Information for visitors

PERTH

Perth is located in the south western corner of Australia. Latitude 31° 57 min south, longitude 115° 51 min east. Of Western Australia's total population of 2,200,000, approximately 1,500,000 people (or three quarters) live in Perth. The Perth metropolitan area extends from Yanchep in the north to Mandurah in the south - a distance of around 120 kilometres, and occupies a 50 kilometre wide coastal strip bounded by the Indian Ocean and the Darling Range.

Western Australia is on Western Standard Time (WST), which is eight hours ahead of GMT. WA is one and a half hours behind South Australia and the Northern Territory, and two hours behind all other states. Time differences can increase by one hour during daylight savings, which runs from October to March.

CLIMATE

Perth enjoys a mediterranean climate, with warm to hot summers and cool, wet winters. Summer temperatures average between 29° and 32° during the day and between 16° and 18° at night. However, it is not unusual for summer temperatures to reach 35° for three or four days in a row, especially in February. The afternoon sea breeze (known as 'the Fremantle Doctor') offers relief to coastal towns during the summer. The highest daily maximum temperatures recorded in Perth are around 44°. The average winter temperature is 18° during the day and around 8° at night - although it occasionally snows down south, Perth almost never falls below 0°. It is said that Perth has the climate California thinks it has! With an annual average of eight hours’ sun per day, Perth is Australia’s sunniest capital. Perth averages only two or three days of rainfall per month in summer, with up to 19 days of rain in July, our wettest month. Need forecasts or more information? Drop into the Weather Bureau online.

Did you know that, after your skin has absorbed some ultraviolet (UV) radiation, sunscreens will not protect you for as long? Get into the habit of protecting yourself BEFORE you go out into the sun. If you don't protect yourself with sunscreen all day it's very easy to get sunburnt. Skin that is not covered by clothing, shade or hats can burn very quickly in summer...especially in the middle of the day. People with dark skins may last a little longer before they burn, but why run the risk? You may get away with not using sunscreen if the only time you spend outside is less than half an hour either before 11am or after 3pm. However, if you do this, your skin will have absorbed some UV radiation and if you decide to go outside again later, you are then more likely to burn. We suggest you follow these straightforward tips to make the most of your holiday in WA - without the sunburn.

Whenever you're planning an outdoors trip, be sure to pack a hat and sunscreen. Cover up with clothing and hats whenever possible. Densely woven material that you can't see through gives the best protection. Be on the lookout for shade. Try to avoid the sun in the middle of the day by taking time to relax for lunch or having a break in the shade. Apply SPF 15+ or 30+ water resistant, broad spectrum sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outside.

The Cancer Council of WA stocks a comprehensive range of sun-protection items; you can visit their showroom at 334 Rokeby Road in Subiaco Phone 9381 4515.

ELECTRICITY

The electrical current in Australia is 240/250 volts AC 50Hz. The Australian three-pin power outlet (pictured above) is different from many Asian and European countries. If your appliances are 100V check if there is a 110/240V switch; if not, you will need an adaptor which can be bought at many shops including Mr Shaver (see Perth city fold out map). Universal outlets for 240V or 100V shavers are found in most hotels.

TELEPHONE

A standard fee applies to all local calls made from fixed lines irrespective of the length of call. From a payphone the minimum charge is 50¢. STD (long-distance within Australia) and IDD (international direct dialling) calls are charged by distance as well as time. Payphones take coins, credit cards and/or pre-paid Phonecards (available from most newsagencies). For details of long-distance rates call 1300 362 162. For directory assistance call 1223 for Australian numbers or 1225 for international numbers.

To call Perth numbers from overseas, access your international line, then dial 61 for Australia, then 8 for Western Australia, then the eight-digit number. To dial WA from other parts of Australia, dial 08 followed by the eight-digit number. If dialling a 13 number from anywhere in Australia, no area code is required. From overseas, dial 61 for Australia, then the 13 number. Telephone numbers starting with 1800, 1300 or 1901 and 1902 (all 10 digits in total) cannot be accessed from overseas.

POSTAL

Australia Post offers a range of postal services including packaging materials and postpaks suitable for
sending gifts back home. All post offices are open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Some suburban post offices are also open Saturday mornings. You can buy stamps at many newsagents as well as at Australia Post offices. Standard size and weight letters cost 55¢ within Australia, while standard size and weight postcards posted Air Mail to any part of the world cost $1.40.

BANKING AND CURRENCY

Australian currency is decimal, with the dollar as the basic unit (100 cents equal one dollar). Notes come in denominations of $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5, while coins are $2, $1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c denominations. Currency exchange facilities are available at the Perth International Airport and at city banks. The most commonly accepted credit cards in WA are Visa and Mastercard. American Express and Diners Club are also widely accepted. Credit cards and EFTPOS can be used for a wide range of goods and services throughout Western Australia. Most banks are open from 9.30am to 4.00pm, and to 5.00pm on Fridays; some smaller banks and credit unions may be open on Saturday mornings. Perth and Fremantle contain numerous ATMs, most of which accept most cards.

International class hotels will arrange exchange of major currencies for guests, however for the best exchange rate, we recommend the independent currency exchange operators Flight Centre Travel Money , who offer no fees or commissions on foreign cash transactions. Also, look for them when visiting Rockingham or Whitfords. Whether you're backpacking across the globe or just enjoying a getaway, Flight Centre Travel Money can help. They offer international money transfers through MoneyGram, accept most international credit cards, have multi-lingual staff and accept most brands of travellers cheques. Groups are welcome to arrange multiple transactions if required. With competitive rates and up-to-date products, this is the next generation in foreign exchange available now. The two city mall stores are open seven days a week, late trading on Fridays. Phone 9221 1261.

STUDYING AND WORKING IN PERTH

Perth is a vibrant multicultural city with many world-class educational institutions running courses in English as a second language. Fees in Perth are much the same as in Melbourne and Sydney, but our greatest advantage is the lifestyle. Perth is big enough to have all the amenities you could want, but is also friendly and clean. Many students take advantage of homestay accommodation with a Perth family, a more personal taste of Australia than just a hotel room or self-contained unit. Working holiday visas can be obtained by citizens of countries including the UK, Japan, Canada and Germany. These arrangements allow people aged 18-30 years with no dependent children to holiday in Australia for up to a year and supplement their funds through incidental work. Visas must be organised before arriving. For enquiries contact the Department of Immigration on 13 18 81. If you are thinking of moving here permanently be sure to seek legal advice. Before departing Australia you may wish to seek advice for visa renewals to allow for future re-entry or for other legal and/or migration matters from qualified solicitors who are also registered migration agents.

GOODS AND SERVICES TAX

The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) enables international visitors to claim a refund of the GST and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) that you pay on goods bought in Australia, whether used during the holiday or not. The refund applies only to goods taken as hand luggage when leaving the country, after going through passport control. The refund will be paid on goods costing $300 or more, bought from the same store, no earlier than 30 days before leaving the country. Visitors may purchase several lower-priced items from the one store, either at the one time or over several occasions within the 30-day period, provided the total purchase amounts to $300 or more and the goods are covered by the one tax invoice. If you are leaving Australia through an international airport, you may collect your refund in cash on departure (up to $200), or choose a non-cash option. There is a TRS booth in the departure area of Perth International Airport. Cash refunds are not available if leaving by ship. For more information call Customs on 1300 363 263 within Australia for the cost of a local call (or translator service - 13 14 50).