Everyday practical information for Australia

Local rules and cultural differences

• Strict regulation of public drinking: drinking alcohol or carrying open bottles on streets, in parks or on beaches is strictly banned by local by-laws in most cities. Zones are signposted as Alcohol-Free Zones (roads and footpaths) or Alcohol Prohibited Areas (parks and beaches). In Melbourne's St Kilda, for example, street drinking is banned year-round, and from 1 November to 31 March an absolute beach drinking ban applies with a 204 AUD fine and immediate confiscation of drinks.
• Draconian vaping and nicotine laws (2026): Australia has the world's toughest e-cigarette legislation - vapes are classified as smoking-cessation medicines. Selling any disposable or flavoured e-cigarettes in regular retail is illegal. Buying and possessing nicotine vapes is legal only with a prescription issued by an Australian doctor and dispensed at a registered pharmacy. Major change from 24 July 2026: an absolute ban on personal imports of nicotine pouches (snus) into Australia took effect, even with a valid prescription. Importing and commercially possessing illegal nicotine products without a licence can lead to criminal prosecution with up to 15 years imprisonment and fines reaching 4.2 million AUD for individuals in Western Australia. Public vaping is subject to the same bans as smoking regular cigarettes.
• Drone rules (CASA): recreational drone flying is governed by strict Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulations:
  • Maximum flight altitude is 120 metres above ground.
  • Minimum horizontal distance from any people is 30 metres.
  • Absolute ban on flying over people, in built-up areas, over beaches in summer, over parks during events and over sports stadiums.
  • Every drone over 250 grams must be registered via the government myCASA portal (fee 40 AUD per year) and the pilot must pass an online accreditation test. The on-the-spot fine for violations is 1,650 AUD; in court it can reach 16,500 AUD.
• Jaywalking: crossing the road away from a crossing when less than 20 metres from a marked crossing or signal, or stepping out on a red pedestrian light, is fined without compromise. Police run regular spot checks in central Sydney and Melbourne. On-the-spot fines are 75 to 220 AUD in New South Wales and about 102 AUD in Victoria. An unsuccessful court challenge can raise the maximum penalty to 2,200 AUD.

Everyday practical information

• Power sockets: exclusively type I with three flat pins (angled into a V shape). Mains voltage is 230 V at 50 Hz. Buy an adapter in advance - airport arrival-hall prices are extremely inflated.
• Drinking water: tap water is completely safe, free and high quality in all cities. Restaurants standardly serve a free jug of tap water automatically after seating.
• Time zones: the east coast (Sydney, Melbourne) uses AEST (UTC+10). During daylight saving (first Sunday of October to first Sunday of April) it shifts to AEDT (UTC+11). Western Australia (Perth) stays on AWST (UTC+8) year-round.
• Opening hours: large supermarket chains (Coles, Woolworths) open 7:00–22:00 or 24 hours. Cafés open very early (often 6:00) but strictly close between 15:00 and 16:00. Restaurants usually serve dinner 17:30–21:00.
• Toilets: public toilets in parks, on beaches and at major sights are free, clean, safe and regularly maintained.