Conference Venue

The conference will be held at La Trobe University – City Campus, centrally located in Melbourne’s Central Business District (CBD).

La Trobe University City Campus
Level 3, 360 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Australia

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The venue is easily accessible by tram, train, and on foot, and is surrounded by hotels, cafés, restaurants, and key city attractions.

Finding Your Way In

All conference sessions, registration and catering are on Level 3. La Trobe University City Campus occupies Levels 2 and 3 of the 360 Collins Street office tower. The building has two entrances. Which one you use mostly depends on the time of day.

Collins Street entrance (main entrance)

The front entrance is on Collins Street, between Elizabeth Street and Queen Street. Look for the large 360 above the glass frontage and the two revolving doors.

Go in through either revolving door and you will see the building reception desk ahead of you. The lifts are behind the reception desk, on either side.

Little Collins Street entrance (rear entrance)

The rear entrance is on Little Collins Street, directly behind the building, next to Sam’s Friendly Grocer. It stays open in the evening. From the street, walk up the few steps into the small plaza and head for the revolving doors.

Just before the revolving doors you will pass a separate glass door marked La Trobe University, with a red-lit stairwell behind it. That door will not be in use during the conference, so please ignore it and continue to the revolving doors.

Once inside, take the short flight of stairs down (or the escalator beside them) to reach the ground floor lobby, then follow the Levels 2–12 signs to the lift lobby.

Using the lifts

The lifts at 360 Collins Street work a little differently from most buildings: there are no call buttons next to the lift doors. Instead, you choose your floor on a touch screen in the lift lobby before you get in. There are several screens on the walls, and the steps are the same going up or down.

1. On any screen, tap 1–12 Low Rise. A number pad appears; tap 3 for the conference. To leave the building, tap G for the ground floor instead.
2. The screen then shows a letter from A to E. That is the lift assigned to you. Walk to the door with that letter and wait there.
3. When your lift arrives, its letter lights up above the door. Step in.
4. The lift already knows your floor, so there is nothing to press inside. It will take you directly to Level 3 (or to G on the way out). The only buttons inside are for holding the doors open or closed.

If you miss your lift, just go back to a screen and select the floor again.

Leaving the building after 6:00 PM

After 6:00 PM the Collins Street doors are locked from the outside, but you can still exit through them. Next to the revolving doors are two swing doors, which are also the accessible entrance for wheelchair users. Press the green button beside them and the doors will release to let you out.

Accessibility

Both entrances have an accessible swing door beside the revolving doors (marked Disabled Access Only). The Collins Street entrance then gives step-free access to the lifts. On the Little Collins Street side there are stairs and an escalator between the entrance and the lift lobby, so delegates who need step-free access should use the Collins Street entrance before 6:00 PM. If you expect to arrive after 6:00 PM and need step-free access, please let the organising team know in advance so we can arrange for someone to meet you.

Need help?

If you have trouble finding your way in, the registration desk on Level 3 is staffed throughout the conference, and the building reception on the ground floor (Collins Street side) can point you to the lifts during business hours.

Arriving in Melbourne

Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine)

International and domestic flights arrive at Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine), located approximately 23 km from the Melbourne CBD.

SkyBus

The SkyBus Melbourne City Express provides a direct, frequent service between Melbourne Airport and the CBD.

• Operates 24 hours a day
• Express service to Southern Cross Station
• Typical travel time: 25–35 minutes (traffic dependent)
• Services run frequently, with higher frequency during peak periods
• Designed for travellers with luggage

More information, schedules, and ticket purchases are available at:
https://www.skybus.com.au/melbourne-city-express/

From Southern Cross Station, most CBD hotels and the conference venue can be reached via a short walk or free tram.

Rideshare and Taxi

Delegates may also travel from the airport via:

• Rideshare services such as Uber and DiDi
• Licensed taxis available at airport taxi ranks

Travel time to the CBD typically ranges from 25 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

Getting Around Melbourne

Free Tram Zone (CBD)

Melbourne’s CBD is covered by a Free Tram Zone, which allows passengers to travel without a ticket or Myki card within the zone.

• The conference venue is located within the Free Tram Zone
• Many hotels, restaurants, and attractions are also within this area
• Free trams are ideal for daily commuting during the conference

Public Transport Beyond the CBD

If travelling outside the Free Tram Zone, a Myki card is required.

• Myki cards are used on trams, trains, and buses
• Cards can be purchased at major train stations, convenience stores, and selected transport hubs
• Myki provides a convenient and cost-effective way to commute from areas outside the CBD

Staying slightly outside the CBD is often more affordable and remains a practical option due to Melbourne’s reliable public transport network.

Visa Information for Australia

IRAI 2026 is registered with the International Event Coordinator Network (IECN) of the Australian Department of Home Affairs. The visa guidance below is based on information provided by the IECN.

Visa Options for Attendees and Speakers

Conference participants, attendees, and speakers may be eligible for one of the following:

• Visitor visa (subclass 600), Business Visitor stream
• Electronic Travel Authority, ETA (subclass 601)
• eVisitor visa (subclass 651)

Eligibility for the ETA and eVisitor visa depends on the passport you hold. Check the links above to see whether your passport is eligible; otherwise, apply for the Visitor visa (subclass 600).

Visitor visa (subclass 600) applicants should include as much supporting information as possible, including:

• Evidence of international travel outside your own country (for example, copies of visas and passport pages with entry and departure stamps)
• Evidence of attendance at similar conferences or events

New Zealand Citizens

New Zealand passport holders can apply for a Special Category visa (subclass 444) on arrival in Australia, presenting a valid New Zealand passport and a completed Incoming Passenger Card. See Special Category visa for details.

Applying

Visa requirements and application details are available via the Australian Department of Home Affairs website. Each delegate is responsible for submitting their own visa application and ensuring compliance with Australian entry requirements, including health and character requirements and, where applicable, biometrics.

Invitation Letters

The conference organizing committee can provide formal invitation letters upon request. When requesting an invitation letter, please provide the following details exactly as they appear in your visa application:

• Full name (as per passport)
• Affiliation and designation
• Country of residence
• Paper title and paper ID

The organizing committee reserves the right to request additional information to verify invitation requests. Please note that the committee does not lodge visa applications on behalf of delegates and only provides invitation documentation.

Accommodation

We have secured special conference rates with the following hotels, all located in the Melbourne CBD within easy reach of the conference venue. Hotels are listed alphabetically. Current rates are shown when booking.

All five hotels are within walking distance of the conference venue:

Other Options

Melbourne offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences.

• Numerous hotels, serviced apartments, and Airbnb options are available within the CBD, many within walking distance of the conference venue
• Staying within the CBD allows easy access via walking or free trams
• Accommodation costs generally decrease as you move further from the CBD

Delegates choosing to stay outside the CBD can commute easily using public transport. In this case, a Myki card will be required, and daily commuting remains a convenient and viable option.

Good to Know

Things to Do in Melbourne

Melbourne is consistently recognised for its cultural life, food scene, and walkable city centre. Delegates may wish to explore the city during evenings or extend their stay before or after the conference.

Within the City (Walking or Tram Distance)

• Melbourne’s laneways and cafés — the city is regularly ranked among the world’s best for coffee
• Street art in Hosier Lane and the surrounding laneways
• Yarra River and Southbank promenade
• Federation Square and the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV)
• Queen Victoria Market
• Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
• State Library Victoria and its iconic domed reading room
• Melbourne Skydeck at Eureka Tower for city views
• Chinatown and the Italian precinct on Lygon Street for dining
• Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) tours for sports fans — early September is also AFL finals season, when the city is at its most electric
• St Kilda Beach, pier, and the little penguin colony at sunset
• Museums and galleries within the CBD

Short Trips from Melbourne

For delegates with additional time, several destinations can be visited as day trips or overnight stays:

• Great Ocean Road – one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives, home to the Twelve Apostles
• Phillip Island – the famous nightly penguin parade and coastal wildlife
• Yarra Valley – wineries, local produce, and scenic landscapes
• Ballarat – historic gold-mining town and cultural attractions
• Mornington Peninsula – coastal scenery, beaches, and hot springs
• Wilsons Promontory – national park with walking trails and natural scenery

These destinations are best explored before or after the conference and are accessible via organised tours or private transport.

Exploring Australia

International participants extending their stay can reach Australia’s most iconic destinations with a short domestic flight from Melbourne. Domestic flights are frequent and competitively priced, served by Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar, and Rex.

• Sydney (about 1.5 hours) – the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach, and harbour ferries
• Hobart, Tasmania (about 1.5 hours) – MONA, Salamanca Market, and gateway to Cradle Mountain and Tasmania’s wilderness
• Brisbane and the Gold Coast (about 2 hours) – beaches, surf culture, and hinterland national parks
• Adelaide (about 1.5 hours) – Barossa Valley wineries and access to Kangaroo Island’s wildlife
• Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef (about 3.5 hours) – reef snorkelling, diving, and the Daintree Rainforest
• Uluru (Ayers Rock) (about 3 hours) – Australia’s Red Centre and one of the world’s great natural landmarks
• Perth (about 4 hours) – Swan River, Fremantle, and Rottnest Island’s quokkas

Visitor visas generally permit travel throughout Australia for the duration of your stay, but please check the conditions and validity period of your own visa when planning an extended trip.

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne, Australia

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