Visitor visa, temporary work visa…: Which visa do you need for a short stay or business trip to Australia?

Are you planning a business trip to Australia? Whether you are attending a strategic meeting, an international conference or carrying out a short-term assignment, it is essential to obtain the correct visa to enter the country in full compliance and avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Why is it essential to select the right visa for entering Australia, even for a short stay?

Australia applies a strict immigration policy, and the Australian Department of Home Affairs enforces these rules rigorously. It is therefore crucial to understand which visa is most suitable for your situation in order to avoid:

• being denied boarding by the airline
• a strict interrogation upon arrival
• being refused entry to the country
• a negative impact on future visa applications (Australian or international)

Australia offers several types of visas for short stays, depending on nationality and the purpose of the visit.

Which visas are available for a business trip to Australia?

Australia provides several short-stay visa options for business travellers:

• eVisitor visa (subclass 651)
• ETA – Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601)
• Visitor visa (subclass 600)
• Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400)

The eVisitor (651), ETA (601) and Visitor visa (600) are similar in terms of permitted activities. Their differences lie mainly in the applicant’s nationality, the length of stay, the submission method

The Temporary Work (400) visa is the only short-stay visa that allows temporary paid work, such as technical missions.

eVisitor visa (651)

This visa is issued if:

• You are a citizen of the European Union, Switzerland or another eligible country
• Your visit involves attending meetings, visiting business partners or attending conferences
• Your stay does not exceed 90 days

This visa does not allow paid work. You may negotiate or sign contracts but cannot receive a salary in Australia.

ETA – Electronic Travel Authority (601)

This electronic travel authorisation is a quick and simple alternative (for eligible nationalities) to the eVisitor visa. It offers the same entry and stay conditions. It is issued if:

• You apply through the mobile application
• You are a citizen of an eligible country (e.g., EU countries, the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore)
• You are travelling to attend meetings, visit business partners or participate in conferences
• Your stay does not exceed 90 days

The ETA does not allow paid work.

Visitor visa (600)

This visa is the most widely accessible option for business visits. It is available to almost all nationalities, including those not eligible for the eVisitor (651) or ETA (601).

As with the previous visas, it allows you to attend business meetings, participate in conferences, negotiate with Australian partners and explore market opportunities. Paid employment is not permitted under this visa.

Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (400)

This visa is intended for specialists invited to provide temporary, highly skilled services such as training, technical support or a one-off intervention.

You may apply if you possess skills, expertise or specialised experience that:

• Can assist Australian businesses
• Are not readily available in the Australian labour market
  

This visa is usually issued for up to 3 months, but a 6-month stay may be granted with a strong supporting case. Since this visa is designed for temporary assignments, the activity must reasonably be completed within six months.

The application process is more demanding, as you must submit a detailed file to obtain approval. However, it is the only short-stay visa that allows temporary work during its validity.

Processing times are longer, so early preparation is strongly recommended.

If you intend to work in Australia for a standard employment contract, you will need a longer-term work visa (see our dedicated article).

Comparative table of short-stay visas for Australia

	eVisitor 651 & ETA 601	Business visitor 600	Temporary Work (short stay) 400
Visa validity	12 months	Depending on requirements – 3, 6, 9 or 12 months At the discretion of the authorities	Generally 3 months 6 months possible with a strong supporting case and subject to the authorities’ discretion
Start of validity	Date of visa grant	Date indicated on the approval notice	Visa validity begins on entry into Australia
Stay duration per visit	Maximum 90 days	Maximum 90 days	Duration indicated on the approval notice (90 or 180 days)
Restrictions between trips	None during the visa validity period	Depends on whether single or multiple entries have been granted	Depends on whether single or multiple entries have been granted
Where to apply from	Must be outside Australia: Visa 651: application via the official government website Visa 601: application via the AustralianETA mobile app	Must be outside Australia both at the time of application and at the time of visa grant	Must be outside Australia both at the time of application and at the time of visa grant
Eligibility	Hold an eligible passport Passport valid for the entire visa period Meet health requirements Clean criminal record	For nationalities not eligible for visas 651 or 601 Passport valid for the entire visa period Meet health requirements Clean criminal record	Passport valid for the entire visa period Possess highly specialised skills, knowledge or experience Meet health requirements Clean criminal record
Permitted activities	Business enquiries Job searching Negotiating, signing or reviewing commercial contracts Attending conferences, trade fairs or seminars (without payment from organisers) Official government visits Undertaking training*	Business enquiries Job searching Negotiating, signing or reviewing commercial contracts Attending conferences, trade fairs or seminars (unpaid) Official government visits Training	Performing short-term work in a highly specialised field
Prohibited activities	Undertaking work or providing services to an Australian business, organisation or individual Selling goods or services directly to the public	Undertaking work or providing services to an Australian entity Selling goods or services directly to the public	Working for any employer other than the one specified in the application Performing tasks other than those for which the visa was granted Using the visa as a step toward obtaining a longer-term work visa
Average processing time	Approximately 24 hours	2 to 3 weeks	Around 1 month after submission Advisable to start the process 3 months before the mission start date
Government fees	Free for 651 AUD 20 for ETA 601	AUD 195 per application	AUD 430 for the main applicant (additional charges may apply for supporting documents)

* Applicants seeking training in childcare or medical fields (doctor, nurse, dentist, paramedic…) must apply for the Business Visitor subclass 600.

How to obtain a short-stay visa?

While administrative steps vary depending on the visa, the key stages are:

1. Determine the correct visa

• European nationals: eVisitor 651
• Nationalities eligible for ETA: ETA 601
• Other nationalities: Visitor 600
• Work assignment: Temporary Work 400

2. Prepare the required documents

Passport valid for the entire visa period, letter of invitation from an Australian entity, proof of financial means, travel insurance, qualifications, certificates, etc.

3. Submit the application

Depending on the visa, the application may be lodged through ImmiAccount, the ETA mobile app, or in some cases via paper application.

4. Follow up on the application

Regularly check your online account to anticipate any additional processing time.

5. Check your visa conditions

Australian visas are electronic and include several key sections:

• Visa Conditions – details permitted activities
• Visa Duration and Travel – validity and number of entries
• Visa Summary – personal details; ensure the passport number is correct (pay attention to 0/O and I/1)

Expert advice

For a business trip to Australia of less than three months, preparation is essential:

• Apply early (processing times can vary)
• Check the rules applying to your nationality
• Ensure your activities are permitted under the selected visa