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$17per 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.  Sydney, New South Wales, practices Daylight Saving Time.  Daylight Saving Time advances the clock one hour during the summer months and usually commences at 2am on the first Sunday in October and ends at 2am on the first Sunday in April each year.  During Daylight Savings Time, Sydney is 11 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean time.

Climate and Clothing

In Sydney, the average temperatures per quarter are as follows:

  • Spring (Sep-Nov):  11-24 ºC (52-75 ºF)
  • Summer (Dec-Feb): 17-26 ºC (63-78 ºF)
  • Autumn (Mar-May): 12-25 ºC (55-77 ºF)
  • Winter (Jun-Aug): 8-18 ºC (46-64 ºF)

Generally Australians are informal dressers.  We suggest you bring a jacket and tie with you for special occasions.  A light jacket is recommended for evenings. Please refer to the information on the social program for dress at social functions organised as part of the Conference as some of these may require formal evening dress.

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

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

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".

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)

All prices quoted in this brochure are inclusive of 10% GST (Goods and Services Tax), unless otherwise specified.  GST applies to most goods and services in Australia.

The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) is administered by the Australian Customs Department and enables travelers departing from Australia to claim a refund of the GST and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) paid on goods bought in Australia.  For detailed information on the TRS visit the website of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Services of the Australian Government.

Insurance

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.

Language

The official language for the Conference is English.

Passport and Immigration (VISA)

 

All visitors to Australia must have a valid visa to travel to and enter Australia.  Welcome letters can be requested by emailing the Conference Managers (contact details in footer of the website) following completion of Conference registration.  For VISA information please download the following information factsheet from the Australian Immigration Office.

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

 

Photography

 

The Conference Hosts and Conference Managers have arranged for photography onsite throughout the event.  The images may be used for post-Conference 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 Conference.  This will enable you to relax and familiarise yourself with your hotel and its surrounds before the start of the Conference.

Privacy

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 conferences 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.

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 see the ‘Information for International Travelers’ on the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) website.

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.

Vaccination

There is no vaccination required for entering Australia.  However, if you enter Australia from a yellow fever declared country but do not hold a vaccination certificate you will receive a Yellow Fever Action Card for further information.  More information can be found on the Department of Health of the Australian Government website.

Logging in and Access to AEGC 2021

How do I log into the AEGC 2021 Platform?
  • The Conference platform is OnAIR. You may use the event platform on both desktop or tablet. We recommend using Google Chrome to access the platform. For Google Chrome download and install instructions, please click here.
    Make sure you log in early to update your profile, camera and microphone settings to get the most out of your networking.

    Step 1: Please click here to access the live portal.

    Step 2: You will then be asked to sign in, please do so by using your email address and pin sent to you via email.

    Step 3: Accept the Privacy Terms, update your profile and select your time zone for your Program Schedule to update automatically.

    If you need to update any profile, camera or microphone settings, please click on your initials on the top right-hand side and select edit settings.

What if I can't access the platform?

If the platform is being blocked by your organisation pass on the below information to your IT team:

Make sure that port 443 traffic is enabled, however enabling UDP 3478 and optionally range UDP 1025-65535 can also help.

Also make sure to whitelist the domains:

  • *.tokbox.com
  • *.opentok.com

Do not forget that some antivirus software will interfere with the operation of OnAir/AirCast as well.

You can find more specific information here:

Restricted Network Guidelines | Vonage Video API Developer (tokbox.com)

Have you interacted with us using two different emails?

To access the Conference platform, use the email you registered with. If you do not recall the email you registered with or would like to update your email, contact aegc@arinex.com.au 

Navigating the platform

How do I enter a session on the platform?

Once you are logged in, scroll down the Program Schedule to view the Sessions and click on “Join” to access them. If you would like to view the presentation description and speakers prior to going into the session, you may do so by clicking on the name of the session. This will bring up the information on the right hand side. Please note, sessions will be made accessible at the designated session time.

To go back to the Program Schedule, do not click the “back” arrow in your browser, but instead, click the “Back to timeline” option at the top left-hand side of the platform.

Can I access the abstract posters through the platform?

 A “Poster and Art Competition Gallery” will be displayed so that you can view the accepted posters and submitted artwork. This can be found on the right-hand side of the portal. Once you have selected to enter the Gallery, you will be able to see all Posters in one section including the name of the Poster, the authors name and organisation. To view the Poster, hover over the snapshot of the Poster and click on “View Presentation”. You will be able to view the Poster, download the Poster and enter your notes about the Poster that you can export at a later date.

Who do I contact if the platform isn't working?

If you need technical support, simply click on the “Live Support” icon on the top right-hand side of the platform and explain in a few words the issue you are experiencing. The Conference Managers will endeavour to assist as soon as possible.

Program 

What time zone is the Conference Program in?

All session times are in Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), and is the time zone used in Brisbane, Victoria and New South Wales. 

How can I ask questions and take notes during sessions?

The “Discussion Forum” will allow you to ask questions to our presenters. Our keynote speakers will be online during their presentation responding to questions for you as they come through.

You may take notes in “My Session Notes”. To export your notes, simply click on the “Export” icon on the top left-hand side of the platform and select “Export My Notes”.

How can I connect with other attendees?

The “Meeting Hub” is a space that you can connect with other attendees by messaging, live chat, live video call or organising a meeting during the Conference once connected. To connect with another attendee, click on their profile in the attendee list and then the “Connect” button next to their profile information.

How long are the sessions available for?

Sessions will be available for attendees for 1 year through the demand library, however attendees won’t be able to download sessions.