International Visitors

As an international event, CeBIT Australia attracts exhibitors and visitors from overseas.

If you are travelling to Sydney, Australia from overseas, this page will provide valuable information for you.

Credit Cards / Banks / Foreign Exchange
Visa and MasterCard are very widely accepted.  Larger establishments and specialty shops in cities and tourist areas generally accept American Express and Diners Club.  JCB cards are generally limited to hotels and restaurants with a significant Japanese clientele; some taxi companies also accept them.

Drugs
The importation, possession and use of drugs such as marijuana, hashish, cocaine, heroin, LSD, amphetamines and all their derivatives is illegal and carries heavy penalties.  While Australia does not have the death penalty for drug possession and trafficking, most of its Asian neighbours do.  Australian Customs authorities employ sniffer dogs and other devices and police have wide powers to search without warrant.

Electricity
Standard Australia power is 240 volts at 50 Hertz.

Entry and Exit Formalities
For up-to-date information about visa and entry formalities, please contact an Australian visa office or visit the Australia Department of Immigration Website: www.immi.gov.au
Alternatively, visit the following websites:
www.scvb.com.au
www.sydney.visitorsbureau.com.au
www.citysearch.com.au

Smoking
Smoking is prohibited on all international and domestic airline flights, inside all Australian airports, on all buses, trains, ferries and other forms of public transport, and tourist coaches.  Many rental car companies take the ashtrays out of their vehicles to discourage smoking, which is also prohibited in taxis.
Generally, smoking is not allowed in department stores and shops.  It is not allowed in any cinema, theatre, gallery, government or private office building, except in restaurants or cafes, which have a smoking section.  Many restaurants, which allow smoking, limit it to cigarettes, not pipes or cigars.  Pubs, clubs and hotel bars generally allow smoking though it may be restricted to certain areas. Most hotels offer smoking and non-smoking rooms or floors of rooms. There is no smoking allowed within the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre.  You may smoke outdoors, but littering is an offence.

Taxes
From July 1 2000, the Federal Government imposed a 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST), which will be added to your bill and shown separately.

Tipping
Tipping is not mandatory but a 10% tip in restaurants and hotel bars is normal for good service.

Weather and Climate
Sydney is in the southern Temperate Zone and does not suffer extremes of cold or heat.  Seasons in Australia are the reverse of North America and Europe.  Summer is December to February, Autumn is March to May, Winter is June to August, and Spring is September to November.

Visa Applications

Invitation Letters
As per advice from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIC), please note that CeBIT Australia does not issue Invitation Letters.

Visas & Entry
Persons seeking entry to Australia to take part in an event will need to apply for the relevant visa to gain entry to Australia. There are two types of Visa available.

You may be eligible to gain entry via an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). Application for an ETA can be made via your travel agent when booking your flight.

If you are not eligible for an ETA, participants of an event or conference will generally need to apply for a subclass 456 Business (Short Stay) Visitor Visa, which may only be done at an Australian visa office overseas.

We are able to assist you with the application of a Class 456 Visitor Visa by confirming your visitor registration status with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIC) here in Australia. To submit your details to be sent to DIC please complete the below form. All fields are compulsory and the information must be as it appears in your passport. We are unable to accept incomplete forms. You will need to register as a Visitor and obtain a Visitor Registration Number before you can complete this form.

The Visa Applications will commence from the start of visitor registration, in January 2008. All applicants must first be registered to attend CeBIT Australia 2009 in order for their application to be processed.

Please note: this does not automatically guarantee your eligibility for entry to Australia and you will still need to satisfy the requirements of your visa application.