Visitor Facts
Language
The official language of Australia is English.
Time Zones
Located west of the International Date Line, the time in Sydney is ahead of most other international destinations.
Time differences between Sydney and the following cities are:
- New York is 15 hours behind
- London is 10 hours behind
- Paris is 9 hours behind
- Moscow is 7 hours behind
- Bangkok is 3 hours behind
- Beijing is 2 hours behind
- Hong Kong is 2 hours behind
- Tokyo is 1 hour behind.
Sydney is located within Eastern Standard Time (EST), one of three time zones in Australia:
- EST operates in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Queensland
- Central Standard Time (CST) operates in South Australia and Northern Territory
- Western Standard Time (WST) operates in Western Australia.
CST is half an hour behind EST and WST is two hours behind EST.
Daylight saving time operates during summer in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania from the beginning of October to the beginning of April.
Banking and Business Hours
Banks
Are generally open:
- Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 4pm
- Friday 9.30am to 5pm.
Post offices
Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
Office hours
Are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
Retail shops
Are open:
- Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm
- Thursday 9am to 9pm
- Saturday 9am to 4pm
- Sunday 10am to 4pm.
Currency and Currency Exchange
Australian currency is decimal and the dollar is the basic unit (100 cents equals one dollar). Notes come in $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5 denominations. Coins come in $2, $1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c.
Exchange facilities are available for all incoming and outgoing flights at the Sydney International Airport. Changing foreign currency can be done quickly and efficiently at most banks and at Bureau de Change outlets throughout the city.
Visitors with a Disability
In recent years, access for people with a disability in the City of Sydney has improved significantly. Click here for information about accessible facilities within the city.
Tipping
Tipping is not the general custom in Australia, with the exception of fine dining restaurants where it is usual to tip food and drink waiters up to 10 per cent of the bill for good service. At any time, however, tipping is your choice.
Last Updated: Tuesday 31 January, 2012