12 Transport



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Beginning a Life in Australia

Welcome to Australia

English

12 Transport



Australia is a large country with many of its cities and towns separated by big distances. There are many transport options you can use to go across your town or across the country.


Public transport



There are a number of forms of public transport in Australia including buses, trains, trams and ferries. You will need to pay a fare or buy a ticket to use most services. Concessions are generally available for students, seniors and Health Care Card holders.
Brochures and timetables are available from many local government councils and visitor centres, railway stations, libraries and public information centres.
For information about government operated transport in your state or territory, including ticketing, timetables and concessions, go to the websites below.



Taxi services



Taxis operate 24 hours a day in most parts of Australia. A meter on the dashboard of the taxi shows the fare. Taxi companies are listed in the Yellow Pages telephone directory under Taxi cabs’ and online. Most cities have special taxis available for people using a wheelchair or with a disability.


Private vehicles



Private transport is transport that you own and use as you wish. Most Australians use cars or motor bikes for private transport. Walking and cycling are other options.
Hitchhiking, that is getting a free ride with a stranger in their car, is considered unsafe and not recommended.
New and second-hand vehicles are advertised for sale in newspapers and online and are also available from new car showrooms and second-hand car yards. The purchase price of a car does not usually include the cost of registration, stamp duty (which is like a sales tax) and compulsory insurance. These costs usually have to be paid separately by the buyer.
For more information on car registration and compulsory insurance, see Chapter 7, Australian law under the heading Driving.
For information about borrowing money to purchase a vehicle, contact your bank or a finance company. Remember to make sure you understand all terms and conditions before you sign any contracts for finance.
If you buy a car and the former owner has a debt that has not been repaid on the vehicle, the car could be repossessed or taken legally by the company that holds the debt. To check if the former owner owes money on the vehicle contact the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR).

The PPSR can also tell you if the vehicle is reported to the police as stolen, deregistered due to unpaid traffic fines, or is recorded as a write-off, or recorded with the Commissioner for Fair Trading as having possible odometer interference (tampering with the mileage display).


  • PPSR

    • Phone – 1300 007 777


In every state and territory there are motorists’ associations, that provide services such as vehicle inspections for potential buyers of second hand vehicles, touring information, insurance, and road service (in case your vehicle breaks down). Many of their services are available to non-members as well as members, and extend to cover members through sister organisations in other states and territories.

State or Territory

Motorist Association

Telephone


National

Australian Automobile Association

02 6247 7311

ACT

National Road Motorists Association (NRMA)

13 1122

NSW

National Road Motorists Association (NRMA)

13 1122

NT

Automobile Association of Northern Territory (AANT)

08 8925 5901

QLD

Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ)

13 1905

SA

Royal Automobile Association (RAA)

08 8202 4600

TAS

Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania (RACT)

13 2722

VIC

Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV)

13 7228

WA

Royal Automobile Club (RAC)

13 1703


You need a current drivers licence to drive in Australia. For information about getting a driver’s licence,

see Chapter 1, What to do soon after arrival.


Note: Australian traffic laws are very strict. See Chapter 7, Australian law under the heading Driving.



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