GENERAL INFORMATION

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 06:00 to 21:00 (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 AU$50.00. If you would prefer to pre-book your taxi during your stay in Sydney, here are the contact details of the main taxi companies:

• Taxis Combined: 13 33 00 | www.taxiscombined.com.au
• Legion Cabs: 13 14 51 | www.legioncabs.com.au
• Premier Cabs: 13 10 17 | www.premiercabs.com.au
• Silver Service: 13 31 00 | www.silverservice.com.au

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 AU$43.00 to AU$55.00 and a typical UberBLACK ride (premium ride) to Sydney’s central business district costs AU$89.00 to AU$114.00.

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 AU$17.00 per adult for a single journey. For more information on departures and prices, please visit here.

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 02:00 on the first Sunday in October and ends at 02:00 on the first Sunday in April each year. In November 2024, Sydney will be 11 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean time.

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.

In Sydney, the average November temperatures are between 11 to 24 ºC (52-75 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.

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.

GST or Goods and Services Tax is a 10% tax applied to most items in Australia. The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) enables travellers departing Australia to claim a refund for the GST and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) paid on goods purchased in Australia. For detailed information on the TRS, please refer to the website of the Australian Border Force.

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 following completion and payment of registration by emailing the Conference Managers. For visa information, please refer to the website of the Department of Home Affairs.

Please 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 Host and Conference Managers may arrange 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. Planning and conduct of the Conference including arrangements for your participation (e.g. accommodation booking);
2. In the Delegate List published for the Conference;
3. May also be provided to organisers of future occurrences of this Conference;
4. May be used to provide you with 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 granular 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.

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 please refer to the ‘Travelling to Australia’ section on the website of the Department of Agriculture.

Sydney shops open from 09:00 to 17:30 during the week with late night shopping on Thursday until 21:00. On Saturday, most CBD shops open from 09:00 to 17:00. On Sunday, Darling Harbour shops and major department stores in the CBD are open from 10:00 to 18:00.

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.