I'm an Italian citizen enrolled in a PhD programme at an Italian university, and I have to travel to Australia for a 6 months period, approximately planned from October 2017 to March 2018, to the University of Western Australia, Perth.
Which kind of visa should I apply to? From what I've read on the government website, student visas are for who will be enrolled at an australian university, but that's not my case. I will only be visiting the australian institution, without any other formal ties (but I can obtain an official invitation letter, of course).
I've also asked information about this issue to the professor who is going to supervise me during the visit, but we are already approaching May and I'm afraid it will be too late at some point, so I'm asking here.