VISA INFORMATION
Under Australia’s universal visa system, 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 granted 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). For more information, see the fact sheet:
www.border.gov.au/about/corporate/information/fact-sheets/17nz
There are many visa options available to people wishing to visit Australia. The appropriate visa option will depend, amongst other things, on the person’s purpose for visiting Australia.
If you are planning to visit Australia to attend a business event such as a conference, seminar, trade fair or expo as a participant or an attendee (that is, you will not be working, entertaining, or being paid to contribute), you may be eligible for one of the following Visitor visas:
You must not be intending to:
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.
A Visitor visa may also be appropriate if you are undertaking a genuine unpaid volunteer role, but only if:
Further information about the specific requirements of Visitor visas is available on the Department’s website: www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa/Appl/Visitor
Note: To apply for a Temporary Activity visa you must make an online visa application through ImmiAccount. If you do not already have an ImmiAccount, you will need to create one. To login to ImmiAccount or to create an account refer to the Department’s website: www.border.gov.au/immiaccount
Activity type: Invited for other social/cultural activity
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:
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To apply for this visa as an ‘Invited Participant’, please select the following Activity type: Invited for other social/cultural activity on page 2 of the online application form.
Further information about the specific requirements of the Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) is available on the Department’s website: www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/408-
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: www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/Visa-listing
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: www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa/Heal
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: www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa/Char
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: www.border.gov.au/allforms
– Form 1229 – Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years
– Form 1257 – Undertaking declaration.
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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: www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa/Biom
ImmiAccount is a single point of entry into the Department’s online visa services. Information about ImmiAccount is available on the Department’s website: www.border.gov.au/immiaccount
Information about visa processing times is available on the Department’s website: www.border.gov.au/about/access-accountability/service-standards
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: www.border.gov.au/Trav/Ente/Goin/Arrival
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. Information about your obligations as a visa holder is available on the Department’s website: www.border.gov.au/Trav/complying-with-your-obligations
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:
www.dfat.gov.au/international-relations/security/sanctions/Pages/sanctions.aspx
Contact Us
To help make #icgb2020 a success for you, the dedicated team from Events Beyond are here to help with any issues or enquiries you have – we’re just a phone call or email away.
ACGB email: conference@grief.org.au
ADDRESS:
253 Wellington Rd, Mulgrave, VIC Australia 3170
PHONE:
+61 3 9265 2100
EMAIL:
conference@grief.org.au
ABN: 22 038 903 478 / ACN: 159 297 444