General Information

Visas

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). Please check with your airline, travel agent or nearest Australian Consulate, as immigration laws are very strict.

Some delegates will be able to obtain an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). You can apply for an ETA online at www.eta.immi.gov.au (usually approved within 30 seconds) or through a travel agent, an airline office or a specialist service provider to arrange an ETA on your behalf. Travellers holding the following passports may apply for an ETA:

Holders of UK British National (Overseas) (GBN) passports are not eligible to apply for ETAs through this site. Please check the website www.eta.immi.gov.au for eligibility and other information.

Non-ETA Countries
Non-ETA country delegates need to lodge a subclass 456 visa application at the nearest Australian Mission or Embassy overseas. The application form (also number 456) can be downloaded from the website www.immi.gov.au . It is recommended that you lodge your visa application a minimum of 8 weeks before your travel date, however please check with you Australian Mission or Embassy for details.

Time

Sydney remains on Australia Eastern Standard Time throughout the year. Local Sydney time during February is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

Currency Conversion

Check an international currency converter website such as xe.com for up-to-date and detailed exchange rate information. The rates should not be used in financial matters and are not guaranteed. Rates exclude all charges and taxes involved with international currency exchange.

Currency Exchange

While all banks can exchange foreign currency and travellers' cheques to Australian currency, some major city branches provide specialist bureaux de change. Exchanges are also available at the post office, airport and in the Sydney central business district.
Please click here for a list of Sydney bureaux de change, including contact details and maps.

Credit & Charge Cards

Major credit and charge cards are widely accepted. Many automatic teller machines (ATMs) provide currency to foreign cardholders. Look for the Cirrus symbol. EFTPOS (Maestro) services are available at most hotels and retail outlets.

Money

Notes: $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.
Coins: 5c, 10c, 20c, $1 and $2 denominations.
Smaller numbers of cents are rounded up or down to the nearest 5c.

Taxes

A Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10% applies to all consumer goods and services including hotel accommodation, conference registration fees and restaurant meals, and is included in prices.

Trading Hours

Banks
Monday - Friday    0930 - 1600 hours
Banks are closed all day Saturday and Sunday. Exchange facilities are available at the airport and most major hotels. Automatic teller machine (ATM) facilities are available at a wide variety of outlets.

Post Offices
Monday - Friday     0900 - 1700 hours
Saturday              0900 - 1200 hours

Shopping
General Hours of Trade
Monday - Friday     0900 - 1730 hours
Saturday               0900 - 1700 hours

General Shopping Centre Hours
Monday - Wednesday   0900 - 1730 hours
Thursday - Friday         0900 - 2100 hours
Saturday                     0900 - 1700 hours
Sunday                       1000 - 1700 hours

Selected supermarkets are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Electricity

Electricity in Australia is 220-240V AC 50Hz. The sockets are flat three pin and you may need an adaptor for overseas appliances. Universal outlets for 240V or 100V shavers are found in most leading hotels, and multi-voltage appliances as well as adaptors are readily available in department stores and luggage shops.

Smoking

Smoking is not allowed in any public area or building in Victoria. In addition, it is illegal to smoke within 4 metres of an entrance to a non-residential building, such as a bank, shopping centre or office, between flags at patrolled beaches and in major sporting stadiums. The Sydney Convention Centre is a non-smoking venue.

Sun Protection

During summer, sun protection is essential. Sunscreen (SPF 30+), a broad brimmed hat, sunglasses and shirt are recommended when spending time in the sun.