Australian Federation is Constitutional Monarchy with the Queen of England being the Head of the Federation. Legislative power belongs to the Parliament, consisting of the Senate and House of Representatives. Executive power is in the hands of the Government with Prime Minister as the head of the Government.

Australia consists of 6 States and 2 Territories. The states are: New South Wales (the capital is Sydney), Victoria (the capital is Melbourne), South Australia (the capital is Adelaide), Western Australia (the capital is Perth), Queensland (the capital is Brisbane), Tasmania (the capital is Hobart). The territories are: Capital Territory (the capital is Canberra) and Northern Territory (administrative center Darwin).

Time

There are 3 time zones in Australia:

1. New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and The Capital Territory lie in one time zone. They change for "winter" and "summer" time. Queensland do not do these changes, that is why it has +1 hour in summer.
2. South Australia and Northern Territory have +30 minutes to the time of the first time zone.
3. Western Australian has +2 hours to the time of the first time zone.

Telephones

Automatic Telephones are situated everywhere, and you can make both international and domestic calls. You can use cash, but it is more convenient to buy a telephone card.

To call internationally you have to dial 0011, then dial the country code, city code and the number.

Weather and Climate

Australia is a hot and dry continent. It is almost always warm here, and there are no rainy seasons as such. But the territory is quite big, and different areas have their own specific climatic features. It is essential to remember that the Australian seasons are opposite to the European and North American, because the country is situated in the Southern Hemisphere.

Although the average Sydney temperature in winter is +18 - +20 C, you would like to have a light coat or sweater. In summer you should take into account the hot and active sun and use protective cream at least +15. Sun in exceptionally bright here in Australia, that is why you will definitely need dark sunglasses in any season of the year.

Rules of Entry and Exit

In the port of arrival to the country you will have to fill in the card for Arriving Passengers (yellow colour).

Australia is very ecologically clean, it possesses unique flora and fauna. This is the reason why the custom rules are quite strict. Australia forbids entry to most of the food, and it is strictly checked at the customs. An attempt to bring food through customs is considered to be a serious breakage of law and is punished by big fines. There are some food products that may be allowed into the country, like cookies, chocolate and some other sweets. But they must be packed and have a sufficient use by. All the food products must be declared to the customs. It is not allowed to bring in caviar (even packed in jars or cans), dairy, meat, fish products, eggs, fruits or vegetables. If you have those products with you, you should dump them away in the special bins provided in the airport on the way to the baggage area. Specially trained dogs work in the baggage area. If you have an excess volume of spirits, please do not forget to declare it. All medication must also be declared and shown to the inspector of required. You will have to show to the customs all wooden things and shells.

Flowers are also to be declared at the entry.

Foreign currency is not limited at the entry, but you will have to note if the amount exceeds 10 000 Australian dollars or its equivalent in any currency.

When you are leaving the country you need to fill in the card of Departing Passenger (green colour).

Hotels

At the check in you would be asked for a credit card to guarantee the extras. If you do not have one, you will be asked for a cash deposit, which is refunded upon check-out.

Voltage is 240 volts, but the configuration of the plug is unusual. You can rent an adapter at the reception desk (usually free of charge, but some deposit is put on your account, which is refunded upon check-out when you give the adapter back).

Australia has left-side traffic.

Tips are spread in the sphere of service, but they are not compulsory.

Shops work every day from 09.30 am till 17.00 pm, but there are special "long shopping days" which are different in all the states.

Souvenirs

Characteristic, authentic Australian souvenirs are high quality wool products, and also jewellery with opals (Australia is the biggest opal-mining country in the world, they are of the highest quality and exceptional beauty) and pink diamonds (the only mine in the world with the deposits of the natural pink diamond is situated in Western Australia).

Useful Telephone Numbers

Emergency (police, ambulance, fire brigade) Free information

000 013

City and state codes in Australia:
Sydney and Canberra 02, Melbourne and Hobart 03, Brisbane and Gold Coast 07, Pert, Adelaide and Darwin 08.