General Information

Airport and Transport

Airport
Brisbane’s International and Domestic Airports are approximately 13 kilometres from the centre of the city, which is approximately a 20-minute drive. There are a large range of accessible, reliable and inexpensive transport options, including shuttle buses, AirTrain, taxis, car rental and hotel transfers to and from the CBD. The airport services regional, domestic and international travellers.

Air Train
The Air Train stations are located adjacent to the domestic and international terminals. Air Trains operate daily from 0500 to 2100 and travel directly between Brisbane city centre and the airport. Fares from Brisbane airport terminals to the city are approximately A$20.00 per adult for a single journey. For online bookings visit: www.airtrain.com.au.

Taxi
For service with that personal touch, wait for one of Brisbane’s friendly and reliable taxi drivers to transfer you to your hotel. At Brisbane Airport’s Domestic Terminal, taxi ranks are located at both the Qantas and Virgin Blue ends of the terminal. For international travellers, taxi ranks are located on Arrivals Level 2. The most commonly used companies are Black and White Cabs (13 32 22) or 13cabs (13 22 27).

Bus, Ferry, Train
Public transport is the easiest way to travel throughout the city and SEEQ cards (visitor travel cards) are available at most newsagents and train stations for visitors to purchase. Please click here or call 13 12 30 for more information.

3 Days – A$79
5 Days – A$129

Hotel transfers
Most Brisbane hotels provide coach transfers to and from the airport.  Just ask the hotel representative when making your reservation.

Banking and Currency

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.

Business Hours

Banks generally open from 09:30 – 16:00, Monday-Friday. General office hours are 09:00 – 17:00, Monday – Friday. Post Offices operate these hours; however stamps are often available from hotels.

Eating Out

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

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 and Services Tax (GST) / Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS)

GST or Goods and Services Tax is a 10% tax applied to most items in Australia.

The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) enables travellers departing Australia to claim a refund for the GST and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) paid on goods purchased in Australia. For detailed information on the TRS please refer to the website of the Australian Border Force.

Insurance

Registration fees do not include insurance.  It is strongly recommended that at the time you register for the Congress 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 Congress or through the cancellation of the Congress,
  • 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 Congress 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.

Passport and Immigration (VISA) and Quarantine

All visitors to Australia must have a valid visa to travel to and enter Australia. Welcome letters can be requested following completion of Programme registration by emailing the Congress Managers via iced2021@arinex.com.au For visa information please refer to the website of the Department of Home Affairs.

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

If you are a New Zealand citizen, do not have tuberculosis or a criminal conviction, you can travel to Australia without applying for a visa in advance. You will be eligible for a Special Category Visa (subclass 444) which is granted on arrival when you travel on a valid New Zealand passport.

For VISA information please download the following information factsheet from the Australian Immigration Office. 

VISA FACTSHEET

VISA FINDER

Quarantine

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 please refer to the ‘Travelling to Australia’ section on the website of the Department of Agriculture.

Photography

The Congress Hosts and Congress Managers have arranged for photography onsite throughout the event.  The images may be used for post-Congress 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.

Planning your Travel

Because of time changes and jet lag, we suggest you arrive in Australia a few days prior to the commencement of the Congress.  This will enable you to relax and familiarise yourself with your hotel and its surrounds before the start of the Congress.

Privacy

Australia introduced the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 in 2001. The latest updates were published in 2014.  The Congress Managers comply with such legislation 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.  Information may also be used for advice of future conferences in a related area.  See here for more information on Privacy Laws in Australia.

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.

Shopping

Brisbane shops are typically open from 0900 to 1700 hours during the week with late night shopping in the CBD until 2100 hours on Friday nights. On Saturday, most shops open from 0900 to 1600 hours. Weekend trading hours are usually from 0900 to 1700 hours on Saturdays and 1000 to 1700 hours on Sundays.

Time

Brisbane is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and does not operate Daylight Savings Time.

Tipping

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.

Vaccination

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.