Travelling for business is always a great opportunity, especially when you are given the chance to go to another country like Australia.
However, as a business traveler, it is of prime importance that you get to know some basic travel practices and the business culture of your destination. If you find yourself heading to Australia, here are 5 important things to remember:
You can save money on your business’ purchases by understanding Australia’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Travel Refund Scheme (TRS)
Taxes and Refunds
You can save money on your business’ purchases by understanding their Goods and Services Tax (GST). Every transaction is charged the GST which is 10% of your purchase. Under the Travel Refund Scheme (TRS), if you purchase anything in Australia which you will be carrying outside of the country when you leave, you can refund the GST from your purchases if it totals AUD $300 or more. Whether it’s a long intended software purchase or an urgent shopping “emergencyâ€�, you can save some money by keeping this in mind. It is also important to know that most hotels and restaurants do not add a Service Charge. While it is your choice to tip or not, adding a 10% tip is a courteous way of saying “thank youâ€� for good service.
Leisure and Rest
While Australia has some stellar hotel and resort selections, a business trip is less likely to be a time to indulge in them. There are many budget friendly hotels, like Sleep and Go, which can accommodate your business per diem without sacrificing quality, location, and comfort. When deciding what to do on your free time, Australia would not have a shortage of offerings. It is very possible that you find yourself spending more time out of your room exploring its many tourist attractions.
When in Australia and traveling coast to coast, it is more recommended to rent a car than fly. – Ms Career Girl
Getting Around
If you are in town for a lot of business meetings or will require traveling a lot, from coast to coast, it is best to rent a car instead of commuting. Flying from coast to coast in Australia can get expensive since there are not a lot of carriers to choose from, and a trip on the Greyhound ranges from USD 100 – USD 2500. Flying can be very expensive due to limited competition, especially when going from one state to another. If you are staying put in a particular side of town, taking the local bus can be convenient and can be easily placed into your budget.
Postal Services
Most post offices are open on office hours Mondays to Fridays. However, some offices open on Saturday morning. If you are travelling, you can ask your local post office for the procedure on how they can hold your mail for you to collect at your earliest convenience.
WIFI
WIFI is not offered in all hotels, so ask for it when you book. If you are in need of WIFI on the go, but can’t commit to buying pocket data, almost all fastfood chains offer free WIFI. You can also get internet in most cafes, but will be expected to buy a drink.
When it comes down to it, traveling to Australia on a business trip can be easy and fun if you get on the plane already organized and well –prepared. Are you traveling to Australia soon? Share us your thoughts below!
