Visas
All visitors to Australia, except New Zealand nationals, require a visit visa, which must be obtained before departure. Your Travel Agent will assist you in obtaining this in your city or you may choose to obtain it from the Australian Consulate in Dubai or from the Australian Embassy in Beirut.  A fee is charged for the visa and the majority of visit visas issued to Arabian Gulf nationals will be multiple entry, valid for several years.  Given the internal visa processing procedures, please always apply for your visa 2 weeks prior to departure.

Getting there
Numerous excellent airlines cover the Middle East/Australia route.  Airlines with good connections are Malaysia Airlines and Singapore airlines (from Dubai and Jeddah), Cathay Pacific (from Bahrain, Dubai and Riyadh), Thai Airways (from Dubai, Kuwait and Muscat), Emirates (from Dubai), Gulf Air (from Bahrain) and Royal Brunei (from Dubai and Kuwait).

Qantas, Australia's flagship carrier, links up with the national carriers of the Middle East (Emirates, Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways, Qatar Air, Saudi Arabian Airlines) by picking you up from numerous South East Asian destinations taking you to Australia, carrying you within Australia and then taking you back to South East Asia, for the Middle Eastern carriers to take you back home.  This provides a bonus of seeing up to two South East Asian destinations, in addition to the main stay in Australia.  Virgin Blue provides a very efficient and good domestic flight service within Australia.        

The flying time from the Middle East to the South East Asia ranges between 6 to 8 hours and the flying time from the South East Asia to the major centres in Australia varies between 5 to 8 hours. Most airlines offer attractive stopover programs in South East Asia, on the way to, and/or on the way back from Australia.

Clothing
In Cairns and the islands, lightweight clothing (natural fibres) is suitable all year round.  In Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, summers (December, January, February) are warm to hot and therefore lightweight clothes are suitable, whereas winters (June, July, August) are cool, requiring warmer clothes such as a sweater, a jacket or a light coat.  During Australian summers, a sunhat, sunglasses and sunscreen lotion are essential.

Language
English is Australia's official language.  Do not hesitate to ask questions - Australians are very friendly.  Most of the staff in the Lawand Tourism offices in Australia and in the Lawand Lounge in Gold Coast speak Arabic and are happy to assist you.

Avoid Jetlag and Airsickness
Flying to Australia from the Arabian Gulf causes jetlag because you are crossing three time zones.  The following precautions may assist you to minimize the effects of jetlag:

- Drink plenty of water during your flight
- Avoid alcoholic, caffeine based and carbonated beverages during your flight
- Sleep during your flight if it is night time at your destination
- Eat lightly and follow a bland diet
- Exercise, even lightly, every hour during your flight. Stretch your back, arms and leg muscles etc. - Reset your watch at the beginning of your flight to the time zone you are visiting.

Arrival and Departure Taxes
All these are prepaid with the airline ticket.

Customs
No duty on personal effects is applicable.  Adults may bring 250 cigarettes or 250 grams of cigars or tobacco.  Other dutiable goods to the value of AUD400 for adults (AUD200 for persons under 18 years) may be included duty free.

Strict laws prohibit or restrict the entry of drugs, weapons, firearms and quarantine items such as food, fruits, vegetables, seeds, animals, plants, etc.  You must declare all these on your Incoming Passenger Card and you will be directed to the red channel exits in the arrival baggage hall, where a Quarantine Officer will inspect your items to ensure they will not harm Australia's plant, animal and human health.  For more information on what you can bring with you into Australia, please ask your Travel Agent for the relevant Arabic Brochure or visit the website  “www.aqis.gov.au/arabic”.

The interior of all aircraft arriving in Australia from overseas are sprayed just prior to landing for quarantine purposes.  The airline crew will warn you prior to spraying the cabin.

There is no limit on the personal funds you may bring into Australia or that you may take out.  However, amounts over

Driving
Australians drive on the left side of the road, unlike in the Middle East.  Seat belts must be worn at all times, in the front and back seats.  A valid driver's license from any of the Middle East countries is acceptable but if this is not in English, you will need a valid International Driver's Permit.

Taxis
Metered taxis operate in abundance in all major cities and towns.  There is a minimum "flagfall" charge and a charge for the distance travelled.  Small additional charges are made for luggage and telephone reservations.  Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped, but will accept gratuities

Currency
The Australian currency is decimal with the dollar as the basic unit (100 cents equals one dollar).  Notes come in $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 denominations.  Coins come in 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2 denominations.  Australian dollars can be purchased at the major banks or large exchange companies in the Middle East.  Exchange facilities are available at all international airports in Australia.  Changing foreign currency or travellers cheque can be done quickly and efficiently at most banks throughout Australia.   The Lawand Lounge in Gold Coast offers convenient exchange facilities, accepting USD and all Arabian Gulf currencies.

AUD10,000 or in foreign currency equivalent must be reported on arrival or before departure. 

Credit Cards
All major credit cards, such as American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted throughout Australia.

Eating in and Eating out
Modern supermarkets carry a wide range of processed and fresh foods and beverages, at prices similar to those in the Middle Eastern countries.  The Lawand Lounge in Gold Coast features an Arabic-specialty shop, which provides a wide range of foods and beverages including fresh Halal meat and chicken, basmati rice, fresh Lebanese bread, special Arabic spices, a variety of Arabic dairy products, tinned foul and Shisha tobacco.

Restaurants are plentiful in Australia, from fast food chains such as McDonalds, Pizza Hut and KFC to the finest of international cuisines.  Many restaurants, throughout Australia, are Halal certified.
Seafood is an Australian specialty and fresh prawns, crabs, lobster and fish must be sampled during your visit.

Shopping/Banking/Business Hours
Shopping Centres, Department Stores and supermarkets are generally open from 9:00 to 17:30 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday and from 9:00 to 21:00 on Thursday and/or Friday.  Supermarkets also open on Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00.  Banks generally open from 10:00 until 16:00 Monday to Thursday and from 9:30 until 17:00 on Friday.  General office and Post Office hours are 9:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday.  The Lawand Lounge in Gold Coast is open from 11:00 to 13:00 and then from 16:30 to 23:00, every day, during July and August.  It is open from 09:00 until 18:00 during the rest of the year.  

Tipping
Tipping is not expected, although for good service, a 10% tip is acceptable.

Electricity
220-240 Volts AC 50hz.  The Australian three-pin power outlet is different from that in the Middle East and inexpensive adaptors are sold in numerous outlets throughout Australia including the Lawand Lounge in Gold Coast.

Medical
Services are excellent but fees can be high.  We recommend that you obtain some medical travel insurance before leaving your country.

Religion
Australia is a multi-cultural society and all major religions are represented.  A large number of mosques are available and are easily accessible in the main cities in Australia.  Lawand Tourism offers a complimentary return transfer to the mosque in Gold Coast, for Friday prayer, during July and August.

Smoking
Smoking is not permitted in government buildings, in enclosed public areas and on public transport.  Smoking is prohibited on all international flights in and out of Australia and on all domestic flights.

Telephones
Local calls from public phones are untimed and cost 40 cents.  Public phones accept Australian coins or phonecards, which can be purchased from most newsagencies and from the Lawand Lounge in Gold Coast.  Mobile phones are available for rent or you can bring your own mobile as international roaming agreements exist between the telecommunication companies in Australia and those in the Middle East countries.

Emergencies
When in Australia, dial ‘000’ for Fire, Police or Ambulance

Goods and Services (GST) Tax Refund
A GST of 10% applies on most purchases in Australia but tourists can claim a refund at the international airport departure gate for goods purchased in Australia and taken out of Australia.  The refund applies to goods bought in one store, costing over AUD300 in total and carried out of Australia, as hand luggage.  For further information, please refer to the Lawand Tourism Welcome Pack given to you on arrival in Australia or by visiting the www.customs.gov.au (Tourist Refund Scheme)

Luggage
Australian labour laws restrict the weight of any one piece of luggage to a maximum of 30kg.  You will be asked to repack your bag at the airport, if it weighs more than 30kg.  Lawand Tourism offers a luggage cargo service from its offices in Gold Coast and Sydney, where we airfreight the luggage that you do not wish to carry with you from Australia, to any airport in the Middle East.

Flight Tips
Passengers on international flights from Brisbane Airport are being advised that the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services implemented new security measures affecting liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs), effective from Saturday 31 March 2007.

The new restrictions affect items such as drinks, creams, perfumes, sprays, gels, toothpaste and other similar substances in hand luggage taken onto the aircraft.

Passengers on international flights from Brisbane Airport are being advised that the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services implemented new security measures affecting liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs), effective from Saturday 31 March 2007.

The new restrictions affect items such as drinks, creams, perfumes, sprays, gels, toothpaste and other similar substances in hand luggage taken onto the aircraft.

• On all international flights, carry-on baggage for passengers will only be able to hold LAGs in containers up to 100ml in capacity and these containers must fit into a one-litre, resealable transparent plastic bag that measures approximately 20cm x 20cm.
• Only one bag per passenger is allowed.
• Containers over 100ml in capacity are not permitted.
• Passengers may be subject to a random pat-down search (to be undertaken by a person of the same gender).
• Passengers may still carry on board prescription medicines where the name on the medicine matches the name on the boarding pass. Non- prescription medicines and all baby products are also exempt from the new security measures.
• For passengers departing from Australia, duty free LAGs items can be purchased after passing through the screening point. www.dutyfree.com.au
• Passengers can also pre-order their duty-free items. Ready For Collection' is a unique service for passengers travelling out of Brisbane International Airport. Duty Free can be purchased in any of the Departures shops and collected on return to Brisbane in the Arrivals shop. Simply select and pay for the goods, ensuring that you tell the salesperson that you wish to have them "Ready For Collection' and they will be waiting for you on your return.
• Liquids aerosols and gels over 100ml will be surrendered when transiting through Brisbane International Airport and other Australian International Airports at the security screening points. Passengers should be aware that restrictions may also apply in other countries that will prevent duty free items being taken through transit stops and are advised to check with their travel organiser. Duty Free items containing LAGS can be purchased on arrival at Brisbane Airport.
• There are no changes to the amount of LAGs passengers are allowed to pack in checked baggage. Current restrictions on Dangerous Goods remain in force.
• All surrendered LAGs will be disposed of in accordance with Australian Quarantine and Customs requirements.
• Dangerous Goods that must not be carried on Flights to Australia