Welcome to Australia
Dollar Currency in Australia
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Basic Country Profile
Location: Oceania
Capital: Canberra
Population: 23, 401, 892 (2016 Census)
Major Languages: English
Major Religions: Christianity
Currency: Australian Dollar
Terrain: Low plateau
Climate: Tropical and temperate
Dial Code: +61
Time Zone: UTC+08:00 to UTC+11:00 with daylight saving time
Disability Population: 18.3% (2015, Australia Bureau of Statistics)
Emergency Numbers: Universal 000
Police 000, Ambulance 000, Fire department 000
Disability Legislations and Policies
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD):
Ratified on July 17, 2008. It has also ratified the Optional Protocol to the CRPD. Australia’s CRPD State Party reports submitted to the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) can be read at OHCHR website.
Law on Disability (8/2016):
Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA) – The Federal Disability Discrimination Act of 1992 provides protection to everyone in Australia against discrimination based on disability. To read the act, go to www.legislation.gov.au
National Disability Strategy 2010 – 2020 – A ten year national plan that aims to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities, their families and carers. Read more about the NDS, go to – https://www.dss.gov.au
Travel Related Information
Disability awareness is quite high in Australia making it an accessible tourist destination. Many policies and legislations make it a legal requirement for buildings and facilities to be accessible for all.
Major airlines in Australia are equipped to provide services for travelers with disabilities. They can provide wheelchairs, preferential aircraft boarding, oxygen and facilities for guide dogs. Planning is always an important part of ensuring any holiday is successful for persons with disabilities.
Legislative arrangements require that there are adequate services for people with disabilities on transport, tours and in hotels.
Go to www.sydneyforall.com for accessible activities in Sydney.
Read about accessible activities in Melbourne, go to www.visitvictoria.com
All major cab companies have accessible cabs added to their fleet. While most cab companies have their individual contact number and a mobile app, Australia also has a unique taxi number with which most cab companies are affiliated – 131008. Using this number and asking for a wheelchair accessible cab is an easy route to get a taxi.
Public Transportation
All major cab companies have accessible cabs added to their fleet. While most cab companies have their individual contact number and a mobile app, Australia also has a unique taxi number with which most cab companies are affiliated – 131008. Using this number and asking for a wheelchair accessible cab is an easy route to get a taxi.
Read more about wheelchair accessible taxi services, go to NSW Website.
Accessible Taxi – https://www.qld.gov.au/disability
Uber – https://www.uber.com/en-AU/ride/uberwav
Read more about traveling by trains, ferries and trams in Australia go to http://wheelchairtraveling.com
Hotels
There are quite several options available throughout Australia for accessible accommodations. Some of them are:
Pier one Sydney harbour – https://www.pieronesydneyharbour.com.au/hotel-policies/
Hotel guide by Easy Access Australia (Options on Sydney)- http://www.easyaccessaustralia.com.au/
Adina serviced apartments, Canberra – www.adinahotels.com
Useful Links
Disability Rights in Australia
https://www.humanrights.gov.au
Accessible Tourism in Australia
https://www.business.vic.gov.au
Australia Taxis: Wheelchair Access Overview
http://wheelchairtraveling.com
Accessible Holidays Package
https://www.travelwithoutlimits.com.au