16 – 18 September 2025

Twin Towns Conference and Function Centre
Coolangatta, QLD

Visa Applications

All visitors to Australia must have a valid visa to travel to and enter Australia.

Please note: New Zealand passport holders are an exception to this rule, who will normally be granted a Special Category visa on arrival, provided they meet health and character requirements. Additionally, permanent residents of Norfolk Island may be granted a Permanent Resident of Norfolk Island visa on arrival.

You should apply for a visa at least two months prior to the intended date of departure, and four months prior if there are any character or health concerns.

 

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:

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.

NB: Electronic Travel Authority – ETA (subclass 601) applicants from Malaysia should note that there may be additional information and documentary requirements.  For more information please see: https://malaysia.highcommission.gov.au/klpr/Visas_and_Migration.html

A speaker, presenter, exhibitor, or other contributor that will be working, or otherwise be paid to contribute at the event may be eligible to apply for one of the following visa options:

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

NB: These are the visa options available presently but the Department reserves the right to change regulations.

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 6 to 8 weeks prior to a person’s intended date of travel.

 

Things to consider before lodging a visa application

Confirmation of registration, or a copy of your letter of invitation, should accompany visa applications.

When assessing whether you meet the criteria for the grant of a visa, the Department may take into account whether you are registered or were invited to attend the Conference.

You can receive a letter of invitation once you complete the online registration form, to request a letter of invitation, please complete this form.