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If you are a permanent resident of Australia you will need a driving licence for the area you are going to live in. For some states this will mean taking a written test within three months of arriving. Each state has it's own driving licence - you can use the licences interstate, but again only for three months.
When you do hit the road, watch out for speed cameras. In Queensland they seem to be everywhere, often mobile from police cars (usually unmarked) at the side of the road or behind a sign or bush. People do tend to stick to the speed limit and this is usually a great deal slower than the UK for example. Normal speed limited around the town and cities are between 40kph (about 25mph) and 60kph (about 37 mph), this includes dual carriageways. On the main highways (motorways) it is between 100kph (about 62 mph) and 110kph (about 68mph). It is very strange at first and we would suggest making sure you have a car with cruise control so that you can keep to the limits easily.
Most of the cars in Australia are made by the same manufacturing companies. Ford and Holden (General Motors - Uk Vauxhall), but other companies like Toyota, Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi and Subaru are also very popular, but you will probably notice differences in the names of the cars. For example a Ford Fiesta is a Ford Laser.
Be aware of car sales forecourt prices. There are a variety of taxes that have to be added on, such as GST (Goods & Services Tax - Like VAT in the UK) of 10% and Stamp Duty. There are also various on road costs, so always ask for the "On Road" cost of a vehicle. There is legislation going through that only the "On Road" costs should be advertised, but not all dealers are adhering to this.
There are no yearly MOTs in the majority of the states (except NSW), but if you're selling or buying a car it needs a Road Worthy Certificate, so don't buy a car without one.
You may find Car tax or Rego as it is called here is more expensive than you are used to, but it does cover compulsory third party insurance.
I have noticed that second hand cars are generally more expensive than in the UK, mainly because they don't have the same corrosive problems. It is not unusual to see a 20 year old car without a spot of rust on it!
Fuel prices you will notice are much cheaper, but one thing to be aware of is that prices go up and down depending on the day of the week. Although not official it has been noticed that Fuel prices tend to be more expensive Friday through to Monday and cheaper during the week. Tuesday or Wednesday morning seems to be the cheapest day of the week.
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