Australia Visitor Visa
Subclass 600
Planning to visit Australia for a holiday, to see family, or explore study options? The Visitor Visa Subclass 600 is one of the most common temporary visas for people who want to travel to Australia for short-term stays.
Choose your visit purpose
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What is the purpose of your visit?
Choose your purpose below. Each section shows what you can and can’t do, which stream applies, and key details.
Pick what matches your trip
If an ETA or eVisitor is not an option, you may need the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600); the four cards cover common subclass 600 situations.
Tourism and Visit family usually mean the tourist stream lodged outside Australia (or sponsored family when a relative sponsors you).
Extend stay means the tourist stream lodged inside Australia and business trip means the business visitor stream.
Strong applications usually show enough funds, strong home ties, and clear, honest letters that support a genuine temporary visit.
Tourism & Holidays
Explore Australia’s landscapes, cities, and culture
Extend Stay
Business Trip
Visit Family or Friends
Visit Family or Friends
Use the Tourist Stream if you apply from overseas, or the Sponsored Family Stream if an eligible family member in Australia sponsors you (may require a security bond).
Visit Family or Friends
Use the Tourist Stream if you apply from overseas, or the Sponsored Family Stream if an eligible family member in Australia sponsors you (may require a security bond).
What's allowed
- Stay typically 3, 6, or 12 months
- Visit for holidays or family visits
- Short-term study up to 3 months
- Work (including casual or remote)
- Study longer than 3 months
Requirements
- Intention to stay temporarily
- Enough funds for your stay
- Health insurance
- Meet health & character requirements
- Evidence of strong ties to home country
- Valid passport (6+ months)
- Bank statements (3–6 months)
- Invitation letter from your host + their visa/passport
- Evidence of ties to home country
Processing time & tips
Processing time: Several weeks to a few months, depending on stream, country of application, and completeness of documents. Delays are common during holiday periods.
Tips: Keep documents consistent. Avoid unexplained large deposits (“show money”). Write a clear cover letter. Apply early with complete documents.
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Holiday and Tourism
Tourist Stream (Apply Outside Australia)
Apply under the Tourist Stream from outside Australia. Stay periods are typically 3, 6, or 12 months depending on your nationality, travel history, and the assessing officer.
What's allowed
- Tourism and holidays
- Stay typically 3, 6, or 12 months
- Short-term study up to 3 months
- Single or multiple entries
- Work (including casual or remote)
- Study longer than 3 months
Requirements
- Intention to stay temporarily
- Enough funds for your stay
- Health insurance
- Meet health & character requirements
- Evidence of strong ties to home country
- Valid passport (6+ months)
- Bank statements (3–6 months)
- Itinerary, hotel bookings, or tour confirmations
- Evidence of ties to home country (e.g. employment, property, or family – as applicable)
Processing time & tips
Processing time: Several weeks to a few months, depending on country of application, completeness of documents, and peak travel seasons. Delays are common during holiday periods.
Tips: Keep documents consistent. Avoid unexplained large deposits (“show money”). Write a clear explanation letter. Apply early with complete documents.
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Business Trip
Business Visitor Stream
The Business Visitor Stream is for short business trips, attending meetings, conferences, or negotiations. You cannot undertake paid work.
What's allowed
- Attend meetings and conferences
- Attend negotiations
- Do paid work
- Work for an Australian employer (including remote)
Requirements
- Genuine intention to stay temporarily
- Enough funds for your stay
- Health insurance
- Meet health and character requirements
- Evidence of strong ties to home country
- Valid passport (6+ months)
- Bank statements (3–6 months)
- Employment or business documents
- Event invitation, conference registration, or business meeting details
Processing time & tips
Processing time: Several weeks to a few months, depending on country of application and completeness of documents.
Tips: Keep documents consistent. Provide clear evidence of the business purpose. Be honest, and never fabricate documents or information. Apply early with complete documents.
Do you need our help?
Extend Stay (Already in Australia)
Tourist Stream (Apply Inside Australia)
For people already in Australia on another visa who want to extend their stay. Apply under the Tourist Stream (Inside Australia) for tourism or visiting family.
What's allowed
- Extend for tourism or visiting family
- Apply while in Australia
- Short-term study up to 3 months
- Work (including casual or remote)
- Study longer than 3 months
Requirements
- Genuine intention to stay temporarily
- Enough funds for your stay
- Health insurance
- Meet health and character requirements
- Evidence of strong ties to home country
- Valid passport (6+ months)
- Bank statements (3 to 6 months)
- Evidence of purpose (itinerary, or invitation letter if visiting family)
- Evidence of ties to home country (e.g. employment, property, or family, as applicable)
Processing time & tips
Processing time: Several weeks to a few months. Apply well before your current visa expires.
Tips: Keep documents consistent. Avoid unexplained large deposits (“show money”). Write a clear explanation letter. Apply early with complete documents.
Do you need our help?
Questions Visitors Often Ask
Quick answers to the most common questions about the Visitor Visa 600.
Can I work on a Visitor Visa 600?
Can I study on a Visitor Visa?
How long can I stay?
What do I need to apply?
What if my application is refused?
Planning a Student visa after visiting Australia?
From 1 July 2024, the Australian Government announced that Visitor visa holders cannot apply for a Student visa onshore, and Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa holders cannot apply for a Student visa onshore, as part of measures to restrict “visa hopping”. If you need a Student visa, you will generally need to apply from outside Australia (or hold a different eligible visa).
Visitor Visa holders can no longer apply for a student visa onshore
Does it lead to PR?
No. The Subclass 600 is not a work visa and does not directly lead to permanent residency. However, it can be used strategically, for example exploring study pathways or meeting with potential employers (within business visitor limits). It may also help you attend consultations or prepare for a future application. If your goal is PR, explore skilled migration (189, 190, 491), employer sponsorship (482 to 186), or Educate to Migrate.
Tips to apply for an Australian Visitor Visa
The video discusses what you should do when lodging an Australian Visitor Visa (Subclass 600). We will discuss different tips when applying for the visa and what you should avoid.GET IN TOUCH
In case of questions, feel free to reach out to one of our experienced Registered Migration Agents.
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