WCIM 2010 Melbourne in conjunction with Physicians Week

Airport And Transport close

Melbourne Airport is located 20 km or 25 minutes from central Melbourne. A regular airport to city bus service (Skybus) departs the airport every 30 minutes.

Banking/Currency close

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 close

Banks generally open from 0930 - 1600 hours Monday - Friday. General office hours are 0900 - 1700 Monday - Friday. Post Offices operate these hours, however stamps are often available from hotels.

Climate And Clothing close

March is autumn and the temperature range is 15º Celsius to 23º Celsius (54º Fahrenheit to 74º Fahrenheit)

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.

Eating Out close

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".

Electricityclose

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)close

Since 1 July 2000, Australia has adopted a new taxation system incorporating the Goods & Services Tax (GST). All prices quoted on this website 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 applies to goods over the value of A$300 when items are purchased in the same shop within 30 days of your departure from Australia. Should an item be too large to take onto the aircraft as hand luggage you will need to visit the TRS clearing office at the international airport with the item and receipt. The receipt will be stamped TRS sited and at that point you can check the large item in with your luggage. Once you have cleared customs you can collect your refund from the TRS desk by showing your receipt or items purchased. It does not apply to services or goods consumed or partly consumed in Australia, however the goods can be used before departing Australia.

Languageclose

The official language for the Congress is English.

Passport & Visa close

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. Please see your travel agent or airline for further details.

Planning Your Travel close

Because of time change and jet lag the Organising Committee suggests you consider arriving in Australia a day or two prior to the start of the Congress. This will enable you to relax and familiarise yourself with your hotel and its surrounds before the start of the Congress.

Pre And Post Congress Tours close

Pre and Post Congress Tours will be specially arranged to enable participants to experience the contrasts of this vast southern continent. Take in the Red Centre, Ayers Rock and Alice Springs, the Kakadu National Park and the Great Barrier Reef with its prolific coral wonderland - only some of the many scenic wonders for you to see.

Privacy close

Australia introduced the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 in 2001. The Congress Managers comply with such legislation which is designed to protect the right of the individual to privacy of their information. Information collected in respect of proposed participation in any aspect of the Congress will be only used for the purposes of planning and conduct of the Congress and may also be provided to the organising body or to organisers of future events. It is also usual to produce a ‘Delegate List’ of attendees at the Congress and to include the individual’s details in such a list. Consent for publication of the individual’s information may be withheld when completing the Registration Form for the Congress. Individuals are also entitled to access the information held by written application to the Congress Managers.

Quarantineclose

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.

Shopping close

Most shops in the CBD of Melbourne are generally open from 0900 to 1700 Saturday to Wednesday and 0900 to 2100 Thursday to Friday. In all stores and shopping centres major credit cards are accepted and for international visitors, tax-free shopping is possible within the city.

Walking is the best way to shop, especially along Melbourne 's arcades and laneways. Outside the city centre, visit shopping precincts like Chapel Street in South Yarra, Acland Street in St Kilda and Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, especially on weekends. Here you 'll find everything from retro homewares to funky shops selling cult-in-the-making jewellery. These areas also have lots of streetside cafes. Travelling between Melbourne 's suburbs is best done by tram, although you 'll need a car to visit larger suburban malls like Chadstone, where many of the major retailers are found.

Bargainsclose

For bargains, head for Richmond (especially Bridge Road and Swan Street), where designer outlets and factory seconds sell jeans, swimwear, trainers, tops and bags at heavily reduced prices. Big savings can also be made during sale times (normally at the end of summer and winter, and some public holidays) held by David Jones, Myer and other department stores.

Time close

Melbourne is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.

Note: Daylight savings - from the last Sunday in October to the first Sunday in March, clocks are advanced one hour to optimise light for evening activities.

Tipping close

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.

Vaccinations close

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.