Practical information
The AMUNC team would like to ensure that delegates travelling to Adelaide from overseas have ample information to make their stay safe and secure. Please find below some useful information on finances, health and security.
Money & Shopping
Perhaps the best way to carry most of your money is in the form of a plastic card, especially if that's the way you do it at home. Australia is well and truly a card-carrying society. Credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted for everything from a hostel bed or a restaurant meal to an adventure tour. They can also be used to get cash advances over the counter at banks and from many Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs), depending on the card, but be aware that these incur immediate interest. Charge cards such as Diners Club and American Express (Amex) are not widely accepted.
Australians love convenience, so debit cards are widely used here. You can draw money directly from your home bank account using ATMs, banks or EFTPOS machines around the country. Any card connected to the international banking network - Cirrus, Maestro, Plus and Eurocard - should work, provided you know your PIN. Fees for using your card at a foreign bank or ATM vary depending on your home bank, so ask before your leave.
Travellers cheques generally enjoy a better exchange rate than foreign cash in Australia, plus they have the added bonus of being easily replaced if they are lost or stolen. There is, however, a fee for buying travellers cheques (usually 1% of the total amount) and there may be fees or commissions when you exchange them. Amex, Thomas Cook and other well-known international brands of travellers cheques are easily exchanged; you will need to present your passport for identification when cashing them.
Changing Your Money
You'll have no problems changing foreign currencies or cash at any bank or exchange bureau. Travellers cheques generally get a better rate than cash, though banks take out a commission.
Currency exchange outlets are open from Monday to Friday 9am to 6:30pm or 7pm, and on Saturdays 9am to 7pm at major airports and exchange bureaus in major tourist destinations. Some are also open on Sundays.
Tipping
While Australia does not have a strong tipping culture, it's become increasingly common (but by no means obligatory) to tip in restaurants and upmarket cafes if the service warrants it - a gratuity of between 10% and 15% of the bill is the norm. Taxi drivers are always grateful if you leave the change.
Credit Cards
Major credit cards such as Mastercard/Eurocard, JCB, VISA and its variations are accepted in most retail and service outlets, with charge cards American Express and Diner's Club, also accepted by many outlets. Kiwi visitors can also use their Bankcards.
Most banks and other financial institutions have 24 hour Automatic Teller Machine (ATM or "hole in the wall") access to funds. Visitors with major credit cards and an activated PIN (Personal Identification Number) may withdraw cash from ATM's where the logo is displayed. American Express and Diners Club card holders will need to confirm availability and activate your PIN with your local office prior to departure.
You will also find that many retailers, including rural businesses, also have Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale (EFTPOS) facilities. Most major credit cards can be used at these facilities as long as you have an activated PIN prior to departure. To be certain, please check with your credit card company for further details before travelling.
Trading Hours
Banks: Are open Monday to Thursday from 9am or 9:30am to 4pm and on Friday to 5pm. Some banks are also open from 9am to 12 noon on Saturdays.
Local Administration: (councils, libraries etc.) Open from 8:30am to 4:30pm or 4:45pm Monday to Friday.
Post Office: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm (Some branches may also open on Saturday 9am-11:30am)
Retailers: 9am to 5pm or 5:30pm Monday to Thursday, 9am-9pm Friday (city), 9am to 5pm on Saturdays and 11am to 5pm on Sundays.
Telephones & the Internet
If you wish to make an international call from within Australia simply dial 0011 then the country code, area code and the local number. You can make reverse charge, person to person and point to point calls via the operator for an extra charge to most countries.
Prepaid Phone Cards
For making long distance calls, especially to overseas, you will generally find it cheaper to use a prepaid phone card. These are commonly available at newsagents, post offices, convenience stores and various other outlets. Many require you to dial a local number (eg 50 cents from a payphone, untimed) to make your call. Some will offer a free local number, but add a surcharge to the cost of your call, meaning the money on your card runs out faster.
Bring your GSM or CDMA phone
Phones from many GSM countries can be used in Australia. The most common GSM standard used is 900 MHz, but 1800 is also used. 1900 (used in the USA) is not used in Australia. GSM is primarily used in cities, but is also available in some rural areas. The links to mobile phone companies below have coverage maps available. The CDMA network in Australia (run by Telstra) is primarily used for rural areas, but is available in cities too.
Net cafes
Internet cafes are relatively common. They can generally be found across the city.
Libraries
Many public libraries offer Internet access for free, though it generally has to be booked in advance, and time may be limited. Some libraries may require you to become a member, but this is generally free, and open to anybody, no matter where they live.
Time Zones
South Australia time is calculated as Greenwich Mean Time plus 9.5 hours.
International Time Differences
The time differences below are based on the time in Adelaide outside of daylight savings time. If it is during daylight savings, from October to March, just deduct an hour from the time before calculating the time difference.
Canada less 13.5 to 17.5 hours
China less 1.5 hours
Germany less 8.5 hours
Hong Kong less 1.5 hours
Japan less 0.5 hour
Korea less 0.5 hour
Malaysia less 1.5 hours
New Zealand plus 2.5 hours
Singapore less 1.5 hours
South Africa less 7.5 hours
Saudi Arabia less 6.5 hours
Taiwan less 1.5 hours
United Kingdom less 9.5 hours
USA less 14.5 to 20.5 hours
Climate
Average Daily temperatures in Celsius:
Winter temperatures in Adelaide are maximum 15.9, Minimum 8.
Customs regulations and taxes
Some goods brought into Australia may require payment of customs duty and sales tax. However, you are allowed to bring in a number of goods tax-free as hand luggage. Amounts of $A10,000 or more (or the equivalent in foreign currency) must be declared on arrival and departure. Certain foods, plants, weapons, firearms and drugs are subject to controls or prohibition.
The Tourist Refund Scheme allows overseas travellers to receive a refund on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) for goods bought in Australia. Travellers can claim the refund from customs officers at Tourist Refund Scheme booths at international airports or cruise terminals when departing Australia. For further information visit the Australian Customs Service website.
Medical & Emergency
Call 000 for fire, police and ambulance assistance throughout Australia. From mobile phones it's 112. For non-emergency police attendance call 131 444.
Australia's public health care system is called Medicare. Eligibility for benefits is generally restricted to permanent residents of Australia. While Australia does have reciprocal healthcare agreements with several countries, it is best to check before you leave home and to always have appropriate travel insurance.
Travel Insurance
Personal health insurance is strongly recommended for all travellers.
Emergency
In a life-threatening emergency, dial 000. This is a free call from any phone. You can also dial 112 from a GSM mobile phone. The operator will ask if you want police, fire brigade or ambulance.
You may also walk into any hospital emergency ward and receive medical care. The cost and type of services available will vary considerably depending on whether the hospital is private or public and the nature of treatment required.
Reciprocal Health Care Agreements
Ireland, New Zealand, The United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Norway, Malta and Italy all have Reciprocal Care Agreements with Australia of one kind or another. This means that if you are a citizen of one of these countries, you are entitled to receive a range of subsidised medical services in Australia. The specific entitlements and details vary.
If You Become Ill
Medical treatment is readily available. You can generally walk into any General Practitioner's surgery and receive treatment. If you become ill or have an accident, your tour operator or accommodation will call a doctor.
You will have to pay for treatment. Depending on the treatment you need, a general practitioner’s consultation is likely to cost between $40 - $75 and prescriptions will cost between $20 - $100 per item.
Chemists are open at regular shopping hours, 9am to 5pm, but every major area has at least one 24-hour pharmacy. Standard medical items such as band-aids and aspirin are readily available from service (petrol) stations, general stores, supermarkets, and chemists etc.
If you are hospitalised, expect to pay from $600 per day for your bed and anywhere from $200 to $2000 for surgery, depending on the operation.
No vaccinations or health certificates are required for entry into Australia unless you intend to stay for more than 12 months or are over 70 years of age. You are advised to bring any medications that you regularly require. It is important to have a copy of your Doctor’s prescription with the medication when you enter Australia and you must declare that you are carrying prescription drugs. If you need to get medication during your stay, a prescription must be obtained from a doctor and dispensed by a chemist (pharmacy or drug store).
Ambulances
Ambulances are not covered at all under Medicare, even for Australians. For visitors, ambulance fees should be covered by their Travel Insurance.