General Information

Conference organisers

Forum for European-Australian Science and Technology Cooperation (FEAST)
web: www.feast.org
address:
building 67a
The Australian National University
Canberra ACT 0200
Australia
email: conference@feast.org
phone: +61 2 6125 7884
fax: +61 2 6125 7815
mobile: +61 415 482 650

Payments

All prices are in Australian dollars and include 10% GST. All payments will be by credit card. Please note that debits to your credit card, for registration fees, will appear as “FEAST Conference 2006”.

Cancellation Policy

Delegate registrations may be cancelled up to and including Monday 25 September 2006 without penalty. Between Tuesday 25 September and Monday 6 November 2006 (inclusive) you may cancel your registration and receive a 75% refund. No refund will be returned for cancellations made after Monday 6 November 2006. But you may transfer your registration to a colleague at no penalty. Cancellation or changes to your registration must be advised in writing to the FEAST Conference organisers.

Weather

The Summer season in Canberra is warm to hot, with plenty of sunshine. The average night-time temperature is 12°C while the average daytime temperature is 27°C. Australian sun can be very harsh. To avoid sunburn, we recommend that you wear a hat and apply sunscreen when outdoors.

Dress

The dress for all sessions and social functions is smart casual. We suggest that a jacket be worn in sessions as airconditioning can sometimes be cool. The dress for the official reception will be advised shortly.

Language

English is the official language for this Conference. No language interpretation will be provided.

Privacy

Your privacy is important to us. By registering for the FEAST Conference 2006 it is understood that you agree to your name, organisation, position and state/country being included on the Conference delegate list which is distributed to delegates, sponsors and exhibitors at the FEAST Conference. Your contact details may also be used for sending information relevant to the FEAST Conference.

If you do not wish your name to be included in the Conference delegate list, please contact the conference organisers at conference@feast.org.

Personal Mail

The Conference organisers do not accept responsibility for personal mail. Please have mail sent to your accommodation address.

Travel and transfer information

Airport/CBD hotel Transfers

Canberra Airport is conveniently located less than ten minutes from Canberra’s CBD, Civic. The terminal provides easy access to the city centre through bus services, taxi or car. Visit the Canberra International Airport website at www.canberraairport.com.au for further information.

Airliner shuttle

The Airliner shuttle bus service operates Monday to Friday and provides express bus service to and from the Airport and Canberra city. You can pick up the Airliner bus from the terminal right outside the main doors. Look for the shuttle bus stop as you leave the terminal. The fare is only $7 one way and $12 return. Buses depart hourly for the city. For more information call Deanes Buslines on +61 2 6299 3722 or visit www.deanesbuslines.com.au.

Car Hire

Driving to the Conference venue from the airport won’t take more than 20 minutes in peak hour, and parking in the Shine Dome vicinity is possible but limited in business hours. Major international car-hire firms have a representative at Canberra Airport. Bookings can be done on-line through the respective websites.

Taxi

Taxi transfers from Canberra International Airport to the city centre, where the conference venue is, costs approximately AU$15.00. Canberra Cabs will take you anywhere you want to go. It is best to book a taxi by phone (13 22 27 when in Canberra) or wait for one at a taxi rank.

Travel Insurance

The Conference organisers recommend that all delegates purchase travel insurance including cover for non-refundable registration fees.

Visas

All visitors to Australia (with the exception of New Zealand citizens) will require a visa or an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) to enter the country. As visas may take up to 3 months to approve, it is imperative to apply for your visa as early as possible. Participants of an event or conference in Australia will generally need to apply for a subclass 456 Business (Short Stay) Visitor visa. Please note that applications for this Visitor visa can only be made at an Australian visa office overseas.

Please see the official Australia Immigration website for office and contact details outside Australia at www.immi.gov.au/contacts/overseas

The following passport holders are able to access Australia’s Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) issuing system. An ETA is issued by computer between the Department of Immigration and travel agents, airlines and specialist service providers. If an overseas participant is eligible to obtain an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) they may apply for either a Short or Long Validity Business Visitor ETA.

The current and official list of countries is available at www.eta.immi.gov.au/ETAAus1En.html
ETA applications information can be accessed through the Department’s Internet address www.immi.gov.au/eta/
If an overseas participant is eligible to obtain an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) they may apply for either a Short or Long Validity Business Visitor ETA.

Andorra	Ireland	Singapore
Austria	Italy	South Korea
Belgium	Japan	Spain
Brunei	Liechtenstein	Sweden
Canada	Luxembourg	Switzerland
Denmark	Malaysia	Taiwan^†
Finland	Malta	UK — British Citizen or
France	Monaco	UK — British National (Overseas)^‡
Germany	The Netherlands	USA
Greece	Norway	Vatican City
Hong Kong (SAR)	Portugal
Iceland	Republic of San Marino

^† Holders of Taiwan passports can only be processed for an ETA if resident in and applying in Taiwan.
^‡ Holders of UK passports which indicate their nationality to be British National (Overseas) can only be processed for an ETA if resident in and applying in Hong Kong.

Customs & Quarantine

Visitors to Australia must declare the following upon entry:

all animal and plant materials and items made from their parts;
all food items;
all medicinal products, it is advisable to have a letter or a prescription from your doctor;
amounts of AU$10,000 or more, or equivalent in foreign currency.

For further information, please visit www.customs.gov.au.

Currency

The Australian dollar ($AU) is Australia’s official currency. All major international credit cards are accepted in Australia and exchange facilities are widely available. Daily cost of living is similar to most European countries.

Currency exchange rate can be accessed at finance.yahoo.com/currency.

This project is supported by International Science Linkages established under the Australian Government’s innovation statement, Backing Australia’s Ability,
and has received funding from the European Commission’s Sixth Framework Programme.
FEAST is hosted by The Australian National University on behalf of Australia’s research community.

Forum for European-Australian Science and Technology cooperation