Travel

How to get to get to the conference at the Aerial UTS Function Centre

Aerial is a 5-minute walk from Central Railway Station and 15 minutes to Sydney CBD. Metered street parking is available on Thomas Street but limited and the car park entrance is accessed from Thomas St (travelling West), with lift access to level 7. Level 7, UTS Building 10. Enter at 235 Jones St Ultimo Foyer, take the lift to level 7 and proceed to the Function Centre

By Air

Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport is an international airport in Sydney, Australia, located 8 km south of the Sydney central business district. 

By Taxi

The Sydney CBD is a short, 20 minute ride away and will cost about $45-$55 one way. You'll find taxi ranks at the front of all terminals - simply follow the signs to the nearest ranks.

By Rideshare Services

For rideshare services, please arrange with your driver to meet you at our priority pick-up area.

By Train

Sydney Airport is located just 13 minutes by train from the city. Airport Link offers a fast and convenient way to reach the city and suburbs, with trains running approximately every 10 minutes. The station is located at the northern end of the terminal and accessible from the Arrivals level. To use this service, you can either purchase an Opal Card from the station or WH Smith, or tap on with your Amex, Visa or Mastercard. For more information, including fares, maps, timetable changes and travel planners, choose from the links below.
Airport Link, Opal Card, Transport NSW Trip Planner

VISA information

Don’t forget to check entry requirements according to your country and origin.

The 17th New Diamond & Nano Carbons Conference is registered with the International Event Coordinator Network (IECN) of the Department of Home Affairs. You can indicate through your registration your intent to apply for a visa to enter Australia and this information will be passed on to Department of Home Affairs. The following information regarding visa options for event participants is below.

Visa Options

Participants, attendees and speakers who will not be working, performing or otherwise be paid to contribute at the event may be eligible to apply for the following visa options:

Visitor (subclass 600) Business stream visa

Electronic Travel Authority – ETA (subclass 601) for eligible passport holders

eVisitor (subclass 651) Business Stream visa for eligible passport holders

Please note: Eligibility for an eVisitor visa and ETA will be determined by the country of passport that the applicant holds.

Attendees and speakers that will be working, or otherwise be paid to contribute at the event may be eligible to apply for one of the following visa options:

Temporary Activity (subclass 408) Invited participant visa where there is an inviting Australian organisation 

Please note: A letter of support from an Australian organisation is a legislative requirement for the Temporary Activity (subclass 408) Invited participant visa.

Temporary Work (subclass 400) Short Stay Specialist visa where there is no inviting Australian organisation 

 NB: These are the visa options available presently but the Department reserves the right to change regulations.

Visa Application Process and Processing Times

Visa applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, and actual processing times can vary due to individual circumstances including:

  • whether the applicant has lodged a complete application, including all necessary supporting documents and paid associated visa application charges

  • how promptly the applicant responds to any requests for additional information

  • how long it takes to perform required checks on the supporting information provided

  • how long it takes to receive information from external agencies, particularly in relation to health, character, and national security requirements

  • when the application is lodged taking the current global visa processing times into account

 Processing times are impacted each month by cases that are complex, changes to the volume of applications and changes to Ministerial Directions. For more information about visa processing times please see https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/overview.  For this reason, we would advise that visa applications be lodged at least 4 to 6 weeks prior to a person’s intended date of travel.

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:

  • evidence of any international travel outside of their own country (for example, copies of visas and passport pages containing entry and departure stamps)

  • information and evidence of attendance at similar events of this type/nature.

 NB: IECN assistance will NOT guarantee a visa grant. Visa applicants must demonstrate that they meet all the legislative requirements for an Australian visa.

To assist in timely processing by Australia's visa offices overseas, you can complete the attached bio-data collection sheet as event participants are invited to your event and email it to: iecn@homeaffairs.gov.au

NB: In accordance with Australia's Privacy Act 1988, any information an event organiser or participant provides to the IECN will only be used to facilitate visa processing with the relevant Australian visa office overseas.  

Travellers should familiarise themselves with Australia’s border and entry requirements.  For further information, see ‘Entering and leaving Australia’ at:  https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/covid19/entering-and-leaving-australia

 Please feel free to contact the IECN team if you need any further assistance or to discuss our service in more detail.  For further information regarding the International Event Coordinator Network (IECN) please see: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/bringing-someone/bringing-for-activities.