Australia Student Guide
Time and Weather
Australian Time Zone
Australia spans three time zones, but the ACT, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania also operate daylight saving which usually begins from the last weekend in October and runs to the first weekend in April.
- South Australia: GMT + 9.5 (GMT + 10.5 from first Sunday in October to first Sunday in April).
- Tasmania: GMT + 10 (GMT + 11 from first Sunday in October to first Sunday in April).
- Queensland: GMT + 10 (no daylight saving).
- Victoria: GMT + 10 (GMT + 11 from first Sunday in October to first Sunday in April).
- New South Wales: GMT + 10 (GMT + 11 from first Sunday in October to first Sunday in April)
- Australian Capital Territory: GMT + 10 (GMT + 11 from first Sunday in October to first Sunday in April).
- Western Australia: GMT + 8 (Western Australia rejected daylight saving in its fourth referendum on the issue in 2009).
- Northern Territory: GMT + 9.5 hours (no daylight saving).
Australian Weather
Australia is in the southern hemisphere and the seasons are opposite to those in Europe and North America. There are two climatic zones: the tropical zone (in the north above the Tropic of Capricorn) and the temperate zone. The tropical zone (consisting of 40% of Australia) has two seasons, summer (‘wet') and winter (‘dry'), while the temperate zone has all four seasons.
Spring to summer (October to March): Warm or hot everywhere, tropical in the north, and warm to hot with mild nights in the south.
Autumn to winter (April to September): Northern and central Australia have clear warm days and cool nights; the south has cool days with occasional rain but still plenty of sun. Snow is totally confined to mountanious regions of the southeast.
Languages in Australia
The official language is English. Many other languages are retained by minorities, including Italian, German, Greek, Vietnamese, Chinese dialects and Aboriginal languages.
Currency & Denomination
Australian Dollar (AUD; symbol A$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of A$100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of A$2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents.
Exchange Rate Indicators
1.00 GBP = 1.58 AUD
1.00 USD = 1.00 AUD
1.00 EUR = 1.32 AUD
1.00 MYR = 0.33 AUD
Currency conversion rates as of 13 Jan 2011 (source: Yahoo Finance)
Exchange facilities are available for all incoming and outgoing flights at all international airports in Australia. International-class hotels will exchange major currencies for guests. It is recommended that visitors change money at the airport or at city banks.
Security in Australia
Head of Government
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd since 2007. All individual states and territories have their own autonomous legislative, executive and judicial systems (though certain powers remain under the jurisdiction of the federal government).
Head of State
HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor-General Quentin Bryce since 2008.
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