VISAS: The following nationals DO NOT require a visa: Australia, New Zealand who hold & produce New Zealand passports that are in force & permanent residents of Norfolk Island holding endorsed passports confirming authority to reside indefinitely in Norfolk Island.
The Electronic Travel Authority System (ETA), an invisible electronic visa, is available to holders of the following passports for stays up to 3 months: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong (S.A.R. passport holders), Iceland, Ireland Rep, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Vatican City, United Kingdom passports( however passports where the holder's nationality is shown to be British National (Overseas) - (BN(O) passports) can only be processed for an ETA if resident in & applying in Hong Kong), Taiwan (passports can only be processed for an ETA if resident in & applying in Taiwan), Citizens from all countries listed above, except BNO & Taiwanese passport holders can apply for a Visitor ETA or Short Validity Business ETA from the Department of Immigration & Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs website at www.immi.gov.au
Citizens of countries not listed above & those wishing to stay longer than 3 months should apply for a non-ETA "label" visa
TRANSIT VISAS: Required by all except Citizens of Australia, Holders of passports from the following countries, provided holding confirmed onward travel to a third country within 8 hours of arrival & not departing the airport transit lounge: Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland Rep, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Korea (South), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Samoa, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, United Kingdom (including colonies), United States, Vanuatu, Vatican City & Zimbabwe.
HEALTH: A reciprocal health agreement for medical treatment exists with the United Kingdom. In order to obtain treatment some proof of United Kingdom residence such as NHS medical card or driving licence will be required. Further details are available from www.dh.gov.uk.
(Compulsory vaccinations) Yellow fever certificate if arriving within 6 days of having stayed overnight or longer in an infected country, as listed in the World Health Weekly Epidemiological Record.
WEATHER: Summers & winters are the reverse to those in Europe, so summer is Nov-Mar & winter Apr-Oct. Central Australia including Alice Springs & Ayers Rock, is a vast desert region. It is sunny & rainfall is scarce. Temperatures are extremely hot during summer & cooler during winter, however it can be chilly during the evening. Rain falls during winter months (Apr-Oct) in the south of this region & in the north during the summer period (Nov-Mar).
North & Northeast Australia including Darwin in the north, round to Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef & down to Brisbane have a more tropical climate, hot & sunny all year. The rainy monsoon arrives between Nov-Mar making humidity high especially along the coast. Cyclones can batter northern coasts several times a year.
Southeast Australia including Sydney & Melbourne, has warm to hot summers on the coast & hot temperatures inland which often produce long periods of drought. Winters can be cold inland but this is unusual on the coast. The weather can be changeable throughout the region with rain at any time of the year, although more so in coastal areas.
Southern & Western Australia including Perth & Adelaide, have a Mediterranean-type climate. Summer temperatures can be hot particularly inland & winters are mild. Rain falls mostly during winter (Apr-Oct), Perth being wetter than Adelaide. Cyclones may also occur during this time bringing strong winds.
Tasmania lies off the south coast of Australia & has warm summers & cold, wet winters. Generally conditions here are similar to the south coast mainland but wetter & cooler. Changeable weather prevails throughout the year, including heavy snowfalls in the mountains.
