You can visit Australia on a visitor visa during the processing of your subclass 188 visa application. If you are travelling for business reasons, you should choose the business rather than tourist stream when making the application, including under the ETA. Of course this refers to normal travel arrangements outside of the current COVID-19 restrictions on entry. It is worth noting that if you held a substantive visa (e.g., visitor visa) for Australia at the time your subclass 188 visa was lodged, you may be eligible for a bridging visa to remain in Australia after the you have entered and stayed on the visitor visa until the subclass 188 visa is finalised. This bridging visa would allow work rights in Australia. If you want to pursue this option, you should discuss with a registered migration agent to ensure everything is correctly managed and requirements are met. A visitor visa does require you to be a genuine temporary entrant which generally means, you will need to show that you are a genuine visitor, with an intention to stay for a temporary period and return to your own country. Other factors are also considered. You should not have any significant issues however with a visitor visa for business purposes aligned with your intentions to explore options for your subclass 188 activities in Australia. Again you should discuss further with your registered migration agent.
