Visa & International Travel

Visa Options for Delegates & Accompanying Guests

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:

  • eVisitor (subclass 651) Business stream visa. For eligible passport holders and more information click here (Recommended for attendees)

  • Visitor (subclass 600) Business stream visa. For more information click here

  • Electronic Travel Authority – ETA (subclass 601). For eligible passport holders and more information click here

NB: Eligibility for an eVisitor visa and ETA will be determined by the country of passport that the applicant holds.

NB: ETA (subclass 601) applicants from Malaysia should note there may be additional information and documentary requirements. For more information see the Malaysian High Commission Australia Visas & Migration page.

Visitor (subclass 600) Business visa applicants should include as much information as possible to support their visa applications (click here). 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

Visa Options for Speakers, Sponsors and Exhibitors

Attendees, speakers and exhibitors who will be working, or otherwise be paid to contribute at the event may be eligible to apply for one of the following visa options:

  • Temporary Activity (subclass 408) Invited participant visa (where there is an inviting Australian organisation). For more information click here

Please note that a letter of support from an Australian organisation is a legislative requirement for the Temporary Activity (subclass 408) Invited participant visa.

  • Temporary Work (subclass 400) Short Stay Specialist visa (where there is no inviting Australian organisation). For more information see: click here

NB: Exhibitors working at an event which targets a specific industry, and which does not involve selling goods or services directly to the public, may also be eligible for the Visitor visa options provided above.

New Zealand Citizens

New Zealand passport holders are eligible to apply for a Special Category Visa (subclass 444) (SCV) on arrival in Australia. If they satisfy the eligibility requirements (including health (tuberculosis) and character), the SCV will be granted.

New Zealand passport holders need to present the following documents to Australian Border Force (ABF) officers or SmartGate machines in immigration clearance:

  • a valid New Zealand passport

  • a completed and signed Incoming Passenger Card (IPC), including a health and character declaration

New Zealand citizens with criminal convictions (that resulted in an imprisonment term, whether or not suspended) should complete the enquiry form prior to their intended travel date to receive guidance on SCV eligibility, to help avoid delays or refusal of entry at the border. See Special Category visa (Home Affairs) for further information.

Letter of Invitation for Visa Applications

Invitation letters can be downloaded from your registration dashboard. This letter assists with your Visa application. You will be able to download an invitation letter once you have paid for your registration fee in full and have entered in your passport details.

How to download the invitation letter:

  • Log on to the registration dashboard as a return delegate by entering your email and password.

  • Scroll the menu to the 'Document' section and select the button 'Enter Details'.

  • Every field must be filled in for a Visa letter to be generated. Once all details have been filled in, click 'GO'. You will be taken back to the main screen and now a button 'Download Letter' will appear and by clicking this it will generate a PDF visa letter.

Please email the Conference Secretariat if you are having difficulties downloading a Letter of Invitation from your dashboard.

Passport and Visa Information

Biometrics and Entering Australia

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

Travellers should familiarise themselves with Australia's border and entry requirements. For further information, see 'Entering and leaving Australia' at: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/entering-australia

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 and must meet the character requirements in order to be granted a visa to Australia. 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 processing times can vary depending on:

  • whether the application is complete, including all supporting documents and paid visa application charges

  • how promptly the applicant responds to requests for additional information

  • how long required checks on supporting information take

  • how long it takes to receive information from external agencies (health, character, national security)

  • current global visa processing volumes at time of lodgement

We recommend lodging visa applications at least 6 to 8 weeks prior to your intended date of travel. For more information on processing times, see Visa processing times (Home Affairs).

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT
AUSTRALIA

  • Busselton, Western Australia, operates on Australian Western Standard Time (UTC +8:00).

    In September, Busselton experiences the start of spring. Average daytime temperatures range between 10°C and 20°C, with cool mornings and evenings. Rainfall is moderate, with occasional showers, so it’s a good idea to bring a light jacket or umbrella.

  • The official currency of Australia is the Australian Dollar (AUD).
    Currency exchange services are available at Perth Airport and in major banks throughout Western Australia. Fees apply for foreign currency exchanges.

    You can find current exchange rates here.

    Tipping in Australia is not expected. Instead, a service charge will normally be added to your bill. The service charge will usually be declared on the menu if you're in a cafe or restaurant.

  • Australia uses Plug Type I which is the plug that has three flat pins in a triangular pattern.

  • Local SIM cards are available at Perth Airport, supermarkets, and convenience stores. Major providers include Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone. Telstra generally offers the best coverage in regional areas like Busselton. Free Wi-Fi is available at many hotels, cafes, and public spaces.

  • Busselton is located about 2.5 hours by car from Perth. Car hire is the most convenient option for flexibility, though coach services also operate between Perth and Busselton.

    Within Busselton, taxis, rideshare services (Uber, Ola), and local buses are available. Cycling is also popular thanks to the town’s flat layout and coastal paths.

    For more visitor information, see the City of Busselton tourism website.