GENERAL INFORMATION

Decimal currency is used in Australia with the dollar as the basic unit (100 cents = $1) Notes come in $100, $50, $20, $10, and $5. Coins come in 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $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, American Express and Diners Club.

Banks and post offices generally open from 09.30 – 16.00 hours from Monday to Friday.  Business office hours are 09.00 – 17.00 hours from Monday to Friday.

Spring (Sep-Nov):  11-24 ºC (52-75 ºF)
Summer (Dec-Feb): 17-26 ºC (63-78 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 for summer/spring.

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

The Free Tram Zone in Melbourne’s CBD was introduced on 1 January 2015, making it easier for commuters and tourists to move around the city. The principal boundaries of the Free Tram Zone are Spring Street, Flinders Street and La Trobe Street. Additionally, the tram routes along Victoria Street, William Street and Elizabeth Street that surround Victoria Market are also included as well as the Docklands area.

Download the Free Tram Zone on the Maps page.

All stops within the zone are clearly marked and tram drivers will make regular announcements when approaching the zone boundaries. Zone boundaries are signed and free tram zone maps are across the network.

If your tram journey is exclusively within the zone, travel is free, meaning you do not need to touch on with a myki.

The Congress venue is within easy walking distance to most hotels in the Melbourne central business district (CBD). Although it is rapidly expanding, the geographic area of the Melbourne central business district is around 5kms x 5kms.

The Melbourne CBD (and its suburbs) is one of a few cities in the world that has a low cost electric tram network, as well as an underground train system. There is a free-of-charge historic tram that runs regularly around the perimeter of the Melbourne CBD. This free historic tram is designed for visitors to Melbourne and has high-quality maps and tour guides on board – a most recommended means of getting around the Melbourne CBD.

The city and suburbs are also well-serviced by taxis and buses, or for something a little different, catch a water taxi along Melbourne’s famous Yarra River and docklands area. One of the reasons that Melbourne is regarded as one of the world’s safest and most liveable cities, is because it is quite safe to walk and travel around Melbourne, day and night.

Melbourne is well serviced by trains, trams, buses and taxis both in the city and surrounding suburbs. For more information about the transport network, go to VicTrip

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 of any kind. It is strongly recommended that at the time you register for the congress 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 congress,
• or through cancellation of the congress,
• 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.

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 and most widely spoken language in Australia is English, and is also the official language for the Conference.

All visitors to Australia must have a valid visa to travel to and enter Australia. 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 hosts and organisers have arranged for photography onsite throughout the Conference. 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 an Arinex staff member at the registration desk onsite.

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 at link

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.

Shops in Melbourne open from 9.00am to 5.30pm during the week with late night shopping on Thursday and Friday nights. On Saturday, most shops open from 9.00am to 5.00pm. On Sunday shops are open from 10.00am to 5.00pm

Tipping is not as widespread or regulated in Australia as it is in other parts of the world.  Tipping is your prerogative, a reward for service.  It is customary to tip hotel porters and a gratuity of about 10 % is usual in restaurants if good service is received.  Tips for taxis are regarded as optional.