The visa process will be exclusively online.
Official visa web site: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder
If you are from a country on the list eligible for ETA you can fill in the ETA online and you will in most cases get immediate response. You can see the countries eligible for ETA below as well as a guide to how to fill in the application form:
There are two steps in the visa process:
Start with the online visa application. You should be informed in the
visa process how to register biometric data.
Not all countries offer biometric data. Please read on for further
instructions.
Please see page which provides the steps to apply in some detail:
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/visitor-600/business-visitor-stream#HowTo
However, some countries are requested to have their biometric data registered. This has to be done physically. Please see below a list of countries in the biometric programme.
Australia works together with a company called VFS Global to carry out the biometric testing. VFS Global are active in many of the countries in Africa - but not all. The local organisers are working on an overview and what alternatives can be used.
For each country applying, VFS Global have set up separate web pages containing all of the information and it is relatively easy to follow.
You start here: https://www.vfsglobal.com/en/individuals/index.html
You must select Australia as the destination (right hand side of the page) before selecting where you are applying from – otherwise the page will not work properly. It works for some countries. The Local organisers have an enquiry logged with the Australian Govt on what options other countries have.
After the biometric data has been submitted the further process will be online, only. No interviews are required.
The online visa application form must be filled in. It is important that all steps in the online process will be followed carefully, and all required information provided. If not all required information is available, this will be a reason to decline a visa application.
A list of required information will be uploaded.
Applicants from Africa are requested to inform their national association about their attendance and application. Through the national associations your conference registration will be verified and a visa letter can be issued.
Plese follow each step of the online application form carefully and make sure that all required information is included before you submit your application.
PLEASE NOTE: if you will apply for visa for an entire family it might be more difficult to obtain visa.
Visa applicants should include the following information:
Visa applicants from countries that have no biometric programme are not required to provide their biometrics, see: Biometrics. YAat the bottom of the page of the Biometrics link, that: This means any African nation that is not part of the biometrics program may lodge their application online without the requirement for biometrics. Please see further down on this page which countries are under the biometrics program.
Participants, attendees and speakers that will not be working, performing or otherwise be paid to contribute at the event can apply for the Visitor visa options.
Passport holders from countries that need visa but do not have biometric programme may be eligible to apply for the Visitor (subclass 600)(Business stream) visa, see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/visitor-600/business-visitor-stream
As there is no is no Australian diplomatic mission in some countries a neighbouring country will manage visa services for clients. However, lodging an Australian visa application from a country that is not included in the biometric programme does not necessitate travelling to the embassy, but can often be handled online.
To apply for a Visitor (subclass 600)(Business stream) visa, applicants must make an online visa application through ImmiAccount. ImmiAccount is a single point of entry into the department’s online visa services. Information about ImmiAccount including how to create an ImmiAccount can be found at: Applying online in ImmiAccount.
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:
If you are lodging a visa application in a country included in the
biometrics program, regardless of nationality, you might need to provide
your biometrics in relation to each visa application you lodge.
Country
Afghanistan *
Albania
Algeria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Cambodia
Colombia
Egypt
Ethiopia
Eswatini *
Fiji
France
Ghana
Greece
Hong Kong
Iran
Iraq
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kuwait
Lebanon
Lesotho *
Malaysia
Mexico
Myanmar
Nepal
New Zealand
Nigeria
Oman
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
Peru
Philippines
Qatar
Republic of Korea
Russian Federation
Samoa
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Solomon Islands
Somalia *
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Thailand
Tonga
Turkey
Uganda
United Arab Emirates
Vanuatu
Vietnam
Yemen *
Zimbabwe
* For these countries refer to neighbouring collection locations
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-finder