Sydney is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. Sydney, New South Wales, practices Daylight Saving Time. Daylight Saving Time advances the clock one hour during the summer months and usually commences at 2am on the first Sunday in October and ends at 2am on the first Sunday in April each year. During Daylight Savings Time, Sydney is 11 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean time.

In Penrith, the average temperatures per quarter are as follows:

• Spring (Sep-Nov): 23-28 ºC (73-82 ºF)
• Summer (Dec-Feb): 30-31 ºC (86-87 ºF)
• Autumn (Mar-May): 21-28 ºC (69-82 ºF)
• Winter (Jun-Aug): 18-20 ºC (64-68 ºF)

Generally, Australians are informal dressers. We suggest you bring a jacket and tie with you for special occasions. Please refer to the information on the social program for dress at social functions organised as part of the Conference as some of these may require formal evening dress.

From large shopping centres featuring all the major retailers to intriguing little arcades with a host of unique shops, Penrith City Centre is truly a mecca for shoppers! Being so close to rural areas where farms and orchards are in plentiful supply, Penrith still enjoys a local bounty of delicious fresh food to sample and buy. Penrith City Centre is a hub for high-tech retail, featuring top providers like Optus, Vodafone, and Telstra for mobile tech, along with expert guidance from JB HiFi. Major department stores such as Myer, Target, Big W, and K-Mart coexist with supermarkets like Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, and The Growers’ Market. Specialized shops like Cotton On, the ABC Shop, and York Jewellers add further variety, making it a one-stop destination for all shopping needs.

Decimal currency is used in Australia with the dollar as the basic unit (100 cents = A$1). Notes come in A$100, A$50, A$20, A$10 and A$5 denominations. Coins come in 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, A$1 and A$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 and American Express.

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.

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.

GST or Goods and Services Tax is a 10% tax applied to most items in Australia.

The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) enables travellers departing Australia to claim a refund for the GST and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) paid on goods purchased in Australia. For detailed information on the TRS please refer to the website of the Australian Border Force.

Registration fees do not include insurance. It is strongly recommended that at the time you register for the Conference 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 Conference or through cancellation of the Conference,
• 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,
• Medical expenses.

The Conference 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.

The official language for the Conference is English.

All visitors to Australia must have a valid visa to travel to and enter Australia. Welcome letters can be requested following completion of Programme registration by emailing the Conference Managers. For visa information please refer to the website of the Department of Home Affairs.

Please note it is strongly recommended that Australian visa applications are lodged at least two months prior to departure from your point of origin.

Photographers may be present onsite throughout the event. The images may be used for post-Conference reports, case studies, marketing collateral and supplied to industry media if requested. If you do not wish for your photo to be taken, please inform the photographer and move out of camera range.

Because of time changes and jet lag we suggest you arrive in Australia a few days prior to the commencement of the Conference. This will enable you to relax and familiarise yourself with your hotel and its surrounds before the start of the Conference.

Australia operates under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), as amended, and the Privacy Amendment (Notifiable Data Breaches), 2017.  The objective of these is to protect the right of the individual to privacy of their information.

Europe operates under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (Regulation (EU) 2016/679), a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy for all individuals within the European Union. The GDPR aims primarily to give protection to citizens over their personal data.  The legislation was adopted on 27 April 2016.

The Conference Managers comply with these legislations and are committed to protect the right of the individual to privacy of their information.

Arinex will not sell your personal information to third parties.  If you believe that any information we are holding on you is incorrect or incomplete, please email us and we will promptly correct the information.  You may also withdraw your consent for use of your information by advice to us in writing. 

Why do we wish you to provide your information?

We require your information to facilitate provision of information to you regarding the Conference and to facilitate your participation in the Conference.  Information collected in respect of your proposed participation in any aspect of the Conference will be used for the purposes listed below.  You can give or withhold your consent for each or all of these uses.  Please indicate your preferences when completing your registration form but please note that we will be unable to forward any information relating to the Conference or to communicate with you regarding your registration if you select point 1.

What we will do with your information?

1. Planning and conduct of the Conference including arrangements for your participation (e.g. accommodation booking);
2. In the Delegate List published for the Conference;
3. May also be provided to organisers of future occurrences of this Conference;
4. May be used to provide you with information of other relevant events in your area of interest.

Important Notes:

• The parties who will have access to your information (subject to your preference selections on above points) are the Conference Managers, the Conference host organisation (points 1 and point 4), delegates, sponsors and exhibitors of the Conference (point 2) and any future organisers of the Conference (point 3).

The parties mentioned above will rely on your above consent indications for the purposes of compliance.

• You may withdraw your granular consent at any time by notice in writing to the Conference Managers.
• You are entitled to access the information held by written application to the Conference Managers.

For further information please see our detailed corporate Privacy Statement.

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 please refer to the ‘Travelling to Australia’ section on the website of the Department of Agriculture.

Tipping is not as widespread or regulated in Australia as it is in other parts of the world.  Tipping is at your prerogative; a reward for service. A gratuity of about 10% is usual in restaurants if good service is received.  Tips for taxis are regarded as optional.

There is no vaccination required for entering Australia.  However, if you enter Australia from a yellow fever declared country but do not hold a vaccination certificate you will receive a Yellow Fever Action Card for further information.  More information can be found on the Department of Health of the Australian Government website.