tourism policy australia

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• Full Tourism Policy

In the financial year 2018–19, Australia generated $60.8 billion in direct tourism gross domestic product (GDP). This represents a growth of 3.5 per cent over the previous year – faster than the national GDP growth. Tourism also directly employed 666,000 Australians making up 5 per cent of Australia’s workforce. Tourism also brought $39.1 billion in exports and is currently the fourth largest exporting industry.

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At a time when many Australian exports are struggling, tourism is booming. At a time of major structural change in employment and investment, Australia needs tourism to continue to grow and employ.

Australian Chamber – Tourism, representing state and territory tourism industry councils and national industry associations with an interest in tourism, has identified a number of key policy initiatives for the government’s consideration in order to maximise the potential of the visitor economy.

Australian Chamber – Tourism advocates for policies that will:

Improve international competitiveness

• Prioritise improving of the facilitation of passenger movements in and to Australian ports
• Improve the connectedness between ports and tourism destinations by road and rail to facilitate dispersal
• Accelerate visa reform, including rapid rollout of streamlined and online visa processes • Reform the Tourist Refund Scheme
• Lower visa fees
• Restore Tourism Australia’s funding in real terms

Develop Australian product

• Reinstate a coordination role around domestic promotion and product development within Tourism Australia to ensure development aligns with strategy
• Continue funding the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) and the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) programs and expand access to all regional funds to develop infrastructure and drive tourism demand
• Develop a Visitor Economy Development Fund which includes capacity building as eligible projects
• Integrate initiatives that build capacity in long term tourism strategies
• Ensure there is timely, individual, predictive data available to be used to assess and grow the tourism sector

Invest in labour and skills

• Continue and expand the Working holiday maker program
• Ensure skilled migration is an available and accessible option for employers
• Implement a more flexible and accessible temporary skilled labour agreement process
• Reverse the downward trend in apprentice and trainee numbers
• Encourage more students to pursue vocational education

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Bulletin – December 2022 Australian Economy The Recovery in the Australian Tourism Industry

8 December 2022

Angelina Bruno, Kathryn Davis and Andrew Staib [*]

• Download 940 KB

The Australian tourism industry is gradually recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic that brought global travel to an unprecedented standstill. International tourism fell sharply in early 2020 and has only slowly recovered since restrictions were lifted in the first half of this year. By contrast, domestic tourism spending bounced back quickly as local restrictions eased and is now above pre-pandemic levels. This article outlines the recovery in the Australian tourism industry following the pandemic, the challenges the industry has faced in reopening, and the uncertainties around the outlook for the tourism industry over the next few years.

Introduction

Restrictions to contain the spread of COVID-19 and precautionary behaviour by consumers significantly disrupted the movement of people both domestically and internationally during the pandemic period. This had a devastating impact on many Australian businesses that provided services to domestic or international tourists. Nevertheless, many of these businesses have shown considerable resilience and flexibility, aided by a range of government support packages, and are now expanding to service the recovery.

This article presents a snapshot of the tourism industry through the pandemic, before focusing on the recovery over the past year. While international tourism is recovering only slowly, domestic tourism spending has rebounded strongly – to above pre-pandemic levels – as many Australians have chosen to take domestic rather than overseas holidays. The article draws on information from the Bank’s regional and industry liaison program to discuss the challenges the tourism industry has faced in meeting this sudden increase in demand, and the outlook for tourism activity over the next few years. Many tourism businesses have found it difficult to quickly scale up to meet demand, and these supply constraints have limited tourism activity and led to higher prices. Looking ahead, a continued recovery in tourism activity is expected as supply-side issues are gradually resolved and international tourism picks up further. However, there are a number of uncertainties around the timing and extent of this recovery.

International tourism

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a sharp drop in international tourism, as governments around the world implemented travel and border restrictions (Graph 1). In April 2020, international tourism arrivals declined globally by around 90 per cent and Australia’s international tourist arrivals effectively came to a standstill for several months.

The timing and extent of the recovery in international tourism has been uneven across the world, as national governments removed restrictions at a different pace. Globally, international tourism arrivals picked up to be around three-quarters of their pre-pandemic levels by September 2022. In Australia, international tourist arrivals rose slightly in mid-2021 under the temporary operation of the Australia–New Zealand travel bubble, and also in November 2021 as border restrictions eased in some parts of the country. However, it wasn’t until February 2022 – when Australia removed border restrictions for vaccinated persons – that arrivals began to substantially pick up. Since July 2022, people have been able to travel to and from Australia without being required to declare their vaccination status.

Short-term overseas arrivals to Australia (which include tourists but also those visiting for less than 12 months for business, education and employment purposes) picked up to be around half of pre-pandemic levels by September 2022 (Graph 2). However, short-term departures of Australian residents have picked up more quickly than short-term arrivals of overseas visitors, and so the net outflow of travellers has been larger than pre-pandemic levels in recent months.

Reasons for travel

The recovery in short-term travel to and from Australia has been particularly pronounced among those visiting friends and relatives (VFR) (Graph 3). VFR accounted for just over half of all international visitors’ spending over the year to June 2022, whereas it accounted for just under one-fifth in 2019 (Table 1). Short-term travel for business and education purposes has also picked up. However, the recovery in outbound business travel (including conventions and conferences) has outpaced inbound business travel, with relatively few major business events held in Australia in 2022. Short-term travel for employment reasons has almost fully recovered to its 2019 levels. By contrast, the number of visitors arriving in Australia for holidays has picked up only slightly, to be around one-third of its pre-pandemic level (holiday visitors accounted for only 10 per cent of international visitor spending over the year to June 2022, compared to nearly 40 per cent in 2019).

Working holiday makers and international students who are in Australia for more than a year are not included in the short-term arrivals data, but they make a significant contribution to tourism spending. According to Hall and Godfrey (2019), visitors who state the main purpose of their trip as education stay longer and spend more than leisure and business tourists. International students and individuals on working holiday visas have a high propensity to travel within Australia, and often their friends and relatives come to visit. The number of international students and working holiday visa holders in Australia has risen to be around two-thirds and one-half of their pre-pandemic levels in the September quarter of 2022, respectively.

The recovery in international visitors to Australia has been uneven across source countries, reflecting both travel restrictions and the quicker recovery in VFR relative to other types of travel (Graph 4). The recovery in the number of visitors from India, New Zealand and the United Kingdom has been faster than for other countries, possibly due to the close relationships residents from those countries have with Australian residents (in the 2021 Census, England and India were the top two countries of birth for Australian residents, other than Australia). While there has been a notable pick-up in people from India visiting friends and relatives, there has also been a pronounced recovery in the number of Indian students coming to Australia. By contrast, the number of Chinese visitors remains more than 90 per cent below pre-pandemic levels, due to ongoing travel restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19 in China. This is significant for the Australian tourism sector as, prior to the pandemic, Chinese visitors were the largest source of tourist spending and contributed around 20 per cent of total leisure travel exports in 2019 (or nearly 30 per cent if education-related travel is included).

Domestic tourism

Domestic tourism activity was severely disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the introduction of strict restrictions on household mobility (‘lockdowns’) across the country in March 2020 (Graph 5). At the same time, a number of states and territories implemented interstate border restrictions and quarantine arrangements. As a result, domestic tourist visitor numbers declined sharply. By April 2020, domestic tourist numbers were less than 20 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

The first lockdown ended for most parts of the country by the end of May 2020, although some restrictions on household activity and state border closures remained in place for an extended period of time. Melbourne re-entered lockdown for much of the second half of 2020. By the end of that year, however, a number of states and territories had eased restrictions and reopened domestic borders, allowing domestic visitor numbers to recover to around 80 per cent of pre-pandemic levels over the 2020/21  summer and the 2021 Easter holidays (Graph 6).

A third major disruption emerged in mid-2021, as a sharp rise in the number of Delta-variant cases led to the reintroduction of lockdowns in New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT. Around half of the Australian population were under significant restrictions for most of the September quarter of 2021 and domestic visitor numbers declined to around 40 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

Domestic tourism numbers rebounded again during the 2021/22  summer holidays as health restrictions eased once more, but not to the levels of the previous year; the Omicron outbreak in early 2022 tempered activity somewhat. As concerns about Omicron abated, domestic visitor numbers again recovered, and have been around 85 per cent of pre-pandemic levels since Easter 2022.

While domestic visitor numbers remain below pre-pandemic levels, total domestic tourism spending and the average spend per visitor have been above pre-pandemic levels since March 2022. Some liaison contacts report that domestic travellers are staying longer than they did before the pandemic and spending patterns have become more like those on overseas holidays, with domestic tourists spending more on tours and experiences to explore Australia. This higher spending also reflects an increase in domestic travel prices (see below).

The recovery in domestic tourism spending in 2022, to around or above pre-pandemic levels, is evident in all states and territories (Graph 7). Naturally, states that experienced longer and stricter COVID-19 restrictions had much more significant declines in tourism activity over 2020 and 2021. Western Australia experienced the least disruption to the tourism industry, partly due to having fewer restrictions on movement, but also because the closed state border meant that more Western Australians were holidaying in their own state. In recent months, the Northern Territory and Queensland have been the recipients of domestic tourism spending well above 2019 levels, perhaps because these travel destinations are regarded as closer substitutes for overseas holidays.

Travel to regional areas recovered more quickly and fully than travel to capital cities (Graph 8). Regional areas were less affected by lockdowns and liaison suggests that travellers preferred to avoid more densely populated areas. There was also a shift towards driving holidays, which has greatly benefited regions within two to three hours’ drive from capital cities.

Challenges in reopening the Australian tourism industry

While pandemic-related declines in domestic and international tourism weighed heavily on the Australian tourism industry, many businesses have proved resilient and have experienced a strong rebound in demand from domestic tourists in recent months. Nevertheless, many businesses have found it difficult to scale up to meet this demand, and supply constraints have acted to limit tourism activity and led to higher prices.

In 2022, the biggest constraint on the recovery in tourism activity has been difficulty finding sufficient labour to service tourism demand. The tourism industry lost a large number of experienced staff during the pandemic – and so when domestic tourism recovered, the sector had to rapidly hire workers in a tight labour market. Online advertisements for tourism jobs rose to record highs by mid-2022 (Graph 9). These jobs have been difficult to fill. Liaison contacts have suggested that many of the Australians who had worked in the tourism industry prior to the pandemic have since found jobs in other industries. Moreover, many tourism-related jobs had previously been filled by international students and, particularly in regional locations, working holiday makers – many of whom left Australia during the pandemic and have been slow to return. On top of the difficulties in attracting and retaining staff, illness-related absenteeism has been elevated more broadly through 2022.

Tourism businesses in many regional areas have had additional difficulties attracting staff, partly due to a shortage of housing. An increase in net migration to these areas has contributed to very low rental vacancy rates in many popular tourist areas. In response, some holiday accommodation providers have resorted to housing their own staff.

There have also been some changes in consumer behaviour resulting from the pandemic that have made it harder for tourism businesses to plan and have sufficient staff available to meet demand. Trends such as increased working from home and a reduction in business-related day trips have created a larger gap between peak and off-peak periods for many tourism businesses. There are also sharper peaks and troughs in demand because there are fewer international tourists, who often travel at different times to domestic travellers (e.g. filling accommodation mid-week and outside school holidays). Booking lead times substantially shortened during the pandemic, though there is some evidence that perhaps these are lengthening out again. Nevertheless, booking lead times have always been shorter for domestic travel than international travel, so the change in the composition of travellers has made it more difficult for tourism businesses to plan ahead.

While labour has been a constraint across most of the tourism industry, a lack of capital equipment has been an additional constraint for some businesses. Many tourism-related businesses sold off or retired vehicles, boats, aircraft and other equipment during the pandemic when they could not operate and were in need of cash (Grozinger and Parsons 2020). The sudden and stronger-than-anticipated recovery in domestic tourism in 2022, combined with supply chain issues delaying the manufacture and delivery of new equipment and vehicles, has meant that many businesses did not have the capital equipment they need to service the increase in demand.

These supply-side constraints (in both labour and capital) have limited the tourism industry’s ability to ramp up to meet demand. Liaison suggests many tourism operators are operating below their previous capacity – for example, many have had to limit their operating hours because of lack of staff, and some accommodation providers have not been able to offer all their rooms for booking as they do not have enough staff to service them. Labour shortages and supply chain delays have also weighed on aviation capacity and contributed to a decline in domestic airlines ‘on-time performance’ over 2022 (Graph 10).

Similar constraints are also weighing on the recovery in international tourism. Contacts suggest that the recovery has been held back by limited flight availability, the higher cost of travel insurance and, in many cases, the higher cost of flights. Liaison contacts have indicated that delays in visa issuance in 2022 have also been a barrier for those seeking to travel to Australia. Over the past few months, however, visa processing times have shortened somewhat, and visa processing for applicants located overseas – including applicants for visitor, student and temporary skilled visas – have been given higher priority to allow more people to travel to Australia (Department of Home Affairs 2022).

The supply-side constraints in the tourism industry, combined with a strong pick-up in domestic demand and the higher cost of inputs such as fuel, have led to a sharp increase in domestic travel prices (Graph 11). Liaison contacts suggest that consumers have been relatively accepting of price rises for services essential to travel, such as accommodation. However, smaller operators – particularly in highly discretionary services, such as tours – have had less scope to increase their prices, and their margins have been squeezed by the higher costs of inputs such as food, fuel, energy and insurance costs. Prices for overseas travel have also increased significantly in recent quarters, as demand for flights has outstripped capacity, alongside rising jet fuel costs and increases in prices for international tours (ABS 2022).

The outlook

Looking ahead, tourism activity is expected to continue to recover as supply-side issues are slowly resolved and international tourism picks up further. Most liaison contacts suggest a full recovery will not occur until at least mid-2023; many expect it to take a few more years. There are a number of factors that will affect the timing and extent of the ongoing recovery in tourism, including:

• The easing of supply-side constraints : It is unclear how long it may take for some of the supply-side constraints in the industry to ease, including whether planned changes in flight availability will be sufficient to meet changes in demand, and whether the sector will be able to fill more job vacancies over time and as migration returns.
• The return of international students and working holiday visas : Many people have recently had working holiday visas approved and are expected to arrive over the coming year. Liaison contacts also expect international student numbers to increase over the next few years. The return of working holiday and student visa holders will increase demand for tourism services, and will likely alleviate labour shortages as they take jobs in the sector.
• Australians’ preferences for domestic and international travel : Demand for Australia’s tourism services may decline if Australians’ preference for overseas rather than domestic holidays picks up before international inbound tourism demand increases further. It is possible that cost-of-living pressures, combined with the higher cost of international travel, could lead Australian households to continue to prefer domestic holidays for a time. Nevertheless, many households have significant savings and pent-up demand for international travel after planned trips have been deferred over the past few years.
• The global economic outlook : Global economic conditions and the exchange rate affect decisions about whether to travel the long distance to Australia (as they have in the past) (Dobson and Hooper 2015). Financial concerns and the rising cost of living could make expensive, long-haul travel less attractive.
• The timing and extent of recovery in Chinese tourism : As noted above, China accounted for a large share of tourism spending prior to the pandemic. The outlook for Chinese tourism (and international students from China) remains highly uncertain and will depend on a number of factors, including China’s policies to restrict the spread of COVID-19 , the outlook for the Chinese economy and the travel preferences of Chinese tourists more generally.

Restrictions to contain the spread of COVID-19 and precautionary behaviour significantly disrupted the movement of people both domestically and internationally throughout the pandemic. Since restrictions have eased, international travel has been slow to recover, but domestic tourism spending has rebounded to be above pre-pandemic levels and many tourism service providers are currently operating at capacity. Looking ahead, tourism activity is expected to continue to recover, as supply-side issues are slowly resolved and international tourism picks up further. Australia remains an attractive destination for both domestic and international tourists, and the resilience and flexibility demonstrated by Australian tourism businesses in recent years bode well for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

The authors are from the Regional and Industry Analysis section of Economic Analysis Department. The authors are grateful for the assistance provided by others in the department, in particular Aaron Walker and James Holloway. [*]

ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) (2022), ‘Main Contributors to Change’, Consumer Price Index , June.

Department of Home Affairs (2022), ‘Visa processing times’, viewed 14 November 2022. Available at <https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times>.

Dobson C and Hooper K (2015), ‘ Insights from the Australian Tourism Industry ’, RBA Bulletin , March, pp 21–31.

Grozinger P and Parsons S (2020), ‘ The COVID-19 Outbreak and Australia’s Education and Tourism Exports ’, RBA Bulletin , December.

Hall R and Godfrey A (2019), ‘Edu-tourism and the Impact of International Students’, International Education Association of Australia, 3 May.

24 August 2022

How responsible tourism contributes to a more sustainable visitor economy

An increasing number of tourists are looking for sustainable travel experiences.

More than 70% of travellers indicate they would make more effort to travel sustainably in the coming year. This is up 10% from 2021. (Source: booking.com, Sustainable Travel Report, 2022).

The national strategy for the visitor economy,  THRIVE 2030 , recognises the importance of sustainability to the long-term growth and resilience of Australian tourism.

Tourism Ministers from the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies, including Australia, agreed to and released the “ Policy Recommendations for Tourism of the Future: Regenerative Tourism ”. This set of policy recommendations covers concrete actions for member economies to consider. Gathered under  the theme of APEC 2022  “Open. Connect. Balance.”, they envision the future of tourism as inclusive and sustainable.

What responsible tourism means

Responsible tourism is about ‘making better places for people to live in and better places for people to visit’ (Source: Cape Town Declaration, 2002).

It asks industry, government, local communities and tourists to work together to make tourism more sustainable by:

• respecting local cultures
• protecting the environment for future generations
• making tourism accessible to people with a disability
• providing socio-economic benefits to the host community
• providing meaningful connections between visitors and local people.

Contributing to a more sustainable tourism industry

There are many ways for destinations and visitors to make tourism more sustainable. These may include:

• providing carbon-neutral travel options like electric vehicles or bicycles
• using native ingredients, sourced locally and sustainably
• using biodegradable or recyclable packaging, or no packaging wherever possible
• providing training and employment opportunities for local people
• respectfully highlighting Indigenous cultures
• using local or minority-owned suppliers, including Indigenous suppliers
• engaging early and often with local communities about future tourism development
• managing visitor numbers at environmentally or culturally sensitive areas.

Making a promise to future generations

Some destinations are even asking tourists to commit to protecting the environment, native wildlife and host culture.

Tasmania’s Maria Island, for example, asks tourists to pledge to ‘keep it wild and pristine’:

I take this pledge to respect and protect the furred and feathered residents of Maria. I will remember you are wild and pledge to keep you this way.

I promise I will respectfully enjoy the wonders of your beautiful island home, from the wharf, to the Painted Cliffs, to the Rocky bluffs, haunted bays and mystery of Maria’s ruins.

Wombats, when you trundle past me I pledge I will not chase you with my selfie stick, or get too close to your babies. I will not surround you, or try and pick you up. I will make sure I don’t leave rubbish or food from my morning tea. I pledge to let you stay wild.

I vow to explore with a sense of responsibility, adventure and kindness. I will leave your wild island as I found it, and take home memories filled with beauty and my soul filled up with wonder.

Pledges such as this are an example of responsible tourism in action. They go beyond encouraging visitors to make their visit more sustainable, to empowering them to be responsible for their actions.

Achieving sustainable growth that balances social, environmental and economic factors is one of the guiding principles of THRIVE 2030 , the industry-led, government-enabled strategy for Australia’s visitor economy. 

Growing the visitor economy

THRIVE 2030 is Australia’s national strategy for the long-term, sustainable growth of the visitor economy.

Learn about THRIVE 2030

Related analysis

Celebrating 35 years of tourism research australia.

For 35 years, Tourism Research Australia has worked with states and territories to generate data and intelligence on Australia’s visitor economy.

People with disability a valuable addition to the tourism workforce

Employing people with disability helps address shortages in the visitor economy workforce, develops skills and boosts the tourism industry.

Indigenous-owned businesses THRIVE in the visitor economy

Austrade encourages businesses in the visitor economy to work with Indigenous-owned enterprises. Read about some examples.

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ATIC National Policy

The Australian Tourism Industry Council (ATIC) is the national representative body of Australia’s State and Territory tourism industry councils (TIC).

Together, ATIC members represent almost 9000 tourism operators across the length and breadth of the country, from Broome to Bruny Island, and Port Lincoln to Port Douglas. This is easily the largest and most diverse representation of tourism operators across Australia.

Tourism is one of the key contributing industries within the Australian economy.

Our industry supports the employment of almost 1 million Australians and contributes close to $50 billion to the Australian economy annually. Tourism reaches every corner of the country generating growth, investment, jobs and vibrancy in our largest cities through to our most remote communities.

It is important for ATIC to develop strategic policy decisions and advocate these to support our industry and be even more competitive on the global stage.

Click here to see our current Policy Priorities. 

Ahead of the 2024-25 Federal Budget, ATIC has developed a Pre-Budget Submission for consideration by the Federal Government. Access the ATIC Pre-Federal Budget Submission 2024.

For more information on ATIC’s policy and advocacy work, contact [email protected]

Policy and Submission Papers

Letter to the Immigration and Tourism Ministers

ATIC Federal Budget 2024 – Tourism Impact Analysis

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Tracking the concept of sustainability in Australian tourism policy and planning documents

In the current climate of intense turbulence, tourism must transform to a more sustainable development platform. Yet it remains unclear how the concept of sustainability is embedded at different levels of government policy and planning, and how this has evolved over time. This paper identifies the concept of sustainability as it is articulated in 339 Australian tourism strategic planning and policy documents published between 2000 and 2011. The paper examines the extent to which the concept of sustainable tourism is evident in the discourse of Australian tourism strategic planning documents at the national, state, regional and local levels, as well as the balance of the discourse in relation to sustainability objectives. The results show that the frequency of occurrence of sustainability as a concept has slightly increased in strategies over the past decade. At the same time, there has been a shift in the conceptualisation of sustainability, with thinking evolving from nature-based, social and triple bottom line concepts toward a focus on climate change, responsibility, adaption and transformation.

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16 things to know before going to Australia

Nov 3, 2023 • 10 min read

Follow these tips on health, safety, and etiquette for the best travel experience in Australia © John Crux Photography / Getty Images

As an Australian living in New York in my early 20s, I found myself fielding a wide range of questions about my home country.

Some were amusing, others were downright bewildering: “Do you ride kangaroos to school?” “Are there drop bears in the woods?” “Are Australian dollars really called ‘dollarydoos’?” 

Australia can feel like an enigma, particularly for foreign travelers. It's a land filled with myths and misconceptions that could fill volumes, and the idea of Australia being a homogenous country is far from accurate. In reality, it's a diverse mix of cultures and ethnicities, with a rich Indigenous history spanning tens of thousands of years. Australian cities are multicultural hubs and most Australians live in vibrant urban centers – a sharp contrast to the rugged Crocodile Dundee  stereotype.

This abundance of misinformation can make it challenging to prepare for a trip Down Under. To help you separate fact from fiction and ensure a smooth and enjoyable visit, here's a local’s guide to Australia and its people, including top tips on health, safety and etiquette.

1. There is no “right” time to visit Australia

Australia is almost as big as the United States, with everything from lush rainforests to snowy alps. Our weather varies significantly depending on where you are in the country and the time of year. The Northern Territory’s Top End remains hot year-round, with only two distinct seasons (the “wet” season and the “dry” season). In contrast, New South Wales experiences everything from blisteringly hot days during the summer to sub-zero temperatures during the winter. Even the Red Centre’s temperatures range from 3°C (37°F) to over 40°C (104°F) throughout the year.

Each state and region dances to its own climate tune, so think regionally when considering the best time for your visit  and pack accordingly. To catch Uluru at its best, for example, opt for cooler months (between May to September) to avoid walking the base on a scorching day. In Tasmania , coastal heaths bloom from late October to early November, while food festivals are held from March to May. Winter is when Tasmania and the mountainous regions of New South Wales and Victoria experience snowfall. Meanwhile, visitors might find themselves cooling off in ocean waters along the East Coast year-round. 

2. You’ll need to save money for your dream Australian holiday

Australia isn't known for being budget-friendly, particularly in cities such as Melbourne and Sydney. Iconic experiences like four-wheel driving across K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) or snorkeling on the  Great Barrier Reef can be expensive, with tours and experiences costing hundreds of dollars per person.

However, smart planning and a clear budget can help you make the most of your money. Many of Australia's top outdoor attractions are free; from scenic drives along the Great Ocean Road to swimming at Bondi Beach .

3. If you want to see a kangaroo, get out of the city

Kangaroos aren't a common sight on bustling city streets – but you don’t necessarily have to “go bush” to see them. Instead, you'll find them in suburban areas including on golf courses, where they love to congregate on the links.

However, most kangaroo encounters usually happen during hikes or on road trips through regional landscapes, especially at dusk and dusk when they’re most active. Farm stays are also a great option if you want to see more of Australia’s wildlife . (And before you ask: Yes, you can eat kangaroo. It’s delicious.)

4. Australia is home to the oldest continuous living culture in the world

Australia's Indigenous population includes both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders . This population is not a single group, but rather a rich tapestry of  hundreds of distinct groups or “nations,” each with their own languages, histories, and cultural traditions. Translation? Not every group plays the didgeridoo or uses a boomerang.

During your visit, you’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the traditional landowners, with Aboriginal museums and art galleries dotted across the country. Indigenous-led tours – including those that are part of the  Discover Aboriginal Experiences collection – are a great way to learn more.

5. Be prepared to talk to strangers on the train

Aussies are incredibly friendly and enjoy a good chat. You might find someone starting a conversation with you on a train or even stopping you on the street for a quick “chinwag.”

Australians are also known for their courtesy and manners. They'll hold doors open and if you're in their way, they'll step aside. As a visitor, it's important to be mindful of your surroundings and return the favor by holding a door or an elevator – a small gesture that means a lot.

6. The Great Barrier Reef is vulnerable – but it’s not “dead”

The Great Barrier Reef – arguably Australia’s most iconic attraction – made headlines in 2016, when reports claimed it was “dead” following coral bleaching events.

There’s no question that climate change has had an adverse effect on the Great Barrier Reef . In addition to increasing water temperatures, the vulnerable ecosystem has also been impacted by pollution from land run-off and the increasing severity and frequency of cyclones. 

However, the Great Barrier Reef is more resilient than you think. It’s also far from lifeless. If you dive into the water, you may see evidence of bleaching events, but you’re just as likely to see colorful corals teeming with life. Increasingly, visitors can also get involved in reef restoration, including by participating in citizen science surveys such as  Eye on the Reef.

7. Walking around barefoot is normal

Be prepared to see many Aussies strolling around barefoot, even in cities and public places, such as grocery stores, cafes and hardware stores.  

Why? It all comes down to beach culture, which has a way of spilling over into everyday life, whether there’s sand and salt water present or not. 

8. Keep a sense of perspective about crocs, snakes and spiders

Despite the famous belief that all wildlife Down Under is out to get you, a 2017 study conducted by Melbourne University researchers found that horses have caused more deaths in Australia than all the venomous creatures – including snakes and spiders – combined.

The reality is that crocodiles aren't wandering the streets (they’re only found along coastlines and waterholes in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland) and you’re more likely to encounter possums and harmless insects in buildings. Just be cautious of swooping magpies if you're in parks between August and October. This is when they’re breeding and are protecting their eggs or newly hatched chicks. 

9. Restaurant kitchens close between 3pm and 5pm 

Australia's urban and rural areas have their own life rhythm. In cities, restaurants tend to wrap up service by 11pm, but it's as early as 8pm in rural areas. Nightclubs and bars close around 2am.

What catches many travelers off-guard is that there's also a mid-afternoon dead zone between 3pm and 5pm, when the majority of cafes and restaurants are closed. Even the kitchens in pubs may not do food service at this time. If you’re after something to eat between these hours, fast food is your friend.

10. You don't need to tip in Australia

Australia's minimum wage is higher than in many countries. (At the time of writing, the national minimum wage is $23.23 per hour.) As a result, tipping isn’t customary in Australia, as all service charges are already factored into the cost of your meal. However, if you genuinely wish to show appreciation for outstanding service, tipping is at your discretion.

11. Australians speak an entirely different kind of English

Australians are renowned for their own unique take on the English language and you’re going to encounter a lot of slang from locals. Regional variations also exist, so if you meet someone from outback Queensland , they’re going to sound a little different to someone from Brisbane .

“Arvo” (good afternoon) is not to be confused with “avo” (avocado). You buy booze from the “bottle-o” and get “petty” (petrol or gas) from the “servo” (service station). Many words are abbreviated, with an “o” or “ie” added to the end. Endearing terms like “mate” are also common, but phrases you likely won’t hear (from anyone under the age of 60, at least) are “crikey” or “fair dinkum.” 

One thing you will hear? Colorful language. Don’t be surprised or take offense if you catch an Australian dropping a swear word during a chat. It’s normal.

12. Meat pie, Vegemite and chicken salt are must-try foods

Australia lacks a single defining cuisine, but few things are as quintessentially Aussie as tucking into a steaming meat pie, traditionally served in a paper bag with a generous squeeze of tomato sauce (ketchup). It's a deliciously messy experience and an integral part of Australian food culture .

Vegemite is also a must-have experience. Spread a thin layer (thin being very important) on toast for a salty kick. Speaking of salt, chicken salt on hot chips (fries) is a near-obligatory and delightful initiation for newcomers. This seasoning has been a popular add-on to fries since it was launched in Australia in 1979. (By the way, it’s usually vegan. There's no actual chicken in it; just a lot of MSG.)

13. Snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef requires covering up

Are you excited about that cute holiday snap snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef? Don’t spend too much time selecting a bathing suit for photo ops as nobody will see it. 

That’s because from May to November, it's stinger (jellyfish) season in tropical north Queensland. You'll need to don a rather stylish stinger suit supplied by your tour boat operator, complete with a hood and mitten-like hand covers. It might look a bit peculiar, but it's your best defense against the venomous and often hard-to-spot irukandji and box jellyfish that lurk in the water. It's much better than the alternative – getting stung.

14. People walk on the left

On sidewalks, trails and stairs, sticking to the left helps maintain a smooth flow of foot traffic and prevents any awkward dance moves with strangers trying to pass. Some train stations have arrows to direct the flow.

This practice also aligns with Australia's left-hand driving tradition. According to the UK’s National Motor Museum, driving on the left may have emerged as a safety measure, particularly when the main road hazard was highway robbery. Travelers would pass oncoming strangers on their right side, keeping their sword arm toward the passer-by. (Don't worry, you won't be jousted in Australia.)

15. The Outback can be unforgiving

Don't underestimate the harshness of the Australian Outback . Although it covers roughly 70% of the Australian continent, only around 5% of the population lives there. For those unprepared for its remote conditions, it can also present danger. A broken-down car, for example, could lead to heat exhaustion, dehydration, or worse.

So, if you're planning an independent outback road trip – to the Nullarbor Plain or  Flinders Ranges , for example – do your homework and prepare for anything and everything. Stock up on water, go slow (especially on gravel roads), and let someone know your plans because the phone signal is spotty at best. For added safety, consider a personal locator beacon to instantly alert emergency services in case of trouble. If that sounds daunting, countless tour operators are pros at taking tourists – safely – through these iconic landscapes.

16. Beware of dangerous currents when swimming in the ocean

The primary danger for swimmers at Australian beaches isn't the wildlife; it's the perilous underwater currents known as “rips.” Rip currents have the potential to pull swimmers out to sea and are typically found in areas with underwater sand banks that obstruct the free flow of water back to the shore.

Not every beach is patrolled by lifeguards, so it's best not to risk it if you're not a confident swimmer. Just dip your ankles in for the same feeling.

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A detailed timeline of the private holiday scandal at Tourism Australia

Since Tourism Australia discovered a $137k travel breach last October, things have been escalating quickly. This week, it was revealed the anti-corruption commission is involved.

Anton Nilsson

Jun 06, 2024

Tourism Australia (TA) is engulfed in a deepening scandal over the alleged misuse of taxpayer funds — this week, it was revealed the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) had been called in to investigate.

Lots has happened since Crikey revealed in April that three Tourism Australia employees — a senior employee and two staffers in China — had been fired for going on private holidays using $137,441 of taxpayer funds. Here is a timeline of the facts that have been uncovered about the incident so far. 

October 20, 2023

Tourism Australia employees discover three employees had breached the agency’s travel policy. “The breach … was immediately reported and escalated in accordance with Tourism Australia policies,” managing director Phillipa Harrison told Senate estimates this week. 

In the following months, several things happened, although it’s not clear exactly when or in what order:

• The chair of the Tourism Australia board, and the chair of the agency’s audit and risk committee, were verbally notified of the breach.
• Trade Minister Don Farrell’s office was “verbally notified soon after the issue was discovered”. 
• The consultancy firm Deloitte was engaged to “carry out a thorough forensic audit stretching back to 2021”. No further breaches were identified. 
• External legal advice was sought “in Australia and overseas”.

December 7, 2023 

Tourism Australia holds an all-staff meeting where it was announced one of the three people, a senior employee, had departed the agency. Sources with knowledge of the meeting have told Crikey there was a mention of a “breach of policies” and “all TA staff were reminded of their obligations under TA policies”.

Late December, 2023

Minister Farrell receives written communication from Tourism Australia about the breach of policy. The letter was written “once the breach of policy [had been] externally reviewed and rectified”, Harrison told the Senate. It also outlined “the steps that had been undertaken to address the policy breach”. 

By December, the three fired employees had paid back the money they allegedly misappropriated, according to Tourism Australia. 

January 25, 2024

Tourism Australia notifies the NACC about the breach. 

April 3 

Crikey reaches out to Tourism Australia, asking questions about the policy breach for the first time. 

April 9 

Tourism Australia responds with a statement confirming the breach, saying it was discovered in October and that the three employees had left the agency and paid back the money. 

April 12 

Tourism Australia furnishes more information in response to follow-up questions from Crikey, including the exact amount of money involved and some more specific information about when the breach was discovered.

In response to further questions from Crikey, including about whether Tourism Australia had referred the matter to the NACC, the agency says it had no further information to provide. 

Crikey publishes the first story on the breach the same day. 

Harrison fronts Senate estimates where she is grilled on the breach. She reveals the NACC has been contacted, and claims immunity from the majority of the questions, saying advice from the corruption watchdog prevents her from revealing many of the details sought. 

Minister Farrell tells the hearing the immunity claim based on NACC advice was a “first” and says the situation “present some significant issues which I myself would like to get clarified”. He adds that he would seek “more information on what the government’s responsibilities, and the department’s responsibilities” are in instances where NACC advice would prevent the Senate from asking questions. 

In the same hearing, Harrison appears to inadvertently confirm the breach is connected to the agency’s China office.

June 5 

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus appears on ABC’s Afternoon Briefing program where he acknowledges there is a “tension” between the ability for government to examine officials and the NACC’s investigatory needs. “Parliamentary processes may need to give way for a time, not permanently, but for a time on an investigation that’s being carried out by the National Anti-Corruption Commission,” he says. 

Do you know more? Contact Anton Nilsson securely on Signal via the username anilsson.33 — download the app, create a new chat via the pencil symbol and type the exact username into the search bar to get in touch. Or send him an email at  [email protected] .   Anonymity guaranteed.

About the Author

Politics Reporter @antonknilsson

Anton Nilsson is Crikey's federal political reporter. He previously covered NSW Parliament for NCA NewsWire, and before that, worked for Sweden's Expressen newspaper as well as other publications in Sweden, Australia and the United States.

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Gee my eyesight must need checking! When I first saw that photo of Don Farrell adjacent to a headline about timeline of Tourism Australia scandal, I thought it was Scotty from Marketing.

The ‘Fraudian slip’?

I thought he was the copper from Harrow.

Damien Garvey also played the Les Patterson minister in Rake, and a slightly less dodgy cop in Jack Irish. Plays that combination of menace, comedy and irritable bowel syndrome brilliantly.

Would Crikey mind refraining from “reaching out” and resume “contacting”. I note Tourism Australia “responded”. Why not say “reached back”?

I agree that ‘ reaching out’ is a barbarism for ‘contacting’. I add that ‘verbally’ means with verbs and other words. I assume the author means that people were ‘ora lly notified of the breach’.

Given the LibLab neutering of the openness of NACC, one could assume anything sent to it is done so to avoid public scrutiny rather than public interest investigation and disclosure.

Well if the NACC sees no need for its involvement, then there’s no reason to keep the brief of evidence sent to it from the Royal Commission secret, is there?

Here’s hoping not too many matters of a similar nature are referred to the NACC otherwise there will be more hiding behind process rather than a public outing in Senate Estimates.

Scotty from marketing showed them the way. It’s only taxpayer dollars after all to help themselves to.

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Corruption watchdog called in to investigate Tourism Australia travel expenses scandal

The National Anti-Corruption Commission has been asked to investigate revelations three Tourism Australia staff charged taxpayers $137,441 for personal travel expenses.

The staff have since been sacked from the agency, which is responsible for promoting Australia's tourism industry abroad.

Appearing before a Senate committee in Canberra, Tourism Australia chief executive Phillipa Harrison said the spending had been uncovered in October 2023 when the agency's own staff detected the misuse of funds.

The incident was referred to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for further investigation on January 21 this year.

"The three employees undertook personal travel that was booked through Tourism Australia's corporate travel agent, and was invoiced to Tourism Australia," she told the committee.

"Tourism Australia demanded that the three individuals repay the full amount of the travel, and that full amount was $137,441, and that was fully repaid to Tourism Australia in December 2023."

Ms Harrison was reluctant to go into further detail about the incident, saying Tourism Australia was awaiting a response from the NACC about the situation.

New South Wales Nationals senator Ross Cadell wanted more information about who the sacked staff were, and used his questions in the committee to ask whether the agency's chief financial officer was among those involved.

"The NACC has advised me that I'm unable to provide the further details on the roles and the people involved until they have finished their investigations," Ms Harrison responded.

"To do so may compromise current or potential investigations, and prematurely impact the reputations of individuals in circumstances.

"The legislation enacted by parliament intends to avoid that by requiring that investigations, generally, be conducted in private and that information concerning them is not to be disclosed."

No details provided on destinations of travel, yet

Ms Harrison did commit to providing Senator Cadell with details on how many trips were booked by the staff, and the destinations for the travel.

"I am shooketh by not being able to ask these questions," Senator Cadell quipped.

The committee hearing was briefly suspended to allow senators to discuss the concerns about Tourism Australia staff not answering questions.

Tourism and Trade Minister Don Farrell said Ms Harrison would make a public interest immunity claim to outline the situation.

"I have to say, this is the first time in my experience where a direction from the NACC has directed an official not to make a public statement," he said.

"This does present some significant issues which I myself would like to get clarified.

"You and I both voted for this legislation and obviously this is how it's being applied. The witness, obviously, has to comply with the direction of the NACC, she has no choice."

Ms Harrison said Senator Farrell's office had been made aware of the situation in late 2023.

The matter has not been referred to authorities. 

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