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.

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.

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.

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.

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".

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.