Business Customs

Conducting business is relatively easy for American companies because the language, cultural environment, business practices, and customer expectations are similar. Australia’s business etiquette also is similar to that of the U.S. Australians pay attention to advance planning, promptness, and follow-up, and are generally direct in their business dealings. They typically conduct business on a first-name basis, and exchange business cards for information purposes, but without any special ceremony. Token gift exchange is not common.

Luncheon and breakfast meetings are common, and Australians do not typically schedule business functions on weekends. Business attire is the norm for the cities, with country areas being slightly more informal.

Travel Advisory

Current travel warnings issued by the State Department can be found at:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html

For additional State Department information on Australia, please visit: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_954.html

Visa Requirements

Americans traveling to Australia for business and/or leisure must hold a valid U.S. passport and either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). Apply to Australian Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates for visas. For the location of the nearest Australian consulate refer to: http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/overseas/index.htm . ETA’s are also available via the Internet (http://www.eta.immi.gov.au), and from participating U.S. travel agents and airlines when making travel arrangements. The Australian Embassy has a list of participating travel agencies. U.S. citizens traveling to Australia should note that they must obtain the ETA in the U.S.

Requirements for work and resident visas are more stringent. Americans should contact the nearest Australian visa office well in advance.

U.S. companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should be advised that security options are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following links.

State Department Visa Website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html

United States Visas.gov: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/

Australian Embassy Website http://www.austemb.org/

Telecommunications

Australia’s telecommunications infrastructure is excellent: national and international prices continue to decline as competition increases. Services to businesses include Internet access, ISDN, voice messaging, and facsimile. Phone cards are common and are available at numerous retail outlets.

Australia runs GSM, CDMA, W-CDMA, and 3G networks. Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone provide GSM, while Telstra, the 3 Network, Orange, AAPT, Optus, and Virgin Mobile provide CDMA services. The leading mobile carriers have carried 3G since 2005. Users of these technologies should receive wide coverage across Australia, although it has been suggested that Telstra may switch off its CDMA network in 2008. Mobile phone rentals are available at the airport and in the major city centers. You will need to make prior arrangements with your communications carrier or service provider to ensure you are able to use your cellular phone in Australia. You should also check if your cellular phone equipment is safe to operate in Australia. Power voltage is 240 volts/50Hz.

Internet access is widely available at airports, hotels, and Internet cafés. Facsimile services are also available for public use in post offices, hotels, and some news agencies.

For further information, see the Australian Communications and Media Authority website at http://www.acma.gov.au

Transportation

Travel time from the U.S. to Australia is a 14-hour non-stop flight from the West Coast (San Francisco or Los Angeles), with a choice of flights on several international airlines including United Airlines, Qantas Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, Air New Zealand, Air Tahiti Nui, and Air Pacific. Most departures from the U.S. leave in the evening and arrive in Australia early in the morning, with a day lost at the International Date Line. Travel to or from the rest of Asia, Europe, South America and South Africa is also convenient.

Frequent interstate flights connect the five major Australian cities. The major airlines servicing domestic routes include Qantas Airways, Virgin Blue and Jetstar Airways (a subsidiary of Qantas). Savings are available on domestic airfares when purchased in conjunction with international tickets. Australia has an extensive and efficient domestic transportation system, including air, rail, coach, and sea.

Australians drive on the left side of the road. Major U.S. and Australian car rental agencies operate throughout the country. Reservations are available through airports, hotels, travel agents or directly, using a credit card and a U.S. or international driver's license. Public transportation is well-developed throughout urban areas. Comfortable and convenient bus, rail, and air services are available between cities and country towns.

International Air Travel Times
Los Angeles to Sydney - 14 hrs
New York to Sydney (via Los Angeles and San Francisco)- 21 hrs
Honolulu to Sydney - 9 hrs
Tokyo to Sydney - 9 hrs
Hong Kong to Sydney - 9 hrs
Singapore to Sydney - 8 hrs

Air Travel Times Within Australia
Sydney to Melbourne - 1.5 hrs
Sydney to Brisbane - 1.5 hrs
Sydney to Perth - 4 hrs
Sydney to Canberra - 35 mins
Melbourne to Brisbane - 2 hrs
Melbourne to Perth - 4 hrs
Brisbane to Perth - 6 hrs

Language

Australia is an English-speaking country.

Health

Australia has no notable health risks and public tap water is safe to drink. There are active campaigns to encourage the population to protect themselves from sun exposure and HIV/AIDS. Medical and dental services, and all types of health facilities, are comparable with those in the U.S. Visitors can receive medical attention easily, but may be required to pay for services immediately, by cash or credit card.

Local Time, Business Hours, and Holidays

Australia has three time zones: Eastern, Central, and Western. Not all Australian states observe daylight saving time and the dates for the switch to and from Daylight time varies. To check the current time in Australia, refer to: www.timezoneconverter.com

Office business hours generally are 9:00 am-5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Retail shops increasingly keep longer business hours, and all city centers have evening shopping at least one day per week, along with Saturday, and (in most areas) Sunday trading. Banks are open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with 7-day/24-hour ATM service. Restaurants and convenience stores are commonly open for extended hours.

Australians generally take annual vacation in December and January, combining Christmas/New Year with the school summer vacation period. Consequently, business slows down and it is often difficult to make business appointments during this time. Business travelers should be certain that their contacts are available during this period before scheduling trips.

A list of Public Holidays in Australia can be found at:

http://www.buyusa.gov/australia/en/283.html

Temporary Entry of Materials and Personal Belongings

Commercial goods brought into Australia with the intention of being sold will be subject to the normal rates of duty and sales tax, where applicable. In most cases, imported items solely for exhibiting at local trade fairs are not subject to import duties.

Goods may enter Australia on a temporary basis without the payment of Customs duty or taxes for a period of up to 12 months. These goods are referred to as Temporary Imports. The legislative provisions for Temporary Imports are contained in Sections 162 and 162A of the Customs Act 1901 and Regulations 124, 125, 125A and 125B of the Customs Regulations 1926. Another way for goods to enter Australia on a temporary basis is under the cover of a 'carnet,' an international "passport for goods." All temporary imports must leave within the approved period. The nature of the goods, their intended use in Australia, and who is importing them will determine the eligibility provisions under Australian customs law.

For further information: http://www.customs.gov.au

There are no restrictions to the temporary importation of personal computers and software applications for use in normal business situations. Before you arrive in Australia, you are advised to check if your communications equipment (for example, mobile phone, wireless microphone, notebook computer) is safe to operate in Australia. Power voltage is 240 volts/50Hz.

Web Resources

Australian Communications Authority: http://www.acma.gov.au
Australian Customs: http://www.customs.gov.au
Australian Embassy/Consulate listing: http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/overseas/index.htm
Australian Embassy Website http://www.austemb.org/
Australian Visa information: http://www.eta.immi.gov.au
Public Holidays in Australia: http://www.buyusa.gov/australia/en/283.html
Time conversion: http://www.timezoneconverter.com
U.S. State Dept. Australia: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_954.html
U.S. State Dept. Destination USA: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/
U.S. State Dept. Travel Warnings: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html
U.S. State Dept. Visa Website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html

Australian Tourist Office
Australian Tourist Commission http://www.australia.com

Australian State Tourist Offices

Australian Capital Territory http://www.canberratourism.com.au
New South Wales Tourist Commission http://www.tourism.nsw.gov.au
Victorian Tourist Commission http://www.visitvictoria.com
Tourism Queensland http://www.queenslandholidays.com.au
South Australian Tourist Commission http://www.southaustralia.com
Western Australian Tourist Commission http://www.westernaustralia.net
Northern Territory Tourism Commission http://www.nttc.com.au
Tourism Tasmania http://www.discovertasmania.com.au