General information

• Banking/currency
• Climate and time
• Dress
• Electricity
• Emergency
• Free CAT bus
• Goods & Services Tax (GST) - Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS)
• Insurance
• Internet and wireless access
• Language
• Post offices
• Quarantine and Customs
• Shopping
• Tipping
• Vaccinations
• Visa/passport requirements
• Visitor centers

Banking/currency

Banks are generally open from 9.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday. Decimal currency is used in Australia with the dollar as the basic unit (100 cents = $1). Notes come in $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. Coins come in 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2 denominations. When paying by cash (i.e., not with a credit card), prices will be rounded to the nearest 5c. 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.

Climate and time

Outdoor activities can be enjoyed all year round with Perth’s ideal climate consisting of long, hot dry summers and short, mild winters which bring most of the city’s rainfall, from June to August.  Seasonal average temperatures are:

• Tip: Regardless of whether it is warm or a little on the chilly side in Perth, strong UV rays mean that spending time outdoors without wearing sunscreen can lead to a nasty case of sunburn.  If you are planning a day of outdoor activities, be sure to wear a hat and apply high factor sunscreen.

Time: Standard time zone for Perth is UTC/GMT +8 hours.  Perth/WA is two hours behind Queensland, NSW, Victoria, the ACT and Tasmania time, and one and a half hours behind SA and NT time.

Dress

Smart casual attire is appropriate for all conference sessions.

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 travelling from overseas. 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.

Emergency

If you need police, fire or ambulance in an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
Police locations in CBD

• City Police Station (18 London Circuit, City)
• Water Police Yarralumla (Alexandrina Dr, Yarralumla)
• Australian Federal Police HQ (2 Kings Ave, Barton)

Free CAT Bus

Within the city centre, you can enjoy free and easy transport. The modern Central Area Transit (CAT) buses run on three routes providing free and frequent transport around the city. The CAT bus stops are easily recognisable and provide real time passenger information. CAT buses are wheelchair accessible.  Free CAT transport is also available in the city of Fremantle. Download the CAT map

Goods & Services Tax (GST) - Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS)

Australia levies a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10%.

The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) enables travellers departing Australia to claim a refund of the GST (and also the Wine Equalisation Tax (WET)) paid on goods bought in Australia and taken out of the country. 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 sighted" and at that point you can check in the large item 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. Goods which are to be exported can be used before departing Australia.

Insurance

Delegates are strongly advised to secure appropriate travel and health insurance. Delegate registration fees do not provide any such insurance coverage. The Local Organising Committee and Conference Managers accept no responsibility for loss in this regard.

Internet and wireless access

Perth has good mobile phone coverage for all major network providers. Consult your local service provider before leaving home about international roaming or SIM card options.

There will be a free internet café available for delegates to use in the exhibition area during the conference. The internet café will operate during exhibition hours only.  In addition to these facilities the venue has Wi-Fi throughout the entire centre. Blocks of time may be purchased as required from 30 minutes up to 18 Hours. Instructions and details are issued at time of purchase. Casual wireless internet is designed for web browsing and checking web based email. It is not designed for VPN or downloading large files. Casual rates for this service are 30 minutes from $5.00 and six hours from $40.00.
National Convention Centre - Internet Fact Sheet

Language

The official language for the APS Annual Conference is English.

Post offices

Operate between 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday. Stamps are usually available for purchase from major hotels.

Quarantine and Customs

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, including most food products, which cannot be brought into the country without prior application. Animal and plant products are also restricted. For more information please visit the Australian Quarantine and Inspection (AQIS) website prior to travelling to Australia.

Customs
International visitors should allow approximately 30 minutes for processing through Australian Customs. These waiting times may vary during peak periods.

Shopping

The city of Perth has over 1000 specialty shops, with plenty to tempt the adventurous shopper.  Choices range from designer fashion to children’s toys, homewares, gourmet cuisine and high tech goods.

The city’s major department stores are complemented by boutiques and unique specialty stores.  The “West End, centred around King Street has become known as the high-end fashion precinct and is home to catwalk fashion labels, designer homeware and contemporary art galleries.

Most souvenir shops are found in Barrack Street and the Hay Street Mall, with specialised Aboriginal art and craft found in Forrest Chase and William Street Northbridge.

Bargain hunters can head to Harbour Town on Wellington Street for a great assortment of goods, from sporting gear to homewares, at discounted prices.

• Trading hours:
  The below trading hours should be used as a guide only. If you are planning a special trip be sure to contact individual retailers to confirm opening hours.
• General retailer trading hours
  Monday–Thursday: 9am–5pm
  Friday: 9am–9pm
  Saturday: 9am–5pm
  Sunday: 10am–5pm

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% is usual in restaurants if good service has been received. Tips for taxis are regarded as optional.

Vaccinations

A current valid international certificate of inoculation against yellow fever is required if passengers come from or have travelled through infected areas. Please check all requirements through your travel agent or airline.

Visa/passport requirements

A valid passport is required for entry into Australia. All travellers to Australia must obtain a visa or electronic travel authority (ETA) before travelling to Australia, with the exception of New Zealand citizens travelling on New Zealand passports. The Australian Visitor Visa may be obtained by mail or in person from the nearest Australian High Commission, Embassy or Consulate. In some countries, travel agents can issue the visa. Travellers may be issued with either a visa in their passport or an electronic visa, depending on the country of origin and the passport/nationality of the traveller. It is the responsibility of the delegate to ensure that they hold the required documentation before arriving in Australia. Please note that applications for visas must be submitted at least 6 weeks prior to the date of travel. We strongly recommend making an early application for a visa.

For further information, please visit the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship website.

Visitor centres

To get the most out of your holiday in Western Australia, speak to the experts at a local Visitor Centre. Visitor Centres offer expert advice on the best things to see and do.  They can help with maps, accommodation and tour bookings, or provide local knowledge on an area’s hidden gems.  Look for the blue and yellow “ï” sign to find the next accredited Visitor Centre on your holiday route.