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Australia

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Australia Culture Overview

  • Capital: Canberra
  • Population: approx. 27 million
  • There are six states and two territories in Australia, each with its own capital city. Each state experiences different climates and time zones.
  • Australia’s official language is English. However, Australia is a multicultural nation with a significant migrant population, so it's common to hear a diverse range of languages in Australia's cities and towns.
  • Australia is such a diverse country. Aussies have a rich and varied cultural history but the one thing they have in common is that they come together over food and drink and to enjoy the world-famous landscape. The Australian lifestyle is often associated with a laid-back ‘no worries’ attitude.1
  • Sports are an essential part of Australian life with cricket being the nation's most popular sport. Surfing and swimming are popular past times for millions of Australians.
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Tips on moving to Australia

Travel Restrictions2

Australia has strict requirements on the food, plant materials or animal products that can enter or leave the country. This includes:

  • Fresh Fruit
  • Homemade food

You may carry an unlimited amount of cash into Australia, but if you are carrying AUD10,000 or more, you must declare it.

When moving to Australia, you can send your unaccompanied belongings to Australia by air, sea cargo or by international mail. Unaccompanied items can include household items and personal items.

Helpful numbers in case of emergencies

There are two important emergency numbers you should know in case you ever experience an emergency or need emergency help.

Triple Zero (000) is Australia's main emergency service number. You should call 000 if you need urgent help from police, fire or ambulance services. Triple Zero does not have translators. Calls from non-English speakers will be transferred to the police in their capital city. Once connected, a translator will be arranged.3

106- can only be used with a teletypewriter (TTY) or a device for the deaf. 106 is a text-based emergency service number for people who are deaf, or who have a hearing or speech impairment.

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Death in Australia

For those who are not Australian nationals, the authority that registers the death, whether it be the police, a coroner or another authority, should inform the relevant foreign embassy or consulate of the death without delay and provide a copy of the death certificate upon request.4

How to retrieve a Death Certificate5

The process for obtaining a death certificate in Australia follows the below steps:

  1. Registration of Death: The death must be registered with the Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages (BDM) in the state or territory where it occurred.
  2. Application Submission: Once the death is registered, a death certificate can be applied for.
  3. Provision of Required Information: Applicants must provide details/ personal information about the deceased, such as full name and date/place of death.
  4. Payment of Fees: A fee is usually required to obtain a death certificate and can vary by jurisdiction.
  5. Processing Time: Processing times can vary but generally ranges from a few days to several weeks.

Repatriating Mortal Remains6

Returning a body to its home country can be time-consuming, expensive, and complex. Below is a general outline of how to repatriate a body out of Australia:

  1. Obtain death certificate: The death must first be registered with the relevant state or territory’s Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages. Once registered, the next of kin or the appointed representative can obtain a death certificate, which is required for the repatriation process.
  2. Obtain embalming certificate: Australian laws require that the body be embalmed before it can be transported internationally to ensure that the remains are preserved during transit and meet the health and safety standards of the destination country. An embalming certificate will be issued to confirm the procedure has been completed.
  3. Obtain Export Permit: An export permit is required to transport human remains out of Australia and is issued by the Department of Health (or the relevant state authority).
  4. Consular Involvement and approval: It is important to keep in mind that the receiving country may also have laws and restrictions. The country’s consulate or embassy of the destination country may also need to be involved.
  5. Make transportation arrangements: The deceased must be transported in a sealed, leak-proof coffin or casket, compliant with Australian regulations and the receiving country’s laws. Airlines have specific requirements and include the need for advance notice and coordination.

If your insurance offers a service to assist in repatriating mortal remains, much of this effort will be coordinated by them. Even if there is no service, check your insurance certificate to see if repatriating a body is a covered service so that you can file for reimbursement.

Additional Resources
Navigating death resources for community groups - Community groups - Services Australia)