General Information

Conference Location: Melbourne Victoria

Melbourne is set around the shores of Port Phillip Bay. The city itself, laid out in a large rectangle and boasting a lively and cosmopolitan pulse, sits on the northern banks of the Yarra River, about five kilometres from the bay. The CBD is made up of precincts - distinct enclaves each with its own flavour and charm. Some are just a lane or two, while others cover the banks of the Yarra River or a busy CBD street. Visit Melbourne in the Spring and delight in the vibrant atmosphere of a city that celebrates fashion, fillies and fun. You will also be spoilt for choice in Melbourne's shopping precincts. For more information about Melbourne visit www.visitvictoria.com.au

Venue: The University of Melbourne.
The Conference will be held in both the Economics and Commerce and the Old Arts Buildings at the University of Melbourne, Parkville. The campus is a fifteen-minute walk from the heart of the city or a short journey by tram. The University of Melbourne is an ideal location for the conference with a variety of accommodation, entertainment and dining options all nearby.

Entry into Australia

All travellers, except New Zealand citizens, must obtain a visa or travel authority before travelling to Australia. For 43rd ASSID
Conference delegates, the appropriate visa is a Business (Short Stay) visa, even if some tourism activities are planned for part of the stay
in Australia.
The Business (Short Stay) visa (subclass 456) allows the bona fide business person to make a visit to Australia of up to three months to
conduct business - a conference, negotiation or an exploratory business visit. A single-entry or multiple-entry visa may be issued.
In many countries, you can obtain a Business (Short Stay) visa at the same time you purchase an airline ticket. Ask for a Business
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) for Australia.
Alternately, you can apply for a short-stay visa on the Internet - see the ETA website for details, www.eta.immi.gov.au Or you can lodge a written application at a departmental office by using form 456, Application for a business (short stay) visa. www.immi.gov.au/allforms
It is important that you apply for your visas well in advance of anticipated travel.

Arrival at Melbourne Airport

Melbourne City is approximately 25 km or 25mins from the Airport (Tullamarine) and is easily accessed by bus, car or taxi. Taxis are
readily available. A taxi trip to the city costs around AUD$45.
Skybus Super Shuttle is the official transit link between the airport and the city. The bus features on board baggage storage and wheelchair
access and operated 24 hrs/7 days per wk. It's the quickest and cheapest way into the city at only $15 one way. The ticketing desks are
located on the curb outside the exit. Skybus (03) 9335 2811.

Flight Information

Check out the airport website for real time flight information on international and domestic flights. www.melbourneairport.com.au

Car Rental

There are a number of car rental companies operating from the airport on
the ground floor of the Short Term carpark.

Avis 13 63 33 Hertz 13 30 39
Budget 13 27 27 Thrifty 1300 36 72 27
Europcar 1300 13 13 90

Accommodation

Delegates are required to make their own arrangements for
accommodation. There are a number of options close to the venue.

Traveller's Aid

Offers information and assistance for traveller's.

Traveller's Aid (Ph: 03 9654 2600) and
Disability Access Service (03 9654 7690) 169 Swanston St, City

Public Transport

The University is well serviced by buses and trams. Melbourne Central Station is the closest train station and you can reach the campus with a short trip by tram. For further information on planning your trip please call Metlink on 131 638/ (TTY) 9619 2727 or visit www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au
Taxis. There are a number of taxi pick up points at the campus. One taxi pick up point nearby is accessible to people using multipurpose taxies. See campus map for locations.
Free City Circle Tram. Travels the perimeter of the CBD every day between 10am-6pm. Extended hours of operation between 10 am-9pm occur Thursday, Friday and Saturday during daylight savings time.

Catering.

Catering at the conference includes morning tea and afternoon tea. Lunch is not included but there is vibrant 'Lygon Street' close by and many eateries in the area. Drinks and nibbles are included on Monday after the conference to give delegates a chance to wind down and mingle.

Parking

On-Street Parking is limited. All-day parking close to the venue is available at the following locations.

University Square Underground Car Park- accessed off either Bouverie or Berkeley St. The fee for a day is $9.00. The car park will be open from 7am Mon-Fri. Passenger lift pods provide access from ground level to the underground parking floors. Car parks for the disabled can be found on the top floor.
The Royal Women's Hospital, Cnr Cardigan & Grattan St. Opens 6.30 am Mon-Fri. The fee is $3.00 per hr with a maximum of $13.00. (Prices current at time of printing).

Registration

Delegates are required to register on the first day between 8am-9am in the foyer of the Economics and Commerce Building to receive a name badge, satchel and program. For catering purposes we request the delegates wear the name badge at all times. The conference starts at 9am sharp and finishes at approximately 5pm.

Climate

'Four seasons in one day' is often the phrase used to describe Melbourne weather. There is often great contrast in the temperature from day to day. Warm to hot and sunny days and cold and showery days may follow each other in rapid succession. Nights are usually mild. Most strong winds are northerly and warm, however cold showery weather with strong southerly winds can occur. The month's warmest day registers a maximum temperature of about 34ºC while the month's coldest day experiences a maximum temperature of only 16ºC.

Insurance

Participants carry their own risk for personal injury or loss of property, including baggage, during the conference. We strongly recommend that, at the time of booking your travel and tours, you take out a travel insurance policy. This policy should take into account loss of deposit through cancellation, medical insurance, loss or damage to personal property, and financial loss incurred through disruption to accommodation of travel arrangements due to business failures, strikes or other industrial action. The organisers are in no way responsible
for any claims concerning insurance.

Privacy Disclosure

Contact information provided by an individual or organisation will be used by the Australasian Society for the Study of Intellectual
Disability (ASSID), RMIT University (Division of Disability Studies) or organisations on their behalf for the following purposes;

to inform past delegates about future conferences and other ASSID events.
to conduct surveys in reviewing the Conference.
to acknowledge in the conference program the organisation name/City/State.

If you DO NOT consent to the conference using your contact details for these purposes, please tick the privacy box on the registration form.

Conference Trade Exhibition Opportunities

The 43rd ASSID Conference is a unique event that provides an excellent opportunity for delegates to experience the latest in products and services. More than 400 delegates from a wide variety of disability services around Australasia are expected to attend the conference.
You have the opportunity to promote your products/ services to this broad range of delegates by becoming an advertiser and/or exhibitor at the conference.
Packages include satchel inserts, program advertising and trade exhibits.
Contact the office for further information about sponsorships

Email: assidconference08@rmit.edu.au
Ph: +61 3 9925 7899