🗺️ What surprises tourists in Australia: fines, sockets and salaries

Australia is often imagined as a country of kangaroos and crocodiles. In reality, it is an entire continent with its own rules, prices, and habits.

We have gathered facts about Australia that are useful before a trip. Voting is mandatory here, free appliances are left out on the streets, and engineers and doctors earn more than many others. Some familiar things work differently than in Europe.

Australia in numbers

💡 In short:

There are more kangaroos in the country than people, and aerial surveys confirm it.
Voting in elections is mandatory; failing to show up without a valid reason results in a fine.
The tourist electronic visa for EU citizens is free, and a decision on an online application usually arrives within a few days.
Visa and entry rule data verified: 09/2026, official immigration service website.

There are more kangaroos here than people

Aerial surveys show that in most states there are more kangaroos than residents (as of 09/2026, Brilliant Maps, state-by-state comparison). The only exceptions are Victoria and Tasmania, where people still outnumber them. If you drive on rural roads early in the morning, you will almost certainly see kangaroos, but there are none in the city center.

Nobody can give an exact population figure. Herds depend heavily on rainfall and drought: in good years kangaroo numbers surge, in dry years they decline. For a driver, the rule is simple. Darkness and open highways require caution, because the animals appear on the road unexpectedly.

Eastern grey kangaroo hopping across grass near trees

Sharks: the statistics are calmer than the reputation

Australia is considered the capital of shark attacks, but the numbers are more modest than the fears. Since 2000, the country has recorded 59 fatal cases, 24 of them after 2020 (as of 09/2026, Wikipedia, list of incidents). Far more people die from drowning than from sharks, but that gets written about less often.

Popular beaches have lifeguards, nets, and drones. You will be asked to enter the water between the red flags. If you plan to surf, check current conditions with lifeguards and avoid swimming at sunset and in murky water. The risk is real, but manageable.

Tram network, a coin, and wheat

Melbourne has the most extensive tram network in the world, and locals ride trams every day. For a tourist, it is a cheap way to see the city: routes run through the center and the suburbs. One daily ticket is enough to cover the main areas.

The first round 50-cent coins are a separate story. They were minted from silver, and the metal in the coin was worth more than its face value, so production was quickly stopped. Today these coins interest numismatists, and they have long been out of ordinary circulation.

Australia harvests a great deal of wheat: the country feeds itself and sells grain abroad. At the same time, fewer working people are employed in agriculture than you might think. Labor productivity here is among the highest in the world, and it shows in food prices.

The state: benefits, ambulances, and mandatory elections

Australia ranks in the top ten countries by standard of living, and the state provides noticeable support to families. Benefits for parents with many children are among the most generous in the world: with four or five children, payments can replace one parent's salary.

The healthcare system works differently than in Europe. Ambulance services are paid in most states, and a call costs real money, so people only call them in genuine emergencies. A scheduled home visit from a doctor is rare here: you usually book an appointment with a general practitioner yourself.

Line of voters outside a polling station with candidate posters

Visitors are surprised by another local custom. Unwanted appliances and furniture are left right outside the house, and any passerby can take them for free. You will see these kinds of listings in residential neighborhoods almost every week.

Voting in elections is mandatory. Failing to show up without a valid reason results in a fine, and if you refuse to pay, the matter can end up in court (according to the Australian Electoral Commission). Turnout is therefore among the highest in the world: about 90% of voters cast ballots in the 2025 election (as of 09/2026, ABC News).

Half of residents were born overseas

More than half of Australians are immigrants or their descendants. The large influx of Europeans began after World War II, when the country took in people who had lost their homes. Today it is one of the most multicultural countries in the world.

For a traveler, this is noticeable in food and language. In Sydney and Melbourne it is easy to find Italian, Greek, Vietnamese, and Lebanese cuisine. If you come for a long stay, the local multilingualism makes everyday life much easier.

Chinatown street at night in Melbourne with an arch and lights

Holden, gasoline, and left-hand traffic

Holden was long Australia's own car manufacturer, but local production shut down in 2017, and General Motors discontinued the brand itself in 2020 (as of 09/2026, Guardian). Today the country sells imported cars, and Holden remains in history and on the used market.

Traffic here is left-hand, and the first days behind the wheel require attention. Gasoline prices change cyclically: they are noticeably lower in the middle of the week and higher before the weekend. If you rent a car, fill up on weekdays.

Red Holden Commodore ZB sedan parked at the curb

Outlets, faucets, and specialist salaries

Electrical outlets in Australia are a different type than in Europe, but the voltage is the same: 230 volts (as of 09/2026, Wikipedia, standards by country). Bring an adapter, otherwise some of your devices will not work. Many older homes still have two separate faucets: one for cold water and one for hot. This is a British legacy; the familiar mixer taps are less common here.

Engineers and doctors are among the highest-paid professionals in the country. Senior engineers earn six-figure annual incomes in Australian dollars (as of 2025, salary survey). The US dollar exchange rate is currently higher than the Australian dollar, so check the rate before your trip and do not rely on old notes. Shopping tours to Australia are not very popular: goods here are more expensive than in Europe, and the selection is more limited.

Australian double power outlet with switches and USB

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How many kangaroos are there in Australia, and is it true there are more of them than people?

Nobody can give an exact figure: the population depends on rainfall and drought. According to aerial surveys, kangaroos do outnumber residents in most states, with Victoria and Tasmania being the only exceptions (as of 09/2026, Brilliant Maps, map of kangaroos and people).

Is swimming in the ocean dangerous because of sharks?

There is some risk, but the statistics are not as frightening as they seem. Since 2000, Australia has recorded 59 fatal incidents (as of 09/2026, Wikipedia, shark attack summary). Swim between the red flags and avoid dusk and murky water.

Do I need a visa to travel to Australia?

Tourists from the EU can use the electronic subclass 651 visa for short-term trips. It is free, the application is submitted online, and a decision usually arrives within a few days. Apply in advance on the Department of Home Affairs portal.

Is voting mandatory in Australian elections?

Yes, voting is compulsory for all adult citizens. Failing to vote without a valid reason results in a fine, and refusing to pay can lead to court proceedings (as of 09/2026, ABC News, 2025 turnout data). Turnout in the 2025 election was around 90% of voters.

What power outlets and voltage are used in Australia?

The outlets here are their own type, different from both European and American ones, while the mains voltage is the same as in Europe: 230 volts. Bring a universal adapter: it is inexpensive and useful for the entire trip. Phone and laptop chargers usually work if the plug fits the outlet.

If you want to see the whole country, check out the short overview below.

In short: what to know about Australia

Australia surprises you with more than just kangaroos, and it is worth preparing for everyday differences in advance.

The decision matrix is simple. If you are traveling with a family, check family benefits and rates. If you plan to have a car, get ready for left-hand traffic and gas that is not cheap. If you want to surf, check the forecast and lifeguard flags ahead of time.

For the trip, apply for a visa in advance on the Australian immigration service website and check your passport expiration date.

Australia: kangaroos, visas and everyday surprises for a tourist