You must obtain a visa prior to entry if you come from a country with a visa requirement for entering Australia - the only exceptions are if you are an Australian or New Zealand passport holder.
New Zealand passport holders can travel to Australia without a visa and obtain a visa on arrival at the airport.
Find out whether you need a visa to enter Australia and how to obtain it
What visa subclass should I apply for?
Australia offers various visa subclasses depending on the purpose of the stay. You can find some of the most common visa subclasses and relevant links to more information below. The International Event Coordinator Network (IECN) of the Department of Home Affairs have arranged the information according to several categories to make your search easier.
We encourage everyone to visit the website links provided, to find out more about eligibility and requirements needed for the visa subclasses mentioned below.
When should I apply?
The IECN recommends that applications should be submitted at the start of February 2023. Visas are processed in order of when they are needed (i.e. when your visit will take place), so applications received before February 2023 will be de-prioritised and processed closer to the event date.
Contact details
For registration support as well as information, assistance, and questions regarding visas please contact conference@hri.global.
Letter of invitation
An invitation letter will only be provided to participants who have registered and paid the required registration fees in full for the conference. Once you have paid, your visa letter will be available to download in your online account. You can log in here.
Please note that Harm Reduction International will not be able to contact or intervene with any Embassy or Consulate office on behalf of a participant. The invitation letter does not financially obligate Harm Reduction International in any way.
Invitation letters are available as pdfs. If original invitation letters are required, please note that they will be sent by regular mail. In case an express delivery is needed, the participant shall arrange pick-up of the document on his/her own and will be responsible for all associated costs. Harm Reduction International does not assume any costs for express delivery.
Should the visa application be denied or not approved in time to attend the event, Harm Reduction International will refund the registration fee, minus a £65 administration fee, if and only if, the participant provides Harm Reduction International with an official document from the concerned Embassy/Consulate rejecting the visa and that the application was submitted in due time. Refunds will be processed after the event (27 April to 31 May). Please note that a notification sent to Harm Reduction International after the event will not be accepted.
Disclaimer
This procedure is intended to assist participants who need to obtain a visa or permission to attend HR23 and is not an official invitation covering fees and/or any other expenses or financial support for the conference. The organisers are not to be held responsible for the outcome of your visa application.
All refund requests will have to be received in writing before the conference. No refunds will be made for cancellations received during or after the event.
For delegates and/or participants that will solely be attending and will NOT be working, performing, or otherwise be paid to contribute to the event
|
Visa Subclass Name |
Visitor (subclass 600)(Business stream) |
Electronic Travel Authority – ETA (subclass 601) |
eVisitor (subclass 651)(Business Stream) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
With this visa, you can… |
make general business or employment enquiries negotiate contracts take part in a conference or trade fair. You can't be paid by the organisers to take part |
visit family or friends cruise or have a holiday undertake business visitor activities |
visit family or friends cruise or have a holiday undertake business visitor activities study or train for up to 3 months, in some circumstances |
|
Eligible countries |
Open to all |
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong (SAR of China), Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Norway, Portugal, Republic of San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (excluding official or diplomatic passports), The Netherlands, United Kingdom—British Citizen, United Kingdom—British National (Overseas), United States of America, Vatican City |
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Republic of San Marino, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom – British Citizen, Vatican City |
|
Website link |
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/electronic-travel-authority-601 |
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/evisitor-651 |
Note: Visa applicants applying for the Visitor (Subclass 600) Business stream do not need to provide an Australian contact. While “Australia” is set as the default for the business contact, they can change this to an offshore address. There is a help text available in the form (behind the ? icon) which may assist in formatting the address as required by the Department. Applicants may provide the event organiser's details, even if it is an overseas event organiser. They are as follows: Contact name: Madeleine O'Hare, Position: Conference Director, Organisation: Harm Reduction International, Phone number: +44 151 702 0635, Address: 61 Mansell Street, London E1 8AN, United Kingdom
Note: Foreign government representatives or officials that will be attending the conference may be eligible to apply for the Visitor visa (subclass 600, subclass 601, sc651) as provided above. The visa application charge (VAC) for the Visitor visa (subclass 600) can be waived for an applicant who applies acting as a foreign government representative and provides the department with supporting evidence. In most cases, such persons will identify themselves at the time of application by presenting a diplomatic, or official, passport, however, applicants can also provide other types of supporting evidence, such as a third-person note of support from their government.
For overseas-based event organisers and staff that will be undertaking event management roles and activities
OR
Exhibitors, retail vendors, and contractors that will be working, performing or otherwise be paid to contribute at the event
|
Visa Name |
Temporary Work (subclass 400)(Short Stay Specialist) visa (where there is no inviting Australian organisation). |
|
With this visa, you can… |
work in a highly specialised job Note: the work or activity must be non-ongoing (i.e. work that is likely to be completed within 6 months or less, and you do not expect or arrange to stay in Australia after this time for any reason related to that work.) |
|
Eligible countries |
Open to all |
|
Website Link |
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-work-400 |
For journalists or other media personnel
|
Visa Subclass Name |
Temporary Work (subclass 400)(Short Stay Specialist) visa |
Temporary Activity (subclass 408)(Entertainment) visa |
|
Type of Journalist |
Journalists or other media personnel travelling to Australia to cover an event, where the production/broadcast is not intended for Australian audiences |
Journalists or other media personnel travelling to Australia to cover an event, at the invitation of an Australian organisation, and where the production or broadcast is intended for Australian audiences |
|
With this visa, you can… |
work in a highly specialised job Note: the work or activity must be non-ongoing (i.e. work that is likely to be completed within 6 months or less, and you do not expect or arrange to stay in Australia after this time for any reason related to that work.) |
work on film, television or live productions in the entertainment industry Stay in Australia for up to 2 years with members of the family unit Apply for the visa in or outside Australia but not in immigration clearance |
|
Eligible countries |
Open to all |
Open to all |
|
Website link |
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-work-400 |
