Greeting

In Australia it is customary to greet people by shaking hands and introducing yourself, and at a business meeting one should present a business card. Normally a casual and relaxed atmosphere ensues no matter what the setting and conversation generally flows very easily.

Tipping

Generally, tipping is not as prevalent as in other western countries. Hotels and restaurants do not charge for service. However, in more popular and expensive establishments, a tip of between 10-15% of the total bill is seen as acceptable. Hotel porters and room service may expect a tip of around AUD$1 for their services. Similarly, cab drivers normally expect the fare to be rounded up to the nearest AUD$, with the small change on top of the fare as the tip.

Dress

In Australia it is usual to dress informally due to the humidity of the climate. When conducting business, a light cotton suit and tie is generally preferable for men, and a similar weight suit, trouser suit (pantsuit) or conservative dress for women.

When not conducting business, casual clothes are acceptable in most situations, with the exception of some restaurants and hotel lounges, which may require a jacket and tie to be worn by men.
To read more on packing for a Australian holiday refer to What to bring

Since the Second World War, Australia has seen a steady inflow of immigrants, mainly from Europe, but also from South-East Asia and the Middle East. These outside influences, mixing with a society of mainly British and Aboriginal descent, have produced a cosmopolitan and egalitarian cultural climate, making Australia one of the world's largest ethnic melting pots.

The official language of Australia is english, although Australian english contains slang and diminutives... see Aussie speak

Looking after your passport

Your passport is essential. You need it to fly, enter and leave other countries, check into accommodation and use travellers' cheques.

Write down your personal details in the back of your passport. You can do this in pencil so it's easy to change. Apart from this, never alter or tamper with your passport. That's illegal. Never sell, give away or use your passport as security for a debt.

• Taking extra passport photos with you is smart

Carry your passport separately from other ID and credit cards. Do not risk losing all your ID at once. Safeguard your passport from theft or loss. Replacing it will cost money and may take time. The replacement may have limited validity.

If your passport is lost or stolen, report it to the Australian police.

Secure your personal information

Print out and complete the "Personal Details" and "Checklist" forms in this section, carry these details separately from your passport.

Make two photocopies of:

• Your itinerary
• Your passport details - a copy of the photo page will do
• Your travellers' cheques and credit card numbers
• Your driver's license or international driving permit
• Your insurance policy

Leave one copy with family or a friend in your home country. Note their phone number and address on the copy you take with you.

Do not give your home contact details to strangers. Do not let strangers have your itinerary details, and be careful about giving out your room number.