Information for international visitors

Banking and money

Banks: As a general guide, banks across the city are open for business Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm. Some banks in local shopping centres are also open Saturday mornings (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 and American Express are accepted across the city by most outlets.

Currency exchange: Adelaide Airport offers currency exchange facilities within the airport. Throughout the Adelaide CBD you'll find numerous bureaux de change. 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

Adelaide experiences mild winters and a warm, dry summer. It has an average maximum temperature of 29°C (84.2°F) in summer and 15 - 16°C (59 - 60.8°F) in winter. 

AIEC is held in spring, which sees weather warm up with average temperatures between 11.8 - 22°C (53.2 - 71.6°F). Rainfall is low but evenings can be quite brisk as temperatures drop quickly. Be sure to bring a cardigan!

 

COVID-19

We continue to monitor COVID-19 regulations in line with advice from the Australian Government and local health authorities to ensure your health is protected.

Learn more

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 all good travel stores, chemists and department stores located in and around the Adelaide CBD.

Emergency services

In a life-threatening or time-critical emergency, dial Emergency Services on 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 phones and payphones). When you dial 000 services, the most important thing to remember is to stay focused, stay relevant and stay on the line.

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. 

Learn more

 

Health and medical services

Australia has a high-standard healthcare system offering a mix of public and private services.

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Language

English is the de facto official language of Australia, but many foreign languages are used by minorities in 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.

Passports and visas

All international travellers must present a valid and approved travel document (generally a passport) as evidence of their identity and nationality to allow entry into Australia. In addition, all international travellers (with the exception of most New Zealand passport holders) must also obtain a valid visa before travelling to Australia.

As a general guide, travellers are encouraged to apply for their Australian visa well in advance of their planned departure date.

Find the right visa

eVisitor visa

Passport holders from certain countries can apply for a visa online through the Australian Government’s eVisitor system. The eVisitor allows visitors to travel to Australia for short-term business or tourism purposes for up to three months. eVisitor applications are free.

Find the right visa 

Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)

Passport holders from a range of other countries (including the US) can apply for a visa online through the Australian Government’s Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) system. Alternatively, passport holders outside of Australia can apply for ETA through a travel agent, airline office, specialist service provider or Australian visa office. The ETA allows people to visit Australia for short-term tourism or business purposes of up to three months. An ETA is available to passport holders from more than 30 countries, regions and locations.

Learn more about the ETA

Note: The eVisitor and ETA systems provide the electronic equivalent of a visa for the short-term traveller, replacing the traditional passport visa label or stamp. Most applications are processed within a day.

For conference organisers and delegates, specialised visa advice is available through the Located across the country, IECN staff work with event organisers to provide free advice and visa-processing assistance for international travellers invited to speak at, perform in, or attend an event in Australia.

Check the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Border Protection website for eligibility requirements at immi.gov.au.

Visa letters

If you require an invitation letter from AIEC to support your visa application, please send your request via email to aiec@thinkbusinessevents.com.au. Ensure that you include your full name and registration confirmation number in the email. Please note that invitation letters will not be issued unless a formal request is received and will only be provided after your registration is complete, and all registration fees have been paid in full.

Population

Adelaide is the capital city of the state of South Australia. With over 1 million inhabitants,  Adelaide is bursting with culture, flavours, events and entertainment. 

The Kaurna are the original people of Adelaide and the Adelaide Plains. The area now occupied by the city and parklands – called Tarntanya (red kangaroo place) by the Kaurna – was the heart of Kaurna country. Kaurna country encompassed the plains which stretched north and south from Tarntanya and the wooded foothills of the range which borders them to the east.

Post offices

There are several Australia Post offices located around the Adelaide CBD. 

Stamps can often be purchased at newsagents. You may also be able to purchase stamps at your Hotel reception. 

Shopping

Adelaide offers shopping for any budget. Whether you'd like to purchase a souvenir to remember your trip, or you're looking for some high-end retailer therapy, the city offers many shopping malls and areas

Telephone assistance

Most public telephones have International Direct Dialling and Subscriber Trunk Dialling. Phone cards for public phones and recharge cards for mobile phones can be bought from most newsagents, supermarkets and convenience stores. Many public phones also accept coins and credit cards. The international dialling code is 0011, followed by the country code and number.

Directory assistance: 1223
Please note, costs may apply.

The international dialling code for Adelaide is +618.

Time zones

South Australia's time zone is 9.5 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+9.30).

Daylight Saving Time is observed in South Australia from 1 October 2023, where the time is shifted forward by 1 hour, resulting in a 10 hour 30 minute difference ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+10.30). 

During the conference, the time zone will be GMT+10.30, 30 mins behind Melbourne and Sydney.

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.

Transportation

Adelaide has extensive public transport system, covering tram, trains and buses.

Learn more

 

Smoking and vaping

As per the Tobacco and E-Cigarette Products Act 1997, the use of e-cigarettes and smoking is banned in the below settings:

  • Enclosed public places, workplaces and shared areas, including inside a retail shop and on public transport
  • Motor vehicles if a child under the age of 16 years is present
  • Under covered public transport areas
  • Near children's playground equipment
  • Outdoor dining areas and other outdoor areas that have been declared smoke-free

The fine for using an e-cigarette or smoking in a smoke-free area is $105, and the maximum penalty is $750. 

The Adelaide Convention Centre is a non‐smoking venue, including the use of e‐cigarettes and their products. There are designated smoking areas outside of the venue with ashtrays.

There are a number of e-cigarette retailers in the Adelaide city, however, e-juice containing nicotine is only available by prescription. E-cigarettes that do not contain nicotine are legal in South Australia

Tobacco is available at most supermarkets and convenience stores. 

Visitor information services

Visit the Adelaide airport visitor information and booking centre upon arrival to assist in planning your trip around Adelaide and South Australia. Located on the ground floor at the base of the escalators, near our baggage collection point, the friendly team are available between 8.00am to 6.00pm every weekday.

Wifi

While in Adelaide, you can keep in touch with friends and family using AdelaideFree – a free wireless internet network in outdoor areas across the city centre and North Adelaide. The city WiFi network is jointly funded by City of Adelaide, the Government of South Australia and Internode. Look out for the AdelaideFree network when scanning for WiFi in the city.

Many cafes and restaurants also offer free WiFi to paying customers. Just ask for the password when you place your order. Alternatively, the City of Adelaide's libraries offer access to a computer connected to the internet for use.

Learn more

Key dates

21 March - Call for proposals opens

12 April - Call for proposals closes

30 May - Registration open

August - Program released

31 July - Super early bird registration closes

13 September - Early bird registration closes

22–25 October – AIEC 2024