Currency
Decimal currency is used in Australia - units are dollars and cents. Current exchange rates can be obtained from your bank. All major credit cards are widely accepted in Australia. The exchange rates as at October 2007 are: 1AUD=0.890644 USD, 1AUD= 0.628365 Euros, 1AUD=0.438510 GBP

Time
Local Sydney time during May is - Greenwich Mean Time plus 11 hours.

Electricity
The electrical supply is 240 volts, 50Hz. The connection for appliances is a flat 3-pin plug of unique design. Most hotels provide 110 volt outlets for shavers.

Climate
In Sydney, May begins our Autumn season and you can look forward to temperatures of approximately 20°C (67°F) during the daytime and 12°C (57°F) in the evening.

Shopping
Shops open from 0900 to 1730 during the week with late night shopping on Thursdays to 2100. On Saturdays and Sunday most shops are open between 0900 and 1600. Sydney is considered an excellent duty-free port for travellers.

Travel and Health Insurance
We strongly recommend that you take out insurance policies to cover medical and travel expenses. If necessary, consult your travel agent.

Taxes
A Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10% applies to all consumer goods and is included in retail prices.

Tipping
Tipping is not the general custom in Australia and service charges are not added to accounts by hotels and restaurants. However, you may tip hotel porters and food and drink waiters in restaurants (up to 10% of the bill) for special service. At any time, tipping is your choice.

Mobile Phones
Analogue mobile or cell phones cannot be used as Australia operates on a digital network. Mobile phones can be readily hired at Sydney Airport or telecommunication outlets.

Transport from the Airport
The Symposium does not provide any transfers from the airport to Symposium Hotels. All delegates must make their own transport arrangements from the airport.There is an abundance of taxis that can be engaged at ranks at Sydney Airport. The taxi ride from the airport to the Sydney CBD can take between 15-20 minutes. The Airport Link rail service runs from approximately 5am until Midnight, seven days a week, to and from the Domestic and International Terminals and all City Circle railway stations. For more information, call +61 2 8337 8417 or visit www.airportlink.com.au.

Public Transport around Sydney
Sydney’s public transport network allows easy travel around the city. There are direct trains from the city to many state-wide destinations, as well as buses and ferries from Circular Quay.There is an abundance of taxis that can be hailed from the street, or engaged at ranks throughout Sydney city. All public transport timetables, fare and route information is readily available on the State's transport website, www.131500.info