h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

So, I have got a job offer in Australia. Apart from the hat with the corks hanging off it, which I believe is no longer compulsory, what else will I need?

Sunscreen and speedos!!

A diploma in whingeing.

Is that because I'm a pom?

Antiserums for snake-, spider etc bites?

A pouch to put your kangaroos in.

Um... That doesn't sound right...

Definitely some prawns to put on the barbie.

Definitely sunscreen. And if you can bring your own water, that would be appreciated.

Oooh, you got the job! GRATS!!

You should stock up on your home comforts. HP Sauce is hard to come by down under

Is it? The stockpile at my local supermarket must be a mirage...

Check up on your vaccinations. Get insured.

Last autumn I was travelling with other Danes in Victoria, and one of them got seriously ill, had to stay in hospital, change his flights etc. Luckily he had a travel insurance - and it didn't cost him a load of dollars.

Don't bring *any* food in your hand luggage. The aforementioned guy forgot he had an apple - and although there are dozens of signs in the airport telling you to discard water, food, etc...he forgot, was smelled out by a dog - and got fined.

Otherwise - bring and open mind, lots of smiles and maybe some token presents - you'll meet so much friendliness and hospitabillity.

Some great ideas so far! Maybe on the HP sauce myth there are other things that we don't think the Aussies have that I need to know about.

Health insurance is going to be a bit of a challenge as I am not going to be a backpacker or anything. This is a proper job. There is a mutual scheme with the UK so that if I get hit by a bus I'll be looked after. (I think it means we have to hit an Aussie with a bus, but I'm not sure of all the details.

Tartaronne is 100% correct about not bringing food with you. We take quarantine very, very seriously.

On the health insurance issue - I'd advise you to send a query through to Australia House, to ask them if you'd be covered by Medicare here. They should be able to tell you what you need to do, if anything, or they can tell you who you should be talking to.

Thanks Ivan.

Any of your family good at cricket? Take them along. There's a good chance they'll get into the national side.

They are all into football and rugby. Will I do? I couldn't catch a cold!

Ah crap, I forgot you're not allowed food in your luggage. Mind you there will be plenty of ex-pat UK food shops out there - I even found one specialising in Scottish food in Melbourne

Does that mean you can't take tablet or shortbread to Oz?

Commercially-prepared, cooked food like shortbread is generally OK if the original packaging is intact and sealed - but as this place is crammed to the gills with people of British ancestry, most of this sort of stuff is available in the shops. Trust me on that one. And there are specialist shops that stock particular brands that aren't more widely available.

Apart from that, though - the locally-grown and/or manufactured food is unlikely to prove fatal.

It as the mention of taking gifts that I was responding to. I'm not a big partaker of cakes and biscuits.
I love fresh fruit and veg and am looking forward to trying it out!

'Proper' foodstuffs are totally fine but loose stuff, seeds etc will be taken off you. I learned everything I know about Aussie customs from Border Security