Other Frequently Asked Queries
Public Holidays in Australia
Find out when holidays are on in Australian states and territories.
www.australia.gov.au/Public_Holidays
Suspect Lottery prizes and job offers
If you think an offer is too good to be true, or if you have been told you won a prize without entering a competition, it may be a fraudulent scam.
Information about Australia
Australia.gov.au does not send out tourist information or “Australia packs” but you can find out more about the country by reading information on our site.
www.australia.gov.au/Australian_Facts_&_Figures
Driver’s licences and vehicle registration
In Australia, driver’s licences and vehicle registrations are issued by state and territory governments. As a general rule, you are able to drive in Australia, as a visitor, on your existing driving licence for a maximum of three months after arriving in Australia. However specific rules do vary across each state. Australia.gov.au links to all state and territory motor registries where you can check on individual state requirements. Includes information on International Driving Permits
www.australia.gov.au/Registration_&_Licences
National police checks
The Australian Federal Police provides National Police Checks (criminal history checks) for people requiring a check for overseas employment, adoption, including overseas adoption, and visa applications.
www.afp.gov.au/business/national_police_checks
Authentications and apostilles
Overseas governments sometimes need proof that Australian documents are genuine before they will accept them. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade can certify that a signature, stamp or seal on a document is genuine and stamp the document with an Authentication or Apostille.
www.smartraveller.gov.au/authen.html
Finding a missing friend or relative
Australia.gov.au does not provide information on people currently residing in Australia. If you are seeking to contact a friend or relative, this page provides some brief information that may be of assistance in undertaking searches for missing people or lost relatives.
Looking for legislation (Acts, regulations, etc.)
ComLaw is an integral part of the Australian Law Online initiative to bring low- or no-cost access to the law for the community and is maintained by the Australian Attorney-General's Department. It contains Acts, Bills, Statutory Rules, etc. in electronic form