Category Archives: Living in Australia

Driving in Australia

We drive on the left side of the road in Australia, so cars are right-hand drive. And for those of you who wish to drive a left-hand drive car, will you need need special licence! All roads in and around … Continue reading

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Australia Time Zones

Australia has three times zones, due the size of the country. Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) is used by the Eastern states, New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and Tasmania, which is GMT plus 10 hours. Australian … Continue reading

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Telephone Area Codes

Australia uses 8-digit local phone numbers, and if you are interstate or oversas you will preced the local phone numer with a 2-digit state code as follows: For example, if a phone number in New South Wales is 5555 1234 (not a … Continue reading

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Banks in Australia

The ‘big four’ Australian banks are: Commonwealth Bank of Australia ANZ Bank Westpac National Australia Bank They have branches in all cities and large towns throughout the country and may have representation in your country, check on their website for … Continue reading

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Australia Daylight Saving

In summer some states in Australia have daylight saving. On the first Sunday in October New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania move their clocks forward one hour and on the first Sunday in April back … Continue reading

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Open a bank account

This is an important step when you arrive in Australia, without a bank account you cannot get paid, you cannot even buy prepaid phone credit. The best way is to try to open your bank account before you even arrive … Continue reading

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Australian Slang words

These are some words I have heard and using some along the way.. I will append to this list as I hear more. If you have any suggestions, please do not hesitate to comment. Aboriginal/Aborigine – A term for an … Continue reading

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My Favourite Daily Deal Bargain websites

We all love shopping and finding a bargain! There are two online shopping websites my husband and I love to shop at and almost every week we have a parcel in the post from one of these places:  OZSTOCK.COM.AU www.catchoftheday.com.au … Continue reading

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What is TOIL?

TOIL is abbreviated from ‘Time Off In Lieu’, this is approved time off for time we are required to work more than 9 hrs 30 mins in a day, while for those of us employed within the Queensland Government. This … Continue reading

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What is an ‘ADO’ or Credit Time?

An ADO is abbreviated for ‘Accumulated Day Off‘, which is time accumulated by working over the standard daily hours in no less than 15 minute blocks. As per current Public Service Acts (PSC) , only those public servants in the job Classification … Continue reading

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