3rd International Wildland Fire Conference and Exhibition

General Information

Compare The Cost Of Living In Australia To Your Home Country!

Item	Cost in Australia (A$)	US$
McDonald's Big Mac Bottle of Australian Premium Beer Can of Coke Litre of Milk Loaf of Bread Mars Bar	A$2.65 A$5.00 A$1.50 A$1.70 A$2.50 A$1.50	A$1.45 A$2.73 A$0.82 A$0.93 A$1.37 A$0.82

Click here (http://www.ozforex.com.au) to convert the Australian dollar amount to your home currency.

Climate And Clothing

September is spring and the temperature range is 11° to 20°; October is spring and the temperature range is 13° to 22°; November is spring and the temperature range is 16° to 24°.
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.

	September	October	November
Daily Maximum Celsius Daily Maximum Fahrenheit Daily Minimum Celsius Daily Minimum Fahrenheit	20 68 11 52	22 72 13 55	24 75 16 61

Airport And Transport

Sydney’s central business district is 10km north of the International Airport and takes about 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.

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 – 1700hrs Monday – Friday. Post Offices operate these hours, however stamps are often available from hotels.

Private Functions

It is requested that you advise the Conference Managers of any private functions planned in addition to the official program. The Conference Managers would be pleased to assist with arrangements for any private events ensuring compatibility with the official program and appropriate scheduling of such events.

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 only applies to goods which travellers take with them as hand luggage when leaving the country. 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 conference is English

Mobile phones

For roaming visitors,

Before you leave your country you will need to activate your international roaming coverage with your mobile network. Another alternative to international roaming is to purchase a pre-paid mobile phone when you arrive which allows you to control the amount you spend on calls.
For further information on your mobile's compatibility visit: www.telstra.com.au/mobilenet.

Passport & Visa

All travellers to Australia, other than New Zealand, require a valid entry VISA prior to travel to Australia. For many nationalities (29 in total) an Electronic Visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) can be obtained from your travel agent or airline when making your travel arrangements. See your travel agent or airline for further details.

Because of time change and jet lag the Organising Committee suggests you consider arriving in Australia by 2 October 2003. This will enable you to relax and familiarise yourself with your hotel and its surrounds before the start of the conference.

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.

Shopping

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

Sydney is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. Note: Daylight saving is from the last Sunday in October to the first Sunday in March, clocks are advanced one hour to optimise light for evening activities. Visit: http://www.worldtimeserver.com to view the current time in New South Wales, Australia.

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.

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.