General Information

Sydney’s central business district is 10km north of the International Airport and takes approximately 20-30 minutes via car. The standard for this taxi fare costs around $50, depending on traffic. A regular airport to city bus service operates from approximately 0600 – 2100 hours and is not recommended for those with large amounts of luggage. Any queries can be discussed at the Travellers Information Desk at Sydney Airport.

Taxis

A taxi trip from the airport terminals to Sydney city centre will take 20 to 30 minutes.  The journey will cost approximately A$30– A$50.

All taxis are meter operated by time and distance and operate 24 hours a day. Taxis are easily accessible from the airport; there is a rank outside both the International and Domestic terminals.

You can also request a ride from Uber from either the Domestic or the International terminals 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$25 – 34. For more information on Uber in Sydney please see here.

Train

There is a train station located at both Domestic and International Terminals at Sydney Airport. During weekdays, trains run every 10 minutes on average and every 15 minutes on weekends. From the Domestic Terminal, it takes 10 minutes to reach Central Station and 15 minutes to reach Circular Quay. Lifts are available at both the International and Domestic terminals for easy transfer of luggage. Fares from Sydney Airport terminals to the city are approximately A$17 per adult for a single journey. 

For further information on the service that the Airport Link provides, please visit the following website: www.airportlink.com.au/

Sydney is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and does operate daylight savings times.

Sydney’s climate tends to be a dry heat.

• Spring (Sep-Nov): 10-28 ºC (50-77 ºF)
• Summer (Dec-Feb): 17-34 ºC (63-87 ºF)
• Autumn (Mar-May): 12-29 ºC (55-84 ºF)
• Winter (Jun-Aug): 6-19 ºC (48-66 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 smart casual wear.

Shops open from 0900 to 1730 hours during the week with late night city shopping on Friday until 2100 hours. The largest Shopping Mall is Harbourside and this is open until 2100 hours on Thursdays. On Saturday, most city shops open from 0900 to 1700 hours. On Sunday, most city shops are open from 1200 to 1700 hours and major department stores in the centre of the city are open from 1100 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 operates under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), as amended, and the Privacy Amendment (Notifiable Data Breaches), 2017.  The objective of these is to protect the right of the individual to privacy of their information.

Europe operates under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (Regulation (EU) 2016/679), a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy for all individuals within the European Union. The GDPR aims primarily to give protection to citizens over their personal data.  The legislation was adopted on 27 April 2016.

The Conference Managers comply with these legislations and are committed to protect the right of the individual to privacy of their information.

Arinex will not sell your personal information to third parties.  If you believe that any information we are holding on you is incorrect or incomplete, please email us and we will promptly correct the information.  You may also withdraw your consent for use of your information by advice to us in writing.

 Why do we wish you to provide your information?

We require your information to facilitate provision of information to you regarding the Conference and to facilitate your participation in the Conference.  Information collected in respect of your proposed participation in any aspect of the Conference will be used for the purposes listed below.  You can give or withhold your consent for each or all of these uses.  Please indicate your preferences when completing your registration form but please note that we will be unable to forward any information relating to the Conference or to communicate with you regarding your registration if you select ‘no’ to point 1.

What we will do with your information?

1. Use it to plan and conduct the Conference (e.g. accommodation booking);
2. Publish certain details in a delegate list that will be used in Conference material;
3. Provide information to organisers of future Conferences;
4. In some cases, send you information of other relevant events in your area of interest.

Important Notes:

• The parties who will have access to your information (subject to your preference selections on above points) are the Conference Managers, the Conference host organisation (points 1 and point 4), delegates, sponsors and exhibitors of the Conference (point 2) and any future organisers of the Conference (point 3).

The parties mentioned above will rely on your above consent indications for the purposes of compliance.

• You may withdraw your consent at any time by notice in writing to the Conference Managers.
• You are entitled to access the information held by written application to the Conference Managers.

For further information please see our detailed corporate Privacy Statement at here

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.