VISA requirements

With the exception of New Zealand citizens travelling on New Zealand passports, all foreign nationals must obtain a visa/ETA before travelling to Australia. New Zealand citizens are issued with a visa on arrival in Australia. For information about visa applications to enter Australia, please visit: www.homeaffairs.gov.au/Trav. Please note that visa processing times may vary. Attendees are encouraged to apply for the appropriate visa six to eight weeks before departure to Australia.

Applying for a Visa

Visa application forms are available on the Department’s website and many applications can be lodged online. Details about how to apply are included in the information about the particular visa you wish to apply for. A list of visas is available on the Department’s website.

Health and character requirements

All visa applicants must be assessed against Australia’s health and character requirements. These requirements are designed to protect the safety and security of the Australian community.

Health Requirements

As part of the visa application process you may be required to undertake a medical examination, chest x-ray and/or other health checks.
The Department will advise you of the applicable health checks (if any), based on your individual circumstances. Information on health checks which may apply to you is available on the Department’s website.

Character Requirements

As part of your visa application, you might be required to provide a police clearance certificate or other evidence to satisfy character requirements. Information about character requirements and police certificate requirements is available on the Department’s website.

Requirements for applicants under 18 years of age

Visa applicants who are under 18 years of age may be required to satisfy additional criteria to ensure that their interests are protected and that Australia meets its international obligations in relation to minors.

Information about documents that may be required for persons younger than 18 years of age is available on the Department’s website. Please refer to the following forms listed on the Department’s website.

• Form 1229 – Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years
• Form 1257 – Undertaking declaration.

General information for visa applicants – Version Feb 2017 | 2

Biometrics collection

If you are lodging a visa application in a selected location, regardless of your nationality, you may need to provide your biometrics in relation to your visa application, unless exempt. Information about Biometrics collection is available on the Department’s website.

Creating an ImmiAccount

ImmiAccount is a single point of entry into the Department’s online visa services. Information about ImmiAccount is available on the Department’s website.

Visa processing times

Information about visa processing times is available on the Department’s website.

Immigration clearance requirements

On arrival in Australia, you must identify yourself, present your travel documents, and complete an Incoming Passenger Card (IPC). The IPC requires travellers to declare their health status and any prior criminal convictions (amongst other declarations). If you do not meet immigration clearance requirements, you may be refused entry to Australia. Information about Australia’s immigration clearance processes is available on the Department’s website.

Obligations of visa holders

You must comply with your visa validity and visa conditions while in Australia. When you receive your Australian visa, you are issued with a visa grant notice that explains the conditions of your visa (including your approved period of stay in Australia and your entry requirements). Your visa may be cancelled if you breach any of the conditions of your visa. You are advised to carry your visa grant notice when travelling for your own reference.

If your visa expires while you are still in Australia, you will become an unlawful non-citizen and may be detained and removed from Australia. You may also be subject to an exclusion period, which could prevent you from re-entering Australia.

Travel sanctions

For information on countries subject to travel sanctions, please refer to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (DFAT) website. Nationals of these countries may not be permitted to travel to and enter Australia. For further information about travel sanctions, please refer to this page.

Business people intending to travel to Australia for a short business visit (for example, going to a conference, negotiation or meeting) but not intending to work in Australia, can apply for the Business Visitor stream of the Visitor visa (subclass 600).
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/visitor-600/business-visitor-stream

With this visa you can

As a business visitor, you can:

• make general business or employment enquiries
• investigate, negotiate, enter into or review a business contract
• conduct activities as part of an official government visit
• take part in a conference, trade fair or seminar. You can’t be paid by the organisers to take part
• undertake tourist activities

While you must not be paid by an organiser for your participation in the event, you may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses such as accommodation and meals.

You can’t:

• work for or provide services to a business or organisation based in Australia
• sell goods or services directly to the public
• include family members in your application. Each family member, including those listed on your passport, must submit a separate application

All ETA-eligible passport holders must apply for an ETA using the Australian ETA app.

If you are unable to use the app, you can apply online through ImmiAccount for another visa that suits your needs. European passport holders may be eligible for an eVisitor (subclass 651)

As a business visitor, you can:

• make general business or employment enquiries
• investigate, negotiate, enter into or review a business contract
• conduct activities as part of an official government visit
• take part in a conference, trade fair or seminar. The organisers can’t pay you to take part.

You can’t:

• work for or provide services to a business or organisation based in Australia
• sell goods or services directly to the public
• include family members in your application. Each family member, including those listed on your passport, must submit a separate application

Invited participants and speakers (whose principle intent is to impart information/facts) might be eligible for a Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) as an invited participant in an event. This visa lets you come to Australia if you are invited to participate in a community-based event, including sporting events. You and your family who travel on the visa with you can stay here for up to 3 months.

With this visa you can

• You must have been invited to take part in a community-based event in Australia
• You can stay in Australia for up to 3 months with members of the family unit
• You can apply for the visa in or outside Australia but not in immigration clearance

You must

• be invited to take part in the event
• apply online
• have a sponsor or supporter

If you have been invited to participate in the event by an Australia organisation and you are contributing to the event, for example: as a speaker, presenter, or exhibitor, you may be eligible for the Temporary Activity visa as an ‘Invited Participant’.

If you apply from outside Australia and intend to stay in Australia for three months or less, you do not need to be sponsored for this visa. However, you must provide a letter of invitation from the individual or organisation in Australia responsible for the event, which identifies:

• you (as the visa applicant) and any family members travelling with you
• the event/s, activity or work you will be involved
• the duties in relation to event/s, activity or work you will be involved
• the date/s, location/s of the event/s activity or work.