The Short Stay 456 Business Visa (Subclass 456) is a visa intended for temporal visitors who have requirements or demands in Australia that only call for a brief business-related stay; hence, the visa will permit you to visit the country for three months before expiring. If you seek to stay for longer than three months or wish to work in Australia, it is advised you seek an alternative visa. If you are a medical professional, you must apply for a medical practicioner's license rather than the short-stay visa.

The Short Stay Business Visa (Subclass 456) is broadly intended for servicing the duties of businesspersons whose work has necessitated they travel to Australia. This can include conferences, new trade negotiations, evaluating franchise prospects of an existing business, or perhaps investigating the potential of starting an altogether new business in Australia. Its most-used function is for conference attendees from international businesses seeking to represent their companies in Australia, and the process of application is thus relatively streamlined. You may also conduct general tourist activities on this visa.

The requirements for the Short Stay Business Visa (Subclass 456) are many and thorough documentation should be assembled before making the application to avoid wasting the AUD$70 application fee. It is strongly advised that you make the application at least four to eight weeks in advance of your intended travel date, or you may miss your conference by the time the visa has been approved.

When you apply at the nearest Australian embassy or visa office, you will need documents for which you must take responsibility for the courier fees upon return. These may include evidence of your current employment; your employer's intention in sending you to Australia for a function; the nature of the function or conference, including its venue, hosts or purpose; professional or educational certificates; evidence showing that your business is actively performing, and evidence of your medical and travel insurance for the duration of the stay. Letters should be printed on company letterhead; also permissable are government documents showing tax claims or information about the company. You must also pass both the health and 'character' tests inherent to visa applications with the Australian government. A current address or PO box from which you can collect returned documents should also be provided in your application.

Upon admission, you may enter Australia either once or potentially multiple times during the visa's lifespan, depending upon the visa board's discretion; engage in very limited, specialized work that cannot be performed by an already-existing Australian citizen or permanent resident; bring your family, partner or children to Australia under the protection of your visa, as well as the business conferences, functions or events you intend to carry out during your stay. The visa cannot be extended and you may not make visa applications during your stay in Australia.

For Short Stay Business Visa (Subclass 456) applicants, there exists aid on the part of the IECN (International Event Coordinator Network) in facilitating the application. Upon success, the passport will be returned with a visa stamp indicating a valid Short Stay Business Visa (Subclass 456) for the three month duration from its starting date.