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5th SETAC World Congress
3 - 7 August 2008
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Sydney Australia
Protecting our Global Environment
Airfares close
To obtain the best possible airfare it is important you book your airfares as far in advance as possible.
Airport And Transport close
Sydney: The central business district is 10km north of the International Airport and takes approximately 20 minutes to reach by car. A taxi costs approximately A$25. A regular airport shuttle bus service to city hotels operates from approximately 06:00 to 21:00 hours (not recommended for those with large amounts of luggage). If you have any queries about transfers, please see the Travellers Information Desk at the Airport.
Taxis: Taxis in Sydney operate under two pricing structures. From 06:00 – 22:00 hours the standard fare applies. On the left hand side of the taxi meter, above the word ‘rate’ you should see the number 1. From 22:00 – 06:00 hours, a 20% night tariff applies, at these times the meter should be set on rate 2. Please check the meter is set correctly when you begin your journey.
Trains: There is a train station located at both the Domestic and International Terminals at Sydney Airport. Trains run on average every 10 minutes during the day on a weekday and every 15 minutes on weekends. From the Domestic Terminal, it takes 10 minutes to reach Central Station and 15 minutes to Circular Quay. From the International Terminal it takes a few minutes longer. It will then be necessary to take a taxi to your hotel. Elevators are available at both the International and Domestic Terminals for the easy transfer of luggage. Fares from the Domestic Terminal to the City start at $10 per adult for a single journey. For further information on the service that the Airport Link provides, please see: www.airportlink.com.au
Banking/Currency close
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. When paying by cash (i.e., not with a credit card), prices will be rounded to the nearest 5c. 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.
Business Hours close
Banks generally open from 09:30-16:00 hours Monday-Friday. General office hours are 09:00-17:00 Monday - Friday. Post Offices operate these hours, however stamps are often available from hotels.
Car Hire/Parking close
All major car hire companies, including Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty, operate in Australia and vehicles may be hired at Sydney Airport. Parking is available at the Conference venue.
Cell Phone Use In Australia close
Check with your cell phone service provider regarding using your existing cell phone and sim card when travelling in Australia. If you r phone is not roaming equipped (calls able to be placed when travelling outside of the country) you may need an international cell phone with an Australian Sim.
The Australia prepaid SIM chip is a quick and easy way to convert your existing world phone into a prepaid Australia cell phone for Australia and can be more economical then a Australia cell phone rental.
An international cell phone is classified as a GSM mobile phone that operates on the GSM 900 and GSM 1800 frequency. An international cell phone with the appropriate sim card, will provide coverage in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Pacific Rim including Australia. A world cell phone with the GSM 1900 frequency will expand coverage to include the United States, Canada and a growing part of South America.
For more information click on this link: http://www.telestial.com/getting_started.php
Climate And Clothing close
August is late winter and the temperature range is typically 9°C to 18°C (48°F to 64°F).
Generally, Australians are informal dressers. We suggest men bring a jacket and tie for evening functions and smart casual for the women.
Childcare close
Active Kids @ World Square can arrange day care for your child (ages 6 weeks - 5 years). Active Kids are located on George Street in Sydney City which is a 15 minute walk from the Sydney Convention Centre. You can view their website by clicking here or contacting Centre Manager, Jodie Teran, on +61 0 419 464 223.
Eating Out close
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".
Electricity close
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.
Goods & Services Tax (GST) / Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) close
Australia levies a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10%. The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) enables travellers 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.
Language close
The official language for the conference is English.
Notepads and Pens close
As the SETAC Congress is environmentally conscience, notepads and pens will not be supplied. Delegates are encouraged to bring their own notepads and pens to the SETAC Congress.
Passport & Visa close
All travellers to Australia, other than New Zealand, require a valid entry VISA prior to travel to Australia. For many nationalities (29 in total) an Electronic Visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) can be obtained from your travel agent or airline when making your travel arrangements. Please see your travel agent or airline, for further details.
Planning Your Travel close
Because of time change and jet lag, the Organising Committee suggests you consider arriving in Australia by 1 August 2008 or earlier. This will enable you to relax and familiarise yourself with your hotel, its surrounds and Sydney before the start of the conference.
Privacy close
The Conference 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 Conference will be only used for the purposes of planning and conduct of the Conference 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 Conference 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 Conference. Individuals are also entitled to access the information held by written application to the Conference Managers.
Quarantine close
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 Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) website.
Shopping close
Sydney Shops are typically open from 09:00 to 17:30 hours during the week with late night shopping on Thursday. On Saturday, most shops open from 0900 to 1600. On Sunday Darling Harbour shops are open from 10:00 to 18:00 and major department stores in the centre of the city are open from 10:00 to 16:00.
Time close
Sydney is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
Tipping close
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 per cent is usual in restaurants if good service is received. Tips for taxis are regarded as optional.
The Australian Winter close
The Australian winter is surprisingly mild with the average temperatures in New South Wales ranging from 11 - 25°C (52 - 77°F). The average rainfall in Sydney in August is between 25 - 100mm or 1 - 4 inches. It is recommended that delegates bring a rainproof jacket, a thick sweater and a warm jacket. There is no need for ski jackets unless you are travelling to the Snowy Mountain Region on the border of Victoria and New South Wales.
Vaccinations close
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.