Conference Venue
Venue, travel, accommodation for conference delegates.
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
The venue is easily accessible by tram, train, and on foot, and is surrounded by hotels, cafés, restaurants, and key city attractions.
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.
Apply early
The Department of Home Affairs advises lodging visa applications at least 6 to 8 weeks before your intended date of travel. Processing times vary with individual circumstances and application volumes.
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.
Crowne Plaza Melbourne
1-5 Spencer Street, Melbourne VIC 3008
The conference rate is pre-loaded in the booking link.
Mercure Welcome Melbourne
265 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Breakfast and Wi-Fi included. Book by email or phone, quoting 'La Trobe University' or the code below.
H3031-RE@accor.com
03 9639 0555
Oaks Melbourne on Collins
480 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Book online via the Oaks website.
Pullman Melbourne City Centre
265 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Breakfast and Wi-Fi included. Book by email or phone, quoting 'La Trobe University' or the code below.
H3028-RE@accor.com
03 9663 4711
Stamford Plaza Melbourne
111 Little Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Enter the promo code when booking online.
All five hotels are within walking distance of the conference venue:
Booking windows
Conference rates are subject to availability, so we encourage delegates to book early.
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
Weather in September
Money and Tipping
Power and Connectivity
Time Zone and Emergencies
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.
