December is early summer in Australia — long daylight hours, with Sydney's harbour and Melbourne's laneways at their vibrant best. Days can be warm to hot and UV levels are high, so sun protection and regular hydration are essential; outdoor experiences are scheduled for cooler mornings and evenings, with air-conditioned transport and venues throughout. Programs can be tailored to your academic calendar — just remember Australia's seasons are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere's.

Company visits call for smart business or business-casual attire — startup and innovation hubs tend to be informal, while investment firms lean professional. For cultural immersions, comfortable walking shoes are essential for The Rocks' cobblestones and Melbourne's laneways, along with a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for Australia's strong summer sun.

Yes — virtually all visitors need an electronic authorization to enter Australia. U.S. and Canadian passport holders typically apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), while many European passport holders use the eVisitor authorization; both are quick online processes. Requirements depend on your nationality, so we recommend applying well ahead of departure. Authentica provides guidance and a pre-departure docket, though the visa itself is the participant's responsibility.

The program is built around Australia's investing and entrepreneurship ecosystem, with engagements such as venture capital and growth equity firms, an Indigenous-led impact investment organization, entrepreneurship institutes, high-growth startups, global technology and telecommunications companies, and world-leading medical device innovators. Specific hosts are curated around the faculty's learning objectives and may vary by cohort.

Within Sydney and Melbourne, the group travels together by private air-conditioned coach for all company visits, cultural tours, and group meals, accompanied by an experienced English-speaking local guide. Midway through the program, the group flies from Sydney to Melbourne for the second leg of the immersion.

The group stays in premium, centrally located hotels — in Sydney's harbour and business districts and in Melbourne's city center — on a bed & breakfast basis with Wi-Fi, with students in twin-sharing rooms and faculty/staff in single-occupancy rooms. The welcome and farewell dinners showcase Australia's celebrated dining and wine culture, and vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary requirements are collected in advance and fully accommodated.

The local currency is the Australian dollar (AUD). Cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere, and ATMs are readily available. Tipping is not mandatory in Australia — it is appreciated for good service but never expected — and the 10% GST is already included in displayed prices. The program includes tips for guides and waiters at group meals.

Australia is consistently ranked among the world's safest countries, with low crime rates, an excellent healthcare system, and a single nationwide emergency number (000). The group travels together by private coach, a dedicated Authentica Program Manager provides 24×7 on-ground support alongside vetted local partners, and the program opens with an orientation and safety briefing backed by a program-specific risk management plan. Authentica carries a US$5M commercial general liability policy and a US$1M errors & omissions policy.