Visa​​​​​​​​​​

If you need a visa to enter Australia, please make sure to apply as early as possible. Below you can find information provided by the International Event Coordinator Network (IECN) of the Department of Home Affairs.

Visa options:

Participants, attendees and speakers that will not be working, performing or otherwise be paid to contribute at the event 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 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 applicants should include the following information:

• evidence of any international travel outside of their own country (for example, copies of visas and passport pages containing entry and departure stamps)

• information and evidence of attendance at similar events of this type/nature.

Biometrics:

Visa applicants outside of Australia will need to provide biometrics when they apply for a visa that is part of the Australian biometrics program, or where they are from a country, or located in a country at time of application that is part of the Australian biometrics program.

For information regarding Australia’s biometric program including visas and countries that are part of the program, please see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/biometrics

Health and Character Requirements:

Most visa applicants must meet minimum health standards before they can be granted a visa, and the department may assess your health as part of the visa application process. This is referred to as 'meeting the health requirement'.

For more information regarding health requirements please see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/health

Applicants must be of good character to visa Australia, and must meet the character requirements in order to be granted a visa.

For further information regarding character requirements please see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/character

Visa Application Process and Processing Times:

Visa applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, and actual processing times can vary due to individual circumstances including:

• whether the applicant has lodged a complete application, including all necessary supporting documents and paid associated visa application charges

• how promptly the applicant responds to any requests for additional information

• how long it takes to perform required checks on the supporting information provided

• how long it takes to receive information from external agencies, particularly in relation to health, character, and national security requirements

• when the application is lodged taking the current global visa processing times into account

Processing times are impacted each month by cases that are complex, changes to volume of applications and changes to Ministerial Directions. More information about visa processing times please see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/overview. For this reason, we would advise that visa applications be lodged at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to a person’s intended date of travel. NB: IECN assistance will NOT guarantee a visa grant. Visa applicants must demonstrate that they meet all the legislative requirements for an Australian visa.