Plan Your Event

All international visitors to Australia will need a visa to enter the country unless they are a citizen of Australia or New Zealand. As an event owner, you can find information and guidance on visa options via the International Event Coordinator Network (IECN) – a free service provided by the Australian Department of Home Affairs for organisers of events hosted in Australia that involve international visitors. It provides information on visa options and application processes for speakers, performers, competitors and attendees. 

Find more information and register your event with the IECN here

Sydney Airport is the largest airport in Australia, with direct flights from nearly 30 countries, including all major cities in Asia Pacific. In late 2026, a second international airport with 24-hour services will begin operation: Western Sydney Airport.  

Sydney Airport is only 8km from the Sydney Central Business District (CBD).  

By train, the Airport Link takes around 13 minutes to get you to the CBD and costs around AUD$20 one way, depending on your final stop. Trains run approximately every 10 minutes. To use the service you can either purchase an Opal Card – the smartcard ticketing system used for travel on public transport in Sydney – or tap on and off using your Amex, Visa or Mastercard. 

Taxis and rideshare services are available at the airport and take around 20 minutes to get you to the CBD and cost about AUD$45-55 one way. There are taxi ranks at each of the terminals, which are signposted. You will need to arrange with your rideshare service to be collected from a designated priority pick up area.

Find more information on the Sydney Airport website

Sydney boasts over 44,000 hotel rooms in the city centre, offering a diverse range of options to suit every preference and budget.

Whether you're seeking luxury or affordability, heritage charm or ultramodern style, Sydney has it all. Explore our extensive selection and find the perfect accommodation for your event. 

Visit our Supplier Search section to explore your options and start planning your event today.

Public transport

Sydney features an accessible and affordable public transport system that includes buses, trains, trams, and ferries. Plan your journeys effortlessly with Transport NSW’s online Trip Planner or by downloading the Opal Travel app.

The smartcard ticketing system, Opal, allows you to get Opal cards over the counter in retail outlets like convenience stores or newsagents. The cards are free, with a minimum top-up value of AUD$20 for adult cards. You can also use contactless payment methods, including debit cards, credit cards, or a linked device.

Walking

Sydney is perfect for walking: it is scenic, compact, and enjoys a pleasant climate year-round. Walking accounts for over 90% of all trips in the city centre, and many of the city’s venues are within walking distance of central hotels. You can find information and maps on walking in the city at the City of Sydney Visitor Information Centre.

Cycling 

Cycling is a popular way to get around in Sydney. The City of Sydney provides comprehensive information on cycling in the city, including bike hire, cycleways, and downloadable maps. Explore the city on two wheels and enjoy the numerous cycling routes available.

Taxis and rideshare 

Sydney offers several taxi and rideshare options. For further information on accessibility, fares and charges, safe travel, and your rights and responsibilities, visit the Transport NSW website.

If your program includes satellite meetings, field trips, or delegate experiences beyond the city, you'll find plenty of venue options within easy reach of Sydney.

The state of New South Wales (NSW) offers you and your delegates the chance to experience some of the world’s best wines, top-quality restaurants, stunning beaches, and World Heritage wilderness.

Ready to explore the best of NSW? Visit Meet in Regional NSW for ideas, information, and inspiration to make your event truly unforgettable. Start planning your exceptional delegate experiences today!

The Australian currency is the dollar (AUD), which comes in notes ($5, $10, $20, $50 and $100) and coins (5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and $1 and $2). Currency exchange services are available at the airport, in the city centre and at most banks and Australia Post offices. 

Major credit cards are widely accepted in Australia, though do note that Diners Club is not often accepted. Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) can be easily found throughout the city and accept most common cards, including UnionPay.

Most goods and services sold in Australia are subject to a 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST), collected from end consumers by registered service providers and passed on to the Australian Government.

Conference registration fees collected from delegates are considered taxable supply. If you are an overseas business and anticipate revenue from your event to exceed AUD$75,000, you will be required to register for GST. For not-for-profit organisations, GST registration is optional for revenue up to AUD$150,000. Registering for GST means your organisation will need to pay GST to the Australian Taxation Office, but you will also be able to claim GST credits.

Non-resident organisations may appoint a Professional Conference Organiser (PCO) to manage GST obligations related to registration revenue. The PCO will handle GST collection on taxable supply and may claim GST credits available to your organisation.

The audit, tax, and consulting firm RSM (or a similar tax consulting firm) can provide customised consulting services for a fee.

Goods & Services Tax on purchases 

In Australia, a 10% GST is included in the purchase price of almost all consumer goods and services. However, tax-free shopping is available at Sydney International Airport, and the Australian Government offers a Tourist Refund Scheme, allowing international travellers to claim tax refunds for some goods.

Access is vital to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion. In Australia, the rights of people with disability are protected by the Disability Discrimination Act (1992), which ensures access to public premises, goods and services and facilities. In 2022, Sydney was voted among the 10 most accessible cities in the world by people with disability.  

The City of Sydney also provided inclusive and accessible event guidelines  , which provide frameworks to help event owners understand key access and inclusion considerations, identify best practices and ensure positive outcomes.  

English is the official language in Australia. However, Sydney is home to a truly multicultural population and more than 250 languages are spoken here, with more than 1.2 million residents speaking a language other than English.  

If you require interpretation services to help you during the planning stages of your event, the NSW Government provides interpreting services through Multicultural NSW  . 

If you want to provide language interpretation during your event – including sign language – Congress Australia  can support. 

Sydney has a sunny climate year-round, with mild winters and warm summers.  

The local time zone in Sydney is Australian Eastern Standard Time, which is generally UTC+10. Between October and April, we observe daylight savings and operate on Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT), which is generally UTC+11.