General Information

Registration and Hospitality/Tours Desk

The Registration Desk will be located in Parkside Foyer, Level 1 and will be operating at the following times:

Sunday 10 April 2011
1300 – 1730

Monday 11 April 2011
0730 – 1800

Tuesday 12 April 2011
0800 – 1700

Wednesday 13 April 2011
0800 – 1700

Thursday 14 April 2011
0800 – 1830

The Symposium Managers will be on-site for enquiries at other times.

Airport and Transport

Sydney:
The central business district is 10km north of the International Airport and takes approximately 20 minutes to reach by car. A taxi costs approximately A$25. A regular airport to city bus service operates from approximately 0600 to 2100 hours (not recommended for those with large amounts of luggage). Any queries please see the Travellers Information Desk at the Airport.

Taxis: Taxis in Sydney operate under 2 pricing structures. From 0600 – 2200 hours the standard fare applies. On the left hand side of the taxi meter, above the word ‘rate’ you should see the number 1. From 2200 – 0600 hours, a 20% night tariff applies, at these times the meter should be set on rate 2. Please check the meter is set correctly when you begin your journey.

Trains: There is a train station located at both the Domestic and International Terminals at Sydney Airport. Trains run on average every 10 minutes during the day on a weekday and every 15 minutes on weekends. From the Domestic Terminal, it takes 10 minutes to reach Central Station and 15 minutes to Circular Quay. From the International Terminal it takes a few minutes longer. Lifts are available at both the International and Domestic Terminals for the easy transfer of luggage. Fares from the Domestic Terminal to the City start at $10 per adult for a single journey. For further information on the service that the Airport Link provides, please see the following website: www.airportlink.com.au

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

April is autumn and the temperature range is 15º Celsius to 23º Celsius (59º Fahrenheit to 73º Fahrenheit).

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 Symposium, 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 Symposium is English.

Parking

Parking is available at the Symposium venue. Rates can be found here.

Planning your travel

Because of time change and jet lag the Organising Committee suggests you consider arriving in Australia a day or two prior to the Symposium commencing. This will enable you to relax and familiarise yourself with your hotel and its surrounds before the start of the Symposium.

Privacy

Australia introduced the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 in 2001. The Symposium 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 Symposium will be only used for the purposes of planning and conduct of the Symposium 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 Symposium 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 Symposium. Individuals are also entitled to access the information held by written application to the Symposium 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 Travellers’ on the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) website, which you can access by visiting http://www.affa.gov.au.

Shopping

Shops open from 0900 to 1730 hours during the week with late night shopping on Thursday. On Saturday, most shops open from 0900 to 1600. On Sunday Darling Harbour shops are open from 1000 to 1800 and major department stores in the centre of the city are open from 1000 to 1600.

Time

Sydney 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.

Insurance

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

Key Dates

Call for Abstracts: Now Closed
Registration Open: August 2010
Standard Registration Ends: 6 April 2011
Abstract Submission Deadline: Now Closed
Workshop Submission Deadline: Now Closed
Acceptance Notification: December 2010
Author Registration Deadline: 28 January 2011
Final Paper Deadline: 11 April 2011
Symposium Opens: 10 April 2011
Symposium Closes: 15 April 2011

Hosts

Conference Managers

arinex <ar-in-ex> the ultimate expression of being architects of inspiring experiences. To embody the art and science of creating meetings and events that surpass all expectations. We provide a quality total solution meetings and events management service to associations, governments and corporate organisations. arinex pty limited has been appointed as the official PCO (Professional Conference Organiser) and looks forward to delivering an inspiring event.

Address for Communications

Please contact the Symposium Managers at the address below for further information.

ISRSE 2011 Symposium Managers
arinex pty limited
GPO Box 128
SYDNEY NSW 2001 AUSTRALIA
Telephone (61) 2 9265 0700
Fax: (61) 2 9267 5443
Email: isrse34@arinex.com.au