General Information

There are plenty of accommodation options close to the conference venue for you to choose from. Click here to browse nearby accommodation options.

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.

Conference Venue – Australian National University (ANU)

The Australian National University is a 10 – 15 minute drive from the Canberra Airport.

Buses and light rail

For cost-effective and easy public transportation throughout the city, use Canberra’s public buses and light rail.

Taxis

To catch a taxi in Canberra, use a taxi rank where the clearly marked cars are parked and ready for dispatch. You can also phone ahead or book online.

Canberra taxi companies include:

• ACT Cabs: Phone 02 6280 0077 or book online.
• Canberra Elite: Phone 6126 1600 or SMS your name, pickup address and time to be collected to 0481 072 700. Book, track and prepay online.
• Silver Service: Phone 13 31 00 or book online. This premium service features luxury sedans and seven seater vans, accredited silver standards, and guaranteed delivery times with travel bookings.
• Wheelchair accessible taxis must be booked ahead. Phone 13WATS (139 287), email bookings@13wats.com.au or book online.
• Canberra taxis and cabs accept payment by credit cards, Cabcharge vouchers, cash and electronic funds transfer.

Airport Transfer

Transport Canberra provides daily services to and from Canberra Airport. Rapid Bus 3 runs on a half-hourly schedule on weekdays and on the hour on weekends. The route takes passengers between the Canberra Airport terminal through to the city interchange, Belconnen interchange, Cohen St interchange to Spence Terminus.

For further information on the above information, please visit the following website: www.visitcanberra.com.au

Canberra’s climate is warm and temperate with significant rainfall. The average annual temperature is 12.8 °C (55.0 °F).

In February, the temperature tends to sit between 14°C (58°F) and 26°C (78°F) with approximately 58mm (2.3 inches) of rain. 

Generally, Australians are informal dressers.  We suggest you bring a jacket and tie with you for special occasions. 

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.

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) 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.

To keep up to date with the latest COVID-19 updates for Canberra and the ACT, please click here to visit the official government website, which is regularly updated with latest news and links.

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.

Shops open from 0900 to 1730 hours during the week with late night city shopping on Friday until 2100 hours. 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.

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

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.

Information can be found on the Department of Health of the Australian Government website.