Visitor Visa
Australia (Subclass 600)
Visit Australia for tourism, business, or to see family and friends with expert visa guidance
—
From Application Fee (AUD)
12
Months Max Stay
10
Year Frequent Traveller
5
Visa Streams
Visitor Visa Overview
Updated May 2026The Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) allows you to visit Australia for tourism, business activities, or to visit family and friends. It offers four streams to suit different travel purposes, with stays of up to 3, 6, or 12 months.
Our experienced migration agents help ensure your application is complete and compelling, minimising the risk of refusal and giving you the best chance of visiting Australia.
Authored by R. Weng — MARA-registered migration agent (MARN 1569835). LLM (Australian National University), LLB (Deakin), admitted to practice law in Victoria.
Visa Streams
Choose the stream that best suits your purpose of visit to Australia
- Holiday and sightseeing
- Visit family and friends
- Study up to 3 months
- Attend business meetings
- Conferences and trade fairs
- Negotiate contracts
- Family reunion visits
- Extended stay options
- Sponsor provides support
- Multiple entries over validity
- Stay up to 3 months per visit
- Ideal for regular business travel
- Travel with an approved tour group
- Streamlined documentation via approved travel agent
- Limited to tourism purposes only
Key Requirements
You must meet these requirements to be eligible for a Visitor Visa
Genuine Visitor
You must demonstrate that you are a genuine visitor who intends to stay temporarily and will comply with visa conditions.
Financial Capacity
Show evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in Australia.
Health Insurance
Maintain adequate health insurance for the duration of your stay in Australia.
Character Requirements
Meet character requirements, including providing police clearance certificates where required.
Health Requirements
Meet health requirements. You may need to undergo a health examination depending on your circumstances.
Ties to Home Country
Demonstrate strong ties to your home country (employment, property, family) showing your intention to return.
Important Visa Conditions
Violating these conditions can lead to visa cancellation
You must not work in Australia while on a Visitor Visa. Any form of paid or unpaid employment is prohibited.
You may study or train for up to 3 months during your stay. Longer study requires a Student Visa.
Condition 8503 (No Further Stay) may be applied at the discretion of the assessing officer, particularly to longer or sponsored streams. It is not imposed on every Visitor visa. Where applied, it prevents the holder from being granted most other substantive visas while in Australia, except in very limited circumstances.
Document Checklist
Gather these documents before starting your application for a smoother process
This is a general checklist. Requirements may vary based on your individual circumstances. Contact us for a personalised list.
Application Fees
CURRENT RATES| Visa Category | Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|
Tourist Stream (Main Applicant) Confirm current VAC1 on Home Affairs | see Home Affairs for current rate |
Business Visitor Stream Confirm current VAC1 on Home Affairs | see Home Affairs for current rate |
Sponsored Family Stream Confirm current VAC1 on Home Affairs | see Home Affairs for current rate |
Frequent Traveller Stream (Up to 10 years validity) | see Home Affairs for current rate |
Additional Applicant 18+ | see Home Affairs for current rate |
Child Under 18 | see Home Affairs for current rate |
Fees are non-refundable. Additional charges may apply for biometrics collection. Always confirm the current first instalment (VAC1) on the Department of Home Affairs website before lodging — amounts shown marked see Home Affairs for current rate should be checked against the official fee schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers from our MARA-registered migration agents
1How long can I stay in Australia on a Visitor Visa?
Depending on the stream, you can stay for up to 3, 6, or 12 months. The Frequent Traveller stream grants a visa valid for up to 10 years with stays of up to 3 months per visit.
2Can I work on a Visitor Visa in Australia?
No. Condition 8101 prohibits all work, whether paid or unpaid, while on a Visitor Visa. If you wish to work in Australia, you must apply for an appropriate work visa.
3How long does it take to process a Visitor Visa?
Processing times vary; the Tourist Stream typically takes 20-29 days, while other streams may differ. Applying well in advance of your travel date is strongly recommended.
4Can I extend my Visitor Visa?
Extensions may be possible depending on your visa conditions. If Condition 8503 (No Further Stay) is not imposed, you may be able to apply for a new Visitor Visa from within Australia.
5Do I need health insurance for a Visitor Visa?
While not a strict legal requirement for all streams, the Department strongly recommends and may request evidence of adequate health insurance for the duration of your stay.
6Can I bring my family on a Visitor Visa?
Yes, family members can apply for their own Visitor Visas. Each person must submit a separate application and meet the visa requirements individually.
Alternative short-stay pathways: 601 ETA and 651 eVisitor
If you hold a passport from an eligible country, you may not need a Subclass 600 at all. Two electronic alternatives exist for short tourism and business visitor stays.
- Subclass 601 — Electronic Travel Authority (ETA): available to passport holders from a defined list of eligible countries/regions (including the United States, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan, Malaysia and others). Permits multiple visits of up to 3 months each over a 12-month period for tourism or business visitor activities. A service charge applies.
- Subclass 651 — eVisitor: available to passport holders from European Union member states and a number of other European countries. Permits multiple visits of up to 3 months each over a 12-month period. No visa application charge applies to the eVisitor itself.
If you are eligible for a 601 ETA or 651 eVisitor, those are usually cheaper and faster than a Subclass 600. The 600 is generally used where the ETA/eVisitor is not available, where a longer stay is needed, or where a sponsored or frequent-traveller arrangement applies.
Biometrics collection
Applicants from many nationalities are now required to attend an Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC) in person to provide biometrics — a facial image and a 10-finger scan — as part of the Visitor visa process. Whether biometrics are required depends on your country of passport, where you lodge from, and your individual circumstances. Where biometrics are required, the Department of Home Affairs will issue a Biometrics Collection Letter after lodgement, and the application will not be finalised until biometrics have been provided. A separate service charge applies and is paid to the AVAC.
Explore Related Visas
Other visa options that may suit your situation
Student Visa (500)
Want to study in Australia for longer than 3 months? You'll need a Student Visa.
Prospective Marriage Visa (300)
Coming to Australia to marry your Australian partner? Consider the Prospective Marriage Visa.
Employer Sponsored Visa
Exploring business opportunities? If your visit leads to a job offer, employer sponsorship may be your next step.
Ready to Visit Australia?
Let our MARA-registered agents help you with your Visitor Visa application
Free assessment — No obligation — MARA registered agent #1569835