International Workshop on Multiangular Measurements and Models

General Information

Visas

It is important that you apply for your visa to Australia at least 6 to 8 weeks before the conference. There are two possible visa options. The appropriate visa will depend on your country of passport.

1. The electronic short stay Business visa (ETA 977): The ETA is an electronic visa and can be applied for online and issued the same day. It is only available to people with a passport from one of the following countries: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco,The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal , Republic of San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan*, USA, United Kingdom - British Citizen, United Kingdom - British National (Overseas)**
* Taiwan passport holders can be processed for an ETA only if resident in, and applying from, Taiwan.
** UK passport holders whose nationality is British National (Overseas) can be processed for an ETA only if resident in, and applying from, Hong KongSAR.
Please be aware that Taiwanese passport holders and BNO passport holders cannot apply for an ETA online.
The Internet address for ETA applications is http://www.eta.immi.gov.au

2. The paper short stay Business visa (subclass 456): If you do not hold a passport from one of the above countries or locations, you will need to apply for a short stay Business visa (456) at the Australian visa office closest to your to current place of residence. Form 456 can be downloaded from http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/456.pdf

Arriving in Sydney
Sydney's Kingsford-Smith Airport lies just 8km south of the city.
Taxis in Sydney are quite safe, and are easily caught at the airport. The cost of a trip by taxi from the airport to the UniLodge Hotel (or to any hotel within the CBD) is about $30.
Shuttle buses, trains and taxis operate between the airport and the city. The Airport Link Underground Railway connects the airport to Central Station. That journey takes approximately 10 minutes, costs $11 and trains depart every 7-10 minutes. To get to the UniLodge Hotel from Central Station you need to take a taxi or a bus west along Broadway Road. From the bus interchange at the intersection of Broadway Road and George Street you may board any bus going west (beyond the University of Technology, towards Sydney University).
The UniLodge Hotel is located half a block east of the Broadway Shopping Centre which, in turn, is one block east of the intersection with Glebe Point Road.

Weather
March is late summer-early autumn in Sydney. Typically the weather should be very pleasant, warm and sunny, although some rain is not unknown at this time of the year.

Time Zones
Until the last Sunday in March Sydney will operate on Eastern Daylight Savings Time. Add 11 hours to GMT.

Money
Australia uses a decimal currency system of dollars and cents. Credit cards are accepted virtually everywhere and traveller's cheques are also widely accepted. International airports and major hotels provide money-changing facilities.
Currency converter: http://www.ozforex.com.au/

Goods and Services Tax
For international visitors, a tax refund may be sought at the airport for goods beyond the value of $300 which they take with them as hand luggage when leaving the country. However, this tax refund is not available for goods or services consumed in Australia.

Sydney Sites and Tours
The following websites provide information about sightseeing, cultural activities and other experiences in Sydney and beyond:
Tourism Australia : http://www.tourism.australia.com/
Tourism NSW: http://www.sydneyaustralia.com/
City of Sydney: http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/

Sydney Maps
City of Sydney: http://citymap.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/
Sydney Airport: http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/SACL/default.htm
City Search Sydney: http://sydney.citysearch.com.au/
Lonely Planet: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/australasia/sydney/