GUIDE TO GAY [ Melbourne ] Vital Info

MELBOURNE - A VITAL PART OF AUSTRALIA'S GLBT SCENE

Vital Info - hosted by Robbi

Australia’s second largest city, Melbourne is a sophisticated alternative to the glitz and glam of her northern sister, Sydney. Melbourne is a city of experience made up of distinct precincts where each locale has its own twist on life offering an eclectic array of food, fashion, architecture and ambience.
Melbourne draws vacationers in to interact with its daily buzz. Visitors lose their ‘tourist’ label and live the life of a local in one of the world’s most livable cities where diversity is a way of life, and the cafe culture reigns supreme! The most "European" Australian city, Melbourne is eclectic, relaxed and not pretentious.

When visiting Melbourne from overseas, you are bound by rules and regulations as set down by the Australian Federal Government and the Victorian State Government. Before you leave for your trip, you must make sure you do the following:

obtain a visa/Electronic Travel Authority, unless you are a citizen of New Zealand;

arrange for health insurance, including ambulance coverage; and

be aware that you may not be allowed to work in Australia during your stay

Australia has strict laws to protect its citizens and natural environment. Penalties may be imposed if you breach those laws by importing:

illicit drugs;

animal or plant material;

firearms, weapons or ammunition;

protected wildlife and products made from them;

some food items; and

some medicinal products, including performance enhancing drugs.

For more specific information on what you can and cannot bring into Australia visit www.immi.gov.au

Each State of Australia has it's own laws and these can vary considerably. Melbourne is the capital city of the State of Victoria... and therefore you are subject to it¹s laws whilst here. Below are some important facts that you may not be aware of:

Alcohol and legal "adult" products such as cigarettes may be consumed by persons over 18 years of age

You may bring the following amounts of duty free items into the country on your trip:

$A400 worth of goods not including tobacco or alcohol ($A200 for travellers under 18 years of age). For example, cameras, electronic equipment, leather goods, perfume concentrate, jewellery, watches, sporting goods, etc.

1125 ml alcoholic liquor (including wine, beer or spirits) for travellers aged 18 years and over.

Tobacco - 250 cigarettes, or 250 grams of cigars or tobacco products other than cigarettes, for travellers aged 18 years and over.

Most personal items such as new clothing, footwear, articles for personal hygiene/grooming.

Personal goods owned and used by you for at least 12 months can also be brought into Australia without payment of duty and tax (proof of date of purchase may be required).

Personal goods do not include motor vehicles and motor vehicles parts regardless of the length of time used and owned.

Members of the same family who are travelling together may combine their individual duty/tax free allowances. Gifts (given to you or intended for others) are counted as part of the $A400 duty free allowance.

A Tourist Refund Scheme has been in place since 2001. The scheme means tourists and Australian overseas travellers may be entitled to a refund of goods and services tax (GST) and wine equalisation tax (WET) on purchases of goods bought from Australian retailers.

Travellers can claim the refund from customs officers at Tourist Refund Scheme booths located at international airports or cruise terminals when departing Australia. Amounts of $A10,000 or more, or equivalent in foreign currency (meaning notes and coins of legal tender), must be reported on arrival or departure.

Drugs, hard and recreational are highly illegal in Melbourne. There are tough penalties for possession and especially dealing and trafficing.

Make sure you check all your facts to avoid getting into trouble. Melbourne is a very friendly city, and a very relaxed one... we look after our environment and respect our laws (even if some are incredibly outdated!) and we request the same from visitors.

Welcome to Melbourne!

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