Visa and International Travel

Passport & 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 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 4 to 6 weeks prior to a person’s intended date of travel.

Letter of Invitation

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 APSC2024@asnevents.net.au ifyou are having difficulties downloading a Letter of Invitation from your dashboard.

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:

 

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.

Visa Options for Speakers, Sponsors & Exhibitors

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 the following visa option:

 

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. Read information under ‘Letter of Invitation’ above to find out how to obtain a letter of support.

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 under Visa Options for Delegates & Accompanying Guests. 

About Australia

  • South Australia is nine and a half hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC +9:30).

    The conference will fall during Spring in Adelaide. The weather will warm up with average temperatures between 11.8 - 22°C (53.2 - 71.6°F).

  • The official currency of Australia is the Australian Dollar (AUD).

    Exchange services are located at Melbourne Airport, in Melbourne's central business district (CBD) and most banks. You will need to pay a fee for all foreign currency exchanges.

    You can find current exchange rates here.

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

  • Local SIM cards can be purchased round-the-clock at convenience stores. Delegates may also consider buying a local SIM card at the Arrivals Hall of the Adelaide Airport upon landing. Most common brands used are Vodafone, Telstra and Optus.

  • Check out the South Australia website for tips on travelling within Australia. It includes a comprehensive list of the different forms of transport you can use during your trip!