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General Information
Currency Exchange
Decimal currency is used in Australia (AUD) and currency units are dollars and cents. Australian notes are: $100, $50, $20, $10, $5. Coins are: $2, $1, 50, 20, 10, and 5 cents.
Currency data courtesy coinmill.com
Disabled Facilities
If you require disability specific facilities, please notify the Organising Committee by indicating on your registration form.
Electricity
The electrical supply is 240 volts, 50 Hz. The connection for appliances is a flat 3-pin plug. Most city hotels provide 110 volts for shavers.
Health
Vaccinations are not required unless you have come from a yellow fever- infected country zone within six days prior to your arrival. You do not need any other health certificate to enter Australia. Australia has a high standard of hygiene and doctors and dentists are highly trained and hospitals are well equipped. In the event of illness, hotel staff can arrange a doctor for you.
Insurance
It is strongly recommended that delegates take out adequate travel and health insurance prior to commencement of travel. Further information can be obtained from your travel agent.
Passport And Visa
All international visitors require a valid passport and visa for entry into Australia (New Zealand visitors require a valid passport only). A facility for electronically issuing visas, The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) system, is currently available through international travel agents and airlines in over 30 countries including the US, UK, parts of Western Europe, Singapore, Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan. This system also includes pre-clearance for entry which reduces the time needed to process passengers on arrival. Your local Australian Embassy or Consulate can advise of the availability. For non-ETA countries, visas are issued from Australian Embassies and Consulates around the world. In non-ETA countries, we recommend that you apply early for your visa.
For further information, please visit: Department of Immigration
Quarantine
Australia is free from many plant and animal diseases prevalent in other countries. Very strict quarantine rules apply to the importation of animals and plants which cannot be brought into the country without prior application. Animal and plant products are also restricted - visit the Australian Quarantine website for more information.
Restaurants
Restaurants that advertise themselves as BYO, allow you to bring in beer and wine purchased from outside the restaurant - often there is a small corkage fee that is charged. Licensed restaurants sell alcohol and do not generally allow BYO. In Australia, it is normal in most restaurants and cafes to go to the counter to request your bill and to pay for your meal.
Smoking
Australia has some of the world's strictest laws on smoking in public. Smoking is banned in Western Australia in all pubs and nightclubs, in many alfresco areas, in cars carrying children, at the airport and in many public spaces. Importantly for delegates, ECU has just become a smoke free campus and no smoking is permitted anywhere on University grounds.
Tax
Australia applies a tax to the purchase of both goods and services called the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The rate of tax that applies to taxable products and services is 10%. Tax is already included in the advertised prices. Non-Australian delegates may be eligible for a refund of GST via the Tourist Refund Scheme.
Tipping
Tipping is not generally required or expected in Australia. Where you receive excellent service you are welcome to leave a tip (generally <10%), many cafes and restaurants have Tip jars set up at the counter for this purpose.
Travel
For international passengers, we suggest that you try to allow yourself at least a day in which to adjust to the time difference and relax after your flight, before the Conference commences. Travellers flying westward across the Pacific Ocean are reminded that they will lose a day by crossing the International Date Line. The 'lost day' will be returned on the return journey.
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