Australia Visitor Visa (Subclass 600): Application guide

Apply today for the Australia Visitor Visa with us

Last updated: April 2024

If you’re planning a trip to Australia, it’s important to know which visa you should apply for.

Australia is a prime destination for many travelers. Whether you're looking to snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef, wander through downtown Sydney, or attend a business meeting in Melbourne, there’s something for everyone.

We’re here to help you understand the Australia Visitor Visa, including who is eligible and how to apply for it. Let’s get started on your travel preparations to the Land Down Under.

What is the Australia Visitor Visa?

The Australia Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) is a short-stay visa that allows you to enter Australia for holiday, recreation, or short-term non-work purposes. This visa must be applied for before entering the country and is digitally linked to your passport.

What can you do with the Australia Visitor Visa?

• Engage in tourism activities, such as sightseeing, recreational activities, and exploring Australia's iconic landmarks.

• Visit family or friends residing in Australia.

• Study or undertake a training course that lasts up to 3 months.

• Visit the country while on a cruise.

What can you not do with the Australia Visitor Visa?

• Engage in any form of employment or paid work.

• Take part in business-related activities like conferences, trade fairs or seminars.

• Undertake a course of study that exceeds 3 months.

• Live in Australia through frequent or successive visits.

• Stay indefinitely – you must leave before your visa expires.

• Get medical treatment in the country.

Who requires the Australia Visitor Visa?

Nearly all nationalities need to apply for an Australia Visitor Visa, including Brazil, India, and Saudi Arabia. To find out if you’re eligible for one, select the nationality of your passport at the top of this page and select your destination as Australia.

To be eligible for the Australia Visitor Visa, the following requirements must be met:

• You must be outside Australia at the time of visa application and decision.

• You’re not currently in possession of another Australian visa.

• You must meet the health and character requirements.

• You must be a genuine visitor with intentions to stay temporarily in Australia and follow the conditions of your visa.

• You must clear any debts owed to the Australian government or have a plan to pay them back.

• You must possess sufficient funds to support yourself for the duration of your stay in Australia.

• If the traveler is under the age of 18, visiting Australia has to be in their best interests or they risk a denial.

Visa-exempt: Who doesn't need to apply for an Australia Visitor Visa?

• Citizens of countries that qualify for an Australia ETA or an Australia eVisitor Visa.

• New Zealand citizens. They are granted a visa on arrival (Special Category Visa (subclass 444) (SCV)) once they enter Australia.

• Citizens of China. They need to apply for a Visitor Visa (subclass 600) - Frequent Traveler stream instead.

• Business travelers. They need to apply for a Visitor Visa (subclass 600) - Business Visitor stream instead.

For up-to-date information about visa exemptions for Australia, you can visit the Department of Home Affairs website or contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

Do children also require the Australia Visitor Visa?

Yes, children intending to travel to Australia must also apply for the Australia Visitor Visa. Each child, regardless of age, must have their own visa.

Australia Visitor Visa validity: How long can I stay in Australia?

The Visitor Visa can be granted as a single-entry or multiple-entry permit. It is valid for 12 months and allows a stay of 3, 6, or 12 months, which is determined on a case-by-case basis.

It’s possible to get a visa that’s valid for more than 12 months if you are the parent or step-parent of an Australian citizen or permanent resident and meet all the criteria for the visa. However, you can’t stay in the country for more than 12 months in total in any 18-month period.

Can I extend my Australia Visitor Visa?

No, it’s not possible to extend an Australia Visitor Visa. You’ll have to apply for a new one while in the country as long as your current visa doesn’t have a condition that prevents further stay.

Australia Visitor Visa required documents

To get an Australia Visitor Visa, the following documents are typically required from visa applicants:

• A recent, colored passport photo that meets the guidelines laid out by the Australian government.

• A scanned copy of the bio-data page of your passport and all the stamped visa and endorsement pages. Your passport should be valid for the total period of your stay in Australia or at least 6 months beyond your intended arrival date in the country.

• A copy of your national identification card.

• Evidence that you are financially capable of funding your stay in Australia, like pay slips, tax records, or itemized personal bank statements for a 3-month period.

• An invitation letter if you’re visiting a relative or friend in Australia.

• Your travel itinerary that shows what you plan to do in Australia.

• Documentary proof of ties to your home country, such as a title deed, a letter from your employer, a school enrolment letter, a marriage certificate, or children’s birth certificates.

• Evidence that you meet the character requirements, like a police clearance certificate.

For applicants who are under 18, additional documents will be requested:

• A copy of the child’s birth certificate showing the names of both parents.

• Proof of legal guardianship if the biological parents don’t have legal guardianship over the child.

• Certified copies of adoption papers or parental court orders (if applicable).

• If the parent(s)/guardian is not traveling with the child, they will need to complete a statutory declaration allowing the child to visit the country.

For a detailed breakdown of the documents required for minors, please visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

Once your visa is approved, you’ll receive a visa grant notification letter by email that explains the conditions of your visa, including the period of validity and entry requirements. You should keep a digital copy on your mobile device and print it out as well before your trip to Australia.

Australia Visitor Visa costs and processing times

When you apply for the Australia Visitor Visa using our service, we offer three different processing speeds to match your travel schedule:

• Standard Processing: This is our most affordable option. It’s ideal for travelers who are organizing their visas well ahead of their planned departure.

• Rush Processing: Aimed at travelers who need their visa sooner than the Standard Processing timeframe allows due to a closer travel date.

• Super Rush Processing: This option is for travelers who require their visas urgently and are prepared to pay extra for the fastest processing time.

Each processing option has its own separate fee, which does not include the government visa charge. This government visa fee starts from AUD190 (roughly USD $126.67).

Both fees can be paid online when you submit your application through our platform.

Benefits of applying for an Australia Visitor Visa with us

Wondering why you should apply with us? Here’s a quick breakdown of the benefits you can expect.

iVisa and MARA: Important legal information for our customers

To better serve you, we work with an Australian migration agent who is registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA). This ensures that we follow strict professional standards when handling Australian visas. To understand more about what migration agents do and the rules they must follow, please read the Consumer Guide.

If you have any concerns about the services provided or the conduct of the migration agent, you can file a complaint with MARA. Our agent's registration number is MARN0743735.

The agent follows a Code of Conduct, which outlines the ethical and professional standards expected of registered migration agents. We are dedicated to upholding these standards through our collaboration to ensure reliable and honest services.

If you need to report a problem, the Consumer Guide has all the necessary information on how to do this with MARA.

Do you have more questions about the Australia Visitor Visa?

If you want to learn more about the Australia Visitor Visa or have questions about the application process, we’re here to help.

Our dedicated online team of customer service agents is available via online chat, or you can speak with them via WhatsApp.