VISA & ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) Requirements
Before you start planning your trip, you’ll need to obtain a visa or electronic travel authority (ETA) to gain entry into Australia. To make your journey smooth and hassle-free, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you secure your visa.
Here’s what you need to know:
Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for a visa or ETA, you must:
have a genuine invitation to participate in a conference, workshop or seminar in Australia
Intend to attend the conference, workshop or seminar for a specific period
Be of good character and health
Have sufficient funds to cover your stay in Australia, including accommodation, transportation and living expenses
Meet other relevant criteria as specified by the Department of Home Affairs
VISA OPTIONS
Participants, attendees, speakers and exhibitors may be eligible to apply for the following visa options:
Visitor (subclass 600) Business stream visa. For more information see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/visitor-600/business-visitor-stream
Electronic Travel Authority - ETA (subclass 601). For eligible passport holders and more information see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/electronic-travel-authority-601
eVisitor (subclass 651) Business stream visa. For eligible passport holders and more information see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/evisitor-651
NB: Eligibility for an eVisitor visa and ETA will be determined by the country of origin of the passport that the applicant holds.
Visitor (subclass 600) Business visa applicants should include as much information as possible to support their visa applications (see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/visitor-600/business-visitor-stream#HowTo) In addition, visa applications should include the following information:
evidence of any international travel outside of their own country (for example, copies of visa and passport pages containing entry and departure stamps)
information and evidence of attendance at similar events of this type and/or nature
Important Tips:
Apply for your visa well in advance to avoid any last-minute delays. We recommend participants should apply for their visa’s prior to the close of early bird registration. This facilitates applicants that may be required to undertake additional applications requirements such as medical checks and biometric collection. Late applications may not permit the applicant to respond to any requests for additional information or attend biometric appointments, and will not provide an opportunity to rectify any visa application problems or discrepancies. Ensuring timely lodgement of visa applications mitigates or reduces the rate of visa applications requiring escalation or visa processing to be expedited.
Ensure your passport has at least six months of validity remaining.
Purchase comprehensive travel insurance to cover unexpected events during your stay.
Familiarise yourself with Australian customs and regulations to ensure a smooth entry into the country.
Useful Links: