Business Visitor Visa Australia
Short-Term Trips for Work
If you’re visiting Australia for meetings, conferences or short business trips (without taking up employment), you’ll usually need a Business Visitor Visa. This is typically the Visitor Visa (600) or business use of the eVisitor (651) or ETA (601).
Visa4you helps you choose the right option, understand what’s allowed, and prepare a strong visa application.
Business Visitor Visa Australia
Business Visitor Visa are for people who need to travel to Australia for short business activities, without entering the Australian labour market. Typical Business Visitor Visa include:
- Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) – Business Visitor stream
- eVisitor (Subclass 651) – for European passports
- Electronic Travel Authority (ETA – Subclass 601) – for certain nationalities
You cannot take up a job in Australia or provide services to an Australian business that competes with local employees.
Main Business Visitor Visa Options
Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) – Business Visitor Stream
Best for travellers who are not eligible for eVisitor/ETA or have a more complex situation.
- Business activities only
- Must be a genuine visitor with sufficient funds
- Usually up to 3 months per visit (longer validity possible)
- Apply from outside Australia
eVisitor (Subclass 651) – Business Visitor Use
Free visa for eligible European passports.
- Multiple visits over a 12 months period
- Up to 3 months per visit
- Tourism, visiting family/friends and business visitor activities
- Short study or training (usually up to 3 months)
- Apply from outside Australia
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA – Subclass 601)
Similar to eVisitor, but for other eligible nationalities via the app.
- Valid for 12 months, multiple entries
- Up to 3 months per visit
- For travel, visits and business activities
- Apply from outside Australia
What You Can and Cannot Do on This Visa?
On a Business Visitor Visa, you can attend meetings, negotiations, conferences or trade events, explore business or investment opportunities, and undertake short‑term training or information‑gathering related to your overseas role.
However, you cannot take up employment, provide services that compete with local workers, sell goods or services to the public, or receive a salary from an Australian source (other than limited expense reimbursements). If your activities involve actual work or on‑site services, a work or employer‑sponsored visa is usually required.
Who Can Apply For This Visa?
- A company director or manager visiting an Australian subsidiary or partner
- A sales or account manager travelling for client meetings, demos or contract negotiations
- An entrepreneur or investor exploring new opportunities in Australia
- A professional attending conferences, trade fairs or industry events
- A specialist trainer giving short presentations or internal training that does not amount to employment
In all cases, you must be a genuine temporary visitor, with sufficient funds and a clear plan to return home after your trip.
Application Process
The process differs slightly by visa type, but generally looks like this:
1
Confirm Your Visa Option
We determine whether the ETA (601), eVisitor (651) or Visitor Visa (600) is the right option based on your passport and travel plans.
2
Prepare Your Visa Application
We guide you on the required documents and ensure your application is structured clearly and correctly.
3
Submit & Manage the Process
We handle the submission and manage any follow‑up, including additional requests if required.
4
Decision & Next Steps
Once approved, we explain your visa conditions and guide you on your travel plans.
Visa4you manages the full process, ensuring your application is accurate, complete, and positioned for the best chance of approval.
Why Choose Visa4you?
- Australia-focused – Always up to date with visa rules and processing
- Business-friendly – Aligned with both company and traveller needs
- Clear guidance – We explain what is and isn’t allowed
- Strategic advice – We suggest better visa options if needed
- Multilingual support – Advice available in English, German and Dutch, via video call or in-person meeting.
Frequently Asked Questions
On a Visitor Visa 600 Business Visitor stream, stays are usually up to 3 months per visit, though visas can be granted with validity up to 1 or 3 years with multiple entries. eVisitor 651 and ETA 601 typically allow multiple visits up to 3 months each within a 12-month period.
You generally cannot be employed or paid a salary by an Australian entity on a business visitor visa. Limited reimbursement of travel expenses or allowances from your overseas employer is usually acceptable, but if you’re being paid like an employee, you’re likely breaching visa conditions.
Family members can often apply for their own Visitor Visas to travel with you, but they are not automatically included as dependants in a Business Visitor Visa in the same way as some longer-term visas. Each person must meet visitor requirements and show they are a genuine visitor.
No. The Business Visitor Visa Australia options (600 Business stream, 651, 601) are for short-term visits only and don’t provide a direct pathway to permanent residency. If you want to live and work in Australia, you need to look at Skilled Migration or Employer-Sponsored Visas instead.
If your role in Australia goes beyond permitted business visitor activities, for example, you’re delivering services on-site over an extended period, supervising staff, or filling a role that could be done by an employee, you may be considered to be working without the right visa, which risks refusal, visa cancellation and future visa problems. In that case, you should explore a proper work visa before travelling.
Need a Business Visitor Visa for Australia?
If you’re planning meetings, conferences or short business trips to Australia, getting the Business Visitor Visa Australia right is essential, for you and your employer.
Tell us about your company, your role and your travel plans. We’ll help you confirm the right visa (600, 651 or 601), explain what you can and can't do, and prepare a clear, well-supported application.
