Practical Information from A–Z

Banks generally open from 9.30am – 4.00pm, Monday-Friday. General office hours are 9.00am – 5.00pm, Monday – Friday. Post Offices operate these hours; however stamps are often available from hotels.

All major car hire companies, including Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty, operate in Australia and vehicles may be hired at Brisbane Airport. Paid parking is available at the Congress venue.

All registered attendees, whether they register in advance or on site, will receive a certificate of attendance three weeks after the congress via e-mail.

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.

Australia levies a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10%. The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) enables travelers departing Australia to claim a refund of the GST (and also the Wine Equalisation Tax (WET)) paid on goods bought in Australia and taken out of the country. The refund applies to goods over the value of A$300 when items are purchased in the same shop within 30 days of your departure from Australia. Should an item be too large to take onto the aircraft as hand luggage you will need to visit the TRS clearing office at the international airport with the item and receipt. The receipt will be stamped “TRS sighted” and at that point you can check in the large item with your luggage. Once you have cleared customs you can collect your refund from the TRS desk by showing your receipt or items purchased. It does not apply to services or goods consumed or partly consumed in Australia. Goods which are to be exported can be used before departing Australia.

The official language for the Congress is English.

The name badge will be the official ticket and should be worn at all times in order to access meeting rooms and exhibition halls. In case of lost or forgotten badges an administration fee of $ 20 will be charged.

Audio, photo and video recording by any device (e.g. cameras, laptops, PDAs, mobile phones, watches) is strictly prohibited during all oral and poster sessions, unless prior permission is obtained from the congress organizer. Mobile phones must be in silent mode while attending sessions.

The Congress Managers comply with the Australian “Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000″ which is designed to protect the right of the individual to privacy of their information. Information collected in respect of proposed participation in any aspect of the Congress will be only used for the purposes of planning and conduct of the Congress and may also be provided to the organising body or to organisers of future events. It is also usual to produce a “Delegate List” of attendees at the Congress and to include the individual’s details in such a list. Consent for publication of the individual’s information may be withheld when completing the Registration Form for the Congress. Individuals are also entitled to access the information held by written application to the Congress Managers.

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, including most food products, which cannot be brought into the country without prior application. Animal and plant products are also restricted. For more information see the Department of Immigration and Border Protection website.

Smoking in the congress venue is prohibited by law.

Brisbane is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

A current valid international certificate of inoculation against yellow fever is required if passengers come from, or travel through, infected areas. Check this carefully with your airline or travel agent.

All visitors to Australia must have a valid visa to travel to and enter Australia. Applications for a Visa must be made before departure. A letter to support your Visa application can be requested from following the completion of your Congress registration. For VISA information please .

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
Cnr Merivale and Glenelg Streets
South Brisbane QLD 4101
AUSTRALIA