The ABTC is designed to facilitate easier travel for passport holders of the participating member countries in the APEC region when the purpose of their trip to Australia is undertaking short-stay business activities. The ABTC card is available to those who hold a passport of the APEC member countries listed below:

The ABTC is valid for five years and allows a holder to stay in Australia for three months.

For individuals with a valid ABTC with "AUS" on it and individuals whose home economy has provided preclearance since obtaining an ABTC, there is no need for them to apply for a visa to travel to Australia for business purposes.

The short-stay business activities permitted for the ABTC holders are limited to the following:

• Taking part in trade and investment activities
• Investigating, negotiating, signing or reviewing a business contract
• Participating in a conference, trade fair or seminar

There are three different business visitor subclasses available under the business visitor program. Each visa subclass lists eligible passports:

• Subclass 601 Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)
• Subclass 651 eVisitor
• Subclass 600 Visitor

Business visitor visa holders are not permitted to undertake work while they hold a business visitor visa. Further, their activities in Australia must not impose any adverse consequences on the employment and training opportunities of Australian citizens and permanent residents.

The business visitor visa stream is intended for short-term business activities. Short-term business activities are defined as follows:

• Seeking a general business or employment enquiry
• Reviewing, signing and negotiating a business contract
• Exploring new business and employment opportunities
• Participating in a conference, seminar or trade show without receiving any remuneration

Any activities that do not fall within the above parameters are considered work. For example, providing and undertaking training in Australia may be considered work, and a training visa (subclass 407) or a short-stay specialist visa (subclass 400) visa may be more appropriate in such cases.

Visa validity period and length of stay

The Business ETA is an electronic visa designed for passport holders of the following countries:

The Business ETA is valid for a period of 12 months and allows multiples entries. However, each entry permits only a stay period of three months.

The eVisitor visa (Subclass 651) is also an electronic visa with the same effect and operation as the Business ETA.

There is no application fee for the Subclass 651 (eVisitor) visa.

The Subclass 651 (eVisitor) visa is granted for multiple entries and is valid for 12 months. A visa holder carrying a passport from one of the following countries can stay in Australia for up to three months upon each entry during the 12-month life of the visa:

All nationalities are eligible to apply for the Subclass 600 visa.

The validity period of the Subclass 600 visa is determined at the discretion of the immigration department.

The Subclass 600 (Visitor) visa is for business travel to Australia for certain applicants who are not eligible for a Business ETA or Subclass 651 (eVisitor) visa.

The visa validity period and the period of stay are determined at the discretion of the immigration department. Generally, multiple entries are permitted, although the stay period is dependent on individual circumstances.