Visa Information
The information relating to visa options contained in this fact sheet is current as at 16 February 2011.
Australian law may change after this time resulting in a change in visa options.
While this fact sheet provides an outline of the most common business visas, please note there are many visa options available for visiting Australia. The appropriate visa will depend, amongst other things, on the person’s purpose for visiting.
All visitors to Australia must have a valid visa to travel to and enter Australia (other than New Zealand passport holders, who will normally be issued a Special Category visa on arrival, provided they meet health and character requirements; and permanent residents of Norfolk Island who may be granted a Permanent Resident of Norfolk Island visa on arrival).
1. Tourist visa – is the most suitable option for amateur competitors and others whose only purpose is to attend/observe the event.
2. Business visa – is the most suitable option for professional competitors, officials, coaches or support staff.
Online applications
eVisitor
Passport holders from eVisitor eligible countries are able to apply individually online for authorisation to travel to and enter Australia. You will need to select between the business and tourist stream, based on your role at the event.
eVisitor eligible countries
Andorra * France * Lithuania Republic of San Marino *
Austria * Germany * Luxembourg * Slovak Republic
Belgium * Greece * Malta * Slovenia
Bulgaria Hungary Monaco * Spain *
Cyprus Iceland * The Netherlands * Sweden *
Czech Republic Ireland * Norway * Switzerland *
Denmark * Italy * Poland United Kingdom – British Citizen *
Estonia Latvia Portugal * Vatican city
Finland * Liechtenstein * Romania
* Eligible passport holders also have the option of applying for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) through their travel agent, airline, specialist service provider or an Australian visa office outside Australia. Note, travel agencies may choose to impose a fee to arrange an ETA on your behalf.
Further information can be found at
http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/evisitor/
Applications can be made at
http://www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/evisitor.htm
A separate online eVisitor (Tourist stream) application is required for each family member who holds a passport from an EU 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.
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)
Passport holders from ETA eligible countries are also able to apply for a visa online to travel to and enter Australia. You will need to select between a business or tourist ETA, based on your role at the event as follows:
Business role – ETA (Business Entrant) (Subclass 977)
Tourist role – ETA (Visitor) (Subclass 976)
ETA eligible countries
Brunei Singapore
Canada South Korea
Hong Kong (SAR) * Taiwan **
Japan United States of America
Malaysia
* A Hong Kong Document of Identity (HKDI) cannot be used to apply for an ETA. Residents of Hong Kong require a citizen passport to apply for this visa.
** Holders of Taiwanese passports can only be processed for an ETA if residing and applying in Taiwan. Applications can be lodged with an approved ETA travel agent in Taiwan, or Australian visa services office in Taipei.
Further information can be found at
http://www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/eta.htm
Applications can be made at
There is no visa application charge for this visa but a service fee of $AUD20 is charged for online applications and travel agencies may choose to impose a fee to arrange an ETA on your behalf. Each family member who holds a passport from an ETA eligible country and wishes to travel with you to
Australia must complete a separate online application form for the ETA (Visitor) (Subclass 976). This includes children under the age of 18 who are included on your passport.
Paper-based applications
All other passport holders need to submit a paper-based application for a business or tourist visa, based on your role at the event as follows:
Business role – Business (Short Stay) (Subclass 456)
Tourist role – Tourist Visa (Subclass 676)
Business (Short Stay) visa (Subclass 456)
For Form 456 Application for a Business (Short Stay) visa see
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/456.pdf
To obtain the application documentation checklist for Form 456 see
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/business/_pdf/456-checklist.pdf
To lodge your application at the nearest Australian visa office to your current place of residence see
http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/overseas/index.htm
More information on this visa is available at
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/business/456/
This visa application can also include family members wishing to travel with you to Australia (eg spouse and unmarried dependent children).
Tourist visa (Subclass 676)
For Form 48R Application to visit Australia for tourism or other recreational activities see
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/48r.pdf
To obtain the application documentation checklist for Form 48R see
http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/_pdf/676-visa-checklist.pdf
To lodge your application at the nearest Australian visa office to your current place of residence see
http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/overseas/index.htm
Family members, under 18 years of age, who are travelling to Australia and are included on your passport, can be included in your application. Other family members who have separate passports must lodge separate applications.
A visa application charge of $AUD105 will need to be paid when applying for this visa.
For more information on this visa, please see:
http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/tourist/676/index.htm
Things to consider before lodging an application
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 which health checks may apply to you is available at
www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1163i.pdf
Character requirements
As part of the visa application process, you must show that you are of good character to pass Australia’s character test. Information on the character test is available at
www.immi.gov.au/media/fact-sheets/79character.htm
If you are unsure whether you can pass Australia’s character test because of prior criminal convictions, you should lodge a paper-based application at the Australian visa office nearest to your current place of residence, at least four months prior to the event start date.
Contact information for Australian visa offices is available at
http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/overseas/index.htm
Travel sanctions
Nationals of countries subject to travel sanctions may not be permitted to travel to and enter Australia. For information on countries subject to travel sanctions, please see the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s website at
http://www.dfat.gov.au/un/unsc_sanctions/index.html
Biometrics Program
From December 2010, Biometrics will need to be collected at an Australian Visa Application Centre for visitors lodging a paper-based visa application from the countries listed at the department’s website at
http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/biometrics/offshore/countries.htm
Invitation/registration to attend the event
Although this is a separate process to lodging your visa application, the department may take into account whether you are registered, or have been invited, to attend the event, when assessing whether you meet the criteria for the grant of a visa. Confirmation of registration is required for this event and evidence of this will need to accompany the Business (Short Stay) visa (Subclass 456) application.
Date for lodging paper based applications
All visitors should apply for a visa at least two months prior to the intended date of departure, and four months prior for people with character concerns. Visa applications lodged after 19 August 2011 may not be decided in time for visitors to attend the event.
Obligations of visa holders
On arrival at Australia’s border you must identify yourself, present your travel documents, and complete an Incoming Passenger Card (IPC). The IPC requires visitors to declare their health status and any prior criminal convictions. If you do not meet immigration clearance requirements, you may be refused entry to Australia.
More information on immigration clearance processes at Australia’s borders is available at
www.immi.gov.au/managing-australias-borders/border-security/air/airport.htm
You must comply with your visa validity and visa conditions while in Australia. For paper-based applications, this information is available either on your visa label or in the letter informing you that you have been granted a visa. For online applications, it is available on the letter or email confirming the grant of your visa. If you breach these conditions, your visa may be cancelled. If your visa expires while you are still in Australia, you become an unlawful non-citizen. Unlawful non-citizens are liable to be detained and removed from Australia.
Need help?
For help with visas please contact the International Event Coordinator Network (IECN) by completing an online enquiry form at
http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/forms/iecn/
More information on the IECN is available at
http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/event-organisers-participants/
General information on applying for visas is available at
