International Delegate Information

Welcome to the XX ICPC 16-19 October, 2023 preparations.

Please find the following, information to help plan your visit to Australia. International visitors to Australia must have a current Visa.

Vaccination information

Most travellers do not need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination to travel to and from Australia. Mask wearing on international flights to Australia is no longer mandatory. Travellers continue to be encouraged to consider wearing a mask to reduce their personal risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19.

From 5 January 2023, people travelling to Australia from China, including Hong Kong and Macau will be asked to show evidence of a negative pre-departure test for COVID-19. Read more about the COVID-19 testing requirements for travellers from China, Hong Kong and Macau.

Visa information

All visitors to Australia must have a valid visa to travel to and enter Australia. There are many visa options available to people wishing to visit Australia. The appropriate visa will depend on your purpose for visiting Australia.

Note: This information is a guide only. It is the responsibility of the individual traveller to make sure they are applying for the correct Visa.

Visitor Visas:

Visitor visa (subclass 600) Business visitor stream

Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)

eVisitor (subclass 651)

Visa fees and Charges

You should apply for your visa well in advance of the conference date. We strongly recommend that you apply at least two months prior to your intended date of departure. The Department of Immigration and Border Protection reserves the right to change regulations, so for all the latest information relating to Entering Australia please visit: https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visi

Visa Invitation letters

Invitation letters to the Conference will be provided to persons on request at email: acpsnational@acps.com.au.

You will need to provide name as it appears on your passport, passport number and dates of birth. You will have to look after all your own costs to attend the Conference.

Health and character requirements

Australia has health and character requirements which you will have to meet as part of the visa application process.

• For more information on health requirements, go to http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa/Heal
• For more information on character requirements, go to http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa/Char

Quarantine

Australia is free from many plant and animal diseases prevalent in other countries. Very strict quarantine rules apply to the importation of animals and plant products and many cannot be brought into the country without prior application.

Customs

Please ensure that along with your passport and visa, you also pack your registration confirmation letter within your carry-on luggage. You may be asked to produce this when going through customs at your arrival airport. In addition to this, please be sure to fill out your Incoming Passenger Card with all details and answer each question honestly.

Insurance

It is strongly recommended that delegates take out adequate travel and health insurance prior to commencement of travel. Further information can be obtained from your travel agent.

Tax

Australia applies a tax to the purchase of both goods and services called the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The rate of tax that applies to taxable products and services is 10%. Tax is already included in the advertised prices. Non-Australian delegates may be eligible for a refund of GST via the Tourist Refund Scheme.

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 is received. No service charge is added to hotel or restaurant bill.

Further information

If you require further Visa information please email: acpsnational@acps.com.au

Transportation

If you are flying into Brisbane International Airport or transferring through the Brisbane Domestic airport, the Air Train is the best way to travel to the Gold Coast.  A single use ticket can be purchased at an approximate cost of $40 each way.

Options to travel on all forms of public transport in South East Queensland (SEQ) including the Gold Coast are a GO Card https://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/go-card. or a contactless debit or credit card.  The GO card is available for purchase at train station platforms through the ticketing machines or manned translink counters and many newsagents.

If you are flying into the Gold Coast Airport  a taxi or bus can be used to travel to the Gold Coast.  For those guests visiting the Gold Coast.

1.   Bus Route 777 travels from the Gold Coast Airport to Broadbeach South Tram Station, which is adjacent to The Star Hotel (Casino) and 250 metres from the Convention     Centre.  Onboard bus payments cashless and a card is needed.
2.   Taxi from the Gold Coast Airport to the Convention Centre takes 19 minutes and costs $50 – $65.

If you are flying into Sydney International Airport there are three options to travel to the Gold Coast.

1. Hire car – pre-book before flight. Please note this is a 1,000km drive and greater than a 12 hour drive.

2. Domestic flight to Gold Coast (Coolangatta airport), $90 – $200 taking 1.5 hours and taxi to Gold Coast, $16.

3. Train to Gold Coast takes 18 hours and costs $80-$120 via Brisbane arriving at Broadbeach North Tram Station and a 250 metre walk to the Convention Centre.