For event participants, the right visa is a Business (Short Stay) visa, even if some tourism activities are planned for part of the stay in Australia. It is called a 456 visa if it is issued as a label into a passport (fee of $A60 payable), or a 977 visa if it is issued electronically, i.e. no label (no fee payable). At post discretion, one or more visits each of up to 3 months can be made on the 456 visa within 12 months of its grant. The 977 visa allows a single visit only for up to 3 months within 12 months of grant.

Taiwan passport holders can be processed for an ETA only if resident in and applying in Taiwan.
UK passport holders whose nationality is British National (Overseas) can be processed for an ETA only if resident in and applying in Hong Kong SAR.
ETA countries are considered to be "low risk" in immigration terms. A computer check is carried out against DIMA’s alert lists prior to ETA issue. Eligible applicants do not need to go to an Australian mission overseas or fill in forms to apply for an ETA.

For non-ETA countries, the 456 visa can be applied for at Australian missions overseas. There is an application form to fill in (Form 456, attached) and a fee (currently $A60) payable when applying.
Such information would include:
  where to obtain a visa,
  the need to substantiate the information they provide in their applications, and
  that they can expect to come under a certain amount of scrutiny as a normal part of the    visa assessment process.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
All business 456 visa applicants are required to complete the health declaration on Form 456.
To be eligible for a business 977 (or 956) ETA, the applicant must be free from tuberculosis, and free from any disease or condition that may result in being a threat to public health, or a danger to the Australian community or needing health care or community services while in Australia. ETA holders must make a declaration to that effect on arrival in Australia.
Additional information (Form 1163i Health requirement for temporary entry to Australia) is available at DIMA offices or via the internet.

CHARACTER REQUIREMENTS
Visitors to Australia must be able to meet Australia’s character requirement before a visa can be granted.