Australia bears the Official Name: Commonwealth of Australia.

its name is derived from the Latin australis, meaning "southern" because it is located in the southern hemisphere. Canberra is its capital city and Sydney being its largest one GOVERNMENT The Commonwealth government is a constitutional monarchy with a Constitution patterned partly on the U.S. Constitution, although it does not include a "bill of rights." Culture Much of Australia's culture is derived from European roots, but distinctive Australian features have evolved from the environment, aboriginal culture, and the influence of Australia's neighbors. Business Etiquette and Customs in Australia Appearance/ What to wear? Men wear a conservative dark business suit and tie. Women may wear a dress, or skirt and blouse, for business. It is good to avoid excessive jewelery and accessories which may be viewed as too flashy and therefore unprofessional. Informal clothing is appropriate when not attending business functions. Casual pants are fine for both men and women. Remember that, for much of the year, Australia is a very hot country so make sure that your clothing is lightweight and cool during those periods. Communications & Business Meeting Etiquettes English is the official and by far the most commonly spoken language. Appointments are necessary and relatively easy to schedule. They should be made with as much lead time as possible. Punctuality is important in business situations. It is better to arrive a few minutes early than to keep someone waiting. Shake hands when meeting and when leaving. Although uncommon, some women may greet each other with a kiss on the cheek. Men should not become physically demonstrative with another man, or wink at a woman. Exchanging business cards is common among professional workers. They are exchanged at the initial introduction without formal ritual. However, if you are not given a business card, it is not an insult; the person simply may not have one. First names are invariably used in all business situations in Australia. It would be very unusual to call a business contact by their surname. Similarly, educational titles play relatively little part in business situations (other than in the medical or academic worlds.) Maintain good eye contact during meetings and conversations. Gift giving is not a common practice in business. You may bring a small gift of chocolate, wine or flowers if invited to someone's home. Meetings are generally relaxed; however, they are serious events. Australians are very matter of fact when it comes to business so there is no need for long- standing personal relationships before they do business with people. Australians are friendly and open, but directness and brevity are valued. There is often an element

of humour, often self-deprecating, in their speech. Australia is one of the very few cultures in which humour is all pervasive in business situations. Not only is humour acceptable in all situations, it is expected in all situations. Aussies often use colourful language that would be unthinkable in other countries. Opinions are respected, and opinionated discussions are entertaining. Be an active listener, and ask if you do not understand something in the conversation. If you make a presentation, avoid hype, making exaggerated claims, or bells and whistles It is important not to be too self-promotional when presenting to Australians. A hard sell approach can often be misconstrued as bragging and can provoke a very negative response. A factual description of issues will be far better received than a more hyperbolic approach. Present your business case with facts and figures. Emotions and feelings are not important in the Australian business climate. Business Entertainment and Meals Afternoon tea is about 4:00pm Tea is between 6:00 - 8:00pm and is an evening meal Supper is a late night light meal or snack Sightseeing and sports are good conversational topics -There is no great tradition for business entertainment or meals in Australia and it certainly shouldn't be viewed as the quick way to cement relationships with a new client or contact. In fact, you are more likely to be asked out for lunch or dinner once a firm relationship has been established - in this way the meal can in no way be seen to have influenced a business decision. -People will very often 'go Dutch' over a meal this means that the bill is split equally amongst those present at the meal. If you wish to pay, make sure you make this clear before the meal to avoid any embarrassing debates when the bill is presented. -If invited to a pub or bar for a drink, it is very important to make sure you pay your 'shout' - that means that everybody is expected to pay for a round of drinks. It is unadvisable to develop a reputation as someone who does not pay for his or her fair share of the drinks! -Tipping is not always necessary but is usually expected at the better restaurants. (If in doubt ask your Australian counterpart what the etiquette is.) Tips are usually for about 10% of the total bill. Negotiating and Decision Making Australians get down to business quickly with a minimum amount of small talk. They are quite direct and expect the same in return. As we previously mentioned, They appreciate brevity and are not impressed by too much detail. Negotiations proceed quickly. Bargaining is not customary. They will expect your initial proposal to have only a small margin for negotiation. They do not like high-pressure techniques. Decision-making is concentrated at the top of the company, although decisions are made after consultation with subordinates, which can make decision making slow and protracted.