• Banking/currency
• Climate and time
• Dress
• Driving
• Electricity
• Emergency
• Experience WA Smart Phone App
• Goods & Services Tax (GST) - Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS)
• Insurance
• Internet and wireless access
• Language
• Post offices
• Quarantine and Customs
• Shopping
• Tipping
• Vaccinations
• Visa/passport requirements
• Visitor centres

Banking/currency

Banks are generally open from 9.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday. Decimal currency is used in Australia with the dollar as the basic unit (100 cents = $1). Notes come in $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. Coins come in 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2 denominations. When paying by cash (i.e., not with a credit card), prices will be rounded to the nearest 5c. Currency exchange facilities are available in most banks, hotels and airports and operate normal business hours. Credit cards are accepted at most restaurants and shops, the most widely used being MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Diners Club.

Climate and time

Outdoor activities can be enjoyed all year round with Fremantle’s ideal climate consisting of long, hot dry summers and short, mild winters which bring most of the city’s rainfall, from June to August.  Seasonal average temperatures are:

Tip: Regardless of whether it is warm or a little on the chilly side in Fremantle, strong UV rays mean that spending time outdoors without wearing sunscreen can lead to a nasty case of sunburn.  If you are planning a day of outdoor activities, be sure to wear a hat and apply high factor sunscreen.

Time

Standard time zone for Fremantle is UTC/GMT +8 hours.  Fremantle/WA is two hours behind Queensland, NSW, Victoria, the ACT and Tasmania time, and one and a half hours behind SA and NT time.

Dress

Smart casual attire is appropriate for all Conference sessions.

Driving

Visitors to Western Australia may drive on a valid overseas driver’s licence for the same class of vehicle.  Vehicles travel on the left hand side of the road and the wearing of seat belts is compulsory for all passengers.

Electricity

Electrical current is 240/250V, AC 50Hz. The Australian three-pin power outlet is different from that in many countries, so you will need an adaptor if travelling from overseas. If your appliances are 110V, check if there is a 110/240V switch. If not, you will need a voltage converter. Universal outlets for 240V or 110V shavers are usually found in leading hotels.

Emergency

If you need police, fire or ambulance in an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Police locations in Fremantle

• Fremantle Police Station, 43-45 Henderson St, Fremantle
• North Fremantle (Water Police), Harvest Rd, North Fremantle

Experience WA Smart Phone App

Plan an extraordinary holiday, find out what events are on, or just make the most of your day with the Experience Western Australia app. From essential information to customised inspiration, it puts 1,000s of places to see, explore, eat, drink and stay at your fingertips – not only in Perth but around the state. Features include recommendations for your current location, offline maps, suggested itineraries, favourites to share, and more.

Experience WA is FREE, available for iPhone, iPad and Android and can be downloaded from iTunes and Google Play.

Goods & Services Tax (GST) - Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS)

Australia levies a Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 10%.

The Tourist Refund Scheme (TRS) enables travellers departing Australia to claim a refund of the GST (and also the Wine Equalisation Tax (WET)) paid on goods bought in Australia and taken out of the country. The refund applies to goods over the value of A$300 when items are purchased in the same shop within 30 days of your departure from Australia. Should an item be too large to take onto the aircraft as hand luggage you will need to visit the TRS clearing office at the international airport with the item and receipt. The receipt will be stamped "TRS sighted" and at that point you can check in the large item with your luggage. Once you have cleared customs you can collect your refund from the TRS desk by showing your receipt or items purchased. It does not apply to services or goods consumed or partly consumed in Australia. Goods which are to be exported can be used before departing Australia.

Insurance

Delegates are strongly advised to secure appropriate travel and health insurance. Delegate registration fees do not provide any such insurance coverage. The Local Organising Committee and Conference Managers accept no responsibility for loss in this regard.

Internet and wireless access

Fremantle has good mobile phone coverage for all major network providers. Consult your local service provider before leaving home about international roaming or SIM card options.

Language

The official language for the APS Forensic Psychology Conference is English.

Post offices

Operate between 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday. Stamps are usually available for purchase from major hotels.

Quarantine and Customs

Australia is free from many plant and animal diseases prevalent in other countries. Very strict quarantine rules apply to the import of animals and plants, including most food products, which cannot be brought into the country without prior application. Animal and plant products are also restricted. For more information please visit the Australian Quarantine and Inspection (AQIS) website prior to travelling to Australia - http://daff.gov.au/aqis

Customs: International visitors should allow approximately 30 minutes for processing through Australian Customs. These waiting times may vary during peak periods.

Shopping

Fremantle is open for shopping seven days a week and late-night on Fridays. The centre of Fremantle is an interconnected pedestrian friendly shopping precinct. Diversity is one of the great aspects of Fremantle shopping, you can find almost everything!

Fremantle is also filled with a diverse range of unique niche stores. Boutique clothing stores, specialist gift shops, high street stores, art galleries and shopping malls are interspersed around the city and surrounds.

You will find a good selection of unique world, eco and mystical stores throughout the city. A leading city for fashion, it is not surprising that many of Australia's top designers have chosen to feature their exquisite ranges in Fremantle Boutiques.

• Fremantle Markets (Corner of Henderson St & South Tce, Fremantle) – Established in 1897, the Fremantle Markets are much more than a must see destination, with over 150 stalls offering everything you could possibly imagine, plus a little bit more! Dining and food, health and beauty, jewellery, fashion and accessories, home wares, books, gifts, souvenirs, music, art, antiques, photography, camping gear, costumes, toys and puzzles.  Delicious breads from the bakery and patisserie, flowers, nuts, honey, cheese, fruit and vegetables galore, seafood, coffee, herbs, spices and sauces. Open hours are Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday and Sunday 8am-6pm, Monday public holidays 8am-6pm.  http://www.fremantlemarkets.com.au/Home.aspx

• E-Shed Markets (Victoria Quay, Fremantle) – The E Shed is the only waterfront market in Western Australia and therefore has unique appeal.  Every weekend you can enjoy a glass of Western Australian wine or perhaps a chai latte whilst watching the hustle and bustle of the wharf.  The International Food Court offers a great variety of cuisine and you can enjoy both indoor dining and a picturesque alfresco alternative!  Within the E Shed markets you can find over 100 stalls selling an exquisite and diverse range of products including didgeridoos, furniture, local arts and crafts, fashion, jewellery, gems and opals, gifts, souvenirs and much more. Open hours Friday to Sunday 9am-5pm, Food court open until 8pm.   http://www.eshedmarkets.com.au/ 

Trading hours

The below trading hours should be used as a guide only. If you are planning a special trip, be sure to contact individual retailers to confirm opening hours.

General retail trading hours

Tipping

Tipping is not as widespread or regulated in Australia as it is in other parts of the world. Tipping is your prerogative, a reward for service. It is customary to tip hotel porters and a gratuity of about 10% is usual in restaurants if good service has been received. Tips for taxis are regarded as optional.

Vaccinations

A current valid international certificate of inoculation against yellow fever is required if passengers come from or have travelled through infected areas. Please check all requirements through your travel agent or airline.

Visa/passport requirements

A valid passport is required for entry into Australia. All travellers to Australia must obtain a visa or electronic travel authority (ETA) before travelling to Australia, with the exception of New Zealand citizens travelling on New Zealand passports. The Australian Visitor Visa may be obtained by mail or in person from the nearest Australian High Commission, Embassy or Consulate. In some countries, travel agents can issue the visa. Travellers may be issued with either a visa in their passport or an electronic visa, depending on the country of origin and the passport/nationality of the traveller. It is the responsibility of the delegate to ensure that they hold the required documentation before arriving in Australia. Please note that applications for visas must be submitted at least six weeks prior to the date of travel. We strongly recommend making an early application for a visa.

For further information, please visit the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship website at: www.immi.gov.au/visitors/index.htm.

Visitor Centres

To get the most out of your holiday in Western Australia, speak to the experts at a local Visitor Centre. Visitor Centres offer expert advice on the best things to see and do.  They can help with maps, accommodation and tour bookings, or provide local knowledge on an area’s hidden gems.  Look for the blue and yellow “ï” sign to find the next accredited Visitor Centre on your holiday route.

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