Organize your stay Australia
Money Australia
The Australian currency is the Australian dollar (AU$ or AUD). It is available in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars, in coins of 1 and 2 dollars, and 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents. The bills are made of polypropylene (plastic), not paper. They are water-resistant and therefore wrinkle-free. Cash is used less and less, with the exception of open-air markets, where it is almost never needed. In February 2024, the exchange rate was : 1 AU$ = 0.61 € and 1 € = 1.65 AU$.
The overall cost of living in Australia is higher than in Europe. Even if car rentals remain attractive, as they are widely available, and there are many economical forms of accommodation(backpackers and youth hostels), you'll have to be prepared to make some concessions if your budget is limited.
You should also bear in mind that, while fuel prices remain advantageous, many vehicles (especially campervans) consume more than 10 liters per 100 km. Finally, for those staying several months and other Working Holiday Visa holders, remember that everything is paid for by the week (salary, accommodation, etc.).
Budget & Tips Australia
The cost of living in Australia is slightly higher than in France, and this is particularly noticeable when traveling: on average, you'll need to budget at least €100/day per person. Although Australia is reputed to be an expensive country, its purchasing power is far greater than that of France. As a local, expatriate or temporary resident (and income earner), Australia is far from overpriced. The most expensive products remain packs of cigarettes (at almost €20) and alcohol.
Some prices in 2024:
A domestic flight Sydney-Melbourne: from AU$ 50 on special offer.
Greyhound's Whimit Pass: unlimited bus travel for 7 days or more from AU$ 289 with Greyhound.
A ferry trip in Sydney : about AU$ 8 with the Opal card to Manly.
Cab from Sydney airport to the city center: AU$ 45-55.
Car rental in Sydney : from AU$ 100-150 per day + insurance.
1 liter of gasoline: AU$ 1.80 to AU$ 2.15. Diesel is generally more expensive than other fuels.
Camping: AU$30 to AU$40, AU$50 and more for the most luxurious or in the big cities.
Youthhostels and backpackers : on average, AU$25 to AU$35 for dormitories and AU$80 to AU$150 for double rooms with or without private bathroom. Higher rates in major cities.
Mid-range hotel: AU$120 to AU$170 for a double room. Higher rates in larger cities.
Restaurant meals : à la carte, between AU$25 and AU$45, not excessive.
Beer in a pub : AU$ 7 to AU$ 12
Stadium tickets : AU$30 to AU$70.
Museum: from free and on donation to AU$ 10/30.
A day trip to the Great Barrier Reef or the Whitsundays: from AU$ 110 to much more.
Advice before you leave. Remember to tell your bank advisor about your trip. He or she can check with you whether your payment and withdrawal limits have been set. If necessary, ask for an exceptional authorization to raise your limit. Your bank advisor may also be able to suggest that you take out an international offer to limit charges for banking transactions abroad. All payment methods are accepted in the main cities. However, you'll need to bring some cash if you're going to be in the Australian bush . For cash withdrawals, look out for ATMs in major cities. Generally speaking, they operate in the same way as in France. If the French language is not available, select English. "Retrait" is then " withdrawal ". If you are asked to choose between withdrawing from a " checking account ", a " credit account " or a " saving account ", select " checking account ". Select "debit" for debit and "credit" for credit. Enter the desired amount and confirm (" enter "). To the question " Would you like a receipt ?", answer " Yes " and keep your receipt in a safe place. As the euro is not the local currency, a commission is deducted from each withdrawal. Withdrawal fees vary from bank to bank, and generally comprise a fixed fee averaging 3 euros and a commission of between 2% and 3% of the amount withdrawn. Some banks have partnerships with foreign banks or allow you to benefit from their network, offering you advantageous fees or even free withdrawals (this is particularly the case for online banks). Ask your bank advisor for details. Note also that some ATMs may charge a commission, in which case this will be mentioned at the time of withdrawal. Generally speaking, you should pay with your bank card whenever possible. Charges are lower than for ATM withdrawals, and the spending limit is often higher. Note that when paying by credit card, you may not need to enter your pin code: contactless payment is now widely available throughout the country.
Passport and visas Australia
Visa. To enter Australia, you'll need either an eVisitor visa (free, 3-month visa for tourists), an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority), or a specific visa (such as the Working Holiday Visa, which allows you to work). The eVisitor(subclass 651) is intended for citizens of 35 European countries (including France, Switzerland and Belgium), while the ETA(subclass 601) costs AU$20 and is intended for countries outside Europe (Canada, for example). Both are valid for 1 year from the date of issue. Travel agencies or airlines offering to carry out the formalities on your behalf will only be able to provide you with an ETA, which is then valid for all, and the cost of which will be added to their fees. To obtain an eVisitor or an ETA easily and on your own, simply follow the link from the Australian Embassy to www.homeaffairs.gov.au or type directly: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing.
Passports. Passports issued in France are now biometric. They include your photo, fingerprints and a secure chip. To obtain a passport, go to the town hall with a tax stamp, proof of address, proof of identity and two passport photos. It is valid for ten years. Children must have a personal passport (valid for five years). Before you leave, remember to scan all your official documents. Photocopies of documents, to take with you, are also very useful. In the event of loss or theft, it will be much easier to renew your passport with the consular authorities. You can also keep copies on the official website www.service-public.fr. Simply create an account and scan all your identity papers and other important documents into the confidential area.
Driver's license Australia
In addition to your national license, you needan international license to drive in Australia. On site, the company may refuse to rent you a car, without any refund, if you are unable to produce the required documents. Remember to apply for your international license before you leave (valid for 3 years, obtained free of charge, but with a processing time of several months). Pre-application is made online on the ANTS website, and paper documents must then be sent to confirm the application. A word of advice: if you're short of time, you can request a NAATI (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters) certified translation of your driving license. This is an official translation recognized by the Australian government. It's a quicker and more cost-effective solution, but be warned that the translation is worthless without its French original, so make sure you have both your French license and the translation when you drive.
Driving. Australians drive on the left. Be extremely careful at intersections, where people will naturally turn left first. You should also be aware that most vehicles are automatic (except campervans). There are two useful signs: " No Through Road " and " Turn left anytime with care ", which means you can turn left with care at an intersection when the light is red. With very few exceptions, speed is regulated at 50 or 60 km/h in towns and 100 km/h on roads and freeways, which can vary from state to state. There are many types of speed cameras (twins, on-board, red-light cameras, etc.). Cameras are also installed on certain roads to measure the average speed between two sections of the route. In all cases, the police strictly enforce the law, whether you're a foreigner or not. Beware of drinking and driving: 0.05% alcohol in the blood is the maximum legal limit (which corresponds to the maximum limit of 0.5 in France, but beware: in Australia, drinks served in bars can be larger than one unit of alcohol, so it's best to limit yourself to just one glass). In some (most) states, it is an offence to have an open can of beer in the passenger compartment. Similarly, using a telephone while driving is prohibited, including sending and receiving messages.
Off the main roads. There are some basic rules of survival to be observed when setting off on an adventure, particularly in 4x4 vehicles, in desert regions. It's important to prepare your trip well, seek local advice and make your route known to the police or rangers in national parks. Make sure you have, at the very least, a full tank or tanks (never go below half their capacity), detailed road maps, a spare wheel and water supplies. It may be useful to have a satellite phone or emergency satellite transmitter (rental often possible with 4x4s), or at worst a Telstra NextG phone.
Health Australia
All Australian States and Territories are equipped with modern infrastructures guaranteeing quality care. If you find yourself in the heart of the desert, contact the Royal Flying Doctor Service for medical emergencies. The service is available 24 hours a day. Dial 1300 69 7337.
There are no illnesses to worry about in Australia, but the most important thing is to take care of your skin when out in the sun: Australia is the country with the highest incidence of skin cancer. Exposure to the sun can be dangerous, so it's advisable to protect your skin, eyes and head from day one. An SPF 50 cream is the minimum required for first-time exposure.
There is no malaria in Australia. However, in some rural areas of Queensland and the Northern Territory, mosquitoes can carry diseases such as Ross River fever and dengue fever. Use mosquito repellent on exposed skin and wear covering clothing, especially in the evening. For your bedroom, opt for a good insecticide and/or a mosquito net. The same measures should be taken to protect against sandflies (or biting midges), tiny insects whose bites are very irritating and which are found in particular near beaches and estuaries in tropical or subtropical zones (QLD, NT, WA).
There is no bilateral social security agreement between France and Australia. As a result, tourists, temporary residents and students have no medical or hospital cover. Take out travel insurance before leaving France, valid for the duration of your stay and covering both medical expenses and medical repatriation.
Mandatory vaccination Australia
For a typical holiday, Australia presents no major health risks. However, make sure that all vaccinations required in France are up to date before you leave (hepatitis A - for children aged 1 and over, diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis). Depending on the length and type of your stay, vaccination against hepatitis B and Japanese encephalitis may be recommended. The vaccinations listed in the vaccination calendar are given free of charge by public-sector vaccination services (e.g. maternal and child protection centers, municipal or departmental vaccination services). For further information, please contact your local town hall, your departmental council or the Ministry of Health website.
Security Australia
Australia has always been one of the safest countries in the world. However, as everywhere else, it is important to bear in mind a few precautions. In cities, these include walking at night in less-frequented areas. Similarly, wherever you are in the country, don't leave your valuables in your car, even if it's locked, or in your room if there's no safe. But then again, Australia is a pretty impressive country in terms of the sense of security it can create: muggings remain pretty rare and as a woman, in particular, you'll easily notice the absence of pitfalls and the sense of serenity in wandering the streets and other public spaces without being stared at, approached or assaulted. Even at night!
In Australia, the danger lies more on the road. If you're travelling alone in the Outback, it's important to signal your departure, prepare your itinerary and take along a means of communication. As soon as daylight falls (between 4 and 6 pm depending on the season), or if the weather is relatively cool, the kangaroos come out and have the annoying habit of jumping under the wheels of cars. Be very careful, especially as other animals may also be present on the road or nearby (camels, cows, sheep, horses...). A final piece of advice that might seem obvious: in Australia, you drive on the left. In the Outback, after hours of driving without any other car, you can tend to forget!
Aside from the roads, there are also dangers in the ocean: in Australia, swimming in the sea presents considerable risks. On the Indian and Pacific coasts, currents can be particularly strong and waves powerful. You should never swim on an unsupervised beach; stay within the flagged area, which is the only one supervised by lifeguards. Because of the risks posed by sharks, it is preferable to only visit beaches in or near built-up areas, which are equipped with protective nets. For scuba diving, check with local diving clubs. Contact with certain jellyfish present at certain times of the year can be dangerous, even fatal. Similarly, certain bodies of water, rivers and beaches in Queensland and the Northern Territory are closed to swimming due to the presence of saltwater crocodiles. Be sure to follow local instructions.
Time difference Australia
Australia has 3 time zones. The time difference varies from 6 to 10 hours with France depending on the season and the state where you are.
Western Standard Time: WA = GMT + 8 hours.
Central Standard Time : SA and NT + Broken Hill (NSW) = GMT + 9 hours 30.
Eastern Standard Time: QLD, ACT, NSW (except Broken Hill), VIC and TAS = GMT + 10 hours.
NT, QLD and WA do not apply the time change at the beginning of summer (Summer Time or Daylight Saving Time). This explains, between April and the end of October, the difference of only 6 hours between Perth (GMT + 8 hours) and Paris (GMT + 2 hours).
Spoken languages Australia
The official language is English, but you will soon have doubts because it is peppered with slang and local terms that the accent makes even less understandable.
Communication Australia
Coverage is good on the east, southeast and southwest coasts and in the major cities, but inland, there is nothing to do without a satellite phone or, at the very least, a phone running on the Telstra network, which provides the best coverage. When you arrive in Australia, , you can find SIM card offers valid for up to one month (national and international calls, SMS, MMS, Internet) at the airport. Several operators offer travelers SIM cards at very interesting rates (around AU$ 30). You should also know that your French cell phone will work with an Australian chip as long as it is unlocked. The biggest operators are Vodafone, Optus and Telstra. For those who have a Free 5 G package at 19,90 €, you will be able to enjoy free calls, SMS and internet in Australia without any additional fees. Internet and Internet cafes are very common in Australia. Accommodation and some roadhouses can also offer this service. Wifi connection for your laptop is common in major cities. It is then very easy to use Skype or WhatsApp, for example, for contacts with your relatives.
Electricity and measurements Australia
In Australia, distances are given in kilometers, not miles, but height is measured in feet rather than centimeters (1ft = 0.30 m). Electrical voltage is 220/240 volts - 50 Hz. All of your electrical appliances should work as long as you have a flat three-prong adapter. Temperatures are indicated in degrees Celsius.
For clothing and footwear sizes, label correspondences between Europe, USA and Australia are often random. Try on your chosen model in any case.
Luggage Australia
How to optimize your suitcase and what to pack? Of course, it all depends on the season and the regions you'll be visiting. Don't forget that the seasons are reversed: the austral summer runs from the beginning of December to the end of February. When it comes to clothing, opt for lightweight materials, and don't forget your swimsuit, a hat or cap, a waterproof jacket, hiking boots and a warm sweater. In addition to your wardrobe, don't forget high-index sun cream (minimum 30, or even more for the first few days), sunglasses, a flashlight (a flashlight or headlamp is essential for camping, and also very practical for resorts, bungalows and residences far from the main building), insect repellent (mosquitoes and sandflies), a few basic medicines, a water bottle or reusable bottle and a waterproof bag in case of heavy rain. It's a good idea to remember to bring an adapter for three-prong electrical sockets. If you're traveling outside the major cities, you can add: a light sleeping bag or at least a sheet for your nights outdoors or in accommodation, and a fly net for the bush. Good to know: in casinos, certain chic restaurants and nightclubs, you'll need to dress with care. Denim pants, T-shirts and bare feet may not be accepted.
From October to March, if you're heading south, pack light, casual clothes. If you're heading north, you'll also need a waterproof windbreaker, as this is the rainy season. In any case, you'll need to bring a woollen jacket for the nights, which can be chilly.
From April to September, in southern Australia , it's autumn and then winter. You'll need shorts and T-shirts, warm clothing and a raincoat. Be aware that a lot of accommodation, especially older houses and some youth hostels, or backpackers, have no heating. In tropical regions, it's the dry season and light clothing is de rigueur. However, don't forget to bring a woollen jacket, as evenings on the coast may be pleasant, but nights inland can get chilly.
Be careful what you pack! TheAustralian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) is present at airports. Its agents work alongside those of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection to ensure that travellers do not bring into the country contaminated or prohibited plants, food, products or animals. Be particularly careful with foodstuffs other than canned goods (fruit, cheese, cold meats....), which you may be obliged to dispose of on arrival, or objects or belongings soiled with soil that you have not cleaned beforehand (sports shoes, camping gear, etc.). Be careful, as the fine can be very high if you forget to fill in the declaration on the plane and hand it in on arrival!
