The Registration Desk will be located in the main foyer and operating hours will be advised soon.

Should you have any specialised group requirements for private touring, transportation or hospitality services other than those organised for the official program, please contact the Conference Manager who would be pleased to assist with arrangements.

It is requested that you advise the Conference Managers of any private /corporate functions that might be planned outside of the official program. The Conference Managers would be pleased to assist with arrangements for any of these events.

Registration fees do not include insurance of any kind. 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. 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.

Brisbane's International and Domestic Airports has been recently recognised as the world's most efficient and customer-focused privatised airport by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It is located approximately 25 minutes drive (13 km) from Brisbane's CBD.

Whether you are an international or interstate visitor, there is a large range of accessible, reliable and cheap transportation options, including shuttle buses, Airtrain, taxis, car rental and hotel transfers to and from the CBD. Handy parking is also situated at both the International and Domestic Terminals with various parking options to suit your travel plans.

Here are some options you will find useful when travelling to and from the airport:

Shuttle Buses

If you're concerned about the amount of luggage you have accumulated during your stay in Brisbane, shuttle buses are a convenient, fast and comfortable way of travelling to and from the Airport.

Services from Brisbane City operate daily every 30 minutes from 5.00am to 9.00pm from Roma Street Transit Centre and door to door of all CBD hotels.

If leaving from Brisbane Airport, buses depart every 30 minutes from 5.30am to 11.00pm. All bus services meet flight departure and arrival times so you'll always be on time. If you miss one, wait just half an hour for the next service.

For information call Coachtrans on (07) 3238 4700.

Airtrain

For single travellers on the go, the Airtrain, operating 5am to 9pm 7 days a week, is probably the most time efficient option.

If you're in a hurry and require a direct line from the Airport to the City, jump aboard for a quick 22 minute train trip!

Stations are conveniently located near most CBD accommodations and attractions. For on-line bookings visit www.airtrain.com.au.

Taxis

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. As for the International Terminal taxi ranks are available on Arrivals Level 2.

All Brisbane taxis have standard taxi meters so you won't have to worry about being stung by overpriced fares. Keep in mind that a fare to Brisbane CBD is approximately $45 plus a small fee for departing taxis only. Go to www.brisbaneairport.com.au for more information about Airport travel.

Looking for a number? Black and White Cabs: 131 008, Yellow Cab: 131 924

Car rental

There is a host of car rental companies in Brisbane with tidy, reliable and economical cars to suit all travel needs. For more information, call Brisbane Marketing on 07 3006 6200.

Hotel transfers

Many Brisbane hotels provide coach transfers to and from the airport. Just ask the hotel representative when making your reservation. All you need is your flight itinerary; it's that easy!
Important note: International and interstate visitors should allow approximately 20-30 minutes for processing through customs. In peak periods waiting times may increase slightly.

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.

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.

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

February is summer in Brisbane.
Mean temperature: 24.8 C
Max average temperature: 29.2 C
Min average temperature: 20.4 C

Generally, Australians are informal dressers. We would suggest business attire for all sessions,  gentlemen bring a jacket and tie for evening functions and smart elegant for the ladies.

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".

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.

The official language for the conference is English.

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. For more information please visit the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship website at: http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/index.htm.

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.

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.

Brisbane Shops are typically open from 09:00 to 17:30 hours during the week with late night shopping in the CBD on Friday nights and on Thursday nights in the suburbs. On Saturday, most shops open from 09:00 to 16:00. On Sunday major department stores in the centre of the city are open from 10:00 to 16:00.

Brisbane is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

Please note that Brisbane does not have ‘Daylight Saving’.

Across the south-eastern states and the ACT, daylight saving for future summers begins at 2am Eastern Standard Time on the first Sunday in October and ends at 2am Eastern Standard Time (3am summer time) on the first Sunday in April. Where daylight saving is being observed AEST becomes Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT), and clocks are advanced to UTC +11.

For more information on time zones see the Australian Government website.

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.

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.