An Australian tourist visa, also known as the Visitor visa (subclass 600), allows individuals to visit Australia for tourism or recreational purposes for up to three, six, or twelve months. Whether you're planning to visit family and friends, explore Australia's natural wonders, or experience its rich cultural heritage, this visa is your gateway to an unforgettable journey. If your immediate family member is living in Australia as an Australian Resident or Australia citizen, then you may be eligible for a Visitor visa Subclass 600 in the Family Stream.
You can travel to Australia to visit your immediate family member, or to have a holiday or for business purposes.
You can stay in Australia for 3 months, 6 months or 12 months. To stay more than 12 months, you must have a valid reason. The stay period is decided by Home Affairs based on the applicant's circumstances.
Visa Application Charge (VAC) varies and ranges from $250 Offshore & $630 Onshore. For Onshore applicants, the visa application charge is $630, and for Offshore applicants, the charge is $250.
Specific Country Passport Holders might be eligible for an eVisitor Visa subclass 651. To check your eligibility, feel free to call our friendly team at (03) 7014 6424
Visa application fee for the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA Visa Subclass 601) is Nil. You must be holding a passport from a specific country. To check your eligibility, feel free to call our friendly team at (03) 7014 6424
Guide to obtaining an Australian Tourist Visa. A tourist visa comes with five different streams:
Tourist Stream
Business visa stream
Sponsored family stream
Approved destination status stream
Frequent Traveller Stream
Before you embark on your adventure, it's crucial to understand the requirements and process for obtaining an Australian tourist visa. This guide will provide you with all the information you need to successfully apply for your visa and make your Australian travel dreams a reality. You may get this visa if you are travelling to Australia for the following reasons:
Visiting a family member
Business visitor activities
Travelling to spend a vocation and explore Australia
If you are currently in Australia and hold a valid substantive visa, you may be eligible to apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) – Tourist stream. Before applying, you should check the conditions attached to your current visa. If condition 8503 (No Further Stay) applies, you may be prevented from applying for another substantive visa while in Australia unless the condition is waived by the Department of Home Affairs. A waiver may only be available in limited circumstances. Applicants must meet all relevant eligibility requirements and demonstrate a genuine intention to stay temporarily in Australia as a visitor.
The applicant must hold a valid passport or travel document.
You must meet health and character requirements. This may involve undergoing a medical examination or providing police clearance certificates, depending on your circumstances.
Have sufficient funds to support your travel and stay in Australia
A genuine intention to travel to Australia for tourism, family visit or business purposes. This includes demonstrating ties to your home country, such as employment, family, or property ownership.
You may be required to hold health insurance cover for the duration of your stay in Australia
If you are visiting a family member, your sponsor may be required to pay a security bond under the family stream
If you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you may consider applying for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) for your parents to visit Australia. Some permanent Parent visa pathways can involve lengthy processing times and may require applicants to satisfy the Balance of Family Test. A Visitor visa may provide an option for eligible parents who wish to visit their children and family members in Australia while considering their longer-term visa options. Eligibility, permitted length of stay and visa conditions depend on individual circumstances. Contact Our Registered Migration Agents for professional assistance and further information about suitable visa options for your parents.
If you are in Australia and holding a temporary visa, and your visa is about to expire. You should apply for a new visa before your current visa expires to maintain your legal stay in the country.
You may apply for another tourist visa.
You can also consider applying for the work visa if you have the right skills, qualifications, and a satisfactory English score, unless exempted.
Since 1 July 2024, holders of a Visitor visa (subclass 600) cannot apply for a Student visa while they are in Australia. If you hold a subclass 600 visa and wish to apply for a Student visa, you will generally need to lodge your Student visa application from outside Australia, subject to meeting all applicable visa requirements.
If you are applying for a new visa, you may be granted a Bridging Visa to maintain your lawful stay in the country until a decision is made on your application.
If your visa has already expired, then you should be looking to lodge a Bridging Visa E immediately to maintain your lawful stay in Australia. This visa will allow you to make all the necessary arrangements and let you depart Australia safely.
Online Application: Start by lodging an online application through the Department of Home Affairs portal or through
Our Registered Migration Agents
Complete form 956 if you have appointed us as
your Registered Migration Agents
to communicate with the department on your behalf.
Application Visa fee: Pay the relevant visa application fee, which varies depending on your location and other factors.
Documentation: Prepare and submit supporting documents, including your passport, recent photographs, proof of economic circumstances, travel itinerary, and any additional documents requested by the DHA.
Letter of invitation if you are visiting a friend or a family member
Travel Plan if you are vising under tourist stream
Biometric Information: If required, you may need to provide biometric information (such as fingerprints and photographs) at a visa application centre.
To establish your sincere intent to return home, include documents like a letter from your employer confirming your job continuation post-travel, proof of school or college enrollment, evidence of supporting or residing with family, documentation of residential status and return facilities in your country, and proof of significant assets owned there.
Upon grant of Tourist Visa 600, you can travel to Australia for vacation, to visit a family member or a close friend. Tourist Visa comes with different travel facilities:
You might be able to enter Australia once and then will need to apply for a new tourist visa if you want to return to Australia again. That means your tourist visa is granted for single entry.
You might have Multiple-entry travel facilities and can enter Australia as many times as you want and remain in Australia for the specific time mentioned on your tourist Visa Grant Letter.
The applicant can check the visa expiry date and the conditions imposed on their visa through VEVO.
A tourist visa may come with various visa conditions. It is important to check the visa grant letter and thoroughly read the imposed visa conditions.
If the visa is a subclass 600 visa in the sponsored Family stream, conditions 8101, 8201, 8503 and 8531 must be imposed.
If the visa is a subclass 600 visa in the Business Visitor stream, conditions 8115 and 8201 must be imposed, and 8503 may be imposed.
If the visa is a subclass 600 visa in the Approved Destination Status stream, conditions 8101, 8207, 8503 and 8530 must be imposed.
If the visa is a subclass 600 visa in the Frequent Traveller stream, conditions 8115, 8201, 8503, 8516, 8527, 8531, 8572, 8573 and 8609 must be imposed.
1. Apply Early: Submit your visa application well in advance of your planned travel dates to allow sufficient time for processing.
2. Provide Accurate Information: Ensure all information provided in your application is accurate and consistent with your supporting documents.
3. Be Transparent: Disclose any relevant information truthfully, including previous visa refusals or immigration violations.
4. Seek Professional Advice: If you're unsure about any aspect of the visa application process, consider seeking assistance from a registered migration agent. or immigration lawyer.
5. Keep Copies: Maintain copies of all your application documents, correspondence, and visa grant letter for your records.
If you need help lodging your tourist visa application, you can book an appointment with our experienced registered migration agent,
This page was last modified on 13 August 2026