GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT AUSTRALIA

Australia is the only country that is also
a continent. Extending north and south from
the Tropic of Capricorn. With an area covering 7,682,300 square kms (2,966,136 square miles) it is the sixth largest country of the world after Russia, Canada, China, the US and Brazil. Summer starts in December, autumn in March, winter in June and spring in September. Due to its size, geographical location and the lack of extensive high mountain ranges Australia has
a wide range of climates but generally no extremes. The average temperature ranges from 23-26 degrees Celsius above the Tropic
of Capricorn with the southern areas more temperate although subject to variations. This and the fact that Australia is the driest continent on earth makes our land a great all-year destination. It is possible in our winter to ski
in the southern states one day and be diving
at the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland the next.

For more detailed weather information see the Weather Chart on the Australian Tourist Commission Web page.

Australia welcomes overseas visitors. However, anyone who is not an Australian citizen needs a valid visa to enter and spend time in Australia. There are different visas for tourists, business people, sports people, students and others. All visas must be obtained before travelling. For further visa information please refer back to our Home page.

Visitors to Australia generally do not have access to the tax-supported health system. Visitors should obtain advice from their travel agent about appropriate health insurance, or see:
www.medibank.com.au
www.mbf.com.au

Australia has a large multi cultural population of just over 19 million.

Australia has more than 2,000 national parks and nature reserves, protected wilderness areas of natural and environmental importance that range from desert landscape to high mountains to coastal dunes and rainforests. Thirteen areas are inscribed on the UN's World Heritage List. The list includes Kakadu National Park, Uluru, the Wet Tropics of north Queensland, and the Great Barrier Reef, Fraser Island, Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves, Willandra Lakes, Lord Howe Island, Tasmanian Wilderness, Shark Bay, Australian Fossil Mammal Sites at Riversleigh (Queensland) and Naracoorte (South Australia), Macquarie Island and Heard and McDonald Islands.

Yearly clean up campaigns where the whole nation participates in ensure that Australia remains clean and pristine.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I would like to go to Australia to work?

Generally, it is very difficult for Swiss citizens to obtain permission to work in Australia. Most Swiss require a job offer and sponsorship or nomination by their Australian employer before they can apply for a temporary work visa. You may be eligible for the Trainee Exchange Program between Switzerland and Australia. For more details please see our Work Page.

As a Swiss National can I go on a Working Holiday to Australia?

Unfortunately Australia has, to this date, been unable to secure a working holiday agreement with the Swiss authorities. This means that nationals of Switzerland are currently unable to obtain a working holiday visa for Australia.
Australia has been able to establish working holiday agreements with GERMANY, THE NETHERLANDS, SWEDEN, DENMARK, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND,CANADA and UK. See our Work Page.

There is a Trainee Exchange Program in place between Switzerland and Australia that you may be eligible to apply for. For more information please see our Work Page.

How long does it take to process a visitor visa or student visa for Australia?

Swiss applicants should apply for their visitor or student visa AT LEAST 4 to 6 weeks prior to departure. Please refer to our Holiday page or Student Page.

What are the current criteria for migration to Australia?

For information about Migration please go to our Migration Page.

What goods can I bring when I come to Australia?

Australia has strict quarantine guidelines designed to protect our native flora and fauna against many pests and diseases. The general guideline for bringing any item through customs is that if you are concerned, please declare it.

For information on goods which are and are not allowed to be brought into Australia, including medications, guide dogs, duty free and baby foods please refer to the Australian Tourism Commission sites:

Travel Tips-Medications
Travel Tips-Customs
Travel Tips-Quarantine
Department of Immigration Visitors

Do I need vaccinations to enter Australia?

Generally European Tourists traveling from Europe directly to Australia do not require vaccinations.

If you are traveling from outside Europe, the vaccinations you will require will depend on where you have traveled from. For further information, please refer to the following Australian Tourism Commission site :
Travel Tips-Vaccinations

What is the weather like?

Four Seasons in One Day!
Australia is such a vast country, the weather conditions from one destination to another can vary dramatically from  hot and tropical in the far north to cool and even snowy in the south. Australia's seasons are the oppostite to those in the northern hemisphere with summer from December to February for most of the country, and the wet season in the tropical north. Winter in Australia is between June to August and is generally mild, but offers snow in the southern mountain regions and dry, sunny days in the northern states. The Australian sun can be dangerous, it is important to protect yourself with a hat, shirt and SPF 30+ sunscreen! For further information on the Australian Climate please refer to the link below
Travel Tips- Climate

Travelers cheques, cash or my credit cards?

The most commonly accepted credit cards are American Express, Bankcard, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa and their affiliates. Use may be restricted in smaller towns and country areas and small retail shops. Some retailers in larger centers will also accept JCB cards.

Can I use my driving licence to drive in Australia?

European Tourists may drive in Australia on a valid overseas drivers licence for the same class of vehicle. Licences must be carried when driving. If the drivers licence is not in the English language, the visitor must carry a translation or International Drivers Permit with the Licence.An International Drivers Permit is not sufficient by itself.

For further information contact the relevant state Road Transport Authority on arrival - the driving laws and restrictions can vary from state to state.

What are the driving laws in Australia?

When driving in Australia you must stay on the left hand side of the road. The steering wheel is located on the right hand side of the car. You must give way to your right, and pedestrians always have right of way. Australia has very tough road rule enforcement, especially for speeding and drink driving. Whilst many of the driving laws are the same throughout Australia, some restrictions (such as speed limits) can vary from state to state. The following Internet sites can offer the answers to many of your questions:

New South Wales Roads and Traffic Authority
ACT Territory and Municipal Services
South Australia Department of Road Transport
Tasmanian Department of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources
Victoria Vicroads
Queensland Transport Authority
Western Australia Department of Transport
Northern Territory Department of Transport and Works

Which events are on whilst I am Down Under?

Australia offers a wide variety of entertainment from true Australian celebrations such as camel races in the Outback to international arts festivals such as the Adelaide Festival. For further information, please refer to the Australian Tourism Commission site:

Events
Things to do

AUSSIE LINGO

Yes, Australians speak English, but it's definitely not the English the Queen of England had in mind. Like Swiss German Dialects, Australia has its own version of English. If someone asks you to "come down the rub-a-dub-dub for a pigs ear", you would never expect they are inviting you to the pub for a beer.

Here a just a few Australian words you would not have learnt in English class. Impress the locals with your knowledge of their language.

G'DAY: Hello
Barbie or BBQ: Abbreviation of barbecue, grill.
Bloody oath: If someone says this, they agree with what you are saying.
B.Y.O: Means you need to bring you own liquor/ if a restaurant displays B.Y.O on the door, you can bring beer and wine in to have with your meal.
Dunny: A toilet, also known as the Thunderbox.
Idiot Box: Television
Oz: Short for Australia
Postie: The Postman
Roo bar: Put one on the front of your car to lessen the damage when you hit a Kangaroo.
Shandy: A drink of beer and lemonade.
Yarn: A story, usually of adventure and usually very long and not always true.
Slip, Slop, Slap: If some one says this to you, you are getting some good advice. They are warning you of the harsh Australian sun, and telling you to SLIP on a T-shirt, SLOP on some sun cream, and SLAP on a Hat.

A guide to Australian slang

AUSTRALIA: WORLD-BEATERS

In 1999:

• the Wallabies won the Rugby Union World Cup
• the Australian cricket team won the World Cup
• Australia won the Davis Cup in tennis

Reigning individual world champions include athlete Cathy Freeman, triathlete Lorenz Harrop, Paralympian Louise Sauvage, freestyle skier Jacqui Cooper, surfers Mark Ochiluppo and Layne Beachley, and swimmers Susie O'Neill, Michael Klim, Ian Thorpe and Grant Hackett.

NOT SO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a selection of some funny questions we have answered over the years at Australian Immigration and Trade Services: I hear all Australian women are beautiful. Is it true and if so, can you send me pictures of the available ones. (From an Italian Client)

I want to go swimming on October 20th at Bondi Beach. Will I turn blue? (Germany)

Which direction should I drive - Perth to Darwin or Darwin to Perth - to avoid driving with the sun in my Eyes? (Switzerland)

I want to walk from Perth to Sydney - Can I follow the railroad tracks? (Switzerland).

Are there supermarkets in Sydney and is milk available all year round? (Germany)

Which direction is north in Australia? (USA)