Weather
The warmest months of December to February have an average maximum temperature of 25ºC; while June to August are the coolest months, with daytime temperatures rarely falling below 10ºC.
Language
English.
Time Difference
Australian Eastern Time Zone, UTC+ 10:00
Visa
Travellers to Australia, except those with Australian or New Zealand passport, require a passport (with validity of at least 6 months) or similar certificate of identification.
Currency
AUD. The most commonly accepted credit cards are American Express, Bankcard, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa and their affiliates.
VAT
Prices in Australia are shown as inclusive of 10% GST (Goods and Services Tax).
Gratuity
Tipping is not customary but is becoming more widespread. In a restaurant, a tip of 10% is now normal although some restaurants have started adding a service charge to the bill. Porters and staff at larger hotels can be offered a gratuity for good service, but it is purely discretionary. Taxi drivers may not expect a tip unless helping with luggage, but it is a common practice to round the fare up to the nearest dollar.
Electricity
220-240 volts, AC 50Hz. As the Australian three-pin power outlet might differ from that of other countries, an adaptor might be required.
Public holidays
The major public holidays are Australia Day; Good Friday; Easter Saturday & Monday; Anzac Day; Queen’s Birthday; Labour Day; Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Business Hours:
Business Hours
Banks:
In general, banks are open as follows:
Mondays to Thursdays, 09:00 to 16:00 hours;
Fridays, 09:00 to 17:00 hours.
Offices:
General office hours (including Post Offices) are:
Mondays to Fridays, 09:00 to 17:00 hours
Retail:
Shops in Sydney normally open on:
Mondays to Fridays, 09:00 to 17:30 hours (with late night shopping on Thursdays) On Saturdays and Sundays:
Most shops, 09:00 to 16:00 hours
Darling Harbour, 10:00 to 18:00 hours
Most departmental stores in the city centre, 10:00 to 16:00 hours.