Useful Information

Airfares & Transportclose

Sydney:
The central business district is 10km north of the International Airport and takes approximately 20 minutes to reach by car.  A taxi costs approximately A$30.00. 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.

Taxis:
Taxis in Sydney operate under 2 pricing structures.  From 0600 – 2200 hours the standard fare applies.  On the left hand side of the taxi meter, above the word ‘rate’ you should see the number 1.  From 2200 – 0600 hours, a 20% night tariff applies, at these times the meter should be set on rate 2.  Please check the meter is set correctly when you begin your journey.

Trains:
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 10 minutes to reach Central Station and 15 minutes to Circular Quay. From the International Terminal it takes a few minutes longer. Lifts are available at both the International and Domestic Terminals for the easy transfer of luggage. Fares from the Domestic Terminal to the City start at approximately A$14.00 per adult for a single journey. For further information on the service that the Airport Link provides, please see the following website: www.airportlink.com.au

Banking/Currencyclose

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. 

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.

Business Hoursclose

Banks generally open from 0930 - 1600 hours Monday - Friday. General office hours are 0900 - 1700 Monday - Friday. Post Offices operate these hours, however stamps are often available from hotels.

Climate and Clothingclose

May is Autumn in Australia and the temperature range is 14º Celsius to 21º Celsius.

Generally Australians are informal dressers. We suggest you bring a jacket and tie with you for special occasions.  A warm jacket is recommended for evenings.

Please refer to the information on the social program for dress at social functions organised as part of the Congress, as some of these may require formal evening dress.

Eating Outclose

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".

Electricityclose

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)close

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.

Languageclose

The official language for the Congress is English.  

Parkingclose

Parking is available at the Congress venue at the rate of A$27 per day

Passport & Visaclose

All travellers to Australia, other than Australian and New Zealand citizens, are legally required to hold a valid visa to travel to Australia.

Visa’s are either issued electronically (ETA) with nothing appearing in the passport or through application where a sticker is required in the passport (Non-ETA).

It is advised to apply for your visa as soon as possible to ensure processing time.  The minimum time frame stated for an Australian visa application is six (6) weeks.

Australian Visa Application Supporting Documentation Close

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 Congress delegate, you are not guaranteed to be granted a visa

Types of Visas available for travel to Australia for attending a congress

A. Short Validity Business Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) Visa
What is the Short Validity Business ETA?

Known officially as the 977 visa.

The Short Stay Validity Business ETA is appropriate for visits to Australia for business meetings, conventions, conferences or a short term project requiring a high level of skill. Business visas are subject to a condition prohibiting work that could otherwise be undertaken by any Australian citizen or permanent resident. It replaces the visa label or stamp in a passport and removes the need for application forms.

ETAs are issued within seconds of being requested through computer links between the Australian Immigration Department, travel agents, airlines and specialist service providers around the world.

In most cases no fee applies to these visas.

Who can apply for this type of visa?

Applies to individuals from the following countries

Andorra	Iceland	Portugal
Austria	Ireland	Singapore
Belgium	Italy	South Korea
Brunei	Japan	Spain
Canada	Liechtenstein	Sweden
Denmark	Luxembourg	Switzerland
Finland	Malaysia	Taiwan (a)
France	Malta	UK (b)
Germany	Monaco	USA
Greece	Netherlands	The Vatican
Hong Kong SAR	Norway	San Marino

Taiwan passport holders can be processed for an ETA only if resident in and applying in Taiwan.
UK passport holders whose nationality is British National (Overseas) can be processed for an ETA only if resident in and applying in Hong Kong SAR.

How long is the visa valid for?

The ETA or 977 visa allows multiple visits (for up to 3 months for each visit) within 12 months of visa grant. 

Application Procedure

Visas can be applied for either online or through participating airlines and travel agents.
In most cases, eligible applicants do not need to go to an Australian mission overseas or fill in forms to apply for an ETA.

When the DIMIA website www.eta.immi.gov.au is accessed, the visa applicant will see the following heading:  "Welcome to the Australian Government's Electronic Travel Authority System."  At the top left hand side of that screen, the visa applicant will see a tab suggesting that they "Apply for ETA".   The visa applicant should click on that tab and then proceed to lodge their visa application online.  When asked to choose the kind of ETA for their needs, they should indicate that they are applying for a short stay validity Business ETA. 

Once visa processing is complete, the visa applicant will be provided with a personalised reference number to keep. There will be no visible visa in their passport but their visa will exist electronically and will be visible when read at passport control, on their arrival in Australia.  

For more information visit: www.eta.immi.gov.au

Non-Electronic Travel Authority – Non-ETA

Know officially as the 456 Business (Short Stay) Visitor visa.

The 456 Business (Short Stay) Visitor visa can be applied for by completing the Form 456. This form can be obtained from an Australian mission or it may be down-loaded from the Department’s website: www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/456.pdf. A fee applies for this visa.
 
This visa can only be applied for outside Australia.

When applying for a 456 Business (Short Stay) Visitor visa at an Australian overseas mission, nationals of non-ETA countries, will be expected to provide adequate documentation about their background, financial situation and other relevant details as required, regardless of their professional /social status or standing.

What is the 456 Business (Short Stay) Visitor visa?

The 456 Business (Short Stay) Visitor visa is the appropriate visa for individuals who wish to visit Australia to attend a conference / congress / event and do not come from one of the ETA countries, listed above.

Who should apply for this type of visa?

Individuals from countries other than those listed in the table above, non-ETA countries.

How long is it valid for?

The 456 Business (Short Stay) Visa is valid for up to 3 months.

Application Procedure

To lodge an application, the invited event participant must provide the following documentation along with the completed Form 456:

1. Two recent passport photos;
2. The visa application charge payment, or evidence of payment – e.g.: bank deposit slip (if it was deposited in the embassy’s bank account) or credit card receipt (if it was paid by credit card);
3. A valid passport.

Additional information may be requested and you will be advised by the Mission if this is the case.

Where can I find an Australian mission?

For information on locations and contact details of Australian missions visit the World Index at http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/overseas.htm

Note:

You will be required to substantiate all information provided in your application
You can expect to come under a certain amount of scrutiny as a normal part of the visa assessment process.
As a congress delegate, you are not guaranteed to be granted a visa.

Planning Your Travelclose

The Organising Committee suggests you consider arriving in Australia by Friday, 15 May 2009.

Privacyclose

Australia introduced the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 in 2001.  The Congress 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 Congress will be only used for the purposes of planning and conduct of the Congress and may also be provided to the organising body or to organisers of future events.  It is also usual to produce a ‘Delegate List’ of attendees at the Congress 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 Congress. Individuals are also entitled to access the information held by written application to the Congress Managers.

Quarantineclose

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 see the ‘Information for International Travellers’ on the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) website, which you can access by visiting http://www.daff.gov.au.

Shoppingclose

Shops open from 0900 to 1730 hours during the week with late night shopping on Thursday. On Saturday, most shops open from 0900 to 1600. On Sunday, Darling Harbour shops are open from 1000 to 1800 and major department stores in the centre of the city are open from 1000 to 1600.

Timeclose

Sydney is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

Tippingclose

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 per cent is usual in restaurants if good service is received. Tips for taxis are regarded as optional.

Vaccinationsclose

A current valid international certificate of inoculation against yellow fever is required if passengers come from, or travel through, infected areas. Check this carefully with your airline or travel agent.