Last updated: 10 June 2012
Visiting
Business hours
Business hours in the US are generally from 9.00am to 5.00pm. Large retailers are usually open from 8.00am to 10.00pm, and some are open 24 hours.
Public holidays
January 1 – New Year's Day
January 16 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 20 – Inauguration Day
February 20 – Presidents' Day
May 29 – Memorial Day
July 4 – Independence Day
September 4 – Labour Day
October 9 – Columbus Day
November 11 – Veterans' Day
November 30 – Thanksgiving
December 25 – Christmas
Climate
For weather details in the USA, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.
Currency
Oanda currency converter
The currency is the US dollar.
Time zones and time differences
The USA spans multiple time zones.
Between March and October, the USA switches from standard time to 'summer time'. However, simultaneously, most of Australia winds its clock back one hour. Three of the time zones operate as follows:
- US Eastern Summer Time = Australian Eastern Standard Time minus 14 hours (from November to March, 9.00am in Washington, New York and Atlanta is 1.00am Sydney time)
- US Central Summer Time = Australian Eastern Standard Time minus 15 hours
- US Pacific Summer Time = Australian Eastern Standard Time minus 17 hours
To find out the current times in the USA, view the World Clock.
Dialling codes
The USA's country code is 1.
For calls to USA from Australia dial: 0011 + 1 + area code + telephone number.
For calls from USA to Australia dial: 00 + 61 + area code + telephone number.
For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes.
Electricity and water
The USA’s power supply is 110 volts, 60Hz 1, 3 phases, 2, 4 wires. Transformers are not necessarily an option in the USA because they don’t convert from the Australian 50 cycles to the US 60 Hz. Therefore, even if the voltage is correct, damage may occur to synchronous motors, eg. tape recorders, disc players. The two-parallel flat blades above a round pin plugs are the most common.
Links and resources
Travel and tourism
Discover America – www.discoveramerica.com
United States Travel and Tourism – www.usa.worldweb.com
USA Travel Guide – www.usatourist.com
Please note: this list of websites and resources is not definitive. Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement by Austrade. The information provided is a guide only.
Top Business Risks
OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
Multinational Enterprises should be aware of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises that provide voluntary principles and standards for responsible business behaviour in a variety of areas, consistent with applicable domestic laws. These Guidelines are endorsed and promoted by the Australian Government. For more information, go to the AusNCP website.
Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative
The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is a voluntary mechanism which promotes and supports improved governance in resource-rich countries through the full publication and verification of company payments and government revenues from oil, gas, and mining.
The EITI is supported by governments, industry, and non-government organisations around the world. The Australian Government supports the EITI and encourages Australian companies operating internationally to comply with its recommendations.
Bilateral agreements
Australia has social security agreements with several countries that address the issue of 'double super coverage' for employees sent to work overseas. To take advantage of these agreements, Australian employers sending employees overseas to work must apply to the Tax Office for a Certificate of coverage.
For more details, please visit the Australian Taxation Office website.
IP Passport fact sheets
These fact sheets outline foreign Intellectual Property (IP) regimes and some of the issues and challenges which may be faced by Australian exporters.
The current fact sheets are available on the IP Australia website.