The Meeting does not provide any transfers from the airport to the conference venue or hotels. All delegates must make their own arrangements.

Public Transport around Melbourne
Melbourne's public transport network allows easy travel around the city - it includes trams and buses. Taxis can be hailed from the street or engaged at taxi ranks throughout the city. There are also direct trains from the city to outer suburban areas and many statewide destinations. Public transport timetables, and fare and route information, is readily available on the Metlinnk website, http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/

Letter of Invitation
The Organising Committee is able to provide a letter of invitation upon request. This invitation is intended to facilitate participants' travel and visa arrangements and does not imply any commitment of financial or other support by the Organising Committee. To obtain a letter of invitation, apply by email to the Conference Secretariat - the request must include your name (as shown on your passport), address and passport number.

Liability/Disclaimer/ Travel and Health Insurance
The Organising Committee shall not be held liable for personal accidents, illness, losses or damage to private property of delegates registered for the conference, during or after the event.

The Organisers strongly recommend that each delegate takes out an insurance policy to cover medical, luggage and travel expenses. If necessary, consult your travel agent.

Banks
Banks in Australia are open from 0930 to 1700 Monday to Thursday, and 0930 to 1700 on Fridays. Most banks are closed on weekends, although some banks in major cities open for limited hours on Saturday. Currency exchange facilities are available at the airport and most major hotels. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) are available at a wide cariety of outlets, and in most city streets.

Currency
Decimal currency is used in Australia - units are dollars and cents. Current exchange rates can be obtained from your bank. All major credit cards are widely accepted in Australia.

Language
English is spoken throughout Australia and is the official language for the Meeting.

Electricity
The electrical supply is 240 volts, 50Hz. The connection for appliances is a flat, 3-pin plug of unique design. Most hotels provide 110 volt outlets for shavers.

Climate
In Melbourne, late October is springtime and you can look forward to temperatures of approximately 20 during the daytime and 10 Celsius in the evening.

Shopping
Most shops open from 0900 to 1700 during the week, with extended hours shopping on Thursdays to 2100. On Saturdays and Sundays, most shops are open between 0900 and 1700.

Wheelchair access, or other mobility disability issues
When you register, please advise the Secretariat of mobility disabilities you have, so that any venue access challenges can be addressed.

Taxes
A Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10% applies to all consumer goods, and is included in retail prices.

Tipping
Service charges are not added to accounts by hotels and restaurants - tipping is your choice. You may tip hotel porters and restaurant staff (up to 10% of the bill) if you wish to acknowledged exceptional service.

Eating Out
Melbourne's multicultural population is reflected in the wide variety of excellent restaurants offering a diversity of cuisine from around the world. There is a diverse range in style - from relaxed, outdoor cafes to award winning restaurants.

Mobile Phones
Australia operates on a digital network, therefore analogue mobile or cell phones cannot be used.

Australian Visa
All travellers to Australia (other than Australian and New Zealand citizens) are legally required to hold a valid visa. Visas are either issued electronically (ETA) with nothing appearing in the passport, or through application where a sticker is required in the passport (Non-ETA). It is advised to apply for your visa as soon as possible, prior to departure, to ensure adequate processing time. The minimum time frame stated for an Australian visa application is six (6) weeks.

Australian Visa Application Supporting Documentation
Delegates applying for a non-ETA visa may present their paid confirmation letter to an Australian visa office to support their application. No other letters will be issued for this purpose. Being a Congress delegate does not mean you are guaranteed to be granted a visa.

Type of Visa available for travel to Australia when attending a Conference
A Short Validity Business Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) Visa is required.

What is the Short Validity Business ETA?
This is officially known as the 977 visa. The Short Stay Validity Business ETA is appropriate for visits to Australia for business meetings, conventions, conferences or a short term project requiring a high level of skill. Business visas are subject to a condition prohibiting work that could otherwise be undertaken by any Australian citizen or permanent resident. It replaces the visa label or stamp in a passport and removes the need for application forms.

ETAs are issued within seconds of being requested through computer links between the Australian Immigration Department, travel agents, airlines and specialist service providers around the world.
In most cases no fee applies for these visas.

Where can I find an Australian mission?
For information on locations and contact details of Australian missions, visit the World Index at http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/overseas.htm