If you are planning to visit Australia for a business event such as a conference, meeting or seminar, you need to apply for a business visa. The passport which you hold determines whether you can apply online, or if you need to lodge a paper-based application. The following information will help you identify the right visa and application process applicable to you, and is provided as a guide only. For more information, please visit the IECN website.

Online application

Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) 

Passport holders from ETA eligible countries are able to apply for a visa online to travel to and enter Australia. For a business event, the most common visa for these passport holders is the ETA (Business Entrant) (Subclass 977).

 ETA eligible countries

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.

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.

Applications can be made at http://www.eta.immi.gov.au/

Further information can be found at http://www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/eta.htm

Paper application

Business (Short Stay) visa (Subclass 456)

All other passport holders need to submit a paper-based application for a Business (Short Stay) visa (Subclass 456). This visa application can also include family members wishing to travel with you to Australia (eg spouse and unmarried dependent children).

• 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 Application for a Business (Short Stay) visa 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 www.immi.gov.au/skilled/business/456/

Further information can be found at:

http://www.immi.gov.au/immigration/