Visitor visa
Full application · most countries
Required for passport holders from countries including China, India, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and much of the Middle East and Africa. Lodged online through ImmiAccount.
Australian Visitor Migration
Tourist Visa Australia 600Your Clear Path to Approval
Subclass 600 · tourism, family & business visits
Visit Australia for a holiday, to see family and friends, or for short business activities — for three, six or twelve months. The visa is straightforward on paper, but the Genuine Temporary Entrant test is where good applications are won or lost.
✓ Stay 3, 6 or 12 months
✓ Tourism & family visits
✓ Short business activities
✓ Multiple entries possible
Do you even need a subclass 600?
Before applying, check whether a cheaper option is open to you. The Visitor visa (subclass 600) is for people whose passport is not eligible for the electronic alternatives — but many travellers qualify for those instead.
ETA
App-based · select countries
The Electronic Travel Authority suits passport holders from countries such as the USA, Canada, Japan, Singapore and South Korea — a quick app application with a small service charge.
eVisitor
Free · UK & EU
Free to apply online for passport holders from the UK and most European Union countries. If you are eligible, you generally do not need a subclass 600 at all.
The subclass 600 streams
The Visitor visa (subclass 600) has several streams. Which one you apply under depends on your purpose and your circumstances.
| Stream | Who it is for |
|---|---|
| Tourist | Holidays, sightseeing, or visiting family and friends — by far the most common stream |
| Sponsored Family | Visits where an Australian citizen or permanent resident sponsors you; a security bond may be required |
| Business Visitor | Short business activities such as meetings, conferences or contract negotiations — no paid work |
| Frequent Traveller | For eligible regular travellers; a long-validity visa (up to 10 years) with stays of up to 3 months each visit |
A visitor visa never allows paid employment. The length of each stay — 3, 6 or 12 months — is set on your grant notice, not by the visa validity, and a condition such as 8503 "No Further Stay" can prevent you applying for another visa onshore. We check these conditions before you travel.
Key eligibility & the GTE test
The visitor visa turns on one central question: are you a genuine temporary entrant who will leave when your visa ends? Most refusals come down to this, not to paperwork.
Genuine Temporary Entrant
- You must genuinely intend to visit temporarily and return home
- The Department weighs your immigration history and conditions in your home country
- Strong ties home — employment, family, property — are the heart of a good application
Financial capacity
- Enough funds to support yourself for the whole visit without working
- Evidence such as bank statements, payslips or a sponsor's support
Purpose & ties
- A clear purpose: itinerary, bookings, or evidence of the family you are visiting
- A cover letter that ties the story together — and is consistent with your documents
Health & character
- Health and character requirements; a health examination for some applicants
- Condition 8501 (health insurance) applies to some visitors
How the process works
A visitor visa is quick to lodge but easy to get wrong. The evidence and the cover letter are where we focus.
- Check your optionsConfirm whether you need a subclass 600, or qualify for the cheaper ETA or eVisitor.
- Build the evidenceFunds, ties to home, itinerary or invitation, and a clear cover letter addressing GTE.
- LodgeApplication submitted online through ImmiAccount with all supporting documents.
- GrantVisa granted with a stay period and conditions set out on your grant notice.
Our professional fees
Fixed fees, payable in two instalments. Consultation fees are credited towards our agreement if you engage us.
| Service | AUD (incl. GST) |
|---|---|
| Initial consultation & assessment — online | $190 |
| Face-to-face consultation — Melbourne or Adelaide | $290 |
| Visitor visa application — Subclass 600 | $1,000 |
| Visitor visa — including additional applicants | From $1,000 |
Professional fees only. The Government Visa Application Charge, health checks and police clearances are additional — current government charges are confirmed in your consultation and on the Department of Home Affairs website. See our full fee schedule.
Government costs & timing
Figures below apply from 1 July 2026. Where you apply from changes the charge — onshore is significantly more expensive than offshore.
| Item | Detail (from 1 July 2026) |
|---|---|
| Tourist stream — applying offshore | $250 |
| Tourist stream — applying onshore | $630 |
| Frequent Traveller stream | $1,845 |
| Additional applicants | Charges apply per person on the application |
| ETA (601) / eVisitor (651) | Small service charge / free — if your passport is eligible |
The charge is non-refundable, even if the application is refused. Processing times vary widely by stream and country — from a few days to several months — and change regularly; current times are confirmed in your consultation and on the Department of Home Affairs website. You can calculate the exact charge for your circumstances with the official Visa Pricing Estimator.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a tourist visa for Australia in 2026?
From 1 July 2026, the Visitor visa (subclass 600) Tourist stream costs AUD $250 when you apply from outside Australia, and AUD $630 when applying from inside Australia. The Frequent Traveller stream is AUD $1,845. The charge is non-refundable even if the application is refused, and additional charges apply for each extra applicant.
Do I need a subclass 600 or can I use an ETA or eVisitor?
It depends on your passport. Citizens of countries like the USA, Canada, Japan and South Korea can usually use the cheaper app-based ETA (subclass 601), and UK and most EU passport holders can apply for the free eVisitor (subclass 651). If your country is not eligible for either — such as China, India, the Philippines or Vietnam — you need the full Visitor visa (subclass 600).
How long can I stay on a visitor visa?
A subclass 600 can be granted for a stay of 3, 6 or 12 months. The exact length of each stay is set on your grant notice, not by the visa validity period. Some visas are multiple-entry, letting you leave and return during the visa's validity, while others may carry a condition limiting further stay.
What is the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement?
It is the central test for a visitor visa: you must genuinely intend to visit temporarily and return home. The Department of Home Affairs looks at your immigration history, your ties to your home country such as employment, family and property, and your circumstances. Most refusals come down to a weak GTE case rather than missing paperwork.
Can I work on a tourist visa?
No. The Visitor visa (subclass 600) does not permit paid employment under any stream. The Business Visitor stream allows short business activities such as meetings and conferences, but not actual work for an Australian employer. If you want to work, you need a different visa such as a Working Holiday or employer sponsored visa.
Can I extend my tourist visa or apply for another while in Australia?
You cannot extend a subclass 600, but you may be able to apply for a new visitor visa from within Australia — unless your visa carries condition 8503, 'No Further Stay', which prevents it. If you can apply onshore, do so well before your current visa expires, and note the onshore charge is significantly higher than offshore.
Can I sponsor my parents or family to visit Australia?
Yes, through the Sponsored Family stream, where an Australian citizen or permanent resident sponsors the visitor. The Department may require a security bond to ensure the visitor complies with their visa conditions and departs on time. This stream is common for parents and relatives visiting for extended family stays.
Planning a visit to Australia?
Tell us your nationality and the reason for your trip — we will confirm whether you need a subclass 600 or a cheaper option, and how to present your case so it clears the Genuine Temporary Entrant test.
The information on this page is general in nature and does not take your personal circumstances into account. It is not migration advice. Sam Lotfollahi · Registered Migration Agent · MARN 0901704 — verify on the OMARA register.