Australia has a universal visa requirement. Individuals from all APEC member economies (except New Zealand) wishing to travel to Australia for business purposes should apply for a temporary Business (Short Stay) Visa before their departure.

A temporary Business (short stay) Visa allows the following types of activities:

• Business meetings
• Conventions and conferences
• Exploratory business visits
• Negotiations

Business visas are subject to a condition prohibiting work that could otherwise be undertaken by any Australian citizen or permanent resident. Information can be found online:  www.immi.gov.au/allforms/visiting_business_short.htm

For a Business (Short Stay) Visa the threshold criteria are that the applicant:

• Seeks to enter Australia temporarily for business purposes
• Has personal attributes and business background that are relevant to, and consistent with, the nature of their proposed visit in Australia
• Demonstrates that there is a need to be in Australia for business purposes
• Does not intend to engage in activities that will have adverse consequences for employment or training opportunities or conditions of employment for Australians
• Proposes in the application to remain in Australia for not more than three months on any single occasion, and
• Have adequate funds for personal support during the period of his or her stay in Australia on each such occasion.

Business (Short Stay) visa’s come in two formats. The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) and the subclass 456 Business (Short Stay) visa or the subclass 459 Sponsored Business (Short Stay) visa. The ETA is an electronically stored authority for a person to travel to Australia. It replaces the current visa label or stamp in a passport for participating nationals. ETA’s can be processed on line: www.eta.immi.gov.au  The subclass 456 Business (Short Stay) visa requires the download of an application form from  www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/456.pdf.  The subclass 459 Sponsored Business (Short Stay) visa also requires the download of a sponsorship and application form from http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1235.pdf and http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1238.pdf.

Electronic Travel Authorities (ETA) are currently available to the nationals of the following APEC economies;

• Brunei Darussalam
• Canada
• Hong Kong (China)
• Japan
• Malaysia
• Republic of Korea
• Singapore.
• Chinese Taipei (available through travel agent only)
• United States of America

The ETA is being progressively made available to a range of passport holders of APEC economies. It remains, however, that a number of APEC passport holders are unable to access the ETA. These nationals should apply either for a subclass 456 Business (Short Stay) visa or a subclass 459 Sponsored Business (Short Stay) visa . Procedures are in place to streamline the processing of business visa applicants.

All temporary business visa subclass 456, subclass 459 and ETA applicants must be of good health and character. Applicants must sign a declaration to this effect on their visa application or upon arrival in Australia. Any false or misleading information may lead to refusal or cancellation of the visa.

APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) holders are generally holders of a subclass 456 visa. The ABTC provides fast tracked entry at Australian international airports. Aside from Australia, the other economies participating in the scheme are: Brunei Darussalam, Chile, People’s republic of China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand and Vietnam.

Holders are generally cleared for entry to Australia (no separate application for a subclass 456 visa or ETA, nor evidence of visa, is required of such cardholders). Applications for the card are processed by the passport holder's home government.  Eligibility criteria for the card vary between economies, and business people should contact their home government for details.  For further information and contact details, please go to:

www.businessmobility.org/key/abtc.html

If the applicant’s travel agent can process an ETA, the travel agent will need passport and credit card details.  Online applications for ETA require a Passport and credit card details.

Applicants who are unable to obtain an ETA should apply using Form 456 ("Application for Temporary Business visa"). A passport is required.

The application asks applicants to describe their proposed business activity and advise how long they intend to stay.

Electronic Travel Authorities (ETA) can be obtained by visiting, telephoning or faxing a "participating" travel agent or by also applying online at the following web site address:

www.eta.immi.gov.au

Applicants from non-ETA APEC economies must fill out a Form 456 and lodge their application personally to an Australian visa office overseas, through a representative, travel agent, or by mail.

An interview is only required when requested by Immigration authorities.

Australia has streamlined processing procedures. Electronic Travel Authorities can be processed in a few minutes. In most cases applications on the Form 456 should be processed in a matter of days. A high percentage are processed over the counter when the client lodges the application.

Electronic Travel Authorities (ETA) for Business Visitors:

There are two types of Electronic Travel Authorities (ETA) for business travellers:

The subclass 956 (long validity) ETA-

• allows multiple entry for the life of the passport
• maximum stay of 3 months for each entry.

The subclass 977 (short validity) ETA-

• allows multiple entry to Australia
• valid for travel to Australia within 12 months of the date it is issued
• maximum stay of 3 months for each entry.

Apply online: www.eta.immi.gov.au

Business (Short Stay) Visas:

There are two types of Business (short stay) Visas:

Subclass 456 Business (short stay) visa-

• may be issued for either single or multiple journeys to Australia
• maximum stay of 3 months for each entry
• the approved length of visa validity is decided by Australian Immigration authorities outside Australia.

Subclass 459 Sponsored Business (short stay) visa-

• application (form 1238) to be filled in by business person (while outside of Australia) but submitted by sponsor in Australia
• single entry
• maximum stay of up to 3 months.

Forms available online: www.immi.gov.au/allforms/visiting_business_short.htm

All short stay business visitor visas, including the business ETAs are issued on the condition that the holder must not engage in work in Australia that might otherwise be carried out by an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident.

It is not possible to seek a further subclass 456 visa or a subclass 459 or an ETA in Australia.

The subclass 956 ETA and the subclass 456 and subclass 459 visas attract a visa application charge (VAC). Current fees can be viewed at  www.immi.gov.au/allforms/990i/990i_business.htm

As exchange rates may vary, applicants outside Australia should check with the local Australian visa office overseas or authorised travel agent for the applicable fee. 

There is no visa application charge for the subclass 977 ETA, only a service charge of AUD$20.00.

Fees for an ETA can only be paid by credit card.

Payment arrangements for fees for a subclass 456 and 459 visa vary between overseas posts. Check with the nearest Australia visa office overseas for local payment options

Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) holder:

Each family member accompanying a holder of a business subclass 956 or 977 ETA must also have an ETA visa to enter Australia. Accompanying family members may choose to apply for a free tourist ETA (Subclass 976).

Subclass 456 or 459 visa holder:

Family members who are accompanying the principal applicant to Australia can be included on the same visa application for no extra fee. Family members include the spouse and unmarried dependant children. Accompanying family members are granted the same visa entitlements as the main applicant.