Subclass 600 Visitor (Tourist) Visa – Travel to Australia Temporarily

Overview

The Subclass 600 Visitor Visa is a temporary visa that allows people to visit Australia for tourism, family visits, or business purposes for up to 12 months. It does not permit work and has specific eligibility requirements depending on the stream chosen.

Streams of Subclass 600

There are five streams under this visa subclass:

1. Tourist Stream (Apply Outside Australia)

For tourists, cruise travelers, or individuals visiting family and friends. Most widely used.

2. Tourist Stream (Apply In Australia)

For people already in Australia on another visa who want to extend their stay as tourists.

3. Sponsored Family Stream

Requires sponsorship by an eligible Australian citizen or permanent resident. Primarily used for parents or family of residents.

4. Business Visitor Stream

For short business trips including attending meetings, conferences, or contract negotiations.

5. Approved Destination Status Stream

Only for citizens of the People’s Republic of China traveling in guided tour groups.

Who Can Apply?

You must:

Be a genuine visitor intending temporary stay only
Have sufficient funds for your stay
Meet health and character requirements
Demonstrate strong ties to your home country
Hold no intention to work or stay long-term
Be outside Australia if applying under the offshore stream

Visa Validity and Stay Period

Stream	Typical Stay Period
Tourist Stream (offshore)	3, 6, or 12 months
Tourist Stream (onshore)	Up to 12 months
Sponsored Family Stream	Up to 12 months
Business Visitor Stream	Usually up to 3 months

Some visas are single-entry, others multiple-entry
Applicants may receive 3-year multiple-entry visas in some cases (mainly for parents of citizens)

Application Process

Step 1: Prepare Documents

Passport bio page
Recent passport-sized photo
Travel itinerary (flights, hotel bookings)
Proof of funds (bank statements, payslips, property)
Employment or education enrolment confirmation
Letter of invitation (if staying with family/friends)
Travel insurance details
For Sponsored Family: Sponsorship Form 1149
For Business: Invitation from Australian company

Step 2: Apply Online via ImmiAccount

Complete the relevant 600 stream form
Pay the application fee
Upload all supporting documentation
Book medical checks if requested
Wait for updates via ImmiAccount or email

English Requirements

No formal English language test required
Application must be completed in English
Supporting documents (in languages other than English) should be officially translated

Visa Fees (as of 2025)

Stream	Fee (AUD)
Tourist (offshore/onshore)	190
Sponsored Family	190
Business Visitor	190

Health exams, biometrics, and translation fees may apply separately.

Processing Times

Stream	25%	50%	75%	90%
Tourist (offshore)	15 days	22 days	37 days	59 days
Tourist (onshore)	22 days	39 days	64 days	83 days
Sponsored Family	36 days	48 days	65 days	89 days
Business Visitor	8 days	14 days	28 days	40 days

Visa Conditions

Depending on the stream and circumstances, the visa may include:

Condition 8101: No work
Condition 8201: Maximum 3 months study
Condition 8503: No further stay (not always applied)
Condition 8531: Must leave before visa expires

You must comply with Australian laws and depart on time. Breach of visa conditions can affect future applications.

What the Government Looks For

To assess your application, the Department considers:

Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) status: whether you genuinely intend to stay temporarily
Proof of sufficient funds
Strong ties to home country (employment, family, property, etc.)
Whether you’ve previously overstayed or violated conditions
Accuracy and consistency of your documents

If applying for Sponsored Family, the sponsor’s status, income, and history are reviewed.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Lack of evidence of intent to return home
Inadequate funds or suspicious financial documents
Unclear travel plans or inconsistent itinerary
Overstayed previous visa or breached conditions
Applying for wrong stream
History of asylum applications or visa refusals
Sponsor does not meet criteria (for family stream)
Inadequate or forged documents

Where Do Applicants Come From?

Based on DHA annual migration trends and FOI requests, the most common applicants are from:

India
China
Philippines
Vietnam
Indonesia
Thailand
Pakistan
Malaysia
Nepal
Bangladesh

Also high demand from:

UK, USA, South Korea, Japan, UAE

Common Trends

High volume of applications from parents of citizens or PR holders (Sponsored Family stream)
Tourism boom from India, China, Southeast Asia
Strong scrutiny for applicants from high-risk countries
Increase in online applications vs. paper-based
Growing number of refusals due to missing financial or itinerary documentation
Some applying for tourist visas to attend short courses or events
Visitor visa being used as a bridge visa by onshore applicants before partner/student applications

Tips for a Successful Application

Clearly show why you are visiting, where you will stay, and when you’ll return
Provide bank statements with a consistent history, not just large recent deposits
If invited by someone in Australia, attach a signed invitation letter, ID proof, and their visa/citizenship status
Attach evidence of property, job, or family in home country
Apply well in advance (at least 6 weeks before travel)

Useful Government Links

Summary

The Subclass 600 Visitor Visa is one of the most commonly used pathways to visit Australia temporarily. It supports travel for tourism, family visits, and business purposes, but it is not a bridge to migration or employment. A well-documented application that proves strong home ties and financial stability has a significantly higher chance of approval.

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