I'm looking at travelling to Australia in February next year. I would be travelling alone and I am only 17 (going to see some friends whilst there). Would I have any problems with like customs or immigration etc (I know I need a visa) because of my age and being on my own? Thanks

You'll have no problems purely as a result of your age.

Customs are a bit keen over their and you can save youreself a bit of time and hassle if you avoid looking too scruffy/hippy. I know it sounds a bit ridiculous and an affront if you have nothing to hide but it can just make your transition a little easier.

Agricultural Quarantine means that you are banned from carrying in any fruit/veg/meat etc. and you will have to sign a declaration form at the same time as signing a landing card. Having a non-declared black pudding hidden in your spare socks will see you jhauled off faster than if you had a slab of heroin strapped to your forehead!

Great place. Worth the trip. Have a ball!

Another tip is that you can apply for most of the visas online and it is electronically added to your passport. - no forms to fill in/get lost in the post! Start at http://www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/visit.htm. It's the only place I've been where your luggage is all scanned/inspected after you land, cgksheff is right - don't take any food or plants and be prepared for very keen immigration officers trying to check your story and make you feel like a criminal!

So you don't think they'd ask me where I'm going / staying etc cos I'm on my own? What about in the UK airports? Thanks

Originally posted by cgksheff
You'll have no problems purely as a result of your age.

Customs are a bit keen over their and you can save youreself a bit of time and hassle if you avoid looking too scruffy/hippy. I know it sounds a bit ridiculous and an affront if you have nothing to hide but it can just make your transition a little easier.

Agricultural Quarantine means that you are banned from carrying in any fruit/veg/meat etc. and you will have to sign a declaration form at the same time as signing a landing card. Having a non-declared black pudding hidden in your spare socks will see you jhauled off faster than if you had a slab of heroin strapped to your forehead!

Great place. Worth the trip. Have a ball!

Wise advice this. Customs are VERY keen on the most trivial things that you may be carrying. They also have lots of nice beagles randomly sniffing away at everyones luggage!

Originally posted by ukstudent
So you don't think they'd ask me where I'm going / staying etc cos I'm on my own? What about in the UK airports? Thanks

Didn't we have to fill in a form before landing in Oz to say where we were staying and hand it in ??
Hazel

Thinking about your question a little more, I am going to be a little blunt and ask:
Do you understand that you will need to apply for, and obtain a visa from the Australian High Commission in this country?

You will need this before any airline will carry you to Australia never mind getting into Australia.

Once you have your visa you have permission to enter and you should have no problems.

The questions will be asked in this country before you can get a Visa.
Look at the Application Form:
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/48r.pdf


The most relevant point for you can be seen just above Question 15 on page 6.
It says " Children under 18 years of age,travelling alone or without one or both of their parents or legal guardians, require notorised authorisation from the non-accompanying parent(s) or guardian(s) to travel to Australia."
That means your parents have to sign a letter saying its OK for you to travel to Oz and then they have to get the letter stamped by a Notary who will also ask to see for proof of identity and your birth certificate and passport.
You will need advice on the wording of that letter.
You may also need advice on completing a visa application.

The Australian Visa Department will not recieve telephone inquiries. So your first bet is to find a travel agent who knows what they are talking about and they may be able to help.

Alternatively, the Australians have an e-mail address to which you can put your enquiry:

firstenquiries.lhlh@dfat.gov.au

If you know all this already I apologise for my presumption, but I thought it might interest others reading this thread.

Parental Consent Form

I found this:
http://www.ahc-ottawa.org/visa/cpg.html

On Customs:
A collegue has just gone over for a year to work.
They confiscated his Christmas tree because it had real wood 'bits'. That cost him a tenner to be incinerated.
They also charged him for cleaning & quranteening all their shoes because they were muddy.... Yes it's that strict.
The rest of his furniture is still under inspection! They've pretty much had to buy all new again or sit on the floors.

If you have any chocolate on you, make sure no nut products are in it. They don't like those either!

Once upon a time you only had to pinch a loaf to get over there!

How times change.