General Information

Sydney

Sydney’s central business district (CBD) is 10km north of the International Airport and takes approximately 20 minutes to reach by car. A regular airport to city bus service operates from approximately 0600 to 2100 hours (not recommended for those with large amounts of luggage). Any queries please see the Travellers Information Desk at the Airport.

Taxi
A taxi fare from Sydney Airport to Sydney CBD is approximately A$50.  If you would prefer to pre-book your taxi during your stay in Sydney, here are the contact details of the main taxi companies:

You can request a ride from Uber from either the Domestic or the International terminal of Sydney Airport. Just request your Uber once you have exited the terminal and your driver will meet you at the pick–up area. A typical UberX (low cost ride) to Sydney’s CBD costs A$43 – 55 and a typical UberBLACK ride (premium ride) to Sydney’s central business district costs A$89-114. For more information on Uber please see here.

Train
There is a train station located at both the Domestic and International Terminals at Sydney Airport. Trains run on average every 10 minutes during the day on a weekday and every 15 minutes on weekends. From the Domestic Terminal, it takes 15 minutes to reach Central Station and 20 minutes to reach Circular Quay. From the International Terminal it takes just a few minutes longer. Lifts are available at both the International and Domestic Terminals for easy transfer of luggage. Fares from Sydney Airport terminals to the CBD are approximately A$17 per adult for a single journey. For more information on departures and prices please visit here.

Time

Sydney is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. 

The current time in Sydney can be viewed in the footer of the website.

Climate and Clothing

The Meeting will be held during Australia’s Spring. During this time, the weather will be warm with sporadic cool days. The temperature range during this time of year ranges from 11 – 23°C (51.8 – 73.4°F).

Generally Australians are informal dressers. A jacket is recommended for evenings as the temperature can drop of an evening. 

Please refer to the information on the social program for dress at social functions organised as part of the Meeting.

Business Hours and Shopping

Banks
Banks and post offices generally open from 0930 – 1600 hours Monday to Friday. Business office hours are 0900 – 1700 hours Monday to Friday. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are available 24 hours in many locations.

Shopping
Sydney shops open from 0900 to 1730 hours during the week with late night shopping on Thursday until 2100 hours. On Saturday, most CBD shops open from 0900 to 1700 hours. On Sunday, Darling Harbour shops and major department stores in the centre of the city are open from 1000 to 1800 hours.

Banking and Currency

Decimal currency is used in Australia with the dollar as the basic unit (100 cents = A$1). Notes come in A$100, A$50, A$20, A$10 and A$5 denominations.  Coins come in 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, A$1 and A$2 denominations. 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 and American Express.

Eating Out and Tipping

Eating Out
Bistros, restaurants, cafes and coffee shops offer varied menus, prices and decor. Local specialties such as seafood and Australian wines are worth trying. At some restaurants you can keep the liquor bill down by taking your own wine or beer. These are called “BYO” restaurants, an abbreviation for “bring your own”.

Tipping
Tipping is not as widespread or regulated in Australia as it is in other parts of the world. Tipping is at your prerogative; a reward for service. A gratuity of about 10% is usual in restaurants if good service is received. Tips for taxis are regarded as optional.

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 and Services Tax (GST) / Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS)

GST or Goods and Services Tax is a 10% tax applied to most items in Australia.

The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) enables travellers departing Australia to claim a refund for the GST and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) paid on goods purchased in Australia. For detailed information on the TRS please refer to the website of the Australian Border Force.

Insurance

Registration fees do not include insurance. It is strongly recommended that at the time you register for the Meeting and book your travel you take out an insurance policy of your choice. The policy should include:

  • Loss of fees/deposit through cancellation of your participation in the Meeting or through cancellation of the Meeting,
  • 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,
  • Medical expenses.

The Meeting 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

The official language for the Meeting is English.

Passport and Immigration (VISA) and Quarantine

All visitors to Australia must have a valid visa to travel to and enter Australia. Welcome letters can be requested following completion of Programme registration  by emailing the Meeting Managers (contact details in footer of the website). For VISA information please refer to the website of the Department of Home Affairs.

Please note – it is strongly recommended that Australian visa applications are lodged at least two months prior to departure from your point of origin.

Also, for International participants, to obtain an Australian visa an Invitation Letter is not required. Once you have registered and paid the registration fees in full then your confirmation of registration or tax invoices for payment of registration fees is sufficient to lodge with your visa application.

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 refer to the ‘Travelling to Australia section on the website of the Department of Agriculture.

Photography

The Meeting Hosts and Meeting Managers have arranged for photography onsite throughout the event. The images may be used for post-Meeting reports, case studies, marketing collateral and supplied to industry media if requested. If you do not wish for your photo to be taken, please inform the photographer and move out of camera range.

Planning your Travel

Because of time changes and jet lag we suggest you arrive in Australia a few days prior to the commencement of the Meeting. This will enable you to relax and familiarise yourself with your hotel and its surrounds before the start of the Meeting.

Privacy

Australia introduced the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 in 2001. The latest updates were published in 2014. The Meeting Managers comply with such legislation which is designed to protect the right of the individual to privacy of their information. Information collected in respect of proposed participation in any aspect of the Meeting will be only used for the purposes of planning and conduct of the Meeting and may also be provided to the organising body or to organisers of future events. Information may also be used for advice of future meetings in a related area.  See here for more information on Privacy Laws in Australia.

It is also usual to produce a ‘Delegate List’ of attendees at the Meeting and to include the individual’s details in such a list. Consent for publication of the individual’s information may be withheld when completing the Registration Form for the Meeting. Individuals are also entitled to access the information held by written application to the Meeting Managers.