Arriving in Aussie - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

Rancid Punx · 02-27-2006, 03:02 PM

Hey

im going on a years working visa trip to Oz next month but was wondering what i can expect on arrival in sydney. I mean customs wise, do i prepare myself for interigation and a full cavity search or is it pretty relaxed?

Also i got my visa online and it has told me to pick it up on arrival anyone know what the deal is with that? What are the proceedures?

I just want to know what to expect so i can have everything ready and get in and out quickly for a beer.

Lastly do i need anytihng like vacination reports?

Cheers

**omisan** · 02-27-2006, 03:48 PM

Australian immigration is super chill. Just don't bring any food with you - there are many types allowed, but many that aren't, so it's simpler to just avoid the food quarantine line and head through the "nothing to declare" gate.

As far as your visa goes, they use the "ETA" (electronic travel authorization) which means that once you've paid for your visa online, you don't need to pick anything up. When they run your passport number at immigration, the computer tells them you've got a visa and they let you through. That's assuming you're going as a visitor. If you're going on working holiday, etc., you'll probably have to produce some paperwork.

Vaccinations? They didn't ask me a thing about that. Just about how long I was staying, where I was going, and to have a nice day.

The only problem I had was bringing several tiny bags of beef jerky, which they confiscated at quarantine. No big deal. They let me keep my Cheetos.

Rancid Punx · 02-27-2006, 11:26 PM

cheers,

i will be on a working holiday so what kind of paperwork?

**omisan** · 02-28-2006, 12:04 AM

Alright, I just checked - if you're arriving in Sydney on a Working Holiday Visa, you get your passport stamped, then they direct you to the "visa label desk" where they'll give you a printout of your visa.

(For those arriving elsewhere in Oz on a WHV, you have to go to the nearest immigration office...)

Rancid Punx · 02-28-2006, 05:43 AM

ahh cheers, sounds easy enough i was half expecting some rubber glove treatment.

**worldwidemike** · 02-28-2006, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rancid Punx@Feb 28 2006, 01:43 PM
ahh cheers, sounds easy enough i was half expecting some rubber glove treatment.

[snapback]104584[/snapback]

Disappointed...?

Sorry...have a good time, and make sure you meet up with some of our Tpunk Aussie contingent over there!

worldwidemike

**Diorama** · 02-28-2006, 10:26 PM

Well I had to go physically get my working holiday visa in brisbane. When I entered customs in brissy they just scanned my passport and saw that i was accepted for the year visa. I think you have to get your visa sticker within a few weeks of arrival.

**aliz** · 03-03-2006, 04:32 AM

basically the main issue with arriving at sydney airport is the quarantine. it's not too hard to declare foods if you really want to bring some but its easier to just have no food with you and go through the nothing to declare line. you can't really get through without declaring the food cause there are dogs that check the bags most days and you can get randomly checked with an x-ray machine that somehow picks up food substances (its magic). also have clean shoes on, if they see dirt on your shoes they may ask to spray them and they could even ask to see any other pairs of shoes in your luggage. thats really annoying.

Rancid Punx · 03-05-2006, 05:57 AM

Thanks for the advise, what is the deal with funds, like you have to have a certain amount of money and return ticket. Im not gonna have a return ticket but money and a credit card to get one when ive done the round trip back to syndey. How do they check this and what not?

Also ive been reading posts about privilage cards and backpacker cards whats the deal???

Cheers 15days to go

**omisan** · 03-06-2006, 10:01 AM

Well, you're supposed to have a return ticket (or sufficient funds to buy one, or an excuse not to have one) as well as proof of sufficient funds to live off of - usually a bank statement. But I've never heard of anyone actually having to show these items. I did once, in the UK, but that's another time and place.

As far as backpacker cards go - I laid down the $35 or so for the YHA card the day I got to Sydney and overall it was worthwhile. I got discounts wherever I could, it came with a $5 phone card, and the YHA hostels in oz are actually very nice.