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Getting to the Venue
The venue is the Crystal Palace within Luna Park, Sydney. See:
www.lunaparksydney.com/visitor_info/howto_get_here.html
From the Airport
Sydney Airport is Australia’s premier gateway. Thirty four international and seven domestic and regional passenger
airlines operate from Sydney Airport conveniently close to the City and Conference Venue. For further information on
international carriers and airfares visit the following link
www.sydneyairport.com.au
Transport
Transport is easily accessible in Sydney. Trains, buses, monorail and ferries operate very frequently on a daily basis. For more information visit www.131500.info.
Banking and Currency
Decimal currency is used in Australia with the dollar as the basic unit (100 cents = $1). Notes come in $100,
$50, $20, $10, and $5. Coins come in 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2 denominations. For information on exhange rates,
consult
www.xe.com/
Currency exchange facilities are available in most banks, hotels and airports and operate normal business hours.
Credit cards are accepted at most restaurants and shops, the most widely used being Mastercard, Visa, American Express
and Diners Club.
Banks in Australia are open from 09:30 - 16:00 Monday to Thursday and from 09:30 - 17:00 on Fridays. Most banks are
closed weekends and public holidays. Automatic Teller Machines are open 24 hours and are located throughout the city
and surrounds. Facilities for exchange of currency are available at the airport, larger hotels and banks.
Climate
Sydney in July expects 22 out of 30 days to be sunny (the lowest rainfall month), with 7 hours of sunlight and temperatures from 9-16 Celsius or 49-61 Fahrenheit.
Electricity
Electrical current is 240/250V, AC 50Hz. The Australian three-pin power outlet is different from that in many countries, so you will need an adaptor. If your appliances are 110V, check if there is a 110/240V switch. If not, you will need a voltage converter. Universal outlets for 240V or 110V shavers are usually found in leading hotels.
Goods & Services Tax (GST) / Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS)
Since 1 July 2000, Australia has adopted a new taxation system incorporating the Goods & Services Tax (GST).
All prices quoted in this brochure are inclusive of GST, unless otherwise specified.
As part of this new taxation system, the Australian Government introduced the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS).
The scheme is administered by the Australian Customs Department and took effect on 1 July 2000. The TRS enables
travellers departing Australia to claim a refund of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET)
paid on goods bought in Australia. The refund applies to goods over the value of A$300 when items are purchased in
the same shop within 30 days of your departure from Australia. Should an item be too large to take onto the aircraft
as hand luggage you will need to visit the TRS clearing office at the international airport with the item and receipt. The receipt will be stamped TRS sited and at that point you can check the large item in with your luggage. Once you have cleared customs you can collect your refund from the TRS desk by showing your receipt or items purchased. It does not apply to services or goods consumed or partly consumed in Australia, however the goods can be used before departing Australia.
Language
The official language for the Congress is English.
Parking
Parking is available at the conference venue at reduced rate for delegates.
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, and animal and plant products, which cannot be brought into the country without prior application. See the ‘Information for International Travelers’ on the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) website www.affa.gov.au.
Time
Sydney is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time during the time of the conference.
Passport And Visa
All travellers to Australia, other than Australian and New Zealand citizens, are legally required to hold a valid visa
to travel to Australia.
All international visitors require a valid passport and visa for entry into Australia (New Zealand visitors require a
valid passport only). Visas are either issued electronically (ETA) with nothing appearing in the passport or through
application where a sticker is required in the passport (Non-ETA). A facility for electronically issuing visas,
The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) system, is currently available through international travel agents and airlines
in over 30 countries including the US, UK, parts of Western Europe, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. This
system also includes pre-clearance for entry which reduces the time needed to process passengers on arrival. Your
local Australian Embassy or Consulate can advise of the availability. For non-ETA countries, visas are issued from
Australian Embassies and Consulates around the world. In non-ETA countries, we recommend that you apply early for
your visa. The minimum time frame stated for an Australian visa application is six (6) weeks. Delegates applying for
a non-ETA visa may present their paid confirmation letter to an Australian visa office to support their application.
No other letters will be issued for this purpose. As a conference delegate, you are not guaranteed to be granted a
visa.
For further information, please visit: www.immi.gov.au.
Car Rental
Cars can be rented in Australia from local or international companies. Average cost per day for a medium sized car is A$70.00. All cars are right-hand drive.
Health
Vaccinations are not required unless you have come from a yellow fever- infected country zone within six days prior to your arrival. You do not need any other health certificate to enter Australia. Australia has a high standard of hygiene and doctors and dentists are highly trained and hospitals are well equipped. In the event of illness, hotel staff can arrange a doctor for you.
Insurance
It is strongly recommended that delegates take out adequate travel and health insurance prior to commencement of travel. Further information can be obtained from your travel agent.
Liability and Disclaimer
The Organising Committee shall not be held liable for personal accidents or losses or damage to private property of
registered delegates of the Congress. Delegates should make their own arrangements with respect to personal insurance.
In the event of industrial disruptions, the Congress Organisers cannot be held responsible for any losses incurred by
delegates. The program is correct at the time of printing, but the Congress Organisers reserve the right to alter the
program if and as is deemed necessary.
Tipping
Tipping is not as widespread or regulated in Australia as it is in other parts of the world. Tipping is your prerogative, a reward for service. It is customary to tip hotel porters, and a gratuity of about 10% is usual in restaurants if good service is received. No service charge is added to hotel or restaurant bills.
Travel
For international passengers, we suggest that you try to allow yourself at least a day in which to adjust to the time difference and relax after your flight, before the Congress commences. Travellers flying westward across the Pacific Ocean are reminded that they will lose a day by crossing the International Date Line. The 'lost day' will be returned on the return journey.
USEFUL LINKS
Tourism Australia www.australia.com.
About Australia www.about-australia.com.
Welcome to Australia Online www.australia-online.com.
Travel Australia www.atn.com.au.
Whereis Street Atlas www.whereis.com.au.
Bureau of Meteorology www.bom.gov.au.
Parliament of Australia www.aph.gov.au.
Australian Federal Government www.fed.gov.au.
Australian Government migration and immigration website www.immi.gov.au.
Australian Customs www.customs.gov.au.
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade www.dfat.gov.au.