Lens
 
International AIDS Society

Practical Information



Accessible Travel

Travellers Aid services offer support, advice and assistance to all travellers, including people in emergency situations and those with special needs.

Mobility Equipment Hire

To assist people with limited mobility, Travellers Aid provides mobility equipment for hire. These include:
  • Electric scooters
  • Manual wheelchairs
  • Prams and strollers
  • Walking canes, frame, forearm crutches, walking sticks, and ID/Symbol Canes
For more information and price list please visit the Travellers Aid website www.travellersaid.org.au/ or phone +613 9654 2600.


Banking

Bank operating hours vary between banks but most banks opening hours are 9am-4pm Mon – Thu and 9am-5pm Fri. A number of banks are open Sat 9am-12pm. Check with individual banks websites for full opening hours.

ATMs are located throughout the city, additionally a large number of supermarkets and convenience stores have cash withdrawal facilities. VISA, MasterCard, AMEX, Diners are readily accepted throughout the city.  Foreign exchange facilities are available at kiosks around the city.

Special Offer for AIDS 2014 delegates - $0 Commission on cash exchange*

Visit ANZ Foreign Exchange and mention this offer at one of the following locations:
  • Melbourne Airport International Arrivals and Departures.
  • ANZ Royal Bank, 293 Collins St, Melbourne.
  • Sydney Airport International Arrivals and Departures.
Offer valid July 13th 2014 – August 3rd 2014.

* You must notify ANZ staff that you are attending the International AIDS conference 2014 for the offer to be applied.


Climate

Melbourne has a reputation for its changeable weather. A tip for any visitor is to be prepared for anything – bring an umbrella and a jacket and wear layers that can be worn or removed as needed. In winter daily average temperatures can drop to 7°C with an average high of 14°C.


Communication

Telstra Directory Assistance
International Directory Assistance
Reverse Charges
Translating & Interpreting Service
Lost Property (Police)
Emergency Services
1223
1225
12550
13 14 50
9650 7077
000



Consulates

American
British
Chinese
French
German
Greek
Indonesian
Italian
Japanese
Spanish
9526 5900
9652 1600
9822 0604
9690 6075
9864 6888
9866 4524
9525 2755
9867 5744
9679 4510
9347 1966



Currency

Australia’s national currency is the Australian dollar which comes in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes. Coins come in 5, 10, 20 and 50 cent and one and two dollar denominations.

Currency exchange is available at banks, hotels and international airports.  EFTPOS/CIRRUS/MAESTRO is widely available in most Australian shops. Fees may be charged on transactions, particularly if withdrawing from an international account.


Health and Medicine
    
Pharmacies                 

Melbourne City Pharmacy
My Chemist
Gay Men's Health Service  
9639 9797
9663 6704
1800 134 840



Hospitals & Emergency Assistance

Police
Ambulance
Fire
Lifeline  
Poisons Information Centre
Emergency Service (SES)
Non-Emergency Police
Dental Emergency 
Kids Help Line
The Royal Children's Hospital
The Royal Melbourne Hospital 
The Royal Women's Hospital
St Vincent's Hospital 
000
000
000
13 11 14
13 11 26
13 25 00
13 14 44
9341 1040
1800 551 800
9345 5522
9342 7000
8345 2000
9288 2211


Religious Information

In Melbourne and Victoria you will find places of worship for over 100 faiths. Temples, mosques, churches and synagogues are found across Melbourne.  AIDS 2014 will be held during Ramadan.  More information to come soon. 


Shopping Hours

City shops generally open from 9am-6pm Mon to Thu. On Fri, many shops in the CBD and suburban shopping centres remain open until 9pm. On Sat the hours in the CBD and shopping centres are generally 9am-5pm and Sun, 10am-5pm.  


Science and Innovation in Melbourne

Melbourne is Australia’s knowledge, research and innovation capital.  Discoveries and inventions made in Melbourne have had impacts around the world; saving and improving lives, creating jobs and offering new ways of seeing the world.   

Victoria is renowned for world class clinical infectious diseases capacity, through the Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, the Alfred Hospital and Burnet Institute - Australia’s largest infectious disease research centre.  

There are 13 major medical research institutes In Melbourne including the Burnet Institute, the Nossal Institute for Global Health and the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research.   The institutes and the 263 biotechnology Melbourne-based companies attract eminent researchers from around the world.


Study in Melbourne

Melbourne is a popular city for international students, home to nine universities with seven teaching hospitals.    Information on studying in Melbourne can be found at http://www.studymelbourne.vic.gov.au/.


Taxes

A 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST) is incorporated into the price of all goods and services sold in Australia, except for some basic items. Some tourists may be eligible for a GST refund on goods bought in Australia. Visit www.customs.gov.au for more information or phone +61 2 6275 6666.  International business visitors whose organisations claim GST/VAT refunds regularly from various countries should keep all receipts including registration and accommodation as the GST components may be refundable. 


Time Zone

Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) covers the eastern states of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory. AEST is equal to Coordinated Universal Time (GMT) plus 10 hours (GMT +10).


Tipping

Tipping in Australia is not a custom. However for excellent service, tips of 10% are always welcome and appreciated.


Voltage

Australia’s electricity voltage for domestic use is AC 240 volts, 50 cycle.

Most hotels have provision for AC 110 volts in the rooms.