Do visitors require visas to enter Australia?
Yes. Everyone except for holders of Australian and New Zealand passports requires a visa to enter in Australia.

Can tourists work in Australia?
All employment, whether paid or unpaid, is illegal on a tourist visa.

How much money can be taken into/out of Australia?
Amounts of AUD 10,000 or more, or equivalent in foreign currency (meaning notes and coins of legal tender) must be declared on arrival.

What is the currency?
Australia’s currency is decimal and based on the dollar ($) which is made up of 100 cents. Notes come in $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5 denominations.
Coins used are 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2. Currency exchange facilities are available at all international airports. Foreign currency and traveller’s cheques can be changed at most bank branches.

Banks
Opening a bank account is usually straightforward as long as you have your passport and other identification. The names, addresses and telephone numbers for banks are available from the yellow pages of the capital city telephone directories available on the first floor of the Embassy. Contact a bank and enquire what forms of identity are required to open the account of the type you want – i.e. savings, cheque account, etc. Do not forget to enquire whether the bank requires a minimum initial deposit to open the account and how much this amounts to. Enquire of your local bank in Brazil if it has a branch in Australia with which you can bank.
General opening hours of banks are 0930 to 1600 hours Monday to Thursday and 0930 to 1700 hours Fridays.
Some banks and building societies open on Saturday mornings. Please check opening hours of the branch with which you bank.
For exchange rates and cash, travellers cheques, bank cheques or transfers, please consult your local bank .

What credit cards are used in Australia?
All major international credit cards are used in Australia. You may find some difficulty using them in small country areas and small retail shops.

What electricity voltage is used in Australia?
The electrical current in Australia is 240/250 volts, AC 50HZ. The Australian 3-pin power plug is different from that used in other countries, so you will need an adaptor. The television system in operation in Australia is PAL B.

Can pet dogs and cats be taken to Australia?
Yes, but only if strict Australian quarantine regulations are met. For further information visit Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service. Check also the Australian Customs website.

Can food be taken into Australia?
All food must be declared on entry into Australia. Visit the information visit Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service.

Is there a Departure Tax?
Departure Tax is USD$ 40,00 (American dollars) which is usually included with the ticket.

Can I use my Brazilian driver’s licence in Australia?
The control of drivers licencing within Australia is vested in the State and Territory authorities. The common policy of the relevant licencing authorities of the Australian States and Territories is that, where a person is a visitor to Australia, temporarily, in a State or Territory, the visitor is permitted to drive, in that State or Territory, if the visitor holds a current licence to drive a motor vehicle which is issued in English. If your licence is not issued in English, you will need to carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) at all times while driving. A visitor will then be permitted to drive a vehicle of the type or class to which the licence is applicable. The Embassy does not issue, extend, renew or replace driver’s licences of any State or Territory of Australia. If you wish to have a Consular Officer certify your photograph and/or witness your signature on an application for a licence, please telephone the Consular Section.

Health
Travellers from Brazil are required to show evidence of Yellow fever Vaccination when entering Australia. It is important to have travel and/or medical insurance. Both the names and contact details for doctors and dentists may be obtained from the yellow pages of the telephone directories within Australia. Please ensure that you are covered for medical expenses from the time of departure till the time of arrival (in Australia).

Post Offices
Post Offices or Australia Post shops open 0900 – 1700 hours Monday to Friday but major post offices in big cities may open on Saturday morning.
Stamps are also available at hotels and newsagents.
Parcels sent to you in Australia from overseas may be sent to any Post Office marked "Post Restante". These must be collected within a month by producing suitable identification. Ensure the sender indicates to the Post office on the customs declaration what should happen to your parcel if it goes uncollected .

Where can I find out information about taxation in Australia?
Taxpacks may be collected from the Embassy or requested online. In July 1999 the Australian Taxation Office will release e-tax (electronic TaxPack) on the Internet - this product allows taxpayers to complete their tax returns electronically. TaxPack 00 and TaxPack 00supplement referred publications will also be available on the Internet - for reference purposes only.
General enquiries about taxation should be directed to:
The Commissioner
Australian Taxation Office
GPO Box 990
Canberra ACT 2601
Australia
Telephone: +61-2-62161111
Facsimile: +61-2-62162830

Telephones in Australia
Local calls, long-distance (STD) calls and overseas (IDD) calls can be made from coin-operated public phones, some of which accept credit cards and phonecards. In Australia: Directory Enquiries : 013 – Reverse charges: 0107 – Overseas operator: 0103 – Emergency: 000. For rates of telephone calls from Australia to overseas, please consult the telephone directory or the overseas operator. TELSTRA have made Australian White and Yellow Pages available on the Internet.
Address: http://www.whitepages.com.au/ and http://www.yellowpages.com.au/.

What are the time zones and time differences between Australia and Brazil?
There are three time zones in Australia but, depending upon the time of year, there are 11 to 13 hours time difference between Australian States and Territories and Brazil. Before placing your call, please check the difference with the local Brazilian international operator on 000333.

Tipping
This is not normally the done thing and service charges are not added to hotel or restaurant accounts. Porters, taxi drivers and the like do not expect to be tipped but you won’t hear one complain if you do. Australians as a rule do not tip.

Are vaccinations required to enter Australia?
Travel Agents or your General Medical Practitioner may provide initial advice regarding any necessary vaccinations. Generally, vaccinations are not required to enter Australia unless you have come from or visited a yellow fever infected country within 6 days prior to arrival.
Generally, vaccinations are not required to enter Australia unless you have come from or visited a yellow fever infected country within 6 days prior to arrival.

Australian Tourist Commission
For all travel-related queries, please contac the Australian Tourist Commission: www.australia.com.