers when looking for the latest travel advice and information on Australia. For more information please see: Australia Travel Advice


Visa Requirements

All visitors to Australia other than Australian and New Zealand nationals will need a valid visa before entering Australia. Visa requirements are subject to change with changes in requirements and rules for further information please see: Australia Visa Requirements


Business Customs and Etiquette

Business dress usually conservative in Sydney and Melbourne with dark suits the norm. In tropical areas such as Brisbane the dressing may be more relaxed but it is best to check first. Greetings are usually with a handshake, business cards are exchanged afterwards, and there is less emphasis on the importance of business cards than in Asia. Punctuality for meetings is important, the meetings tend to be relaxed but are serious with a direct communication style where there may be little small talk and people get down to business. A sense of humour is often used by the hosts and is appreciated as a quality in others. Decisions are made at the top so getting decisions can be slow.


Travel Advice and Tips

Most trips to Australia for both business visitors and tourists go ahead year without incident. You should be aware of pick pockets and bag snatchers especially in crowded tourist areas. Do not show your valuables in public and ensure you are alert and aware of your surrounds and environment at all times. Australia is a large country and trips need to be well planned, long trips especially to remote areas such as in the outback need to be properly planned and you need to take adequate food and water with you in conditions where temperatures can sour, it is wise to let someone else know of your travel itinerary in case of an emergency.

Travel Checklist: See our Checklist for Travellers containing useful tips and reminders to ensure you have everything you will need on your trip.

Travel Vaccinations: It is recommended to check with your GP whether you require any travel vaccinations up to eight weeks before you travel. For more information and advice on travel vaccinations please see the NHS Fit for Travel website.


Tipping: Tipping is not a very widespread custom, however rounding up of taxi fares and adding 10% to restaurant bills is appreciated.

Hours of Business:

For Businesses:
09.00 to 17.00 Monday to Friday

For Shops
09.00 to 17.00 Monday to Friday
09.00 to 12.00-16.00 Saturdays

For Banks:
09.30 to 16.00 Monday to Thursday
09.30 to 17.00 Fridays

NOTE: Opening times for shops can vary with Shopping Malls opening for longer hours from 10.00 to 18.00 and up to 21.00 on late nights.


Public Holidays

Public Holidays (2012):
January 1: New Year’s Day
January 26: Australia Day
April 6: Good Friday
April 25: Anzac Day
June 11: Queen’s Birthday
December 26: Christmas Day
December 27: Boxing Day

Please note: There are varying holidays that are state wide only and do not apply to other states within Australia.


Australia Map


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Related Resources

Australia Weather




Currency Converter & Travel Money Exchange




Find the latest exchange rates:

International Exchange Rates


Travel Money Exchange:

Buy Currencies and Travellers Cheques online at Travel Money Exchange


Australia Hotels & Flights

For Accommodation in Australia, see: Australia Hotels for a range of accommodation options.


For Flights to Australia use our Flight Search:




Travel Insurance

Whether you require business travel insurance or travel insurance for your holidays, our partners Endsleigh Insurance Services offer a range of great insurance deals at competitive rates. For further information & quotes:




Current Time in Australia (Sydney):













Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.

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