Conference Venue
The Broadband and Beyond 2008 Conference will be held at the Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney
Shangri-La Hotel Sydney
176 Cumberland Street
The Rocks, Sydney
NSW 2000, Australia
T +61 2 9250 6000
F +61 2 9250 6250
The Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney is the city's leading five-star deluxe hotel. Located in the historic Rocks district between the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. With spectacular views of Sydney Harbour and Circular Quay, the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the hotel has quickly become a landmark for the international traveller.
General Information
Airport and Transport
To find out more information please visit: http://www.airportlink.com.au
Banking/Currency
Australia's currency consists of coins of five, 10, 20 and 50 cent and one and two dollar denomination; and notes of five, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollar denomination.
Foreign exchange facilities are available at banks, hotels and airports. All major credit cards including Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Diners Club are accepted at most restaurants and shops.
Business Hours
Banks are open from 0930 to 1600 Monday to Thursday, 0930 to 1700 on Fridays and are closed on Saturday and Sunday. General office and post offices are open 0900 to 1700 Monday - Friday.
Climate and Clothing
The average temperature in Sydney during the Autumn (Fall) season should range from 17°C at night to 25°C during the day.
Generally Australians are informal dressers. Suggested dress for the conference and the Welcome Reception is business attire and smart casual for the conference dinner.
Duty Free
Australia has a duty free quota per person of 2.25 litres of alcohol, 250 cigarettes and dutiable goods up to the value of A$900. Duty Free stores are located at International Airports and throughout Sydney's central business district.
Electricity
The electrical current is 240/250V, AC 50Hz and has a unique flat three-pin connection therefore you will need an adaptor. Most hotels provide 110 volt outlets for shavers.
Goods and Services Tax (GST) / Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS)
In 1 July 2000, Australia introduced a new taxation system incorporating the Goods & Services Tax (GST). All prices quoted are inclusive of 10% GST, unless otherwise specified.
The TRS enables you to claim a refund, subject to certain conditions, of the goods and services tax (GST) and wine equalisation tax (WET) that you pay on goods you buy in Australia.
To claim a refund you must:
- Spend $300 (GST inclusive) or more in the one store and get a single tax invoice
- Buy goods no more than 30 days before departure
- Wear or carry the goods on board the aircraft or ship and present them along with your original tax invoice, passport and international boarding pass to a Customs Officer at a TRS facility
- Claims at airports are only available up to 30 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of your flight.
The refund only applies to goods you take with you as hand luggage or wear onto the aircraft when you leave Australia. It does not apply to services or goods consumed or partly consumed in Australia, such as wine, chocolate or perfume. However, unlike other tourist shopping schemes, most of the goods, such as clothing and cameras, can be used in Australia before departure.
The TRS is open to all overseas visitors and Australian residents.
The GST refund is calculated by dividing the total amount of the purchase by 11. The WET refund is 14.5 percent of the price paid for wine. For example, if you buy goods for a GST-inclusive price of $660 you will receive a refund of $60. If the $660 is made up of a camera ($460) and wine ($200), you will receive a total refund of $89 (total GST refund of $60 plus $29 WET refund on the wine).
Health Insurance
The Conference Organisers strongly recommend that delegates take out insurance policies to cover medical and travel policies. Please consult your travel agent prior to your departure to ensure you have the correct cover.
Language
English is spoken in Australia and is the official language for the conference.
Mobile Phones
Australia operates on a digital network therefore analogue mobile phones are unable to be used.
Passport and Visa Important Information
All travellers to Australia, other than New Zealand, require a valid entry Visa prior to travel to Australia. Delegates should, in most cases, apply for a short stay business visitor visa (subclass 456).
Some delegates will be eligible to apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) via the internet http://www.eta.immi.gov.au
These include delegates from the following countries:
| Andorra | Iceland | Portugal |
| Austria | Ireland | San Marino |
| Belgium | Italy | Singapore |
| Brunei | Japan | South Korea |
| Canada | Liechtenstein | Spain |
| Denmark | Luxembourg | Sweden |
| Finland | Malaysia | Switzerland |
| France | Malta | Taiwan * |
| Germany | Monaco | UK ** |
| Greece | Netherlands | USA |
| Hong Kong (SAR) | Norway | Vatican City |
* Taiwan passport holders can be processed for an ETA only if resident in and applying in Taiwan.
** UK (British National Overseas) passport holders can apply for an ETA only if resident in and applying in Hong Kong (SAR)
For participants not from an ETA country, you should apply for a subclass 456 visa:
You are advised to apply for a visa at least 4-6 weeks in advance of your intended date of travel
- Complete application form 456
- Apply at an Australian overseas visa office
- Issued as a label into your passport
With the completed form 456, you must also include:
- Your valid passport (which must be valid for the duration of your visit)
- Visa Application Charge of AUD$70.00
- Details of how you want your passport returned enclosing a self-addressed stamped envelope
- Complete Part G of the form if you are authorising another person to act and receive communication on your behalf
You can obtain the form for the subclass 456 from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship's website: http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/456.pdf
Australian Immigration Laws are very strict, therefore check with your travel agent or nearest Australian Consulate.
If you require a letter of invitation for visa purposes, you must first register and pay to attend the conference and indicate on the registration form that you will require a letter of invitation.
The Conference Secretariat is unable to assist with processing or obtaining visa applications, other than verifying your intention to attend the Conference. Visas are granted at the discretion of the Australian Embassy.
Further information on passport and visa requirements can be obtained from http://www.immi.gov.au
Should you require an invitation letter from the Conference Secretariat for visa purposes, please nominate this on your conference registration or alternatively contact the Conference Secretariat. Visa letters are intended to provide assistance to delegates who need to obtain a visa for travel to the Conference. The visa letter is not an official invitation letter covering delegate registration fees or other expenses and does not imply financial support of any kind from the Conference Organising Committee.
Privacy
Australia has strict laws which are designed to protect the right of the individual to privacy of their information. The Conference Secretariat complies with all this legislation and any 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.
Provision is made in the registration form for delegates to choose whether they wish for their details to be included in a 'List of Participants' of attendees.
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
Time
Sydney is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
Tipping
Tipping is not the general custom in Australia and is usually as widespread or regulated in Australia as it is in other parts of the world. Tipping is your prerogative, a reward for service.