Airport and Transport Information

Melbourne Tullamarine Airport is roughly 25 minutes drive from the Congress venue, Melbourne CBD. Delegates are encouraged to utilise taxis to and from the airport, or the Skybus service (see details below). For those who wish to drive, the Congress venue is roughly 25km north-west of the Melbourne CBD & Crown Promenade. Rental cars are available within the Arrivals hall at Melbourne Airport. Parking is available onsite at the Convention Centre.

Sky Bus - From the Airport to the City Centre
SkyBus offers an express bus service from the airport to the city centre. This service operates 24/7, including all public holidays. Buses run every 10 minutes throughout the day.
Note: the distance from the SkyBus terminal to the convention centre is a 15 minutes walk, so take it into account if you are going to walk it with luggage!

• $18 Adult - one way
• $41 Family 2 - (2 adults and 1-4 children)
• $25 Family 1 - (1 adult and 1-4 children)
• $7 Child (4-14 years)

• 06:00-22:30 Monday to Friday
• 07:30-17:30 Saturday and Sunday

The Conference does not provide any transfers from the airport to the conference venue or hotels. All delegates must make their own transport arrangements from the airport.

Banking/Currency

Australia's currency consists of coins of five, 10, 20 and 50 cent and one and two dollar denomination; and notes of five, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollar denomination. The notes are in a colourful and durable plastic.

Foreign exchange facilities are available at banks, hotels and airports. All major credit cards including Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Diners Club are accepted at most restaurants and shops. Please note that some retail outlets, hotels and other businesses are starting to charge up to 2% for using a credit card.

Current exchange rates can be obtained from your bank. All major credit cards are widely accepted in Australia. Currency exchange rates can be found online at services like www.xe.com.

Business Hours
Banks are open from 09:30 to 16:00 Monday to Thursday, 09:03 to 17:00 on Fridays and are closed on Saturday and Sunday.
General office and post offices are open 09:00 to 17:00 Monday - Friday.

Visa Information

Only authors of accepted papers can obtain a letter of acceptance for visa purposes. The author should go to Paperplaza where her/his paper is, go to Options and check "request an acceptance letter". In this manner, they would get a personalised letter with their name, passport number etc. They can use it to apply for a visa.

The detailed procedure for obtaining your acceptance letter is as follows:

1. Go to the PaperPlaza and Login
2. Enter your PIN number and Password.
3. In the Access a Workspace (next to CDC2017) choose:
   Enter Author or Proposer of Submission # (your paper #).
4. Then, Choose an Option, and click on Request an Acceptance Letter.
5. Fill out the necessary Information.
6. Download the pdf file of your Acceptance Letter.

Visa Options for Business Events such as Conferences, Trade Fairs or Seminars

Visa options

Available visa options are:

• eVisitor (Click to show/hide details)
  eVisitor: eVisitor European Union (EU) passport holders, and some other European passport holders, are eligible to apply individually online for an eVisitor visa to travel to and enter Australia. For a business event, the most appropriate visa is the eVisitor (Business stream) visa.

  eVisitor eligible countries:

  • Andorra
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Monaco
  • The Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Republic of San Marino
  • Romania
  • Slovak Republic
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • United Kingdom - British
  • Vatican City

  A separate online eVisitor application is required for each family member who holds a passport from an eligible country and wishes to travel with you to Australia, including children under the age of 18 who are included on your passport. Applications for eVisitor visas are free.

  Further information on the eVisitor visa can be found on the website.

  eVisitor applications can be made online.

• Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) (Click to show/hide details)
  Passport holders from a number of countries are also eligible to apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) (Subclass 601) to travel to and enter Australia. If you are coming to Australia for a business event, the most appropriate ETA is the ETA (Business Stream) (Subclass 601).

  ETA eligible countries: If you are a passport holder from the following countries, you can apply for an ETA through a travel agent, airline, specialist service provider or Australian visa office outside Australia:

  • Andorra
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Brunei
  • Canada
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hong Kong (SAR)*
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Liechtenstein
  • Luxembourg
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Monaco
  • Norway
  • Portugal
  • Republic of San Marino
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan**
  • The Netherlands
  • United Kingdom - British Citizen
  • United Kingdom - British National
  • United States of America
  • Vatican City

  * A Hong Kong Document of Identity (HKDI) cannot be used to apply for an ETA. If you are a resident of Hong Kong, you will need a citizen passport to apply for this visa.

  ** Holders of Taiwan passports in Taiwan can apply through an approved ETA travel agent in Taiwan. If you have a Taiwan passports and you are applying from outside Taiwan, you should approach your closest Australian visa office.

  Travel agencies, airlines or specialist service providers could choose to charge a fee to arrange an ETA on your behalf.

  If you are a passport holder from the following countries you can also apply for an ETA online through the ETA website:

  • Brunei
  • Malaysia
  • Canada
  • Singapore
  • Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region)*
  • South Korea
  • Japan
  • United States of America

  There is no visa application charge for ETA applications lodged online but a service fee of $AUD20 is charged for use of the ETA website.

  If your family members hold a passport from an ETA eligible country and want to travel with you to Australia they must apply for their own ETA. This includes your children under the age of 18 who are included on your passport.

  Further information on the ETA can be found on the website.

• Visitor (Business Stream) visa (Subclass 600) (Click to show/hide details)
  Passport holders not eligible for an eVisitor or an ETA can apply for the Visitor (Business Stream) visa (Subclass 600).

  • For Form 1415 Application for a Visitor (Business Stream) visa (Subclass 600), see: www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1415.pdf
  • To obtain the application document checklist for a Visitor (Business Stream) visa (Subclass 600), see: www.immi.gov.au/visas/visitor/_pdf/600-document-checklist.pdf
  • To find the nearest Australian visa office to your current place of residence, see: www.immi.gov.au/contacts/overseas/index.htm

  More information on this visa is available on the website.

  Note: If you are being paid by an organisation in Australia for your participation in a conference, trade fair or seminar you should apply for the Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) Subclass 400 visa (see information below).

  If you are an exhibitor at a trade fair and you are selling your goods or services directly to the general public you will need to apply for the Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) Subclass 400 visa.

  Each family member who holds a passport and wants to travel with you to Australia must apply for their own application. This includes children under the age of 18 who are included on your passport. The most appropriate visa for accompanying family members is the Visitor (Tourist Stream) (Subclass 600).

  Further information on the Visitor (Tourist Stream) can be found on the website.

• Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) visa (Subclass 400) (Click to show/hide details)
  If you are entering Australia to participate in a conference, trade fair or seminar and you are being paid by an Australian organisation for your involvement you should apply for the Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) (Subclass 400) visa. This visa is usually valid for six weeks or less from the date you first enter Australia, but it can be granted for up to three months if the department agrees you need to stay for that time. You must arrive in Australia within three months from the date the visa is granted.

  • For Form 1400 Application for a Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) (Subclass 400) visa, see: www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1400.pdf
  • To obtain the application document checklist for a Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) (Subclass 400) visa, see: www.immi.gov.au/Visas/Pages/checklists/400.aspx
  • To find the nearest Australian visa office to your current place of residence, see:www.immi.gov.au/contacts/overseas/index.htm

  More information on this visa is available on the website.

  This visa application can also include family members wanting to travel with you to Australia such as your spouse or dependent children.

Things to consider before lodging an application

• Health and character requirements (Click to show/hide details)
  All visa applicants must be assessed against Australia's health and character requirements. These requirements are designed to protect the safety and security of the Australian community.

  Health requirements
  As part of the visa application process you may be required to undertake a medical examination, chest x-ray and/or other health checks.
  The department will advise you of the applicable health checks (if any), based on your individual circumstances.
  Information on which health checks may apply to you is available on the website.

  Character requirements (Click to show/hide details)
  As part of the visa application process, you must show that you are of good character to pass Australia's character test. Information on the character test is available on the website.
  If you are unsure whether you can pass Australia's character test because of prior criminal convictions you should lodge a paper-based application at the Australian visa office nearest to your current place of residence, at least four months prior to the event start date.
  Contact information for Australian visa offices is available on the website.

• Travel sanctions (Click to show/hide details)
  For information on countries subject to travel sanctions, please refer to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's website. Nationals of these countries may not be permitted to travel to and enter Australia.
• Biometrics Program (Click to show/hide details)
  From December 2010, Biometrics will need to be collected at an Australian Visa Application Centre for visitors lodging a paper-based visa application from the countries listed at the department's website.
• Invitation and registration to attend the event (Click to show/hide details)
  Although this is a separate process to lodging your visa application, when assessing whether you meet the criteria for the grant of a visa the department may take into account whether you are registered, or were invited, to attend the event.

  Confirmation of registration, or a copy of your letter of invitation, should accompany paper-based visa applications.

• Cut-off date for lodging paper based applications (Click to show/hide details)
  All visitors should apply for a visa at least two months prior to the intended date of departure, and four months prior for people with character or health concerns.
• Obligations of visa holders (Click to show/hide details)
  On arrival at Australia's border you must identify yourself, present your travel documents, and complete an Incoming Passenger Card (IPC). The IPC requires visitors to declare their health status and any prior criminal convictions.

  If you do not meet immigration clearance requirements, you may be refused entry to Australia.

  More information on immigration clearance processes at Australia's borders is available on the website.

  You must comply with your visa validity and visa conditions while in Australia. When you receive your Australian visa you are issued with a visa grant notice that explains the conditions of the visa including period of validity and entry requirements. You are advised to carry this visa grant notice for your own reference.

  If you breach these conditions, your visa may be cancelled.

  If your visa expires while you are still in Australia, you become an unlawful non-citizen. Unlawful non-citizens are liable to be detained and removed from Australia.

Hotel Information

Accommodation

The Conference Secretariat has confirmed rooms within close proximity to the Convention Centre for delegates of the 56^th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control.

You are encouraged to secure your accommodation through the Conference Secretariat to ensure that you receive the negotiated competitive rates. Accommodation can be booked via the online registration form or by contacting the Conference Secretariat.

If you require any help or additional nights please contact our accommodation coordinator via email: jemmab@icmsuast.com.au or CDCregistration@icmsaust.com.au

• Per room per night
• In Australian Dollars and inclusive of 10% Australian Goods and Services Tax (GST)
• Subject to availability
• Based on single/double/twin occupancy
• Breakfast is not included unless stated otherwise

Booking Information

Accommodation will not be confirmed until a deposit of one night's tariff is received or a full payment by credit card or cheque is made. This deposit will be forwarded to your hotel and will be credited to your room account. Delegates must settle the balance of their account with the hotel concerned upon check out. If accommodation deposits are not received by 1 November 2017 your room will be released back to the hotel. The Conference Secretariat does not take responsibility for accommodation if deposits are not received by this date.

The Conference Secretariat must return all unsold rooms to the hotels on 1 November 2017, therefore accommodation bookings after this date cannot be guaranteed. The rates quoted are only valid for bookings made by 1 November 2017

Cancellations

No accommodation deposits will be refunded after 1 November 2017.

Delegates who confirm an accommodation booking with a credit card and who cancel after 1 November 2017, or delegates who fail to arrive on the specified date, will be charged for the entire cost of their accommodation.

Late bookings can be made through the Conference Secretariat after 1 November 2017 but are subject to availability, and credit card details are required to secure the reservation.

As check in is at 1400 at most hotels, your room may not be ready for immediate occupation if you arrive early. Whilst hotels will do everything possible to accommodate early arrivals, if you wish to be guaranteed immediate occupation you can pay an extra day's tariff for the night before you are due to arrive. If you wish to take this precaution, please advise the Symposium Secretariat on the registration form so that we can notify the hotel.

Please indicate if you will arrive at your hotel after 18:00 on the day of check in. Failure to do so might result in your booking being cancelled and your room given to someone else.

Any change in booking must be made in writing to the Conference Secretariat and not directly to the hotel. Please note charges may apply after 1 November 2017.

Enquiries

Please direct all accommodation enquiries to:

CDC Conference Secretariat 
GPO Box 3270
Sydney NSW 2001
AUSTRALIA
Telephone: +61 (2) 9254 5000
Facsimile: +61 (2) 9251 3552
Email: jemmab@icmsuast.com.au or CDCregistration@icmsaust.com.au

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