These are National holidays.If these dates fall on a weekend, a day maybe given in lieu. There are also numerous State holidays.
Informality
Australia is an informal society generally.In cities businessmen wear suits and ties, but elsewhere, in the suburbs and rural areas people dress casually.However, certain hotels, clubs and restaurants may have a dress code to discourage the wearing of shorts/vests in the evenings.If in doubt, ask!
Beach Culture
Beach Culture has become an integral part of the Australian lifestyle and surfing and surf life saving are both popular activities.
Snobbery
Australians generally dislike pretentiousness and snobbery but they will tend to forgive an individual who is honest about their errors.
Anti-Australian sentiments
Australians are not good at accepting criticism from visitors.If you start criticising Australia expect to receive much criticism of your own country in return!
Safety in the Cities By world standards Australia is a benign community. There are no definable no-go areas in any of the major cities and, as a general principle, it is safe to travel anywhere in the country. To give some idea of the of the scale of crime in Australia, Sydney is the country¹s largest city and inevitably, like any large city, it has its share of crime. Common sense is necessary. In both Kings Cross and around Oxford Street be sensible. They are perfectly safe areas but people have been known to be beaten up and robbed by youths.
Safe Sex
Note that condoms are available at chemists, some all-night stores and at vending machines in the toilets of universities and many hotels. The pill is only available on prescription which requires a visit to a doctor.
What to Wear?
The Australian climate ranges from snow, as a common occurrence, in the mountains of Victoria and New South Wales in the winter, through to tropical monsoon conditions in Darwin and across the Kimberley region of Western Australia in the summer months. It is therefore difficult to make generalisations.
People dress, informally, though smart casual wear is often required after dark at theatres and the more sophisticated hotels and restaurants.
Beach wear is acceptable only on the beach and in pubs and fast food outlets; casual clothing is customary in most places.
For summer months (October to April) pack lightweight garments and a hat.
The entire Queensland coast commonly experiences summer rains. Bring an umbrella.
In winter, usually a lightweight overcoat and woollen garments are required. Remember warmer clothes are required if going inland.
Tipping
Tipping is not standard practise in Australia.
You may wish to add an extra 10% to the bill at a restaurant if you are impressed with the service but it is not mandatory. Most Australians, however, when going to a good restaurant will expect to pay an additional 10%. Restaurant prices carry no extra taxes or service charges and the food in Australia is plentiful, of high quality and cheap.
Taxi drivers appreciate a tip but will not be insulted if you fail to offer a tip.
Trading Hours
These are from 8:30 or 9:00 until 17:00 or 17:30, Monday to Friday and 9:00 to 13:00 on Saturday with late-night shopping on Thursday and/or Friday, when the shops close at 20:00 or 21:00.
However, these hours vary somewhat in different centres. Some shops stay open until 16:00 on a Saturday and some are open on Sundays. Major supermarket chains are now tending to open very long hours in more densely populated areas. Corner shops, milk bars, delis and city bookshops also open for extended trading.
Post Offices
Open from 9:00 - 17:00 Monday to Friday.
They provide comprehensive postal services as well as lettergram, international telegram facsimile transmission. It is common, particularly in rural areas, for the local public telephones to be located near the Post Office. You may find that overseas postal rates are very high. Some Post Offices located in suburban areas and in the larger shopping malls are open on Saturday.
Banking Hours Generally 9.30am-4pm Monday to Thursday, and 9.30am-5pm Friday, but some banks offer extended hours and some are open on Saturday mornings.
Water
Tap water is safe to drink throughout Australia. Always check before you drink the water locally!!
Electricity
The electrical current in Australia is 220-240 volts AC.
The local plug-and-socket system uses three pins. These are not the same as those utilised in Britain and only first-class hotels tend to have appropriate converters.Good quality hardware stores and electrical stores may carry adaptors but, failing this, an Australian plug could be fitted. A more practical solution is to purchase appropriate adaptors before you leave your country.
Weights and Measures: Metric
Dialling Code: 61
Emergencies
The telephone number for emergencies is 000.
This will connect you to police, ambulance or other emergency services.
