General Information

Brisbane is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and does not operate Daylight Savings times.

The Meeting will be held during Australia’s Winter. During this time, the weather will be at its lowest average temperature.
The temperature range during this time of year ranges from 10-21 ºC (50-70 ºF)

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

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

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
Brisbane shops are typically open from 0900 to 1700 hours during the week with late night shopping in the CBD until 2100 hours on Friday nights. On Saturday, most shops open from 0900 to 1600 hours. Weekend trading hours are usually from 0900 to 1700 hours on Saturdays and 1000 to 1700 hours on Sundays.

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 A$2, A$1 50c, 20c, 10c, and 5c 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. Some surcharges may apply for using a credit card.

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.

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.

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.

Registration fees do not include insurance. It is strongly recommended that at the time you register for the Conference 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 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,
• Medical expenses.

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.

The official language for the Conference is English.

All visitors to Australia must have a valid visa to travel to and enter Australia. Welcome letters can be requested following completion of Conference registration and payment by emailing the Conference 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.

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

Australia introduced the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 in 2001. The latest updates were published in 2014. The Conference 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 Conference will be only used for the purposes of planning and conduct of the Conference 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 Conference 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 Conference. Individuals are also entitled to access the information held by written application to the Conference Managers.