Australia

Brief Fact File

Capital	Canberra
Currency	Australian Dollar (A$)
Language(s)	English 79.1%, Chinese 2.1%, Italian 1.9%, other 11.1%, unspecified 5.8% (2001 Census)
Local time	GMT + 08:00 (Western Australia); GMT + 09:30 (South Australia, Northern Territory); GMT + 10:00 (Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania, Queensland)
Telephone code	61
Major cities	Sydney; Melbourne; Brisbane; Perth; Adelaide

Economy

Australia enjoys a Western-style capitalist economy with a consistant growth over the past decades. The economical growth is mainly backed by the rising output in the domestic economy, confidence among the consumers and of course the rise in the exports of raw materials and agricultural products. Australia is a vast agricultural country and the largest exporters of wool, meat and cotton. The food processing industry is the largest in Australia and employs 20% of the labour force. The service industry occupies a dominant position in its economy and big companies are operating in this sector. Its emphasis on reforms, lower inflation and the growing ties with China also plays an important role in the economy's growth. The main trading partner of Australia is the European Union. United States, Japan and China are other principal partners.

Major Exports:

• Coal
  
• Gold
  
• Meat
  
• Wool
  
• Alumina
  
• Iron Ore
  
• Wheat
  
• Machinery And Transport Equipment

Major Imports:

• Machinery And Transport Equipment
  
• Computers And Office Machines
  
• Telecommunication Equipment And Parts
  
• Crude Oil And Petroleum Products

Business Practices

Business Dress

• Business dress in Australia is conservative. Men wear dark suit and tie during the summer and women, suits, skirts and blouses. The business dress can be more informal in a very tropical climates. In some workplaces 'casual Friday' policy is common where one can wear casual dress on Fridays.
  
• Informal clothing is perfect when not in business functions. Casual pants are good for men as well as women. Men should not be physically demonstrative with another man. They should also not wink at a woman.

Communication Guidelines

• Shake hands when meeting and when leaving.
  
• Exchanging of business cards is common.
  
• Australians prefer direct eye contact. People avoiding eye contact are believed to be not trustworthy.
  
• They tend to be enthusiastic in conversation and debates. Many topics can be brought forward for discussion, including religion and politics. It is good to wait for them to start discussion on religion and politics. The discussion can have strong and often confrontational opinions.
  
• They enjoy conversation which contain arguments and opinions, so one should always express if well informed. It is common for them to make provocative statements and is expected that it is responded to with humour.
  
• Australians are quick to make aware if one introduces a subject which "crosses the line." At present avoid subjects like migration and aboriginal issues if it is not raised by them.
  
• Sport is a common topic and they tend to be receptive to sporting analogies.
  
• Australians like criticising themselves but are not receptive to criticism from others.
  
• Avoid boasting oneself or one's company's accomplishments. They prefer judging themselves.
  
• Avoid making a lot of references to one's education and other professional qualifications. It might be a subject of teasing for them because they do not draw much attention to their academic qualifications or personal achievements.

Business Hour
Office business hours are generally from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and Monday to Friday.

Important contacts

Associations / Ministries
Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia
Street Address: 180 Hay Street
East Perth, WA, 6004
Postal Address: Post Office Box 6209
East Perth, WA, 6892
Tel.: +(61)-(8)-93657555
Fax: +(61)-(8)-93657550
E-mail: info@cciwa.com
Website: http://www.cciwa.com

Indian Embassy / Counsulate

Embassy of India
High Commission of India
3-5 Moonah Place, Yarralumla
Canberra, Australia
Tel.: +(61)-(26)-2733999/774
Fax: +(61)-(26)-2731308
E-mail: hicanb@ozemail.com.au
Working hours:
9:00 am to 5:30 pm (Monday to Friday)

Consulate General of India
Level 27, 25 Bligh Street,
Sydney NSW 2000 (New South Wales)
Australia
Tel.: +(61)-(2)-92239500
Fax: +(61)-(2)-92239246
Consular Services Fax: +(61)-(2)-92210533
Working hours:
Consulate working hours: 9.00 am to 5.30 pm (Monday to Friday)
Submission/lodging of applications: 9.30 am to 12.30 pm
Collection of Documents: 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm (on the date indicated)
Enquiries on status of applications: 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm (for visa, passport and other services)
Trade and Commercial enquiries: 9.30 am to 5.00 pm
Reading room: 9.30 am to 5.00 pm
Note: In case of emergency, one can contact even after office hours.

Visiting this Country

Business Visa Rules for Australia

• The processing time varies from person to person depending on the person's circumstances, which visa sub-class a person is applying for and the quality of his/her supporting documentation.
  
• 3 to 6 months is the estimated time taken. However, Sponsored applications are given priority and therefore processed faster.
  
• The Established Business in Australia visa leads to permanent residency and therefore it takes longer time to process - guidelines suggest from 5 to 10 months.

Public Holidays

Festival	Date
New Year's Day	Jan 02
Australia Day	Jan 26
Labour Day (Western Australia only)	Mar 06
Labour Day (Victoria and Tasmania only)	Mar 13
Good Friday	Date Varies
Easter Monday	Date Varies
Anzac Day	Apr 25
Labour Day (Queensland only)	May 02
Foundation Day (WA only)	Jun 05
Queen's Birthday (all except WA)	Jun 12
Queen's Birthday (WA only)	Oct 02
Labour Day (NSW, ACT and SA only)	Oct 02
Melbourne Cup (Melbourne only)	Nov 07
Christmas Day	Dec 25
Boxing Day	Dec 26

Travel Tips

• American Express, Bankcard, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa and their affiliates credit cards are commonly accepted.
  
• Cash travelers checks at banks or at larger hotels. Banks may cash most travelers checks in every currency.
  
• There is no limit on the amount of cash, either Australian or foreign, brought into or taken out of Australia. Amount above A$5,000, or equivalent must be reported.
  
• Every travelers, 18 years and above, may bring 1 liter of alcohol and 250 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco duty free.
  
• Other necessary personal use articles are also duty free for short term visitors, provided Customs is satisfied.
  
• General licensing hours for public bars are 10.00 am to 10.00 pm (Monday to Friday). The Sunday hours vary between states.
  
• Resonable quantities of prescribed medications can be taken to Australia. They should be clearly labeled and identifiable. To carry large quantities, doctor's certificate is necessary to produce to Customes.
  
• Metered taxi service all major cities and towns. Vacant cabs have a light and sign on the roof. A minimum "flagfall" charge is there plus the charge for distance traveled.
  
• Tipping is not an obligatory in Australia. Service charges are not charged at hotels and restaurants. However, a tip of 10% is acceptable for waiters for special service. The taxi drivers do not expect a tip, but will appreciate a small gratuity.