General Visa Information
All travellers to Australia, other than New Zealanders, must have a valid visa to travel to and enter Australia. The passport which you hold determines whether you can apply online, or if you need to lodge a paper-based application.
Online Applications (eVisitor)
eVisitor European Union (EU) passport holders, and some other European passport holders, are eligible to apply individually online for an eVisitor visa to travel to and enter Australia. For a business event, the most appropriate visa is the eVisitor (Business stream) visa.
Relevant eVisitor countries include:
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Citizen
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
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- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- The Netherlands
- Norway
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- Poland
- Portugal
- Republic of San Marino
- Romania
- Slovak Republic
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom – British
- Vatican City
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A separate online eVisitor application is required for each family member who holds a passport from an eligible country and wishes to travel with you to Australia, including children under the age of 18 who are included on your passport. Applications for eVisitor visas are free.
Further information on the eVisitor visa can be found on the Australian Department of Immigration website (http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/evisitor/).
eVisitor applications can be made online at http://www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/evisitor.htm.
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)
eVisitor applications can be made online at http://www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/evisitor.htm.
Passport holders from a number of countries are also eligible to apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) (Subclass 601) to travel to and enter Australia. If you are coming to Australia for a business event, the most appropriate ETA is the ETA (Business Stream) (Subclass 601).
If you are a passport holder from the following countries you can apply for an ETA online through the ETA website (http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/):
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- Singapore
- Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region)
- South Korea
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- Japan
- United States of America
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There is no visa application charge for ETA applications lodged online but a service fee of $AUD20 is charged for use of the ETA website.
Further information on the ETA can be found on the ETA website (http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/):.
If you are a passport holder from the following countries, you can apply for an ETA through a travel agent, airline, specialist service provider or Australian visa office outside Australia:
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brunei
- Canada
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hong Kong (SAR)*
- Iceland
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- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Monaco
- Norway
- Portugal
- Republic of San Marino
- Singapore
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- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan**
- The Netherlands
- United Kingdom - British Citizen
- United Kingdom - British National
- United States of America
- Vatican City
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* A Hong Kong Document of Identity (HKDI) cannot be used to apply for an ETA. If you are a resident of Hong Kong, you will need a citizen passport to apply for this visa.
** Holders of Taiwan passports in Taiwan can apply through an approved ETA travel agent in Taiwan. If you have a Taiwan passport and you are applying from outside Taiwan, you should approach your closest Australian visa office.
Travel agencies, airlines or specialist service providers could choose to charge a fee to arrange an ETA on your behalf.
If your family members hold a passport from an ETA eligible country and want to travel with you to Australia they must apply for their own ETA. This includes your children under the age of 18 who are included on your passport.
Further information on the visitor ETA can be found on the ETA website (http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/).
Visitor (Business Stream) Visa (SubClass 600)
Passport holders not eligible for an eVisitor or an ETA can apply for the Visitor (Business Stream) visa (Subclass 600).
More information on the Visitor (Business Stream) visa is available on the Australian Department of Immigration website (http://www.immi.gov.au/visas/visitor/600/applicants.htm)
Note: If you are being paid by an organisation in Australia for your participation in a conference, trade fair or seminar you should apply for the Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) Subclass 400 visa (see information below).
If you are an exhibitor at a trade fair and you are selling your goods or services directly to the general public you will need to apply for the Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) Subclass 400 visa.
Each family member who holds a passport and wants to travel with you to Australia must apply for their own application. This includes children under the age of 18 who are included on your passport. The most appropriate visa for accompanying family members is the Visitor (Tourist Stream) (Subclass 600).
Further information on the Visitor (Tourist Stream) can be found on the Australian Department of Immigration website (http://www.immi.gov.au/visas/visitor/600/applicants.htm).
Invitation letters are not issued by the Conference Secretariat and are not required for visa applications. Your tax invoice and confirmation of registration will suffice for visa purposes.
The Congress Secretariat is unable to assist with processing or obtaining visa applications, other than verifying your intention to attend the Conference.
