Living in Australia

Living in Australia?
Choose the bank more Australians choose.

This information is presented with the All information provided in this publication
compliments of the International Customer is provided as a guide only. Actual figures
Services 2008 Edition Commonwealth may differ from those provided within this
Bank of Australia form of Copyright Notice publication. References used were current
2008 Commonwealth Bank of Australia. at time of sourcing. All dollar figures quoted
are in Australian Dollars (AUD).
All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced, stored This brochure (including the statements
in a retrieval system, transmitted or on taxation and social security, which
reproduced in any form or by any means are based on current laws, rulings and their
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, interpretation) has been prepared without
recording or otherwise, without prior taking account of your objectives, financial
permission of Commonwealth Bank situation or needs. Because of that, before
Australia. The Commonwealth Bank acting on the information, you should
expressly excludes any liability for consider the appropriateness of it,
inaccuracies or oversights, whether arising having regard to your objectives, financial
from negligence or otherwise. Original situation or needs.
Publication produced and additional
research compiled by Lonely Planet
Publications. The 2008 edition was revised
by Commonwealth Bank of Australia using
sources detailed in each section.
Contents
Introduction 1 hat the Commonwealth Bank
W
can do for you 29
This is Australia 2
Your deposit
Our major cities 4
Borrowing
Accommodation 8
Costs
Dwelling prices Some other fees and charges
Government charges
Cost of living 10
Everyday transaction accounts
Education expenses 12
Credit cards
Youth Allowance General insurance
Austudy Personal insurance
Getting around 14 Savings and investments
Car costs Advice
Wages, salaries and taxation 17 Further information 34

Income Some further help 35
Taxation Money
Temperatures
Government assistance 20
Business hours
Centrelink
Weights and measures
Sports and recreation 22 Length, distance and area
Food, drink and entertainment 24

Online information 37
Arts 26
Contact us 38
Religion 28
Introduction
Welcome to a new country and a new life. Today the Commonwealth Bank operates
Welcome to Australia. Many, like you and more than 1000 branches throughout
your family, are making the journey ‘Down Australia.
Under’ with a limited amount of knowledge
about this vast land.
International Customer Services Team
To help you adapt more easily to a new Moving to a new country can be both an
environment the Commonwealth Bank of exciting and stressful time.
Australia has published this guide to give The Commonwealth Bank is committed
you a broad overview of living in Australia. to ensuring that setting up your finances
in Australia is as simple and stress free as
Living costs, education, transport, money
possible.
matters, sport, food and entertainment
are all covered, as well as a picture of the The Commonwealth Bank International
housing situation. Customer Services team (ICS) offers a great
service for people moving to Australia. They
The information provided in this guide can assist individuals, families, business
should help you make some useful people and international students set up their
comparisons and do some initial planning. banking even before they arrive in Australia.
ICS takes the complexity out of establishing
Welcome to the Commonwealth Bank bank accounts and transferring funds whilst
of Australia you are still overseas.
Also contained in this guide is some general The ICS team is multi-lingual with service
information on a number of products and representatives able to assist in English,
services available from the Commonwealth Mandarin, Cantonese, Indonesian Bahasa,
Bank. Hindi, Urdu, Fijian Hindi, Korean and
Vietnamese.
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia has
been serving Australians since 1912, and has
grown to become one of Australia’s largest
and most dynamic financial institutions.
The Commonwealth Bank Group offers
a wide range of integrated financial
services including retail, business and
institutional banking, funds management,
superannuation, general and personal
insurance and broking services.
ics@cba.com.au www.commbank.com.au/movingtoaustralia 1
This is Australia
Australia has a population of over 21 More recently, Australia has had a large
million.1 The most populated states are influx of Asian migrants.
New South Wales (6.9 million 2) and
The 2006 census showed there were
Victoria (5.2 million3). The population is
around 517,000 people who identified
concentrated on the east coast from
themselves as Aboriginal or having
Melbourne to Cairns and in similar, but
indigenous origins5.
not too much smaller, coastal regions
in the south west corner of Western English is the main language but, in a
Australia. The centre of the country is country with such a diverse ethnic mix,
sparsely populated. languages other than English are in
common use.
It is the world’s sixth largest country, with
an area size of 7,692,024 sq km4 – about The census found over 200 languages
the same size as the 48 mainland states other than English were being spoken
of the USA, and half as large again as at home, and around 60 of these were
Europe, excluding the former USSR. indigenous languages; around 16% of the
Australian population speak a language
It is a federation of six states and two
other than English at home6.
territories. The Federal parliament, led by
the Prime Minister, is based in Canberra, Australia’s seasons are the opposite of
the national capital. Each state also has those in North America and Europe. It’s hot
its own parliament, led by a premier. in December, with many people spending
Australians celebrated the centenary Christmas at the beach. In general, the
of Federation on 1st January 2001. climate extremes are not too severe,
and it is rare for temperatures to descend
Australia is a relatively affluent and
below freezing.
industrialised nation, although much
of its wealth still comes from agriculture If you are heading to the ‘top end’ of the
and mining. country, around Darwin, you will be in the
monsoon belt where there are just two
Until World War II, Australians were mostly
seasons: hot and wet, and hot and dry.
of British and Irish descent, but that has
changed dramatically. At the other end of the scale, the Snowy
Mountains in southern New South Wales,
Since 1945, migration from Europe has
and the high country of north-east
created a multicultural country with
Victoria, generally have a snow season
major Greek and Italian populations.
with good skiing.
Other nationalities who also call Australia
home include Germans, Yugoslavs, South By contrast, the centre of the continent is
Africans, Turks, Dutch, Maltese arid – hot and dry during the day but often
and Lebanese. bitterly cold at night.
2
1 Australian Bureau of Statistics December quarter
2007: Australian Demographic statistics


4 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 Year book

Australia page 15

Australia page 196

Australia page 455
Our major cities
Sydney East of the city centre are the colourful and
cosmopolitan inner city suburbs
New South Wales, of which Sydney is the
of Darlinghurst, Kings Cross and
capital, was the site of Captain James
Paddington. Go further east and you will
Cook’s original landing in Australia, and the
find the exclusive ‘Eastern’ suburbs
place where the first European settlement
of Double Bay and Vaucluse.
was established in 1788.
To the south-east are the beach suburbs
Australia’s biggest city, Sydney has
of Bronte, Coogee and Australia’s famous
approximately 4.2 million7 people
Bondi Beach.
and is built around one of the world’s
most spectacular natural harbours, The flourishing western suburbs,
which has moulded and shaped the city encompassing the once separate
since settlement. settlements of Parramatta and Penrith, now
cover about 50 km and reach all the way to
Sydney also boasts other major attractions
the foothills of the scenic Blue Mountains.
including its distinctive Opera House,
Harbour Bridge, the historic Rocks area,
and excellent beaches and national parks. Melbourne
As host city for the Olympic games in Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, is the
September 2000, Sydney underwent a second largest city, with a population
metamorphosis that put its cityscape on of approximately 3.59 million.8
a level with its natural beauty.
Its birth and major period of development
The harbour divides the city into northern paralleled Queen Victoria’s reign
and southern halves, with Sydney Harbour (1837-1901) and the city in many ways
Bridge and the Harbour Tunnel joining the is a product of its formative era, both
two shores. architecturally and socially.
The best way to experience the spectacular Traditionally, it is a conservative city of
harbour with its many bays and beaches is elaborate Victorian era buildings, parks
to jump aboard one of the numerous ferries and gardens, and tree-lined boulevards.
that carry commuters across the water.
Since World War II its social fabric has
Sydney suburbs stretch more than 20 km been transformed by thousands of
north and south. The suburbs north of immigrants, and the city has been greatly
the bridge are collectively known as the enriched by the influences of people and
North Shore. The upper North Shore, an cultures from around the world.
area generally regarded as housing the
city’s middle class, features the graceful, Melbourne in 2009 is a vibrant multicultural
stately ‘garden’ suburbs of Wahroonga and city, passionate about arts, food, wine and
St Ives. The northern beaches peninsula sport – particularly Australian Rules football.
boasts the exclusive enclaves of Whale
Beach and Palm Beach.
4
Its suburbs spread around the shores Although close to the surf of the Gold
of picturesque Port Phillip Bay, with the city Coast, it is very much a river city, with the
centre situated on the north bank of the temperature rarely dropping below 20
Yarra River, about 5 km inland from the bay. degrees during the day.
It’s buildings are a blend of the soaring new On the downside, Brisbane generally gets
and stately old. over 400mm of rain from January
to March.10
One of the few cities in the world to retain
complete tramway systems, Melbourne’s
trams have become a celebrated tourist Adelaide
attraction and a popular means of transport
to and from work for locals. Adelaide, the farmed city of churches, has
splendid natural rural settings. The city
centre is surrounded by parkland and the
Brisbane metropolitan area is bounded by the hills of
the Mt Lofty Ranges which crowd it against
Brisbane, the capital of Queensland,
the sea.
is the gateway to Australia’s favourite
holiday playground of the Gold and The capital of South Australia, Adelaide is
Sunshine coasts. Two great getaway laid out on a grid and has several distinct
destinations, especially during the colder civic squares.
winter months in the south.
Thirty minutes away, and part of the
The city has often been viewed as magnificent Mt Lofty Ranges, are the
something of an overgrown country town. Adelaide Hills. In addition to the beauty of
That certainly isn’t the case today, the hills themselves with their huge gum
if it ever was. trees and their picturesque landscapes,
there are more than 1000 km of
In the 1980s it hosted a string of major
bushwalking trails and many fascinating
international events including the 1982
townships to explore.
Commonwealth Games and Expo ’88,
turning it into a lively cosmopolitan city. With a proud agricultural heritage built on
the production of wheat and wool, Adelaide
Like other areas of Australia, Brisbane
is also known for producing some of the
began as the subtropical holding pen for
finest wines in Australia, from delicate
the more recalcitrant convicts from the
Rieslings to the robust Shiraz.
colony of New South Wales.
The state of South Australia is sparsely
Today, it has a population of approximately
settled with 73% of its population in the
1.7 million9 people, with an increasing influx
capital – which has a population of just
of international and local students enjoying
over 1 million11 – and a handful of major
excellent educational facilities, warm weather
rural centres.
loving tourists and retirees, and property
investors exploring land value potential.
Perth Hobart
Western Australia claims to be the sunniest The island state of Tasmania has a
state in Australia. It’s capital, Perth, is population of 482,20013 making it the least
thought to be the most isolated capital city populated state in Australia.
in the world.
Its capital, Hobart, with a population of
Western Australia takes up one third of 202,20014 is Australia’s second oldest city
the Australian land mass. About 73% of and its southern most capital. It straddles
its almost 1.97 million12 people live in and the mouth of the Derwent River and is
around Perth. backed by towering Mt Wellington.
A vibrant and modern city, Perth is situated Hobart combines the benefits of a modern
on the Swan River with the port, Fremantle, city with a rich colonial heritage. The
just 20 km down-stream. beautiful Georgian buildings, the busy
harbour and the easy going atmosphere
The city was founded in 1829 as the
make the city one of the most enjoyable
Swan River Settlement and grew slowly
and engaging in Australia.
until 1850, when convicts were brought to
alleviate a labour shortage. Some of the This is in striking contrast with its
city’s finest buildings, such as government past, when it was a location for penal
House and Perth Town hall, were built with settlements for convicts who re-offended
convict labour. on the Australian mainland.
More recently, the state’s mineral wealth
has contributed to the city’s wealth and the Territories
resultant construction boom has spread
into other suburbs. Australia also has two territories – the
Australian Capital Territory (ACT), which
The city centre is compact and situated is the home of the Federal Seat of
on the sweep of the Swan River, which Government, and the Northern Territory.
borders the city centre to the south and
east and links Perth to its port, Fremantle. The ACT has a population of 324,10015, of
which the vast majority live in and around
the capital, Canberra.
Some of the best modern architecture and
exhibitions in Australia are here and the
city is particularly interesting as, unlike so
much of Australia, it is totally planned. As
a place of government, and with few local
industries, it has a unique atmosphere only
found in dedicated national capitals.
6
The Northern territory is the most barren 15 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 Year book
Australia page 186
and least populated area of Australia, with
only 1% of the Australian population living 16 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 Year book
in an area that covers nearly 18% of the Australia page 186
country’s landmass.16 17 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 Year book
Australia page 186
It is in the centre – the Red Heart –
untamed and sometimes surreal, from
which the picture book Australia, emerges.
The centre is not just Uluru, commonly
known as Ayers Rock. It is a unique
mysterious landscape composed of ancient
meteorite craters, spiritually charged
canyons and waterholes, and lost valleys
of palms teeming with native species. By
contrast are the noisy festivals and rugged
outback culture of Alice Springs.
At the other end of the track – the Stuart
Highway, 1500km of roadway that
connects Alice Springs to the north coast –
is Darwin with a population of just
109,400 people.17
Australia page 186

Australia page 186

Australia page 186

Australia page 186

Australia page 186

Australia page 186

Australia page 186

Australia page 186
Accommodation
Australia has one of the highest levels of home ownership in the world.
A large number of home owners are being helped to fulfil their dreams with financial
assistance from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, the country’s largest lender of
housing finance.
It is estimated that almost 71% of all homes in Australia are occupied by owners or people
paying off mortgages.18
While traditional detached housing is still popular, there has been a recent surge in the
popularity of apartments, particularly in city areas.
Prices of houses and other accommodation vary dramatically from state to state
(see table on next page)
18 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 Year book Australia page 312
8
Dwelling prices19
Sydney Houses $700,000
Other $540,000
Rest of NSW All dwellings $380,000
Melbourne Houses $332,500
Other $310,000
Rest of Victoria All dwellings $345,000
Brisbane Houses $462,500
Other $400,000
Rest of QLD All dwellings $394,500
Perth Houses $450,000
Other $450,000
Rest of WA All dwellings $450,000
Adelaide Houses $410,000
Other $363,750
Rest of SA All dwellings $325,000
Tasmania All dwellings $212,500
Canberra All dwellings $480,000
Dwelling prices have been obtained from the Commonwealth Bank Property Value Guide.
Postcodes were used to identify metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas.
The median price is the middle value of dwelling prices, i.e. 50 per cent are above and 50
percent are below the median price.
19 Commonwealth Bank Property Value Guide July 2008, http://www.commbank.com.au/propertyvalueguide
Costs of Living 18
Electrical Goods20 $
Refrigerator 420L Frost free 1,059
Washing machine Automatic (5.5kg front loader) 549
Microwave Medium size 180
Television sets 48cm plasma 550
81cm LCD 1,100
68cm plasma 1,380
DVD player Standard from 50
Stereo AM/FM, quality speaker, compact disc 89
Food Item21 $
Bread White loaf, sliced supermarket 3.50
Butter 500g 3.00
Table margarine 500g 2.70
Jam Strawberry 3.00
Sugar 2kg white 3.50
Instant coffee 150g 8.00
Tea bags 180g packet 3.00
Milk 1 litre 2.20
Eggs Per dozen 4.00
10
Miscellaneous22 $
Beer 24 x 375ml bottles 40
Newspaper 1.20
Toothpaste 140g 2.34
Soap 4 x 125g 2.90
Postage Local letter 0.55
20 Approximate prices from a large electrical retailer

as at August 2008.
21 Based on the average retail prices for 3 months

ending August 2008 in Sydney. Prices may vary
between states and cities. Average retail prices
from a large grocery retailer.
22 Based on the average retail prices for 3 months

ending August 2008 in Sydney. Prices may vary
between states and cities. Average retail prices
from a large grocery retailer.
Education expenses
Tuition fees are charged at private Ask school authorities about allowances
schools but not at state run primary or and other forms of financial assistance
high schools. However, at each level of for which students may be eligible. For
education, parents have to meet a variety example, some state governments offer
of expenses including; bursaries and scholarships to children in
secondary school.
■ tuition fees and levies,
The Australian Government provides
■ school uniform and standard clothing assistance to students under the Youth
such as raincoat, sports and gym shoes, Allowance and Austudy schemes:
■ fares to and from school from which
transport authorities may allow students
concessions or free travel,
■ fees for use of libraries and sport

facilities,
■ costs of set textbooks or book hire,
■ stationery – writing paper, pens, etc.
■ arts, crafts and manual work materials,
■ excursion fees,
■ sports team fees.

The major cost is clothing, with most
schools expecting students to wear
a uniform. School clothing can cost
$400 to $800 a year, depending on the
child’s education level. Most schools run
cooperatives to exchange text books and
clothing children have outgrown.
12
Youth Allowance23 Austudy26
The Youth Allowance (YA) is generally Austudy is income support for students
available for youths including; aged 25 years and over. To be eligible,
students must be undertaking
■ students aged 16-24 in full time study, qualifying study.
■ students aged 25 or over, who were in Newly arrived migrants must serve
receipt of the YA when turning 25, AND a waiting period of 104 weeks as an
remaining in the same course, Australian resident in Australia before
receiving Austudy (some exceptions
■ unemployed youths aged under 21,
may apply).
looking for work or combining part-time
study with job seeking or any other
approved activity. Basic rates27 per fortnight
(two weeks) are:
Basic rates25 per fortnight
■ Single $355.40
(two weeks) are:
■ Single, with children $465.60
Single, no children
■ Partnered, no children $355.40
■ Aged under 18, at home $194.50
■ Partnered, with children $390.20
■ A
ged under 18,
$355.40
away from home For more information on Youth Allowance
and Austudy, please refer to the Centrelink
■ A
ged 18 and over,
$255.40 web site, available at
away from home
www.centrelink.gov.au
■ A
ged 18 and over, 26 Centrelink: ‘A guide to Commonwealth
$233.90
at home Government payments.’
27 Centrelink: ‘A guide to Commonwealth

Single, with children $465.60 Government payments.’
Partnered, no children $355.40
Partnered, with children $390.20
23 Centrelink July 2007
25 Centrelink: ‘A guide to Commonwealth

Government payments.’
Getting around
What strikes people when they first arrive in Car Costs
Australia is its size.
Using New South Wales as an example, all
Because Australia is so vast, flying is often vehicles must be registered and display
the preferred means of transport, especially a current registration label and number
between major cities. plates before they can be driven or parked
on public roads.
Generally, however, the car is the accepted
means of getting from A to B. Australians Vehicles more than five years old must
drive on the left hand side of the road. be inspected each year at an authorised
inspection station. A safety check
The general speed limit in built up areas is
inspection report known as a Pink Slip is
either 50km/h or 60km/h and on the open
issued when the vehicle passes inspection.
highways it is usually between 100 and
110km/h. All vehicles are required to be covered by
compulsory third party injury insurance,
Major roads in Sydney and Melbourne
known as a Green Slip.
have recently undergone extensive work:
Sydney as a result of its Olympic Games You must produce both your Pink and Green
development in 2000 and Melbourne with its slips to register or renew your car registration.
city project to update its freeway system.
In NSW, registration costs are based on the
Melbourne is the only major city to have weight of the vehicle. The more it weighs,
retained a large and comprehensive tram the more it costs. A higher registration cost
system which complements the rail service. applies if the vehicle is used for business.
Road travel between states is common,
although roads can vary in condition.
Australians are enthusiastic travellers,
despite the distance involved.
During summer holidays, cars with
caravans attached are common sights
on highways, heading off on holiday often
thousands of kilometres from home.
Police use speed radar guns and
breathalysers to keep tabs on motorists who
may be speeding or over the alcohol limit.
You are also likely to be fined if you are not
wearing a seat belt.
14
Registration costs28
Size of vehicle Tare weight Private use Business use
Cars, station wagons,

Up to 975kg $218 $321
and trucks
976kg to 1154kg $239 $354
1115kg to1504kg $269 $404
1505kg to 2504kg $383 $583
Trailers Up to 250kg $52 $133
251kg to764kg $143 $200
765kg to 975kg $218 $321
976kg to 1154kg $239 $354
Motor cycle $101 $101
28 These examples are indicative only and do not represent any exemptions or concessions available.
For more information contact the RTA. Example current as July 2008
Compulsory Third party insurance generally costs between $400-$70029 depending on a

number of factors including age of the driver and the vehicle. Prices will vary between states,
regions and insurance companies.
Safety regulations
Some regulations cover the whole of Australia, but individual states also have their own laws
on safety standards that cover seat belts, head restraints, emission standards, tyres, steering
columns, safety glass, and engine noise for example. If a vehicle does not conform to all safety
standards it may not be registered until necessary modifications have been made. Ask for
advice from your state or territory transport authority.
Fuel30
Average petrol prices for the three months ending June 2008 in cents per litre were:
Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth Hobart Darwin
Unleaded 157.1 156.4 157 157.4 157.5 159.8 161.2
Diesel 178.1 177.9 178.4 178.4 178.3 181.9 181.9
Driving Licenses
You can use your current UK/European
licence or international driving permit for a
maximum of three months after becoming
a resident. If you intend to continue driving,
you must get a local licence within this
three month period.
Generally to obtain a licence you must:
■ present your current licence,
■ meet an age requirement,
■ prove your state residence,
■ prove your identity,
■ complete a written application form,
■ pass an eyesight test,
■ pass a drivers knowledge test,
■ pass a driving test in the relevant class

of vehicle,
■ in some cases a medical examination

may be required (for sufferers of
epilepsy, diabetes etc.).
29 Information from www.api.com.au
30 Australian institute of petroleum as of

27th July 2008
16
Wages, salaries and taxation
Income
The following table outlines the Average Weekly Earnings of Australian Employees.36
Trend estimate May 2008
Full time adult ordinary time earnings $1132.20
Full time adult earnings $1183.10
All employees total earnings $891.10
Private sector
Full time adult earnings $1161
Public sector
Full time adult earnings $1262.30
Taxation
The income tax year runs from 1st July to 30th June. Australian tax residents are taxed on their
worldwide income. Non tax residents are taxed only on their Australian sourced income.
Company/Corporate Tax
All companies incorporated in Australia are tax residents. If a company is not incorporated
in Australia but carries on business here and either its central management is in Australia,
or its voting power is controlled by shareholders who reside in Australia, then it is a resident
company for tax purposes.
Resident companies are generally liable for tax on their total income from sources both
within and outside Australia. Income tax for companies is levied at the rate of 30% on
‘taxable income’ which is defined as assessable income less allowable deductions.
Personal taxation
Residency: A resident will include a person migrating to Australia where their intention
is to stay for an extended period. Such a person will be treated as a resident from the day they
enter Australia. Anyone living and working in the country for more than 181 days will also be a
resident unless they are also a resident of another country with which Australia has a treaty.
A system of self-assessment generally applies and personal income tax returns should
be submitted to the tax office by 31 October, unless special approval is given for later
lodgement or the return is lodged by a tax agent.
The residency test for tax purposes is different to those used for other purposes. If you are
uncertain about your tax status, you should consult an advisor or the Australian Taxation
Office www.ato.gov.au.
36 Average Weekly Earnings (trends) May 2008. Australian Bureau of Statistics
Tax Rates 2009-2010
Taxable Income Resident tax on this income
$1-$6,000 Nil
$6,001-$35,000 15 cents for each $1 over $6,000
$35,001-$80,000 $3,600 plus 30c for each $1 over $30,000
$80,001-$180,000 $17,100 plus 40c for each $1 over $75,000
Over 180,001 $47,100 plus 45c for each $1 over $150,000
Pay As You Go (PAYG) – collecting tax from individuals

Salary and wage earners have income tax taken out of their earnings by their employer.
Provided you have no income apart from salary and wages, the instalments deducted are
designed to cover your liability, but you are still required to lodge an annual income tax return.
Payments made to workers who are not employees (such as contractors) in certain industries
such as building and construction, must have PAYG tax deducted and sent to the tax office. A
credit for this tax is given when the worker submits a tax return at the end of the tax year.
Where a person earns more than $2000 p.a. in interest and other investment/business
income, they may be required to make quarterly or yearly PAYG payments, depending on
the level of income.
18
Capital Gains Tax Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Australia imposes a tax on gains made The GST is a broad based consumption
from the disposal of capital assets. tax that was introduced on 1 July 2000.
Where a person migrated to Australia and Most goods and services are subject
became an Australian tax resident, any to a 10% GST, however there are
assets held will be deemed to have been some exceptions for basic food items,
acquired at the market value of the asset educational, health and child care services.
at the time the persons enter Australia. For further information, contact:
Any subsequent disposal of those assets
may give rise to a taxable gain www.ato. ■ Australian
taxation office
gov.au/individuals/content.asp?doc=/ (www.ato.gov.au)
content/64131.htm. Non residents are only
■ A tax adviser or accountant for specific
subject to tax on capital gains where the
asset is connected with Australia. tax related advice
Capital gains for the year must also be

included in a tax payer’s annual income
tax return.
To assist taxpayers, the tax office
publishes a Tax Pack each year, which is
a comprehensive step by step guide to
completing your return. The tax pack is
available from all post offices. In addition,
the tax office has established a web based
method for preparing and lodging personal
tax returns.
Government assistance
Centrelink37 The Centrelink Multilingual Service allows
people to speak to Centrelink in languages
Centrelink is a government agency
other than English. For personal telephone
which delivers a range of services to the
help ring Centrelink on 13 12 02 for the
Australian community. Over 200 Customer
cost of a local call throughout Australia.
Service Centres have been set up across
the country in Centrelink, Medicare and Languages available include:38 Albanian,
ATO access and enquiry sites. Amharic, Arabic, Bosnian, Burmese,
Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese),
Its customers include the retired, families,
Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Farsi/
sole parents, job seekers, people with a
Persian, Filipino/ Tagalog, French, German,
disability, students and young people.
Greek, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian,
Payments are made to people who are Italian, Khmer/Cambodian, Korean, Lao,
looking for work, are aged, have a disability Macedonian, Malay, Maltese, Polish,
or have children in their care. Portuguese/Tetum, Pukapuka, Pushto,
Russian, Samoan, Serbian, Simhalese,
Other payments and services may
Somali, Spanish, Tamil, Thai, Tigrinya,
also be available for people in difficult
Tongan, Turkish, Ukrainian and Vietnamese.
financial circumstances.
Other languages can be catered for.
Centrelink services include registration
for work, referral to training and
Applying for payment
employment services/agencies, access
to information about job vacancies and You will need to fill in a claim form to
child care assistance. test your eligibility for payments and
entitlements from Centrelink. Forms are
It also provides youth support services,
available from any Centrelink office.
which assist young people with information
They can also be sent to you in the mail.
on training, employment and finance.
You should complete the claim form and
Centrelink has a number of services to help
then lodge it at your nearest Centrelink
migrants or refugees. These include:
office as soon as possible. Check with
■ the Centrelink Multilingual Service Centrelink about how long you have to
(13 12 02) to talk to someone in lodge your form, as any delay may affect
your language, the date on which your payment starts.
■ information written in other languages, You and your partner will need to provide
documents that prove who you are, your
■ multicultural Service Officers who work age, residency, relationship status and your
closely with ethnic communities, income and assets.
■ language services, including If you have trouble getting documentation
interpreting, translating and you should tell Centrelink staff.
bilingual staff. Do not delay lodging your claim because
documents are not available.
20
You and your partner may need to be Information
interviewed for more details and to get
If you would like to find out about
proof of your identity, age, residence,
Centrelink’s services before you arrive in
income and assets. If you don’t have the
Australia, visit their internet site (www.
necessary documents, staff will advise you
centrelink.gov.au). This site contains
on how to obtain them.
information about payments and services
At the interview, Centrelink staff will tell you delivered by Centrelink on behalf of
about current payments rates, conditions government agencies.
and rights, and obligations for continuation 37 Australian Government -Centrelink
of payments.
38 www.centrelink.gov.au
Some other useful telephone
39 Australian Government - Centrelink
numbers39 are:
■ 13 10 21 – to make an appointment
■ 13 28 50 – employment services
■ 13 24 90 – Austudy Allowance
■ 13 23 00 – Retirement
■ 13 61 50 – Family Assistance Office

People who are hearing or speech
impaired can call 1800 810 567
(teletypewriter service)
Sports and recreation
For a country of over 21 million people, Club games between two top sides can
Australia has an outstanding record as a attract up to 75,000 spectators, while the
sporting nation. Grand Finals, played at the Melbourne
Cricket Ground on the last Saturday in
A serious passion for sports is evident in
September each year, attracts almost
many sport grounds, tennis courts and
100,000 supporters.
other sporting venues around the country.
To many, there is nothing beyond their
favourite sport or team. Soccer
A climate ideally suited to the outdoors Until recently, soccer has been something
allows for sport of all types. From skiing of a poor cousin in Australia. It is widely
in the Victorian and NSW Alps over the played on an amateur basis and the
winter to surfing and swimming year round National Soccer League is only semi-
along the many thousands of kilometres professional, although it is beginning to
of unspoilt beaches, Australia invites a attract larger crowds.
healthy, active lifestyle year-round.
Recent World Cup qualifiers involving the
national team, the Socceroos, and media
Australian Rules football coverage of the World Cup itself have
contributed to a marked increase in the
Victorians are devoted to Australian rules
sports exposure and popularity.
football. It is played by teams of 18 with
an oval ball that can be kicked, caught, hit
with the hand or carried and bounced. Rugby
A player gets six points for kicking the ball
between two central posts (a goal) and Rugby League is the main game in New
one point for kicking it through the side South Wales and Queensland. This was
posts (a point). split when media tycoon Rupert Murdoch
introduced his Super League competition,
Melbourne, where the game was born, which lured away many Australian Rugby
is the national centre for Australian Rules League players to lucrative contracts.
or ‘footy’ as it is known, and the
Australian Football League (AFL) is the The ARL, which had financial backing
national competition. from Australia’s other major media player,
Kerry Packer, had six Sydney teams, two
Ten of its sixteen teams are from in and from elsewhere in NSW and two from
around Melbourne, with the remainder Queensland.
being from Geelong, Perth, Fremantle,
Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide, which Late in 1997, a truce between the two
has two teams. sides was reached with the formation of a
combined league in 1998.
22
Rugby Union also has a strong following. The prestigious Melbourne Cup, held on
A number of prestigious competitions are the first Tuesday in November each year,
played each year including the tri-nations has evolved into an annual gambling ritual
(played between South Africa, New of national importance, an unofficial holiday
Zealand and Australia) and the Super 12s. and the day when the nation virtually
The Australian national team, the Wallabies, stands still to watch a single horse race.
play a number of test matches each year
that are always followed with keen interest.
Motor sports
The Australian Formula One Grand Prix
Cricket
is held in Melbourne each March and
Cricket is followed throughout the the Australian round of the world 500cc
Australian summer with intense and loyal Motorcycle Grand Prix is held at Phillip
devotion by its fans. International test, the Island in Victoria annually in October.
one day domestic matches are played
Other major events are the Bathurst 1000
in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth,
held at the Mt Panorama circuit in NSW
Brisbane and Hobart.
every October, the Targa Tasmania race in
District club cricket is played in each state April and the Finke Desert Race in central
and junior cricket continues to thrive across Australia (June).
the country.
Other sports
Basketball, netball and hockey
The grand slam tennis event, the Australian
Basketball is growing in popularity and Open, is played in Melbourne in January.
there is a national league, the NBL, which
World class surfing competitions are held at
plays a summer competition. Australia’s
Bell’s beach, Victoria each year.
women’s netball team won the World Cup
in 1999 and Australia also has the world Australia also has a flourishing ski industry
class field hockey teams in both men’s and – a surprise for some travellers – with
women’s competitions. snowfields straddling the New South
Wales and Victorian border. Skiing is also
enjoyable in Tasmania.
Horse racing
Other popular sports include squash,
Australian’s love to place a bet at the races bowls and golf (which all have thousands
and hardly any town is without a horse of players), baseball, yachting, shooting,
racing track or Totalisator Agency Board horse riding, sea and river fishing.
(TAB) betting office or pub.
Food, drink and entertainment
Food In Victoria, the main region is the
Rutherglen/Milawa area of the north-east,
Australia today is a true multicultural
but there is also the Yarra Valley where
society. One of the most dramatic
French company Moet et Chandon makes
outcomes of multiculturalism has been
top quality sparkling wines. The Mornington
the change in the way Australians eat.
Peninsula and the Geelong areas are
The culinary delights are one of the real famous for Pinot Noir and Cabernet. All are
highlights of living in Australia. Greek, within easy reach of Melbourne.
Italian, Lebanese and Asian dishes are
South Australia also has the picturesque
popular on Australian menus and have
Clare Valley, known for its delicate Rieslings
changed the way Australians think
and the Coonawarra area south of
about food.
Adelaide, home of the legendary Penfolds
Over the past two decades, Australians and their Grange Shiraz. Tasmania and
have experienced a true culinary revolution Western Australia’s Margaret River area
which expresses who they are by what they produce increasingly sophisticated wines.
eat. A wealth of extraordinary produce, a
booming wine industry and a distinctly ‘new
world’ approach to flavour combinations Beer
have resulted in an exciting, highly Australian beer is invariably chilled before
accessible café and restaurant culture. drinking. Foster’s may be the best known
brand worldwide but beer drinkers will
discover a bewildering array of other local
Wine
beers, including XXXX, pronounced ‘four-
Australia’s rapidly expanding wine industry ex’, Tooheys New, Carlton Draught and
produces a huge variety of wines of Victoria Bitter (known locally as ‘VB’). Low
international reputation, high quality and alcohol beers are also gaining favour.
great value. Wine is one of the country’s
The smaller breweries are becoming
fastest growing exports, with healthy sales
increasingly popular: Cascade (Tasmania)
to Britain and an increasing technical
and Coopers (South Australia) are two
influence on the French wine industry.
examples. Small boutique beers such as
The renowned wine growing regions are Redback, Dogbolter and Eumundi have
the Hunter Valley of New South Wales also become popular around the country.
and the Barossa Valley South Australia,
A large range of imported beer is also
but there are many small up and coming
widely available.
vineyards in other areas starting to make
their mark.
24
Cinema A dress code may apply in certain places
but entry is generally left to the discretion
Film culture is strong in Australia.
of the people at the door. The more
There are commercial cinema chains in all the
‘upmarket’ nightclubs attracting an older,
main cities such as Hoyts, Village and Greater
more sophisticated and affluent crowd
Union, usually in 2 to 10 screen complexes.
may have stricter dress codes but overall
Smaller towns have only one cinema. Seeing
Australians tend to dress down.
a new release mainstream film costs around
$15 ($8 for children under 15) in the big cities,
less in country areas and less on certain Live Music
nights at the bigger cinemas.
Most suburban pubs have live music and
There are also art-house and independent these are often great places for catching
cinemas. These generally screen bands, either nationally well-known names
either films that are not made for mass or up and coming performers trying to
consumption, foreign language or make a name for themselves. Many of
specialise purely in re-runs of classic or Australia’s popular bands started out on
cult movies. the pub circuit.
Cinemas such as the Kino and Astor in
Melbourne, the Valhalla and Paddington
Academy Twin in Sydney, the Chelsea in
Adelaide and the Astor in Perth all fall into
this category.
Nightclubs
There is no shortage of nightclubs and
late-night venues in Australia. Clubs range
from the exclusive ‘members only’ variety
to multi-level discos featuring the latest
music influences from Australia
and overseas.
Arts
The visual arts Famous contemporary names include
Jeffrey Smart, Garry Shead, Marion Borgelt,
From the earliest days of Australian history,
Rosalie Gascoigne and Howard Arkley.
visual arts have provided vital inspiration
and clues to our complex and ever-evolving A multitude of theatres nationally support
cultural identity. The fact that attendance theatre and dance such as the Bell
at major art exhibitions at national galleries Shakespeare Company, the Sydney Dance
surpass major sporting events is an Company and the Bangarra Dance
indication of just how hungry Australians Theatre Company.
are for culture.
Each decade of painting, sculpture and theatre Music
seems to reflect the restlessness and speed
with which Australian society is developing. Over the decades Australia has spawned
a number of great musicians, singers and
19th Century painters such as John Glover composers across the musical spectrum,
and Arthur Streeton captured the unique from opera singer Dame Joan Sutherland
quality of Australian light and exotic and groups like Savage Garden to pop
nature of the new world landscape, while singers such as the late Michael Hutchence
Tom Roberts recorded the heroic hardship and Kylie Minogue.
of life as a settler, or working the wool
sheds and gold mines. The Sydney and Melbourne Symphony
Orchestra host many world-famous
With the 1950s came painting artists annually and have an
revolutionaries such as Russell Drysdale outstanding reputation.
and Sir Sidney Nolan who explored
isolation, paranoia and political struggle While Australia’s early popular musical
with his striking Ned Kelly series. history may have suffered from a ‘cultural
The 1960s onwards brought a more cringe’ or lack of local confidence, the
sensual inward exploration from painters 1970s and 1980s saw the emergence of
such as John Olsen, Charles Blackman, music with a distinctly Australian flavour.
Tim Storrier and Lloyd Rees. Bands such as Skyhooks, INXS and
Crowded House had world impact.
Perhaps the most exciting and
revolutionary development in the world of The music industry has since evolved to
Australian art has been the emergence and the stage where the local scene is flooded
evolution of Aboriginal artists, from the early with great talent playing Australian rock.
bark painters to the extremely collectable The past decade has also seen the
Utopia artists such as Emily Kngwarreye emergence of Aboriginal rock music and
and Rover Thomas. performers led by Yothu Yindi.
26
Literature Film
The Australian bush and outback and its The Australian film industry began as
characters have been the inspiration for early as 1896, a year after the Lumiere
many popular ballads and stories since the brothers opened the world first cinemas in
turn of the century, and they still have an Paris. Many cinema historians regard an
enduring quality today. Australian film, ‘Soldiers of the Cross’ as
the world’s first ‘real’ movie.
Adam Lindsay Gordon was the forerunner
of this type of literature, but its two most It was originally screened at the Melbourne
famous exponents are A.B. ‘Banjo’ Town Hall in 1901 and was shown
Paterson and Henry Lawson. throughout the U.S. in 1902. The next
significant Australian film ‘The story of the
The outback has spawned a number of
Kelly Gang’ was screened in 1907 and by
novels, including Nevil Shute’s ‘A Town Like
1911 the industry was flourishing.
Alice’ and perhaps the best local depicter
of the outback, Katherine Susannah Before the introduction of government
Pritchard, who produced a string of novels subsidies during 1969 and 1970,
with outback themes into which she wove the industry found it difficulty to compete
her political thoughts. with U.S. and British interests. The New
wave era of the 1970s produced films such
Xavier Herbert’s ‘Capricornia’ (1938)
as ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’,
stands as one of the great epics of outback
‘Sunday Too Far Away’, ‘Caddie’, and
Australia. Miles Franklin was one of the
‘The Devil’s Playground’.
early feminist writers after whom the Miles
Franklin Award, the most prestigious in the Most recently, films such as ‘Babe’, ‘Shine’,
country, is named. and ‘Moulin Rouge’ with the impressive
acting talents of Australian actors such as
Contemporary writers with a strong sense
Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey
of place include Peter Carey White ‘History
Rush, and the directorial talents of Baz
of the Kelly Gang’ won the Booker Prize,
Luhrmann have entertained and impressed
Helen Garner, Peter Corris, Elizabeth
audiences worldwide.
Jolley and the increasingly acclaimed Tim
Winton. Thomas Keneally is well known for
his novels which deal with the suffering of
oppressed people.
Religion 40
Australia embraces its many religions.

A tradition of Judeo Christianity among
early settlers has resulted in the erection
of many beautiful, architecturally-significant
churches, cathedrals and synagogues.
A shrinking majority of people in
Australia – about 68% (of the total
population) – are at least nominally
Christian. The largest group being Catholic
(26%) followed by Anglican (19%).
Non-Christian minorities abound, the main
ones being Buddhism (2.1%), Islam (1.7%),
Hinduism (0.8%), Judaism (0.5%).
Almost 18.7% of the population say they
have no religion.
40 Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2008 Year Book
Australia; page 457 and 458
28
What the Commonwealth Bank
can do for you
The big decision – maybe the biggest With more than 35,000 staff, we’re one of
you will ever make – has now been made. Australia’s largest employers.
Having made the decision to move to The Commonwealth Bank is a
Australia, it is time to consider your banking long-standing supporter of community
requirements. The Commonwealth activities and organisations. This support
Bank has a wide range of products is directed at a broad range of activities
and services designed to meet all of that bring long term benefits and reflect
your banking needs. community activities and organisations.
Areas of particular emphasis include
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia
education, medical, youth, science and
is one of Australia’s leading financial
technology, the arts and the environment.
institutions with a long history in the
Australian banking industry. For more information about the
Commonwealth Bank visit
We’re one of Australia’s leading
commbank.com.au.
providers of integrated financial services
including retail, premium, business and
institutional banking, funds management, General information about our Home
superannuation, general and life insurance, Loans and Investment Home Loans.
broking services and finance company
activities. With over 1000 branches and
4000 ATMs, the Commonwealth Bank has Your deposit
a larger ATM and branch network than any One of the first questions you are likely to
other bank in Australia. be asked when you apply for your loan is
The Commonwealth Bank is proud of its how much deposit you have.
strong credit rating. The following table It sounds obvious, but many people
illustrates the Bank’s current credit ratings. overlook the real advantages of saving a
substantial deposit, which may help reduce
Long Term Short Term the amount you need to borrow and may
help reduce loan repayments.
Fitch AA F1+
On the other hand, a greater amount of
Moody’s Aa1 P-1 deposit may allow you to borrow more and
give you the opportunity to choose from a
SandP AA A-1+
wider range of properties.
Our staff are committed to helping our
customers manage and build wealth.
Borrowing Some other fees and charges:
The amount you can borrow is usually ■ Legal/conveyance work,
calculated as a percentage of the
■ Title searches,
property’s value. The Commonwealth Bank
generally lends up to 80% of the property’s ■ Searches of government department
value. However it can lend up to 95% of records,
the value (subject to lenders mortgage
insurance. Conditions and limits apply). ■ Certificates from councils, water board,
other,
For a lender to give an indication of the
amount you can borrow, you will have to let ■ Stamp duties,
them know:
■ Surveys,
■ Your gross income,
■ Insurances,
■ The amount you have saved towards
■ Pest inspection,
the purchase,
■ Pre-purchase property inspection,
■ The amount of your current commitments
(credit card limit, other loans), ■ Removalists costs,
■ Your preferred maximum loan term. ■ Connection fee for gas, electricity and
telephone.
Costs
Buying a home involves a number of fees Government charges
that need to be paid in the course of
■ Stamp duty on contract or transfer:
obtaining your home. This means you will
need to provide for more than simply a paid on the purchase price of the
deposit on your home. Some of the fees property, or in some cases, the
you may need to pay include: valuation of the property. The amount
varies by state or territory.
■ Application or establishment fee: a fee
charged by a lender when you make a ■ Stamp duty on the mortgage:
formal application or when you take out calculated on the amount borrowed.
a home loan.
■ Registration fees: The Land Titles Office
■ Valuation fees: lenders may value a charges a fee to register any document
property before approving a loan and relating to your property.
may pass this cost on to you.
Note: Applications for finance are subject to the Bank’s
■ Lender’s mortgage insurance: insurance normal credit approval. Full terms and conditions
will be included in our offer of finance.
which protects the lender.
At the Commonwealth Bank this Fees and charges are payable.
insurance is required if you borrow over
80% of the property’s value.
30
Everyday Transaction Accounts ■ Your own choice of PIN. A number
or word (of 6 to 12 characters) that’s
Paying bills and managing your day to
meaningful to you so its easy for you to
day money takes time, organisation and
remember,
a bank account that works the way you
want it to. A Commonwealth Bank personal ■ Regular statements,
transaction account can help you organise
your income and banking so everything ■ No monthly account or withdrawal
gets done quickly, easily and with fees for under 18s and full–time tertiary
minimum fuss. students#.
Commonwealth Bank personal transaction A number of different accounts are

accounts are designed to provide the ease, available, each with different options and
access and options you want including: features.
■ No ongoing minimum balance

thresholds Credit cards
■ Access to your money 24 hours a day, The Commonwealth Bank offers a range of
7 days a week, MasterCard credit cards. Gold MasterCard
is available and offers significant
■ Access to EFTPOS terminals and advantages over standard cards, including
ATMs so you can withdraw cash or International Travel Insurance (when you
make purchases in up to 100 countries purchase your overseas travel tickets with
around the world, your Gold Credit Card), Extended Warranty,
Purchase Security and access to ‘Your
■ Access to more ATMs than any other Global Connection’ Traveller Services.
bank in Australia, Conditions apply to all of these benefits.
■ The option of one-card banking so you There are various credit card options
can access your money and link several available to suit your particular needs.
accounts to one card, The Commonwealth Bank takes pride in
having Commonwealth Awards>, one of the
■ The convenience of having your salary
most popular credit card reward programs
paid directly into your account and
in Australia. Simply by using an eligible
making bill payments easily,
Commonwealth Bank credit card to make
■ The convenience of accessing your purchases and most bill payments, points
account through NetBank, the are earned that can be redeemed across a
Commonwealth Bank’s Internet Banking wide range of exciting award categories.
service, and Telephone Banking, Note: Applications for credit cards are subject to the
Bank’s normal credit approval. Full terms and conditions
will be included in the Letter of Offer.
Fees and charges are payable.
General insurance Personal Insurance
Our* home and contents cover is available We provide a range of personal insurance
separately or as a combined policy for products## including income, illness,
protection and peace of mind. If you disability and life insurance to protect you,
combine home and contents cover on your family or partner and your assets. You
the one policy, you’ll be rewarded with a can choose the level and type of protection
discount off your annual premium. Flexible you need to provide the assurance and
payment arrangements are also available – peace of mind you deserve. With our
monthly or annually to suit your needs. insurance cover, you can reduce or even
#Access fees apply to all transactions including balance
avoid the enormous financial burden that
enquiries using non-Commonwealth Bank ATMs in can be placed on your family or your
Australia and overseas (including ASB Bank in business if adversity strikes.
New Zealand).
>Commonwealth Awards is only available on

Commonwealth Bank Awards, Gold and Platinum Savings and Investments
Cards. Membership of the Commonwealth Awards
In the savings and investment area the
Program is subject to the Terms and Conditions of the
Commonwealth Awards Program available at Bank has:
www.commbank.com.au. All awards are
subject to availability and are subject to change
without notification. AwardSaver
*The issuer and insurer of Home & Content Insurance Account holders are rewarded for their
is Commonwealth Insurance Limited (CIL) ABN 96 067 savings efforts by earning bonus interest if
524 216 AFSL 235030 and the Commonwealth Bank
you make at least one deposit and make
of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL 234945 is an
arranger of the insurance. CIL is a wholly owned but no withdrawals in a calendar month.
non-guaranteed subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank
of Australia. The Commonwealth Bank of Australia and
its subsidiaries (excluding CIL) do not guarantee the
obligations or performance of CIL or the products they
offer. A Product Disclosure Statement for Home and
Contents Insurance is available by downloading from
comminsure.com.au or by calling 132 423 and
should be considered before making any decision
about these products.”
32
Term Deposits ##These products are available in the Personal
Insurance Portfolio which is issued by The Colonial
A fixed term investment with an interest Mutual Life Assurance Society Limited ABN: 12 004
rate guaranteed not to change for the 021 809 (CMLA) of which CommInsure is a registered
business name. CMLA is a wholly owned but non-
nominated term.
guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of
The benefits include: Australia
ABN 48 123 123 124. A product Disclosure Statement
■ Competitive interest rates, (PDS) describing Personal Insurance Portfolio is
available by contacting the Commonwealth Bank once
■ Flexibilityto choose any term from one you arrive in Australia and should be considered in
making any decision about whether to acquire
month to five years, the product.
■ Flexibility to add or withdraw funds **Commonwealth Financial Planners are representatives

at maturity, of Commonwealth Financial Planning Limited ABN 65
003 900 169. Australian Financial Services Licence
■ Choice of five interest payment options, No. 231139. A wholly owned but non-guaranteed
subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
■ No bank fees (provided the investment As this advice has been prepared without considering
is not withdrawn in full or in part prior your objectives, financial situation or needs, you
to maturity). should before acting on this advice, consider its
appropriateness to your circumstances. Terms and
conditions issued by Commonwealth Bank of Australia
for AwardSaver and Term Deposits are available on
Advice request. You should consider whether the product is
appropriate for you.
Another important area for a new migrant
is investment advice. The Commonwealth
Bank can refer you to a national network of
Financial Planners** who provide advice on
superannuation and investment products
offered by the Commonwealth Bank Group
and selected external product providers.
Further information Some further help
The Commonwealth Bank Group is ready Money
and able to meet your needs. Because
Australia’s currency is the Australian dollar,
everyone’s needs are different, we’ve
which comprises of 100 cents. There are
developed a range of ways for you to
5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2 coins, and
communicate with us. The following
$5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes.
options are available;
Although the smallest coin in circulation is
■ To find out how we can set up your 5c, prices are still marketed in single cents
banking requirements prior to arriving in and then rounded to the nearest 5c when
Australia, or for more information on any you come to pay.
of the products and services available
from the Commonwealth Bank, simply
call International Customer Services Temperatures
24 hours a day 7 days a week
Australia operates on the metric scale
+61 2 9762 0920 or email
(Celsius for temperatures).
ics@commbank.com.au Alternatively,
you can visit our website at commbank. To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit multiply by
com.au/movingtoaustralia 1.8 and add 32.
■ General information about the To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius subtract
Commonwealth Bank and the products 32 and multiply by 0.55.
and services offered is available at
commbank.com.au
Business Hours
Most shops close at 5 or 5:30pm
weekdays and 5pm on Saturday. Sunday
trading has become increasingly common
but is limited to major cities, to a lesser
extent regional Victoria. In most towns
there are usually one or two late shopping
nights per week.
Banks are open from 9:30am to 4pm
Monday to Thursday and until 5pm on
Friday. Some large city branches and
selected Shopping Centre branches are
open for minimum hours on Saturday
and Sunday.
Of course ATMs can be accessed at any
time, day or night.
34
All sorts of places stay open late and all Length
weekend, particularly milk bars (corner
1 centimetre equals 0.394 inches.
stores), convenience stores, supermarkets,
delis and city bookshops. This includes 1 metre equals 3.28 feet.
the big supermarket chain stores in major 1 metre equals 1.09 yards.
shopping centres, many of which are open 1 kilometre equals 0.621 miles.
24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Volume (fluids)
Weights and measures
1 litre equals 1.76 pints.
Australia uses the metric system. Petrol 1 litre equals 0.22 UK gallons.
and milk are sold by the litre, apples and
potatoes by the kilogram, distance is
Cubic measure
measured by the metre or kilometre, and
speed limits are in kilometre per hour (kmh). 1 cubic metre equals 1.308 cubic yards.
Length, distance and area:
Weight mass Conversion Multiply by
1 gram equals 0.0353 ounces.
Inches to centimetres 2.54
1 kilogram equals 2.20 pounds
Centimetres to inches 0.39
1 tonne equals 0.984 ton.
Feet to metres 0.30
Conversion Multiply by
Metres to feet 3.28
Ounces to grams 28.35
Yards to metres 0.91
Grams to ounces 0.035
Metres to yards 1.09
Pounds to kilograms 0.45
Miles to kilometres 1.61
Kilograms to pounds 2.20
Kilometres to miles 0.62
British tons to kilos 1016
Acres to hectares 0.40
U.S. tons to kilos 907
Hectares to acres 2.47
(A British ton is 2240 lbs; a U.S. ton
is 2000 lbs) Sq miles to sq km 2.59
Sq km to sq miles 0.39
Online information
The following internet sites provide general Search engines
information that may be of use during
Yahoo (Australia)
your move.
www.yahoo.com.au
Banking
Phone directories
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
White Pages
www.commbank.com.au
www.whitepages.com.au
Commonwealth Bank of Australia –
International Customer Services Yellow Pages
www.commbank.com.au/movingtoaustralia www.yellowpages.com.au
Government Entertainment
Centrelink City Search
www.centrelink.gov.au www.citysearch.com.au
Australian Taxation Office
www.ato.gov.au
Australian Bureau of Statistics
www.abs.gov.au
News
The Australian Newspaper (National)
www.theaustralian.com.au
The Sydney Morning Herald
www.smh.com.au
The Melbourne Age
www.theage.com.au
The Courier Mail (Brisbane)
www.couriermail.com.au
The West Australian
www.thewest.com.au
36
Contact Us
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
International Customer Services
Level 10, 101 George Street

Parramatta NSW 2150
Call us +61 (02) 9762 0920
Fax us +61 (02) 9151 8399
Email us at ics@commbank.com.au
Visit our website at
commbank.com.au/movingtoaustralia
ADB2502 010908
Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124

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Wages, salaries and taxation 17 Further information 34

Food, drink and entertainment 24

2 Australian Bureau of Statistics December quarter

3 Australian Bureau of Statistics December quarter

4 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 Year book

5 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 Year book

6 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 Year book

8 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 Year book

9 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 Year book

10 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 Year book

11 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 Year book

12 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 Year book

13 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 Year book

14 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 Year book

Sydney Houses $700,000

Rest of NSW All dwellings $380,000

Melbourne Houses $332,500

Rest of Victoria All dwellings $345,000

Brisbane Houses $462,500

Rest of QLD All dwellings $394,500

Perth Houses $450,000

Rest of WA All dwellings $450,000

Adelaide Houses $410,000

Rest of SA All dwellings $325,000

Tasmania All dwellings $212,500

Canberra All dwellings $480,000

Refrigerator 420L Frost free 1,059

Washing machine Automatic (5.5kg front loader) 549

Microwave Medium size 180

Television sets 48cm plasma 550

81cm LCD 1,100

68cm plasma 1,380

DVD player Standard from 50

Stereo AM/FM, quality speaker, compact disc 89

Bread White loaf, sliced supermarket 3.50

Butter 500g 3.00

Table margarine 500g 2.70

Jam Strawberry 3.00

Sugar 2kg white 3.50

Instant coffee 150g 8.00

Tea bags 180g packet 3.00

Milk 1 litre 2.20

Eggs Per dozen 4.00

Beer 24 x 375ml bottles 40

Toothpaste 140g 2.34

Soap 4 x 125g 2.90

Postage Local letter 0.55

20 Approximate prices from a large electrical retailer

21 Based on the average retail prices for 3 months

22 Based on the average retail prices for 3 months

■ fees for use of libraries and sport

■ costs of set textbooks or book hire,

■ stationery – writing paper, pens, etc.

■ arts, crafts and manual work materials,

■ sports team fees.

27 Centrelink: ‘A guide to Commonwealth

Partnered, no children $355.40

Partnered, with children $390.20

23 Centrelink July 2007

25 Centrelink: ‘A guide to Commonwealth

Size of vehicle Tare weight Private use Business use

Cars, station wagons,

2 Australian Bureau of Statistics December quarter

3 Australian Bureau of Statistics December quarter

4 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 Year book

5 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 Year book

6 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 Year book

8 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 Year book

9 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 Year book

10 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 Year book

11 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 Year book

12 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 Year book

13 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 Year book

14 Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 Year book

20 Approximate prices from a large electrical retailer

21 Based on the average retail prices for 3 months

22 Based on the average retail prices for 3 months

■ fees for use of libraries and sport

27 Centrelink: ‘A guide to Commonwealth

25 Centrelink: ‘A guide to Commonwealth

■ pass a driving test in the relevant class

■ in some cases a medical examination

30 Australian institute of petroleum as of

■ 13 24 90 – Austudy Allowance

■ No ongoing minimum balance

■ Flexibility to add or withdraw funds **Commonwealth Financial Planners are representatives