Information for International Visitors

Passports and Visas

All non-Australian citizens must obtain a visa or travel authority before travelling to Australia. A visa is a stamp or label in a passport; a travel authority is an electronic record authorising travel into Australia. Every person travelling to Australia has a personal responsibility to obtain a visa for their stay in Australia. The ISPMB 2006 organisers cannot take responsibility for obtaining visas.

For information on the appropriate visa for travel to Australia, or entry into Australia, visit the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) website: http://www.immi.gov.au/business/iecn.htm or contact the Australian Overseas Mission:http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/overseas.htm for the closest Australian visa office.

You may be eligible for an ETA or Electronic Travel Authority. For a list of ETA-eligible countries see: http://www.immi.gov.au/eta/countries.htm. If you are not eligible for an ETA, you need to apply for your visa through an Australian visa office see: http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/overseas.htm (Australian Embassy,High Commission or Consulate). You should allow 4-6 weeks for your visa to be processed. The ISPMB 2006 Congress Secretariat is in constant contact with the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA).

The ISPMB 2006 Congress Secretariat is required to make DIMIA aware of overseas people who have sent a completed registration form together with payment to ISPMB 2006. If the registration is not accompanied by full payment of registration fees,it will not be accepted.

DIMIA will forward this information to the Australian Overseas Mission in the country of the applicant's residence to assist with the visa application process. ISPMB 2006 will NOT issue invitation letters to assist applications.

Please note that ISPMB 2006 involvement does not guarantee that visas will be approved.

Venue

Adelaide Convention Centre is a modern, comprehensive conference and exhibition facility providing state-of-the-art communications and presentation technology. Undercover car parking is available - the current early bird daily rate is $7.50 (in by 09:30 and out by 18:30).

Weather

August is a late winter month and temperatures are likely to range from 20°C down to 5°C at night. Moderately warm clothing is recommended and an umbrella or light raincoat would be wise.

Travel

A number of major airlines operate flights directly in and out of Adelaide

International Airport including Cathay Pacific, Garuda Indonesia, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas and Singapore Airlines. Adelaide International Airport is only 20 minutes drive from the city and all major hotels.

Arrival

It is strongly recommended that international visitors from Europe and America allow at least one day in which to adjust to the time difference. Travellers crossing the Pacific will lose one day when crossing the International Date Line.

Attendance Certificate

Letters of verification of attendance will be available on request at the registration desk.

Currency and Banking

The Australian Dollar ($A) is a decimal currency with units in dollars and cents. Check the currency converter on the website: www.xe.net/ucc/. Currency exchange facilities are available at the international airport, major hotels and city banks. Normal banking hours are Monday - Thursday 09:30 to 16:00 and 09:30 to 17:00 Friday. Banks are closed weekends but ATMs are available 24 hours per day.

Electricity

The power supply in Australia is 240 volt AC 50Hz. The connection for appliances is a flat 3-pin plug. Hotels usually supply 110 volt outlets for electric shavers, but an adaptor might be necessary for other appliances.

Medical and Travel Insurance

It is strongly recommended that international visitors seek advice and take out appropriate travel insurance and medical cover. Overseas visitors are required to pay in full all medical expenses incurred while in Australia. The Congress organisers accept no responsibility for any participant failing to arrange their own insurance.

Special Dietary Requirements

It is important that all special dietary requirements are indicated on the registration form.

Tipping

Tipping is not widespread or regulated in Australia, and is generally recognized as a reward for exceptional service.

Language

All sessions will be conducted in English. Simultaneous translation will not be provided.

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This page last modified on December 01, 2005