General Facts

Host City Sydney

Sydney – vibrant, cosmopolitan, creative and naturally beautiful – is Australia’s global city.

With one of the planet’s most stunning harbours and blessed by a sunny, near perfect climate, Sydney’s setting guarantees its place among the world’s most glamorous cities.

As Australia’s lifestyle, business and creative capital, its international aviation gateway and a leading Asia Pacific financial centre, Sydney alone accounts for a quarter of Australia’s GDP and is the nation’s economic powerhouse.

With a culturally diverse population of 4.3 million and over 140 languages spoken, Sydney is a multiple international tourism award winner with world famous attractions, international icons and some of the best hotels in the Asia Pacific.

An event-rich city all year round, Sydney has hosted some of the world’s biggest events including the 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Rugby World Cup 2003, APEC 2007, FIFA Congress 2008, World Youth Day 2008 and the 2009 World Masters Games.

Sydney offers abundant attractions for visitors – restaurants, cafes and bars featuring world class cuisine, entertainment, shopping, fashion, urban villages, national parks and world heritage areas, galleries, museums and cultural centres, dazzling beaches and waterways, a love of sport and an unmatched outdoor lifestyle.

Language

The official language of Australia is English.

Climate

Climate data for Sydney in April is:

• Average temperatures – min 15C (59F) max 23C (73F)
• Fine weather – 18 days
• Daily sunshine – 7 hours
• Number of rain days – 12
• Rain frequency > 2mm - 23%
• Rain frequency > 5mm - 17%
• Rain frequency >10mm – 15%
• Average sea surface temperature – 21C-22C

Currency

The Australian Dollar ($ AUD) is Australia's official currency and is standard across all Australian states.
Notes: $100, $50, $20, $10, $5
Coins: $1, $2, 50 cents ($0.50), 20 cents ($0.20), 10 cents ($0.10) and 5 cents ($0.05)
All major credit cards are accepted in Australia

Clothing

Casual, lightweight clothes are generally worn in Sydney. However, more formal attire (e.g. collared shirt and closed toe shoes) may be required in some nightclubs and restaurants.

Time

Sydney time is equal to UTC/GMT +11 hours

Electricity (volts)

The mains electricity in Australia is 240/250 Volts AC 50HZ (frequency).
Universal outlets for 110 volts (shavers only) are standard in hotels, apartments and motels.

Water

All drinking water is treated to the latest Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and drinking bottled water is not essential.

Tipping

Tipping is not expected in Sydney. However, it is acceptable to leave a small amount should you feel you have received exceptional service.

Telephones

Local phone calls are charged at a standard rate of 50 cents per call with interstate, international and mobile phone calls charged by the duration of the call. Hotel charges for phone calls may vary from the standard rates so you are advised to check with hotel staff.

Useful numbers

International pre-paid phone cards can be purchased from most supermarkets, pharmacies, post offices and newsagents. Pre-paid SIM cards for mobile phones can be purchased throughout the city from newsagencies and various phone retailing outlets.

Health Care Information

The Australian Government has signed reciprocal health care agreements with the governments of the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Finland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand and Sweden. Visitors from these countries are eligible for Medicare assistance in public hospitals for medically necessary treatment.

If hospital treatment is required, such visitors are eligible for treatment as Medicare patients only, not as private patients. The agreements between Australia and these countries vary slightly.

Other visitors are not eligible for Medicare and should arrange health insurance to cover their stay in Australia.

Visit the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade

There are more than 220 public hospitals and 220 ambulance stations in NSW. For more information, visit NSW Health and Ambulance Service of NSW  

Remember – in a medical emergency, dial 000 and ask for Ambulance