Australia FAQs

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Written by
Rachel O'Leary, Kit Wong, Ellie Khoury & Gilda Tang

Published on: November 14th, 2016

Last modified: July 26th, 2023

We've compiled our list of most frequently asked questions to help you get prepared before your big adventure to Australia. Please read through the questions, using the navigation bar on the left hand side of your page to move easily between the different sections.

Please note that requirements and advice can change so we do recommend you check in with your own travel insurer, doctor and relevant local embassies before embarking on your adventure.

Are there any entry requirements for Australia?

 

Visas

There are several different types of visas/visa exemptions available for international travellers to Australia. If you are travelling on a Canadian, US or UK passport you will be able to apply for an ETA which grants you multiple entry for 12 months with a maximum of 3 months on each visit. You can download the Australian ETA app for free from the  Apple Store (Apple) or Google Play store (Android).  The ETA costs USD 20 when submitted through the app.

Passports

If you have an e-passport you will be able to use the smart gates on arrival or departure in Australia. For entry into Australia, your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay. No additional period of validity beyond this is needed.

We will confirm certain elements of your trip such as domestic flights, permits or train tickets using your current passport details. If a member of your party changes the name in their passport after booking (for example, through marriage or adoption) this could mean having to reissue important parts of the trip at an extra cost and subject to availability.

 

Are there any laws, rules or regulations I should be aware of?

Australia famously has one of the strictest biosecurity laws in the world. Australia is free of many insects and pests, plant diseases and animal infections that are common elsewhere in the world. Substantial fines will be incurred if you arrive carrying animal products including skin, hair, dung, feathers, bone, coral, eggs and sea shells. Some are banned because they can harbour pests and diseases; others because they pose a threat to endangered species. Fresh perishable foodstuffs, such as fruit, vegetables and meat and items manufactured from plant products are also prohibited.

Do I need travel insurance?

 

Yes, once your trip is confirmed it is essential that you take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover you in case anything unexpected happens. 

We always recommend that our guests get the maximum level of coverage that you feel comfortable investing in. Read more about travel insurance for US travellers here and for travellers from other countries here.

Do I need to visit a travel doctor before my trip?

 

Yes, it is always recommended to talk to your Travel Doctor before taking a trip. You should discuss your itinerary and international travel arrangements to hear any recommendations or advice they may have. Travel to Australia does not commonly require vaccines or medication however it’s always best to check in with your doctor about your particular requirements. As a general rule Australia has good medical infrastructure although as you would expect, there are fewer medical services in the outback.

What do I need to know about my regional flights?

 

Domestic flights in Australia are similar to those in North America. They will use similar aircraft and your baggage allowance will typically be 23kgs/50lbs per person, although please do check the allowance on your itinerary as it depends on your route/travel class.

What will I receive from Jacada before I depart?

 

Travel pack

Before you head off on your adventure you will be sent a travel pack. The travel pack is full of great information and is also a beautiful keepsake. It is not necessary to travel with vouchers or confirmations on your trip but we do recommend having a printed copy of your travel itinerary to hand when you arrive into Australia.

Bon Voyage email

Around 2 weeks before you depart we will email you an electronic version of your travel pack including your domestic flight tickets. Once you’ve received this email your Travel Designer will reach out to arrange a time for you to talk on the phone to go over any last minute questions and talk you through the information we’ve sent over.

Do I need to bring the local currency?

 

Credit cards such as American Express, Bankcard, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa, UnionPay and JCB are accepted in Australia. VISA or MasterCard can be used everywhere credit cards are accepted. American Express and Diners Club are accepted at major supermarkets, department store chains and tourist destinations. A good tip is to carry multiple credit cards and a little cash. Merchants may impose credit card surcharges in some places.

Traveller’s cheques are not widely accepted in Australia. If you do purchase traveller’s cheques, it is best to buy them in Australian dollars as smaller shops, restaurants and other businesses are unlikely to know what the exchange rate is if you present a cheque in a different currency such as US dollars or British pounds.

Can you tell me about tipping and etiquette in Australia?

 

Hotels and restaurants do not add service charges to your bill, and tipping is always your choice. In upmarket restaurants, it is common to tip waiters 10 percent of the bill for good service.

Tour guides do not expect tips, but will accept them if offered. A few Australian dollars tip will be appreciated if you feel that your tour guide has done an exceptional job. However, never feel that you have to tip your tour guide. 

What's the weather like and how should I pack?

 

Weather 

What you pack for your trip can change depending on the time of year. 

Australia’s climate varies greatly throughout the eight states and territories; there are four seasons across most of the country and a wet and dry season in the tropical north.   

Australia’s seasons are at opposite times to those in the northern hemisphere. December to February is summer; March to May is autumn; June to August is winter; and September to November is spring.

The northern shores of the country are dominated by a wet monsoon in the summer months (November to March), and dry tropical climate throughout the rest of the year. 

The South-eastern and South-western corners of the continent, and Tasmania have a more Mediterranean climate and tend to receive their rainfall in the southern hemisphere’s winter months (June to September).

The sun is extremely strong in Australia, so it’s important to protect your skin during the day. This is especially true while travelling, as you’ll generally be spending lots of time in our beautiful great outdoors. It is recommended that you use SPF 50+ reef safe sunscreen, and wear a hat, sunglasses, and long sleeves where possible to protect your skin against the sun’s harmful UV rays.

What to pack

This is our essentials list, we recommend chatting with your travel designer or concierge for more personalised suggestions based on time of year and activities on your trip:

Power adapter, Towel, Hat, Walking shoes, Swimming Costume, Jacket, Water bottle, Flipflops (you’ll hear Australians calling them ‘thongs’), Active clothing, Something chic, Reef-Safe Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Day bag.

Most hotels  do offer a laundry service for a price.

 

Should I make restaurant reservations?

 

We highly recommend that you make restaurant reservations in advance of your trip. Once your trip is confirmed you will be introduced to your concierge who will be able to assist you in not only making the reservations but also  making recommendations based on your preferences.

What’s the transport like?

 

Metered taxis are available in all major cities and towns. You can book a taxi by phone, hail a taxi in the street or get one from a taxi rank which can often be found at transport terminals, major hotels or shopping centres.

A light and sign on the roof shows when a cab is available. There is a minimum ‘flagfall’ charge, then a charge for the distance travelled. Small additional charges are made for luggage, telephone reservations, and where applicable tolls, otherwise the amount payable is shown on the metre.

How can I keep connected on my trip?

 

Plugs and power

You may need an adapter in order to plug your appliances into the power sockets in Australia: the adapter required for Australia is Type 1 Australia plug. The plugs in Australia have two flat metal pins, forming an inverted ‘V’ shape, and occasionally a third pin in the centre. The electrical current in Australia is 220-240 volts, AC 50Hz.

Wifi and internet connection

You will find a stark difference between cities and rural areas. Whilst most hotels are going to have wifi, outside of these hotels you may find you also struggle for cell phone service. 

Wifi is common in all larger city hotels and even in some rural hotels too. In some smaller towns and in the outback the connection can be patchy and is not always available throughout the entire property, sometimes only being available in the common areas or in the rooms. 

Not all properties offer wifi so if this sort of connectivity is very important to you please do discuss this with your travel designer.

Remote areas

Cell phone reception and roaming may let you down in some remote areas so please bear this in mind if you need to stay in touch while on your trip.

Please contact your Jacada travel designer or concierge before your trip with any further questions.