Experiencing Australia
Culture
Mainstream Australian culture has been strongly influenced by British culture and European culture and more recently the culture of the United States of America. There are, however, distinctive influences from the Australian natural environment, the country's settler history, indigenous Australians, geographical isolation from other Western nations and proximity to Asia.
The demographics of Australia show it to be one of the most urbanised populations in the world; the majority of Australians live on the coast with the outback being sparsely populated. Australia's cities are melting pots of different cultures and the influence of the longer-established southern European communities in particular has been pervasive. The great post-World War II influx of both English and non English-speaking migrants from England, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Germany, the Netherlands, Malta, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, East Asia and South-East Asia has had a significant impact.
Attitudes & Beliefs
Australians have very strong attitudes and beliefs which are reinforced by the tenets of the country's society. Traditionally, Australians have viewed themselves as an egalitarian society, with a distrust of the rich and powerful; this is reflected by the status of the Eureka Stockade and bushrangers within the Australian psyche. Today this belief continues in the form of the tall poppy syndrome. Someone is said to be suffering from tall poppy syndrome when their assumption of a higher economic, social or political position attracts criticism, being perceived as presumptuous, attention seeking or without merit.
The Australian culture has been forged on the hardship of early settlers and later on the heroism of the Australian soldiers. "Mateship", or loyal fraternity, has been a central tenet. This may also explain why the more aggressive forms of sport (Rugby and Australian rules football, for example) are particularly popular in Australia.
Australians have traditionally had a very strong "underdog" attitude, that they will support those who appear to be at a disadvantage unless Australia is in direct competition with another nation. There is however, another side to this underdog attitude in Australians. This is the phenomenon of "cutting down the tall poppy", which reveals itself in many typically Australian attitudes. As a result, Australians see themselves as being extremely critical of their political leaders and successful personalities, and always sympathetic to those who are 'being done wrong by' or in strife. Outsiders may note that Australians see themselves as holding high suspicions that powerful politicians and high-level income earners are 'ripping them off' or taking advantage of their power.
Business Customs
Doing business in Australia is relatively easy for American companies because the language, cultural environment, business practices and customer expectations are very similar. Business etiquette is similar to the U.S., with attention paid to advance planning, promptness, and follow-up. Australians are gracious, yet informal and direct in their business dealings. Very soon after meeting, Australians do business on a first-name basis. Business cards are exchanged 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, which are dedicated to family and friends. Normal business attire is worn in 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. The report, “Consular Information Travel Sheet: Australia” issued by the State Department, can be found at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_954.html.
Visa Requirements
A valid U.S. passport and either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) isrequired for Americans traveling to Australia for business and/or leisure. Visas can be obtained from Australian Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates. They are also available, in ETA form, 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 the ETA can only be obtained in the U.S.
Requirements for work and resident visas are more stringent. The nearest Australian visa office should be contacted well in advance. Visas are issued by Australian Embassies and Consulates. For the location of the nearest Australian consulate refer to: http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/overseas/index.htm. U.S. companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States should allow sufficient time for visa issuance if required. 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. The use of phone cards is common, and can be purchased locally from numerous retail outlets. Australia runs GSM, CDMA, W-CDMA and 3G networks. GSM is provided by Telstra, Optus and Vodafone, while CDMA services are provided by Telstra, the 3 Network, Orange, AAPT, Optus and Virgin Mobile. Users of either technology should receive wide coverage across Australia. Mobile phones are available for rent from locations 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 are also advised to 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 Tahiti Nui and Air New Zealand. 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 a very extensive and efficient domestic transportation system, including air, rail, coach, sea, chauffeured and rental cars.
As in the United Kingdom and many Asian countries, Australians drive on the left side of the road. Major U.S. and Australian car rental agencies operate throughout the country. Reservations can be made 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.
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.
Business Hours & Holidays
Australia’s three time zones, Eastern, Central[WA3] and Western, are parallel to those in Asia. Eastern Time (Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, and Cairns) is one hour ahead of Tokyo. The reversal of the seasons (and hence of daylight saving time in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres) complicates the time zone calculation. Not all Australian states have daylight saving time. Between the months of April and October, when it is 7:00 am in New York and 10:00 am in Los Angeles, it is 9:00 pm in Sydney and 7:00 pm in Perth. From November to March, at 7:00 am in New York, it is 11:00 pm in Sydney and 8:00 pm in Perth.
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. However, Australia has not yet gone to the 7-day/24-hour shopping mode characteristic of most of the U.S. Banks are open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (some later), Monday through Friday, with 7-day/24-hour ATM service. Restaurants and convenience stores are commonly open for extended hours.
Australians tend to take their annual vacation in December and January, combining Christmas/New Year celebrations with the long summer school vacation period. Consequently, business slows down and it is usually difficult to make appointments during this time. Business travelers should be certain that their contacts will be 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 & Personal Belongings
There are no restrictions to the temporary importation of personal computers and software applications for use in normal business situations, nor does Australia have restrictions on encryption based-software. In most cases, items imported for the sole use of exhibiting at local trade fairs are not subject to import duties. 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. Goods, commercial or personal, which are brought into Australia to remain temporarily, may be admitted duty and tax free, subject to certain conditions. Carnets may be obtained for temporary dutyfree entry of goods, such as commercial samples, jewelry, goods for international exhibitions, equipment for sporting events, professional television and film equipment, etc.
Before you arrive in Australia, you are advised to check if your communications equipment (for example, mobile phone, fax machine, wireless microphone, notebook computer) is safe to operate in Australia. Power voltage is 240 volts/50Hz. For further information: http://www.customs.gov.au.
