• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

General Information / News

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.

The closest ATM to the Convention Centre is located in the Harbourside Shopping Centre. The closest banks are located in Haymarket, a short walk from the Convention Centre.

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 temperatures on average will be 26 ° C (79 ° F) during the day and 19 ° C (66 ° F) during the evenings.

Currency

Australian currency is decimal with units being dollars and cents. All major credit cards are accepted throughout Australia.

The exchange rates as at June 2006 are: AUD1 = € 0.58 = US$0.74 = £ 0.40. Exchange rates can also 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. The closest currency exchange to the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre is located within walking distance at the Harbourside Shopping Centre at Darling Harbour.

Dress Code

The dress code throughout the Congress will be smart casual. For the Congress Welcome Reception we recommend “Business or Lounge Attire”. Formal attire is required by delegates for the Congress Dinner.

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).

Insurance

It is strongly recommended that at the time you register for the Congress 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 Congress, or through cancellation of the Congress, 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 Congress 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 Congress.

Local Time

Local time in Sydney during September is Greenwich Mean Time plus 10 hours.

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.

Parking

Parking is available at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre car park. The car park entry is located on Darling Drive, underneath the Exhibition Centre. The car park has direct access to the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre as well as the many entertainment and attractions of Darling Harbour.

Privacy

Australia has strict privacy laws which are designed to protect the right of the individual to privacy of their information. The Congress Secretariat complies with this legislation and any information collected in respect of proposed participation in any aspect of the Congress will only be used for the purposes of planning and conducting the Congress.

Provision will be made on the Congress 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 Congress 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.

Darling Harbour is linked with Sydney’s central business district through a regular monorail and light rail service. Services depart every 10 – 15 minutes for the Light Rail and cost AUD2.90 per trip. Services for the monorail depart every 3 – 5 minutes and cost AUD4.00 per trip.

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 eclectic 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 Congress 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.

The closest shop to the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre is the Harbourside Shopping Centre at Darling Harbour. Here you will find a range of retail and souvenir outlets as well as services including chemist, currency exchange, Internet Café and Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs).

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 Congress does not provide any transfers from the airport to the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre or the Congress hotels. Each delegate must make their own transport arrangements to the Congress. The following costs are provided as estimates for travel from the airport to Sydney’s central business district.

Airport Shuttle Bus AUD20.00

Taxi AUD35.00

Train AUD15.00

Visas

Many delegates require a letter of invitation from the Congress Secretariat to assist in obtaining a visa. This process has now changed and when applying for a visa you no longer need a letter of invitation. When you register yourself for the Congress, your details will be passed onto your relevant Australian Embassy Overseas.

When you start the application for a visa, your registration for the Congress must already be submitted. Please note that registration for the Congress does not guarantee a visa as each visa applicant will still be required to meet normal Entry Requirements before a visa can be granted.

If you have any enquiries, please visit www.immi.gov.au. Please ensure that you leave plenty of time for your visa application to be processed as this can sometimes take several weeks or longer.

managed by: Conexion - designed & developed by: WEBO