Banking and Money
Banks: As a general guide, banks across the city are open for business Monday to Friday 9.30am-4pm. Some banks in local shopping centres are also open Saturday and Sunday (with varying opening hours).
Automatic teller machines (ATMs): ATMs are located throughout the city and will recognise cards issued by most banks.
Credit cards: MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Diners Club are accepted across the city by most outlets with an increasing number accepting China UnionPay.
Currency exchange: Licensed money change services are available at the Brisbane Airport and at numerous Bureaux de Change located throughout the city. Most banks also offer currency exchange services.
Notes: $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100
Coins: 5¢, 10¢, 20¢, 50¢, $1 and $2
Pricing: Australian prices occasionally end in a variant of 1¢ or 2¢. Where this occurs, at the cash register the price is rounded to the nearest 5¢.
Climate
The weather in Brisbane is comfortable and sub-tropical. The city of Brisbane enjoys a very enviable climate of brilliant hot summers and clear mild winters. These enticing attributes ensure that Brisbane is idyllic for visitors all year round.
Whilst summer maximum average temperatures generally linger around 30°C, the summer months have some extremely hot days. Sunscreen, hats and protective clothing is essential in Brisbane throughout summer and is highly advised throughout the year.
The winter is mild and very pleasant. Most winter days are sunny with average temperatures of around 17°C. Average monthly rainfall over the year is around 96 millimetres. With an average of 8 hours of sun per day.
Electricity
Mains supply in Australia is 220/240 volts AC, 50Hz with three-pin plugs used across the country. The Australian three-pin electrical socket differs from those found in most countries, and international travellers may require an adaptor socket. Standard outlets for 100-volt small appliances can be found in most hotel rooms.
Adaptors can be bought from the Brisbane Visitor Information and Booking Centre in the Queen Street Mall and from all good travel stores, chemists and department stores.
Emergency Services
In a life-threatening or time-critical emergency, dial Emergency Services on Triple Zero (000). The Triple Zero service is an operator-assisted service that connects callers to the most relevant emergency service organisation (police, fire brigade or ambulance). Calls to Triple Zero are free and can be made from all telephones (landline, mobile devices and payphones). When you dial Triple Zero services, the most important thing to remember is to stay focused, stay relevant and stay on the line. Additionally, mobile users can dial 112 while the 106 emergency number connects to a text-based relay service for people who have a hearing or speech impairment.
Goods and Services Tax
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a broad-based 10 per cent tax included in the shelf price of most Australian goods and services. The Tourist Refund Scheme allows international travellers to claim a GST refund (subject to certain conditions) on some goods purchased in Australia. The refund applies only to items worn or goods taken on board as hand luggage when leaving the country.
https://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4263.asp
Grocery Shopping
Most stores and outlets are open from 9:00am to 5:30pm during the week with late night shopping on Thursdays to 9:00pm. On Saturdays and Sunday shops are open between 9:00am and 4:00pm.
For general day to day items that you may require during your time the nearest grocery stores include:
IGA Super Store 103 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane (closest to the Brisbane Conference & Exhibition Centre)
Woolworths 259 Queen Street, Brisbane, 4000 heart of the city and near the Brisbane GPO (General Post Office)
Coles
Two stores one in the CBD and West End on the south Brisbane side of the river.
Queen St & Edward Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000
Mollison St & Boundary Rd, West End, QLD 4101
Other convenience store brands include 7Eleven, Lucky7, NightOwl.
All three supermarket chains offer a variety of mixed goods, food, fruit and vegetables.
Health and Medical Services
Australia has a high-standard healthcare system offering a mix of public and private services. Several public hospitals with accident, emergency and outpatient services are located close to inner-city Brisbane, while private medical practitioners can be easily located through the Yellow Pages website. Some international travellers will find their country has reciprocal healthcare agreements with Australia. As a general guide, these agreements provide for any ill-health episode requiring prompt medical attention. Comprehensive travel insurance is always recommended.
The Conference does not provide insurance to delegates. We strongly recommend that you take out insurance policies to cover medical and travel expenses. If necessary, consult your travel agent.
The nearest Chemist (Pharmacy) in South Bank is Chemmart – Shop 2, 189 Grey Street, South Brisbane. Other Pharmacies include Amcal Chemist, Price-line Pharmacy and Chemist Warehouse. Be sure to check for the Pharmacy Guild sign when looking for your pharmaceutical requirements.
Language
English is the official language of Australia but many foreign languages are used by local communities including Arabic, Italian, Greek, Vietnamese and Chinese dialects. Translation and interpreter services can be accessed 24 hours a day by calling 13 14 50.
Population
A population of 2.1 million calls Brisbane home, with a median age of 35 and more than a quarter of Brisbane residents born overseas.
Shopping in Brisbane
With directional boutiques, home-grown designers and big-name brands, Brisbane has earned its title as the new home of fashion. The Queen Street Mall is the heart of this shopping mecca, housing luxury retailers, flagship stores of Australian labels and hole-in-the-wall boutiques. International brands Cartier, Burberry and Forever 21, along with Australia’s Paspaley, are the most recent additions to the city’s sartorial mix, with more fashion heavyweights set to open.
Luxury lovers can peruse high-end stores, including Tiffany & Co., Chanel and Louis Vuitton at QueensPlaza. The heritage-listed Brisbane Arcade is worth a visit to marvel at its stunning timber panelling and local designers. Head to MacArthur Central for flagship stores including Apple and Ralph Lauren, The Myer Centre for Myer, or browse the shops behind Wintergarden’s butterfly-studded, kaleidoscopic façade.
To continue your boutique journey, head to Fortitude Valley and Paddington, where unique shops, galleries and boutiques dot the streets. In Fortitude Valley, James Street is the place to find local designer wear and quality home wares amidst cool bars and fine al fresco dining spots. Or venture into the creative designer hub of Bakery Lane set in an intimate space off Ann Street.
Telephone Assistance
| Common country codes | |
| China
France Germany Hong Kong Ireland Italy Japan Malaysia New Zealand Singapore South Africa Spain United Kingdom United States of America |
0011 + 86
0011 + 33 0011 + 49 0011 + 852 0011 + 353 0011 + 39 0011 + 81 0011 + 60 0011 + 64 0011 + 65 0011 + 27 0011 + 34 0011 + 44 0011 + 1 |
Directory assistance: 1223 / Emergency calls in Australia: 000
Time Zones
Brisbane operates on Australian Eastern Standard Time – GMT plus 10 hours. Daylight savings times do not apply in Queensland.
Tipping
Service with a smile is the rule of thumb in Australia and tipping is always optional. If the service is worthy of a tip, it will be appreciated.
Things you cannot bring into Australia
Australia has very strict importation laws and like most countries we place great emphasis on protecting out native fauna and flora from infectious diseases and other hazardous substances. The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) provides quarantine inspection services for the arrival of international passengers, cargo, mail, animals, plants or their products exported from Australia. For more information regarding specifically what you are able to bring into Australia visit the Australian quarantine and Inspection Service website at www.aqis.gov.au.
Visitor Information Services
Brisbane Visitor Information and Booking Centre
The award-winning Brisbane Visitor Information and Booking Centre is located in the heart of Brisbane’s busiest shopping precinct in the Queen Street Mall (between Edward and Albert Sts). The fully-accredited centre holds a travel agency licence and offers a wide range of information and tourist booking services for travellers. Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 9am-5.30pm; Friday 9am-7pm; Saturday 9am-5pm; and Sunday 10am-5pm. (closed Good Friday and Christmas Day. On Anzac Day (25 April) the centre is open 1-5pm and all other public holidays the centre is open 9.30am-4.30pm.)
The South Bank Visitor Centre is located in the heart of South Bank on the Stanley Street Plaza. The centre offers detailed information on South Bank attractions and travel services. Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 9am-5pm (closed Good Friday and Christmas Day); open from 1-5pm on Anzac Day; and open from 10am on public holidays.
Brisbane Airport Ambassadors & Visitor Information
Visitor Information centres are also located at the Brisbane Airport in the arrivals hall of the international terminal and on the ground floor of the domestic terminal. Both centres offer a range of information and booking services for travellers. Opening hours (international): Monday to Sunday 6am-2am. Opening hours (domestic): Monday to Friday 7am-2.45pmand 8.30am-12.15pm weekends.
For more information on where to eat, drink, shop, play and stay in Brisbane, go to www.visitbrisbane.com.au
Wheelchair access or other mobility disability access
When you register, please notify the Conference Secretariat of any mobility disabilities you have so that any venue access challenges can be addressed.
