Housing in Australia
In Australia there is a wide range of housing available -
especially in some of the larger cities & their suburbs. House
architecture has been based on European & American styles band a
combination of both timber & brick dwellings provides character &
individuality in most communities & this, coupled with playing
fields, parks & shopping centres all located close by, allows for a
lifestyle envied by many people overseas. The vast majority of
Australians live within 50 kilometres of the coast in large cities or
towns. Banking In Australia
People in Australia usually keep their money in a bank, building
society or credit union. Australians use bank cards & credit cards
for many purposes. If you open a bank account within six weeks of
your arrival, you will usually only need your passport as
identification. After six weeks, you will need additional
identification to open an account, for example, a driver's licence &
Tax File Number. Currency Exchange
Australian currency is decimal. Notes come in $100, $50, $20, $10
& $5 denominations. Coins come in 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 & $2
denominations. Exchange facilities are available for all incoming &
outgoing flights at all international airports in Australia. Foreign
currency or traveller's cheques can be changed at most banks. To
calculate your funds in Australian dollars, see the
Currency
Converter. Customs Procedures
Goods brought into Australia may require the payment of Customs
duty & sales tax*, however travellers are allowed to bring into
Australia the following goods duty & sales tax* free when the goods
accompany the passenger:
- $A400 worth of goods not including alcohol or tobacco ($A200
for travellers under 18 years of age). For example, cameras,
electronic equipment, perfume concentrate, leather goods, jewellery,
watches, sporting goods, etc.
- 1125 ml alcoholic liquor (including wine, beer or spirits) for
travellers aged 18 years & over.
- Tobacco: 250 cigarettes, or 250 grams of cigars or tobacco
products other than cigarettes, for travellers aged 18 years &
over;
- Most personal items such as new clothing, footwear, articles
for personal hygiene/ grooming.
Personal goods owned & used for at least 12 months can also be
brought into Australia without payment of duty & sales tax* (proof
of date of purchase may be required).
Goods bought overseas, or bought duty/sales tax* free before
leaving Australia, are included when determining a duty-free
allowance.
Members of the same family who are travelling together may
combine their individual duty-free allowances. Note: Gifts (given
to you or intended for others) are counted as part of the $A400
duty-free allowance. If you have anything in excess of your
duty-free goods allowance, declare the goods & provide proof of
purchase to Customs for calculation of any duty & sales tax* to be
paid.
Unaccompanied baggage does not receive the same duty/sales tax*
concessions as goods you bring with you. These goods may be subject
to duty/tax unless you have both owned & used them for 12 months or
more. This also applies to articles posted to Australia.
Please see the Australian Customs Service website for further
information.
Driving Laws
Australians drive on the left side of the road. Strict
drink-driving laws apply. Seat belts must be worn by drivers &
passengers. In all States & Territories except Queensland, if you
have a driver's license from another country, in English or with an
official translation, you are allowed to drive for your first three
months after becoming an Australian resident. After that, if you
want to drive, you will need to have the appropriate Australian
driver's license. To get one, you usually need to pass a knowledge
test, a practical test & an eyesight test.
Department of Transport
441 Murray Street
PERTH WA 6000
Telephone: (08) 9320 9320
Health Insurance
For Australian residents, the costs of essential medical &
hospital care are automatically covered by Medicare. Medicare pays
for most of the costs of visits to the doctor, X-rays, blood tests,
public hospital care & certain other services. But, Medicare does
not pay towards ambulance costs, dental services, physiotherapy,
spectacles, podiatry, chiropractic services or private hospital
accommodation.
Visitors & temporary residents to Australia generally do not
have access to Medicare (Australia's national public health care
system). Medical care in Australia is expensive. It is highly
recommended that all overseas visitors to Australia take out a
health insurance policy tailored for overseas visitors.
While Australia holds reciprocal health care agreements with the
United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, Italy, Malta, New
Zealand & Ireland, these agreements do not cover all health
services, and time restrictions apply in some cases. Visitors from
these countries are therefore advised to take out some form of
health insurance cover.
Taxation
Everyone who receives any income in Australia needs a Tax File
Number. Income includes wages or salary from a job, money earned
from investments and government payments. Application forms are
available from the Australian Taxation Office which is listed in
the White Pages Telephone Directory. You can telephone 13 28 61 and
ask for an application form to be sent to you.
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