FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
The following information has been prepared to help delegates plan their travel to IFFAS 2028, which will be held at ICC Sydney. It draws on guidance provided at previous international meetings and is intended as a general reference only.
Delegates should confirm specific requirements with the relevant authority before travelling.
Click on the topics for more information.
All visitors to Australia, other than Australian and New Zealand citizens, are required to hold a valid visa or Electronic Travel Authority before entering the country. Delegates are encouraged to check their eligibility and apply well in advance of the conference dates.
The IFFAS 2028 organisers can provide an official letter of invitation to support a visa application upon request.
Further information is available from the Australian Department of Home Affairs at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
The official currency of Australia is the Australian Dollar. Major credit cards, including Visa and Mastercard, are widely accepted throughout Sydney, and automatic teller machines are readily available across the city. Delegates should note that some venues and vendors may apply a small surcharge to credit card transactions.
IFFAS 2028 will take place during Sydney's autumn season. Delegates can expect mild, comfortable conditions, with average daytime temperatures of 19-20 degrees Celsius and cooler evenings of 12-14 degrees Celsius. Layered clothing is recommended, as mornings and evenings can feel noticeably cooler than the middle of the day, and some rainfall is common at this time of year.
Sydney operates on Australian Eastern Standard Time, which is ten hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time. Australia does not observe daylight saving time in May, so Australian Eastern Standard Time will apply for the duration of the Meeting.
Australia uses a flat three pin plug, and the electricity supply operates at two hundred and thirty volts, fifty hertz. Delegates travelling from countries with a different plug configuration or voltage standard should bring an appropriate travel adaptor, and a voltage converter if their equipment is not compatible with two hundred and thirty volts.
International delegates are encouraged to confirm roaming arrangements with their home network provider before travelling. Local prepaid Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards are widely available at Sydney International Airport and at retail outlets throughout the city, offering an economical option for calls, messages and data during the Meeting. Complimentary wireless internet will also be available throughout the meeting venue, ICC Sydney.
For police, fire or ambulance emergencies, delegates should dial triple zero, 000. For non-urgent police assistance, the Police Assistance Line can be reached on 131 444. Onsite security and first aid support will also be available throughout the conference and can be accessed through the registration desk at the meeting venue, ICC Sydney.
Tipping is not a standard practice in Australia, as service charges are already included in listed prices. It is, however, generally appreciated as a gesture for excellent service, particularly in restaurants, where a gratuity of approximately 10% may be offered at the diner's discretion.
A Goods and Services Tax of 10% applies to most goods and services purchased in Australia and is included in the displayed price. International visitors may be eligible to claim a refund on eligible purchases through the Tourist Refund Scheme when departing the country, provided the relevant conditions are met.
Australia maintains strict biosecurity requirements to protect its unique environment, agriculture and food supply. All travellers must declare any food, plant material, animal products or other biosecurity risk items on their Incoming Passenger Card, and a biosecurity officer may inspect declared goods on arrival. Providing false or misleading information is a serious offence, so delegates are encouraged to review Australia's biosecurity requirements before departure.
This information is provided as a general guide only and will be reviewed and updated with additional details specific to IFFAS 2028 as they become available.
HOSTED BY
Australian Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS)
International Federation of Foot and Ankle Societies (IFFAS)
New Zealand Orthopaedic Foot
and Ankle Society (NZOFAS)
South African Foot and Ankle Society (SAFSA)
SUPPORTED BY
