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 has an expanding economy offering a number of business opportunities, it is playing an expanding regional and global role in international business and politics.
Major trading partners include its neighbours in south east Asia. Australia is multicultural, multiracial and home to a number of ethnic groups, the largest country in Oceania has a wide range of landscapes from mountains, hills, deserts, tropical rainforests, coral reefs and golden sandy beaches there is plenty for visitors to see, do and enjoy. Famous attractions include the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Uluru (Ayers Rock), Great Barrier Reef, Bondi Beach, Blue Mountains and Kakadu National Park.
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 & Climate
Quick Facts on Australia
Country: Australia
Capital: Canberra
Currency: Australian Dollar (1 Dollar = 100 cents)
Population: 22.9 Million (UN, 2012)
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 1.56 Tn (World Bank, 2013)
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 High Commission UK
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. Prior appointments are usually necessary for meetings. 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. Business may be conducted over drinks, 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 (2015):
January 1: New Year’s Day
January 26: Australia Day
April 3: Good Friday
April 6: Easter Monday
April 25: Anzac Day
June 8: 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
Map of Sydney, Australia
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Related Resources
Australia Weather & Climate
Australia's location in the southern hemisphere means the seasons are reversed to those in both Europe and North America. The size of the country means it has two main climatic zones, the temperate zone and the tropical zone; the tropical zone is located in the north and has two main seasons summer and winter; the temperate zone has four seasons. The spring to summer season from October to March is the most popular time for tourist visiting the country, although Australia is a year round destination. Most of the year it is pleasant and warm with some cooler nights in the winter.
Lightweight cotton and linen clothing are need most of the time with some warmer clothes and layers need in the winter months particularly during the morning and evening periods.
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.
