Travelling Down Under
VISAS
Before you start planning your trip, you’ll need to obtain a Visa to gain entry into Australia. To make your journey smooth and hassle-free, we've put together this comprehensive guide to help you secure your Conference Visa.
Here's what you need to know:
Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for a Visa, you must:
Have a genuine invitation to participate in a conference or seminar in Australia.
Intend to attend the conference for a specific period.
Be of good character and health.
Have sufficient funds to cover your stay in Australia, including accommodation, transportation, and living expenses.
Meet all other relevant criteria as specified by the Department of Home Affairs
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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:
Visitor (subclass 600)(Business stream) visa. For more information see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/visitor-600/business-visitor-stream
Electronic Travel Authority – ETA (subclass 601) Approved visitors from the following countries can apply for a subclass 601 and have no visa fees (small admin charge may apply) – Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Republic of San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vatican City. For eligible passport holders and more information see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/electronic-travel-authority-601
eVisitor (subclass 651)(Business Stream) visa. Approved visitors from the following countries can apply for a subclass 601 and have no visa fees (small admin charge may apply) – Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Republic of San Marino, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Vatican City. For eligible passport holders and more information see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/evisitor-651
Please note: Eligibility for an eVisitor visa and ETA will be determined by the country of passport that the applicant holds.
NB: These are the visa options available presently but the Department reserves the right to change regulations.
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Getting your Visa is a straightforward process:
Invitation: First, ensure you have an official invitation to the conference from the event organizer. This invitation letter can be found in the dashboard of your registration profile once you have paid in full. Should your visa be denied for any reason, a refund will be given.
Online Application: Visit the official Australian Government website (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/) to apply for your visa online.
Required Documents: Prepare the necessary documents, including a valid passport, conference invitation, proof of funds, and health insurance. You may be required to provide biometrics as part of your application process. Please see below for more information.
Payment: Pay the visa application fee as specified on the website.
Lodging the Application: Submit your application and documents through the online portal.
Health and Character Assessment: Depending on your nationality and circumstances, you may be required to undergo health and character checks.
Decision: Wait for the Department of Home Affairs to process your application. You will be notified of the outcome.
Important Tips:
Apply for your visa well in advance to avoid any last-minute delays. We recommend participants should apply for their visa’s prior to the close of early bird registration. This facilitates applicants that may be required to undertake additional applications requirements such as medical checks and biometric collection. Late applications may not permit the applicant to respond to any requests for additional information or attend biometric appointments, and will not provide an opportunity to rectify any visa application problems or discrepancies. Ensuring timely lodgement of visa applications mitigates or reduces the rate of visa applications requiring escalation or visa processing to be expedited.
Ensure your passport has at least six months of validity remaining.
Purchase comprehensive travel insurance to cover unexpected events during your stay.
Familiarise yourself with Australian customs and regulations to ensure a smooth entry into the country.
Useful Links:
FLIGHTS
Traveling directly to Sydney, Australia, is convenient due to its status as a major international hub. Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) is one of the busiest airports in Australia and offers numerous direct flights from various global destinations. Here's an overview of the ease and availability of direct flights to Sydney:
From Major Cities Worldwide
North America:
- Direct flights from major cities like Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), and Vancouver (YVR) are available. Airlines like Qantas, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Air Canada operate these routes.
- Flight duration from the west coast of the U.S. to Sydney is approximately 14-15 hours.
Europe:
- Direct flights from London Heathrow (LHR) are available with airlines such as Qantas and British Airways.
- These flights typically take around 22 hours, including a possible refuelling stop.
Asia:
- Numerous direct flights operate from major Asian cities like Singapore (SIN), Hong Kong (HKG), Tokyo (NRT/HND), and Bangkok (BKK). Airlines include Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, and Thai Airways.
- Flight durations range from 7 to 11 hours.
Middle East:
- Direct flights are available from Dubai (DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH), and Doha (DOH) with Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways.
- Flight times are typically around 14 hours.
Oceania:
- Direct flights from Auckland (AKL), Wellington (WLG), and Christchurch (CHC) in New Zealand, operated by airlines such as Air New Zealand and Qantas.
- These flights take around 3 to 4 hours.
Frequency and Availability
Daily Flights: Major routes like those from Los Angeles, Singapore, and London often have multiple daily flights, providing flexibility in scheduling.
Weekly Flights: Some routes may offer several flights per week instead of daily, particularly from smaller or less frequent hubs.
Booking and Convenience
Online Booking: Flights can be easily booked online through airline websites, travel agencies, or flight comparison platforms.
Direct Services: Many airlines offer direct, non-stop services, reducing travel time and the hassle of layovers.
GETTING AROUND
Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport (SYD) is located approximately 10 kilometers (about 6 miles) south of Darling Harbour, one of Sydney's premier waterfront locations and where ICC Sydney is located.
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Route 400: Travels from Bondi Junction to Burwood via Sydney Airport. Transfer at Mascot Station or Rockdale Station for a train towards the city. The trip takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour, depending on transfer times and traffic.
Route 420: Operates between Eastgardens and Burwood, passing through Sydney Airport. Transfer at Mascot Station for a more direct route to Darling Harbour. The trip takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour, depending on connections.
Use the Transport for NSW website and its Trip Planner tool for detailed bus route information and schedules.
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Airport Link: The Airport Link train provides a quick and convenient way to travel from Sydney Airport to Darling Harbour.
Route: From the airport, you can take the train from either the Domestic or International terminal to Central Station. At Central Station, transfer to a train heading towards Town Hall Station, which is a short walk from Darling Harbour.
Duration: The journey typically takes around 20-30 minutes in total.
Frequency: Trains run frequently, approximately every 10 minutes.
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Airport Shuttle Buses: Companies like Sydney Airporter, Redy2Go, and Airbus offer shared shuttle services. Shuttles can be booked online in advance or at the airport upon arrival. Tickets typically costs between AUD $15-25 per person, depending on the provider and destination. Travel time is usually around 30-45 minutes, but can vary based on traffic and the number of stops along the way.
Private Transfers: Private shuttle services or chauffeur-driven cars can be booked for a more personalized experience. Companies like Jayride, Mozio, and local operators offer these services. Generally more expensive than shared shuttles, ranging from AUD $50-100 or more, depending on the level of service.
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