Banking and Currency
Decimal currency is used in Australia with the dollar as the basic unit (100 cents = A$1). Notes come in A$100, A$50, A$20, A$10 and A$5 denominations. Coins come in 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, A$1 and A$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 and American Express.
Climate
Spring (Sep-Nov): 16-26 C º (59-79 ºF)
Summer (Dec-Feb): 20-29 ºC (68-84 ºF)
Autumn (Mar-May): 16-26 ºC (61-79 ºF)
Winter (Jun-Aug): 10-21 ºC (50-70 ºF)
COVID-19 Safety Measures
Your health and safety are our priority. This is a COVID-safe event with the following rules to adhere to:
- All delegates and exhibitors must present a NEGATIVE Rapid Antigen Test before travelling to the conference.
- All attendees must comply with the Safety Plan advised by public health orders to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19 on the premises.
- ASI will not cover expenses associated with extra accommodation or alternative transport costs due to isolation requirements should attendees test positive at the event. All attendees should be aware that the events are ‘Attend at your own risk’.
Disclaimer of Liability
The Organising Committee will not accept liability for damages of any nature sustained by participants or their accompanying persons or loss of or damage to their personal property as a result of the meeting or related events.
Should the event be cancelled due to COVID-related restrictions, the Organising Committee shall endeavour to reschedule. All participants who have paid a registration fee will receive a full refund on the registration fee, but all participants hereby indemnify and hold the Organising Committee unaccountable for all out-of-pocket travel and quarantine -related costs, damages and expenses.
By registering for and attending the ASI event, you are also indicating your acceptance of the ASI Event Policy.
Eating Out
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”.
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 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 and Services Tax (GST) / Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS)
All prices quoted in this website are inclusive of 10% GST (Goods and Services Tax), unless otherwise specified. GST applies to most goods and services in Australia.
The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) is administered by the Australian Customs Department and enables travelers departing from Australia to claim a refund of the GST and Wine Equalisation Tax (WET) paid on goods bought in Australia. For detailed information on the TRS visit the website of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Services of the Australian Government.
Insurance
Registration fees do not include insurance. It is strongly recommended that at the time you register for the Meeting and book your travel you take out an insurance policy of your choice. The policy should include:
- Loss of fees/deposit through cancellation of your participation in the Meeting or through cancellation of the Meeting,
- Loss of international/domestic air fares through cancellation for any reason,
- Loss of tour monies through cancellation for any reason including airline or related services strikes within Australia,
- Failure to utilise tours or pre booked arrangements due to airline delay,
- Force Majeure or any other reason,
- Medical expenses (including sickness and accident cover),
- Loss or damage to personal property,
- Additional expenses and repatriation should travel arrangements have to be altered.
The Meeting Managers cannot take any responsibility for any participant failing to arrange their own insurance. This insurance is to be purchased in your country of origin.
International Travel
As you may be aware, travel to Australia for international travellers has been restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Information regarding travel and border requirements for international travellers wishing to travel to Australia is available at https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/coming-australia.
Language
The official language for the Meeting is English.
Passport and Immigration (VISA)
All visitors to Australia must have a valid visa to travel to and enter Australia, including Commonwealth & US passport holders.
Welcome letters can be requested by emailing the Meeting Managers (register.vetscienceweek@arinexgroup.com) following completion of Meeting registration. For VISA information please download the following information fact sheet from the Australian Immigration Office.
For International participants, to obtain an Australian visa an Invitation Letter is not required. Once you have registered and paid the registration fees in full then your confirmation of registration or tax invoices for payment of registration fees is sufficient to lodge with your visa application.
Note – it is strongly recommended that Australian visa applications are lodged at least two months prior to departure from your point of origin. This may not be organised upon arrival.
As of 15 December 2021, fully vaccinated eligible visa holders can travel to Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption. The list of eligible visa subclasses can be found here: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/vaccinated-travellers. Anyone seeking to enter Australia who does not hold an eligible visa will still need to apply for a travel exemption.
Photography
The Meeting Hosts and Meeting Managers have arranged for photography onsite throughout the event. The images may be used for post-Meeting reports, case studies, marketing collateral and supplied to industry media if requested. If you do not wish for your photo to be taken, please inform the photographer and move out of camera range.
Planning your travel
Due to time zones and jet lag, we suggest you arrive in Australia a few days prior to the commencement of the Meeting. This will enable you to relax and familiarise yourself with your hotel and its surrounds.
Privacy
Australia operates under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), as amended, and the Privacy Amendment (Notifiable Data Breaches), 2017. The objective of these is to protect the right of the individual to privacy of their information.
Europe operates under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (Regulation (EU) 2016/679), a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy for all individuals within the European Union. The GDPR aims primarily to give protection to citizens over their personal data. The legislation was adopted on 27 April 2016.
The Meeting Managers comply with these legislations and are committed to protect the right of the individual to privacy of their information.
Arinex will not sell your personal information to third parties. If you believe that any information we are holding on you is incorrect or incomplete, please email us and we will promptly correct the information. You may also withdraw your consent for use of your information by advice to us in writing.
Why do we wish you to provide your information?
We require your information to facilitate provision of information to you regarding the Meeting and to facilitate your participation in the Meeting. Information collected in respect of your proposed participation in any aspect of the Meeting will be used for the purposes listed below. You can give or withhold your consent for each or all of these uses. Please indicate your preferences when completing your registration form but please note that we will be unable to forward any information relating to the Meeting or to communicate with you regarding your registration if you select ‘no’ to point 1.
What we will do with your information?
- Planning and conduct of the Meeting including arrangements for your participation (e.g. accommodation booking);
- In the Delegate List published for the Meeting;
- May also be provided to organisers of future occurrences of this Meeting;
- May be used to provide you with information of other relevant events in your area of interest.
Important Notes:
- The parties who will have access to your information (subject to your preference selections on above points) are the Meeting Managers, the Meeting host organisation (points 1 and point 4), delegates, sponsors and exhibitors of the Meeting (point 2) and any future organisers of the Meeting (point 3).
The parties mentioned above will rely on your above consent indications for the purposes of compliance.
- You may withdraw your granular consent at any time by notice in writing to the Meeting Managers.
- You are entitled to access the information held by written application to the Meeting Managers.
For further information please see our detailed corporate Privacy Statement at link
Quarantine
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 Travelers’ on the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) website.
Shopping
Gold Coast shops usually open from 0900 to 1700 hours during the week with late night shopping on Friday until 2100 hours. The hours in the CBD and shopping centres on Saturdays are generally from 0900 to 1700 hours and on Sundays from 1000 to 1700 hours.
Welcome Letters for VISA Applications
International delegates can request for an official Welcome Letter from the Meeting Managers to assist with their VISA Applications after paying for their Meeting registration. Please forward a copy of your registration confirmation email and receipt to the Meeting Managers at vetscienceweek@arinexgroup.com and request for a Welcome Letter.
Please note that the above must be provided otherwise your request will be denied.