Currency

Australian money comes in both notes and coins. The notes are: $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. The coins are: 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and $1 and $2. You'll find currency exchange facilities at the international airport, throughout the city centre, and at most banks and Australia Post offices.

Banks in Sydney are generally open 9.30am-4pm Monday to Thursday, and 9.30am-5pm Friday, but some banks offer extended hours and some are open on Saturday mornings. Travellers cheques are widely accepted, as are major credit cards. Most banks will engage in foreign currency exchange.

 

Credit Cards and ATM's

All major credit cards (including Visa, Mastercard, American Express) are widely accepted in Australia. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are available throughout the city and accept most common cards.

 

Electricity

Australia runs on 240V, 50hz current with 3 pin flat plugs. Make sure the transformers, chargers, and electronic gear you bring with you can handle 240v. Plugs in Australia are different from those in the UK, USA, Europe, Asia and South-east Asia. Plug adaptors can easily be purchased at electronic stores. If you need to purchase a transformer for your appliance, it might be advisable to buy it before you depart for Australia.

 

Time Zone

The time zone for Sydney is currently Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) which is UTC +11.

Daylight Saving Time ends at 2am (which is 3am Daylight Saving Time) on Sunday 02 April, when clocks are put back one hour.

 

Dress Code

The dress code throughout the conference is smart casual. The dress code for each function is indicated in the function description on the Social Events page.

 

Weather

March is the beginning of autumn in Sydney and the lovely weather means it is one of the best times of year to visit the city. Throughout the month of March, the average daytime temperatures are around 22°C(72°F) in Sydney. Temperatures do vary but not greatly; high temperatures can reach up to 25°C (77°F) whereas the average minimum temperatures only drops to around 18°C (64°F).

 

Australian Good's and Services Tax (GST)

A Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10% is included in the ticketed purchase price of almost all consumer goods and services in Australia.

 

Tipping

Sydney doesn't operate on a tipping culture. You may tip to show your appreciation for good service, but it's not a requirement anywhere. As a guide, a tip of 10% in restaurants and taxis would be an indication that you were very happy with the service you received.