General Information

INSURANCE	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.
AIRPORT AND TRANSPORT	Melbourne Airport is located 28km or approximately 30 minutes from The Pullman Albert Park Melbourne. A taxi fare is approximately A$50-60. A shuttle bus service, SkyBus, operates 24 hours a day between the Airport and the city centre. The service runs approximately every 30 minutes at a cost of A$18 each way or A$30 return trip. The main drop-off point is Southern Cross Station however a hotel shuttle service is provided to many hotels in the CBD. Check the Skybus website for information on the hotel shuttle service or phone: +61 3 9670 7992. Website: www.skybus.com.au. Public Transport in Melbourne Melbourne is well serviced by trains, trams, buses and taxis both in the city and surrounding suburbs. It is one of a few cities in the world that has a low cost electric tram network, as well as an underground train system. Pullman Albert Park is located on Queens Road, a short 3 minute walk from St Kilda Road which is serviced by multiple tram services. Trams depart Flinders Street Station on St Kilda Road. The closest tram stops to the conference venue are ‘Moubray Street’ and ‘High Street/St Kilda Road’. The following tram routes service St Kilda Road and stop at the above: 3, 3a, 5, 6, 16, 64 and 67. Click here for a map of the area including tram stops For pre or post conference adventures in Melbourne CBD (a short tram ride from Pullman Albert Park) Melbourne city offers two free-of-charge ‘hop on/hop off’ tram and bus services for tourists: The ‘City Circle’ is a free historic tourist tram that runs regularly around the perimeter of the Melbourne CBD. This free historic tram is designed for visitors to Melbourne and has high-quality maps and tour guides on board – a most recommended means of getting around the Melbourne CBD. The tram has a conveniently located stop at the corner of Flinders and Clarendon Street, which is only a 10minute stroll to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle is a free bus service, stopping at key tourist attractions and destinations in and around the city. On board you can view the city in comfort, while listening to an informative commentary about the city’s attractions. You can hop on and hop off at any of the 15 stops. For more information visit www.thatsmelbourne.com.au. For more information about Melbourne visit the VIC Tourism website www.visitvictoria.com.
BANKING/CURRENCY	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. 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	Banks generally open from 0930 – 1600 hours Monday – Friday. General office hours are 0900 – 1700 Monday – Friday. Post Offices operate these hours, however, stamps are often available from hotels.
CLIMATE AND CLOTHING	Climate for August/September Average maximum temperature 17°C Average minimum temperature 8°C For more information on average temperatures, rainfall and lots of other great information about Victorian destinations, visit www.visitvictoria.com. Generally Australians are informal dressers. We suggest you bring a jacket and tie with you for special occasions. A light jacket is recommended for evenings. Please refer to the information on the social program for dress at social functions organised as part of the Conference, as some of these may require formal evening dress.
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 & SERVICES TAX (GST) / TOURIST REFUND SCHEME (TRS)	Since 1 July 2000, Australia has adopted a new taxation system incorporating the Goods & Services Tax (GST). All prices quoted in this brochure are inclusive of GST, unless otherwise specified. As part of this new taxation system, the Australian Government introduced the Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS). The scheme is administered by the Australian Customs Department and took effect on 1 July 2000. The TRS enables travellers departing Australia to claim a refund of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) paid on goods bought in Australia. 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 sited and at that point you can check the large item in 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, however the goods can be used before departing Australia.
LANGUAGE	The official language for the conference is English.
PARKING	Car parking is available for speakers and delegates at The Pullman Albert Park. Valet Parking• Available at a rate of $29.50* per car, per day.Self Car Parking Rates• Daily Maximum - $16* per car, per exit. Early Bird Parking - $12* per car, per exit.Early bird parking is offered Monday - Friday (excluding public holidays). Early bird parkers must enter prior to 8am and exit between 3pm - 7pm.Hours of Self Car Park Operation• Monday - Saturday - 6.30am - 12.30am Sunday - 6.30am - 11.30pm Lost tickets $25* per car, per exit.*Prices are inclusive of GST. Car parking prices are subject to change or surcharge during special events in Melbourne. Conditions apply.
PASSPORT & VISA INFORMATION	All visitors to Australia must have a valid visa to travel to and enter Australia. Welcome letters can be requested from concrete2015@arinex.com.au following completion of conference registration. For VISA information please download the following information factsheet from the Australian Immigration Office. VISA FACTSHEET.
PLANNING YOUR TRAVEL	Because of time change and jet lag the Organising Committee suggests you consider arriving in Australia a couple of days prior to the conference. This will enable you to relax and familiarise yourself with your hotel and its surrounds before the start of the conference.
PRIVACY	Australia introduced the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 in 2001. The Conference 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 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	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 see the ‘Information for International Travelers’ on the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) website, which you can access by visiting http://www.daff.gov.au/biosecurity/travel/cant-take .
SHOPPING	Shops in Melbourne are open from 0900 to 1730 hours during the week with late night shopping on Friday. On Saturdays and Sundays most shops are open from 0900 to 1600 hours.
TIME	Melbourne is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
TIPPING	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.
VACCINATIONS	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.