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.

Banks and post offices generally open from 0930 – 1600 hours Monday to Friday. Business office hours are 0900 – 1700 hours Monday to Friday. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are available 24 hours in many locations.

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 on this website 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.

Please note that, for International participants, to obtain an Australian visa an Invitation Letter is not required. Once you have registered and paid the registration fees in full then your confirmation of registration or tax invoices for payment of registration fees is sufficient to lodge with your visa application. 

Note – it is strongly recommended that Australian visa applications are lodged at least two months prior to departure from your point of origin.

Melbourne Exhibition Centre car park
1,060 undercover parking spaces managed by Wilson Parking, open 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Fees are subject to change without notice and current rates are listed here.

Melbourne South Wharf car park
550 open air parking spaces managed by Wilson Parking, open 24 Hours, 7 days a week.
– Day Rates: A$10.00 per hour, with A$40.00 maximum for 3+ hours.
– Evening rate: A$10.00, entry after 1800 and exit before 0600.
Fees are subject to change without notice and current rates are listed here.

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. 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 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.

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.

Melbourne Airport is located 20 km or 25 minutes from central Melbourne.

Taxi
Melbourne Taxis are a convenient way to travel from the airport to your destination. Taxis are available from designated taxi ranks only. Taxi ranks are located on the ground floor outside Terminals 1 and between Terminals 2 and 3. You can also find taxi ranks located on the ground floor of the transport hub outside Terminal 4.

A taxi fare into central Melbourne is approximately A$45. If you would prefer to pre-book your taxi during your stay in Melbourne please find the below contacts:

Melbourne Taxis- Phone:  (Airport transfers) Phone:  (City transfers) Web: www.melbournecabs.com.au
Silver Top Taxis Melbourne- Phone:  Web: www.silvertop.com.au
Yellow Cabs Melbourne- Phone:  Web: www.yellowcab.com.au
Wheelchair Accessible Taxis Melbourne- Phone:7 Web: www.silvertop.com.au

You can request a ride from Uber when you arrive at Melbourne airport from any of the following ubers; Uber X, Uber Assist, Uber XLand Uber Black.  When requesting any of the Ubers you will be asked to confirm your terminal number. Be sure to meet your driver at the “Uber pick-up” area nearest to your terminal. A regular uber (UberX) ride to Flinders Street Station (in the city centre) costs A$46-60. For more information on Uber in Melbourne please see here.

Shuttle Bus
A shuttle bus service, SkyBus, operates 24 hours a day between the Airport and the city centre. The service runs approximately every 10 minutes at a cost of A$18 each way (A$35 return). Transfers from the main city bus terminal to major hotels are included. For further information or to book your ticket online or view the complimentary CBD hotel shuttle bus information visit www.skybus.com.au or phone + 61 3 9335 2811.

Time
Melbourne is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. Melbourne, Victoria, practices Daylight Saving Time. Daylight Saving Time advances the clock one hour during the summer months and usually commences at 2am on the first Sunday in October and ends at 2am on the first Sunday in April each year. During Daylight Savings Time, Melbourne is 11 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean time.

Spring (Sep-Nov): 10-20 ºC (50-68 ºF)
Summer (Dec-Feb): 14-25 ºC (57-77 ºF)
Autumn (Mar-May): 11-20 ºC (52-68 ºF)
Winter (Jun-Aug): 7-14 ºC (45-57 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.

Melbourne Shops open from 0900 to 1700 hours during the week with late night shopping on Friday until 2100 hours. The hours in the CBD and shopping centres on Saturdays are generally from 0900 to 1700 hours and on Sundays from 1000 to 1600 hours.