Currency
Decimal currency is used in Australia - units are dollars and cents. Current exchange rates can be obtained from your bank. All major credit cards are widely accepted in Australia.
The exchange rates as at January 2008 are: AUD1=£0.45 =US$0.89 =0.61 Euros

Banks
Banks in Australia are open from 0930 to 1600 Monday to Thursday and 0930 to 1700 on Fridays. Banks are closed all day Saturday and Sunday. Exchange facilities are available at the airport and most major hotels. Automatic teller (ATMs) facilities are available at a wide variety of outlets.

Language
English is spoken throughout Australia and is the official language for the Conference

Time
Local Sydney time during August is - Greenwich Mean Time plus 10 hours.

Electricity
The electrical supply is 240 volts, 50Hz. The connection for appliances is a flat 3-pin plug of unique design. Most hotels provide 110 volt outlets for shavers.

Climate
In Sydney, August is a month of our winter season and you can look forward to temperatures of approximately 14°C (57.2°F) during the daytime.

Shopping
Shops open from 0900 to 1730 during the week with late night shopping on Thursdays to 2100. On Saturdays and Sunday most shops are open between 0900 and 1600. Sydney is considered an excellent duty-free port for travellers.

Travel and Health Insurance
We strongly recommend that you take out insurance policies to cover medical and travel expenses. If necessary, consult your travel agent.

Taxes
A Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10% apply to all consumer goods and are included in retail prices.

Tipping
Tipping is not the general custom in Australia and service charges are not added to accounts by hotels and restaurants. However, you may tip hotel porters and food and drink waiters in restaurants (up to 10% of the bill) for special service. At any time, tipping is your choice.

Eating Out
Sydney's multicultural population is reflected in the wide variety of excellent restaurants offering a diversity of cuisine from around the world. Bistros, restaurants and cafes offer varied menus, prices and décor.

Dress Code
Smart casual is recommended for the duration of the conference.

Mobile Phones
Analogue mobile or cell phones cannot be used as Australia operates on a digital network. Mobile phones can be readily hired at Sydney Airport or telecommunication outlets.

Transport from the Airport
The Conference does not provide any transfers from the airport to Conference Hotels. All delegates must make their own transport arrangements from the airport. The following are estimates only of travel from the airport to the central business district.

• Taxi: $20 to $30
• Train Link to Central Station: $8 to $12
• Airport Shuttle: $10 to $15

Public Transport around Sydney
Sydney's public transport network allows easy travel around the city. Considerable savings on buses and harbour ferries can be obtained with the State Transit Travel pass. Taxis can either be booked by telephone or hailed from the street.
There is frequent monorail and light rail services linking Darling Harbour with the city and a regular ferry service (15 minutes each trip) between Darling Harbour and Circular Quay (downtown).

The appropriate visa for delegates
Generally, all visitors to Australia (other than citizens of New Zealand travelling on a New Zealand passport) require a visa to enter Australia. Overseas visitors seeking to attend, or participate in, a Conference or event in Australia should, in most cases, apply for a short stay business visitor visa (subclass 456). You must apply for your visa early (we suggest that you apply two months prior to your departure), to ensure that details are confirmed prior to your departure for the Congress.

Prior to registration, please check with your airline, travel agent or nearest Australian Consulate, as immigration laws are very strict. Information about this important requirement can also be found on the Australian Government website http://www.immi.gov.au/index.htm.

Some participants will be able to obtain an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). You can apply for an ETA online from http://www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/eta.htm or through a travel agent, an airline office or a specialist service provider to arrange an ETA on your behalf.