Airport and Transport

Darwin International Airport is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and operates curfew-free.

Using a single terminal for both domestic and international operations, it is amongst Australia’s premier terminals for passenger convenience, particularly for connections between other Australian capitals and destinations in Asia.

You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel.

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Banking/Currency

The official currency for Australia is the Australian Dollar (1 Dollar = 100 cents).  Notes come in $100, $50, $20, $10 and $5 denominations.  Coins are available in $2, $1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 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.

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Climate and Clothing:

The wet season in Darwin starts around October/November and initially brings hot and steamy weather with the occasional spectacular lightning storm and short but intense rains. Temperatures drop a bit and rain falls increase as the new year approaches. Most of Darwin's rain falls between January and March. This is also the time of the year with the biggest risk of cyclones and floods.

Take those rules with a grain of salt. Darwin's weather during the dry season is very predictable, but real life wet seasons don't follow any rule of thumb... It may rain very early or very late or not at all for months. Wet season weather in Australia is above all unpredictable.

For more information on average temperatures, rainfall and lots of other great information about Australian destinations, visit www.australia.com

Australians generally dress in an informal manner. The dress code for all Conference sessions is smart casual.  We recommend that you bring a waterproof jacket and a jumper or cardigan for the evenings. Please see the Social functions section for further information regarding dress codes.

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Electricity

In Australia the 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 are 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.

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Goods and 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.

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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, 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.

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Passport and Visa

For detailed information on the different types of Visas please CLICK HERE.
It is recommended that you arrange your visa as soon as possible as it can take 6-8 weeks to be processed.

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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 Travellers' on the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) website, which you can access by visiting www.affa.gov.au

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Time

Darwin is at GMT +9.5 hours.

For example at the time of the Conference if the time in Darwin is 12 noon the time will be:

India	08:00am	Philippines	10:30am
Thailand	09:30am	Malaysia	10:30pm
Vietnam	09:30am	Japan	11:30am
Jakarta	09:30am	Korea	11:30am
Hong Kong/China	10:30am	New Zealand	15:30am

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Tipping

Tipping is not widely expected within Australia and is left to the discretion of the patron to offer as a reward for good service.  In such cases 10% is customary.

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Vaccinations

Vaccinations are not required unless you have come from or visited a yellow fever infected country or zone within 6 days prior to arrival.
No other health certificates are needed to enter Australia.