Visas

All visitors to Australia (except New Zealand citizens) require a visitor visa. This form is available from any Australian Embassy or Consulate, or can be downloaded direct from the Australian Department of Immigration web site. Some nationalities are eligible for an electronic travel authority (ETA) which can be issued through your travel agent or airline carrier.

Currency

The local currency in Australia is the Australian Dollar. It is a decimal currency where 100 cents are equal to 1 dollar. Our various coins are worth 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, 50 cents, 1 dollar and 2 dollars, while notes are issued in denominations of 5 dollars, 10 dollars, 20 dollars, 50 dollars and 100 dollars. The currency converter shown below will calculate the current equivalent of 1 Australian Dollar.

Australian Government Guide to Visiting Australia

Check out the official Government Guide for information about visas, customs, general information, health issues and quarantine.

Air Travel

Australia is well serviced by both domestic and international carriers in accordance with its position as one of the world's premier tourist destinations. Airfare and flight schedule information can be found on the following sites, in addition to fleet details, frequent flyer programs and route information.

• Ansett Australia
• QANTAS
• British Airways
• Cathay Pacific
• Japan Airlines
• KLM
• Lufthansa
• Singapore Airlines
• United Airlines

You can also view flight availability and schedule information with ITN Flight Information Systems.

Getting to/from the Airport

Perth Domestic and International airports are approximately 25 km from the TradeWinds Hotel. The Fremantle Airport Shuttle operates between both terminals and Fremantle every hour, stopping at all hotels in Fremantle including the TradeWinds (detailed timetable on the conference web site). The fare is $15 each way. A taxi would cost approximately $35. 

Banking

The major Australian banks operate branches in most centres throughout the region with EFTPOS facilities at many retail outlets, although the frequency of locations diminishes with the isolation of the area being travelled. Opening hours are from 09.30 or 10:00 to 16:00 Monday to Thursday, and from 09.30 or 10:00 to 17.00pm Friday. All banks are closed on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. Currency exchange is available at all bank branches, Thomas Cook Bureau De Change, and selected retail outlets. The major banks in Australia operate web sites that provide details of branch locations and services and facilities provided. Information on Australian branches for foreign banks can be obtained from the Directory Of World Banks.

Electricity

Our local power supply is 240 volts at 50 Hz, and uses a 3 pin plug connection. Many appliances have 110/240V switches, however it is advisable that overseas visitors bring their own plug adaptors.

Post Offices

Post Offices are situated in most major centres and are open from 09:00 to 17:00 weekdays, and 09:00 to 11:00 on Saturdays, but are closed on Sundays and public holidays. More information on postal services and charges, and post office locations can be found on the Australia Post web site.

Shopping

Normal hours of opening for retail outlets is 09:00-17:30 Monday to Friday and 09:00-16:00 Saturday. Late night shopping on Thursday means many stores are open until 21:00. In more tourist oriented centres, these hours are more flexible with many stores trading late 7 days a week. In the Perth city and Fremantle, there is Sunday trading 12:00-17:00 and Friday night shopping until 21:00.