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General Information
Banks
Banks in Australia are open from 0930
to 1600 Monday to Thursday and 0930 to 1730 on Friday.
Select banks are open on Saturday; however, all banks are
closed on Sunday. Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) facilities
are located at a variety of outlets throughout Australia.
Business Hours
General office and post offices are
open from 0900 to 1700 Monday to Friday.
Climate
September is part of Sydney’s Spring
season and enjoys pleasant temperatures as it is only
slightly cooler than the peak summer months. Temperatures on
average will be 24C (75F) during the day and 17C (63F)
during the evenings.
Currency
Australian currency is decimal with
units being dollars and cents. All major credit cards are
accepted throughout Australia.
Current exchange rates can be viewed
through the following link:
http://www.xe.com/ucc
Currency exchange facilities are
located at international airports and throughout Sydney’s
central business district.
Dress Code
The dress code throughout the
Conference will be smart casual. Refer to the Social Program
page for evening dress codes.
Duty
Free
Australia has a duty free quota per
person of 2.25 litres of alcohol, 250 cigarettes and
dutiable goods up to the value of AUD900. Duty Free stores
are located at International Airports and throughout
Sydney’s central business district.
Electricity
Australian electricity supply is 240 volts, 50Hz. Appliance
connection is via a flat 3-pin plug of unique design to
Australia. Most hotels provide 110-volt outlets for shavers;
however, adaptors can be purchased for 110v appliances as
well as adaptors for 220v appliances with differing plug
types.
Goods and Services tax (GST) and Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS)
On 1 July 2000, Australia introduced a new taxation system
incorporating the Goods and Services Tax (GST). All prices
quoted are inclusive of the 10% GST, unless otherwise
specified.
The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) enables you to claim a
refund, subject to certain conditions, of the GST and Wine
Equalisation Tax (WET) that you pay on goods and services in
Australia.
To claim a refund, you must:
- Spend AUD300 (GST Inclusive)
or more in one store and get a single tax invoice
- Buy goods no more than 30 days
before departure
- Wear or carry the goods on
board the aircraft or ship and present them along with
your original tax invoice, passport and international
boarding pass to a Customs Officer at a TRS facilty.
Claims at airports are only available up to 30 minutes
prior to the scheduled departure of your flight
The refund only applies to goods
you take with you as hand luggage or wear on the aircraft
when you leave Australia. It does not apply to goods or
services consumed or partly consumed within Australia, such
as wine, chocolates or perfume. However, unlike other
tourist shopping schemes, most of the goods, such as
clothing and cameras, can be used within Australia prior to
your departure.
The TRS is open to all overseas visitors and Australian
residents.
The GST refund is calculated by dividing the total amount of
the purchase by 11. The WET refund is 14.5% of the price
paid for wine. For example, if you buy goods for a GST
inclusive price of AUD660, you will receive a refund of
AUD60. If the AUD660 is made up of a camera (AUD460) and
wine (AUD200), you will receive a total refund of AUD89
(total GST refund of AUD60 plus AUD29 WET refund on the
wine).
Passport and Visa
Information - Please Read
All travellers to Australia, other than New Zealand, require
a valid entry Visa prior to travel to Australia. Delegates
should, in most cases, apply for a short stay business
visitor visa (subclass 456).
Some delegates will be eligible to apply for an Electronic
Travel Authority (ETA) via the internet
www.eta.immi.gov.au.
Please
click here for further information.
Further information on passport and
visa requirements can be obtained from
www.immi.gov.au
Insurance
It is strongly recommended that at the
time you register for the Conference and book your travel
you take out an insurance policy. The policy should include
loss of fees/deposit through cancellation of your
participation in the Conference, or through cancellation of
the Conference, loss of international/domestic air fares
through cancellation for any reason, loss of tour monies
through cancellation for any reason (including airline or
related services strikes within Australia) failure to utilise
tours or pre booked arrangements due to airline delay, Force
Majeure or any other reason, medical expenses (including
sickness and accident cover), loss or damage to personal
property, additional expenses and repatriation should travel
arrangements have to be altered.
The Conference Managers cannot take any responsibility for
any participant failing to arrange their own insurance. This
insurance is to be purchased in your country of origin.
Language
English is spoken throughout Australia
and will be the official language for the Conference.
Mobile
Phones
Analogue mobile phones will not work
in Australia as it operates on a digital network. Mobile
phones can be hired from telecommunication outlets in the
central business district if required.
Privacy
Australia has strict privacy laws
which are designed to protect the right of the individual to
privacy of their information. The Conference Secretariat
complies with this legislation and any information collected
in respect of proposed participation in any aspect of the
Conference will only be used for the purposes of planning
and conducting the Conference.
Provision will be made on the Conference registration form
for delegates to elect whether they wish for their details
to be included in a “Delegate List” of attendees.
Public
Transport
Sydney’s public transport system allows easy travel for
delegates between their hotel and the Conference venue or
around Sydney’s central business district. Delegates can
secure savings on travel throughout the city by purchasing a
Day Tripper pass which allows travel on train, bus or ferry
from AUD15.00.
Taxis can be booked in advance through hotel concierge or
hailed from the street.
Quarantine
Australia is free from many plant and animal diseases
prevalent in other countries. Very strict quarantine rules
apply to the import of animals and plants, which cannot be
brought into the country without prior application. Animal
and plant products are also restricted.
For more information, please read the “Information for
International Travelers” on the Australian Quarantine and
Inspection Service (AQIS) website at www.affa.gov.au.
Restaurants
Sydney is one of the most electric food capitals in the
world. Combining its fresh food produce, creative chefs and
multicultural flair, Sydney prides itself on being a world
class food destination. King Street Wharf, Cockle Bay and
Darling Harbour are areas within walking distance from the
Conference venue that provide an array of cuisines. For
dinner with a view, Circular Quay, home to the famous
Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House also have an extensive
selection of restaurants to cater for all tastes.
Shopping
Shops are open from 0900 to 0530 Monday to Friday with late
night shopping until 2100 on Thursday evenings. Shops are
open from 0900 to 1700 on Saturdays and from 1000 to 1600 on
Sundays.
Tipping
Tipping is not standard practice in Australia but is
welcomed when the service exceeds expectation. It is
recommended to tip 5 – 10% in bars, cafes and restaurants.
Transfers
The Conference does not provide any transfers from the
airport to the Mercure Sydney Hotel. Each delegate must make
their own transport arrangements to the Conference. The
following costs are provided as estimates for travel from
the airport to Sydney’s central business district.
Airport Shuttle Bus - AUD20.00
Taxi - AUD25.00 – 30.00
Train - AUD15.00
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