Australian travel agencies are important to use if you have business to conduct on the continent. Authorized tourist agencies in Australia can ensure you have the information you need for a safe and uncomplicated trip to and within Australia.

Travel agents specializing in Australia can create an itinerary based on your unique needs and can make travel arrangements that fit your budget and time constraints. Regardless of your trip purpose, you need to choose the best Australian travel agents to meet your needs. When you consider working with travel agencies in Australia, you should:

1. Choose authorized Australia travel agencies to ensure your trip is planned legally and follows Australian regulations.

2. Partner with licensed travel agents in Australia who have extensive experience working with international travelers.

3. Use an Australian travel agency that offers services specifically for international business travelers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find Australian travel agents who are licensed and authorized

You depend on your travel agent in Australia to work with you to fulfill your visa requirements, to coordinate your air travel and arrange your accommodations. Partner with travel agents in Australia who are licensed to ensure your travel plans are made legally.

I recommend: Use Australian Travel Services, a licensed travel agency in Australia, to arrange your air travel, book your accommodations and to create a personalized itinerary for your unique needs. Australian Pacific Touring is a licensed, authorized Australia travel agency that offers that cater to business and leisure travelers.

Work with travel agencies in Australia that have experience with visa paperwork

Choose Australian travel agents who have extensive experience fulfilling the needs of international travelers. Travel specialists in Australia should be able to assist you with your visa needs and offer information on travelers insurance options.

I recommend: Use Destinations Downunder to plan your trip to Australia. They can assist you with your visa needs and plan your trip to fit your budget. The professionals at Flight Centre Limited can help to secure your business visa, arrange airfare and hotel accommodations and provide information on the importance of travel insurance to protect your belongings.

Work with business travel agencies in Australia to make your corporate travel arrangements

Business travel agencies in Australia understand the needs of travelers who have business-oriented plans. The Australian travel agents can also assist you with the documents necessary to apply for a business visa to Australia.

I recommend: Use FCM Travel Solutions to plan your business travel needs in Australia. Corporate Travel Management can arrange all of your travel and accommodation needs in Australia.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Familiarize yourself with laws and regulations that govern travel to Australia. Australian travel agencies should guide you to ensure you meet federal regulations.

Australian travel agencies provide business professionals with agents who are experts in planning business trips to the country. Visiting Australia offers access to a familiar environment for professionals since business etiquette, customs and cultures are similar to those practiced in America. Before choosing travel agents, research their credentials, expertise in business travel, and knowledge of the industry.

Select the option of traditional travel agents in Australia or online travel agencies specializing in travel to Australia. Regardless of the option you choose, experienced travel agencies are available at your convenience. Look for agents that can locate the best deals, answer questions about required documentation, reschedule flights and hotels if your plans change and have an in-depth knowledge of travel, dining and accommodations for different states in Australia.

Evaluate travel agents in Australia by assessing the following criteria:

1. Find tourist agencies in Australia that cater to US business travelers.

2. Seek out a travel agent experienced in designing travel packages for specific regions of Australia.

3. Choose travel agents with knowledge of entry requirements to Australia for business professionals.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Review travel agencies in Australia

The busy season is March through November for business travel to Australia. Travel agencies familiar with American business needs guarantee proper handling of flights, itineraries, hotel arrangements and passports to avoid delays.

I recommend: The country's official travel site, Australia.com, can help you locate US travel agents with extensive training in Australia tourism and connections to Australian travel agents. Look to American based Down Under Endeavors for travel agents specializing in Australia. Online travel agency Expedia.com.au can aid with finding cheap international flights and hotels.

Consider Australian travel agents experienced in regional business trips

The continent of Australia receives many travelers. It vital to select a travel agent that understands the local environment. Business professionals traveling to Australia benefit from travel agents that know the hotels, dining, tours and other business related resources in Australia.

I recommend: Australian Travel Specialists can assist with airfare, tours, day cruises and adventure tours to Queensland and other regions of Australia. American Express members can use the card's travel services search function to locate travel agents in Australia by city.

Select travel agents with expertise in Australian customs regulations

Corporate travelers need agents who understand passport and visa requirements. The best can offer assistance in applying for an electronic business visa (ETA). Business travelers benefit from travel agents that help them stay organized. Look for travel agencies able to aid in budget planning, reporting business expenses, currency conversion and advising on bringing business equipment into the country.

I recommend: FCm Travel Solutions offers corporate travel services for business trips to Australia. Request an ETA with the online application available from the Australian Electronic Travel Authority.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When reviewing your list of travel agents in Australia, look for membership in the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA). Members are fully bonded, licensed and accredited, and most are travel specialists in Australia and its business culture.

Australia is a popular tourist destination for travelers from all nations. To garner attention, travel agencies in Australia must work to promote the country and its appeal globally via a host of trade events and publications. In addition, the nation's travel agents must well-represent the country in terms of their knowledge.

Understanding the terminology that you are bound to come across is helpful if your business interacts with travel agencies in Australia, or you are interested in expanding your marketing efforts within the Australian tourism industry. The travel agencies in Australia key terms listed below may help.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Aussie Specialist Premier Agent

The designation of 'Aussie Specialist Premier Agent' is certified by Australia's Tourism Authority. These agents must meet specific criteria before they can become certified.

I recommend: The Australia Travel Specialist Network only features agents with this certification, and discusses the qualifications of these agents on its website.

Australian Tourism Exchange

The Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) is Australia's premier travel trade event. The annual event provides high value to the Australian tourism industry by showcasing Australia to the world travel trade.

I recommend: Visit Victoria is the official website for Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and features information important to travel agencies in Australia about the ATE.

Queensland Holidays

Queensland Holidays is the official website for Queensland, also known as Australia's 'Sunshine State.' The website is full of invaluable resources for Australian travel agencies and includes downloads and news feeds to keep agents abreast of what's happening.

I recommend: The entire Queensland Holidays website is managed by Tourism Queensland. The Travel Tools tab provides valuable information for travel agencies.

No Leave, No Life

Known by its full name 'No Leave No Life Great Aussie Holiday Deals,' this publication is regularly inserted into Australian magazines and newspapers and is available online. The publication showcases the Australian tourism industry, promotes travel deals throughout Australia and is a great place for travel agencies to advertise. The goal of the program is to encourage Australians to travel within the country and unlock stockpiled vacation time.

I recommend: The Australian Government Minister for Tourism discusses the launch of the No Leave, No Life program. Scroll down to read his ideas on opportunities for travel agencies, where he states "I want the Australian tourism industry to showcase its wares."

Tourism Australia

Tourism Australia was established in 2004 by the Australian government. Its mission is to promote Australia as a travel destination and to provide research and forecasting information for the Australian travel industry.

I recommend: Tourism Australia's website contains research data and a list of publication downloads that are invaluable to travel agencies in Australia.

Australian Federation of Travel Agents

The Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) represents the interests of Australia's travel agents. The organization also promotes tourism and travel to Australia.

I recommend: Membership in AFTA offers many perks, including access to an Industrial Relations hotline and even business insurance.