What is the Australia Visit Visa (Subclass 600)?

The Subclass 600 Visitor Visa permits short-term stays in Australia—up to 3, 6, or 12 months—for tourism, business, or family visits. Applicants must demonstrate genuine intent to visit, sufficient funds, and intent to leave Australia at the end of their stay.

What does an Australian visit visa let you do?

The Australian visit visa lets you visit the country to meet family and friends, enjoy a holiday, or take a business trip.

Some of the things that can be done with a Subclass 600 visa are listed below:

• Explore the vibrant Aussie culture.
• You can travel to and from Australia as many times as you wish throughout the validity of your visa, provided the time spent in the country does not exceed the granted stay period.
• Visit your family; go on a cruise or holiday in Australia.
• Travel for short business meetings or visits
• Undergo a medical treatment.
• Apply for a new visa to extend your stay in the country.
• Take up short study courses or programs for three months.
   

What are the benefits of the Subclass 600 visa?

Some of the reasons why you should consider applying for an Australian visit visa are as follows:

• No requirement for sponsorship
• Can apply both online/offline
• Explore the scenic tourist spots
• Visit your family and friends living in the country
• Take part in recreational activities like wildlife encounters, sports adventures, etc.
• Visit some of the top-ranked beaches in the world.
   

Types of Australian Visit Visa Streams

The Australian visit visa is categorized into five types, depending on the purpose of your visit. However, the four main types of Subclass 600 visa are:

• Tourist Stream: The tourist stream can be applied from both within the country and from outside Australia.
• Applying from within Australia: You can travel to the country for family visits, tourism, medical treatment, or business purposes.
• Applying from outside Australia: You can go on a cruise, visit friends and family or for tourism

Business Visitor Stream: The stream lets you travel to the country to attend business meetings or for business-related visits

Sponsored Family Stream: The stream allows you to come and visit your family in Australia with a sponsorship from a family member

Approved Destination Status (ADS) Stream: The stream allows citizens from certain parts of China who are visiting the country on a tour that is organized by an authorized travel agent
 

Features of the Visitor Visa (subclass 600)

Here are some of the key features of the visit visa (Subclass 600):

• The visitor visa lets you fly to Australia for business purposes, medical treatments, tourism, family visits, etc.
• You can visit the country for a short period of 3 to 12 months
• The application fees range from AUD 195 to AUD 490
• The Subclass 651 e-Visitor visa is FREE, provided you are a valid passport holder of any country
• It has a processing time of 2 to 4 weeks
   

Activities permitted under the Subclass 600 visa

The Land Down Under is known for its beautiful beaches, endemic wildlife, and phenomenal islands, making it one of the most happening tourist destinations in the world.

Here are some of the fun things to do while visiting Australia:

• Island hopping in the Whitsundays
• Luxury train rides across the country
• Sunbathe alongside the kangaroos on the pristine white sand
• Witness one of the oldest coastlands, Kimberly
• Swim alongside the beautiful marine life
• Visit the Cradle Mountain National Park, which is listed on the World Heritage List
• Divulge into the spiritual heart of the country, the Red Centre
• Watch turtle hatching in Queensland
• Explore the vibrant laneways of Melbourne
• Enjoy a drive through the scenic Great Ocean Road

Top 10 places to visit in Australia

Planning your next trip to Australia? Do not miss visiting these top 10 places

• Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef Region
• Uluru
• Sydney
• Kangaroo Island
• Melbourne
• Perth and Margaret River
• Kakadu National Park
• City of Hobart
• Gold Coast, Queensland
• Byron Bay

Who Can Apply?

The Subclass 600 visa is open to most nationalities not eligible for ETA or eVisitor. Australian citizens are not eligible, and applicants must be overseas during the application and visa grant.
 

Requirements for Australian Visitor Visa (subclass 600)

The general eligibility requirements for a Subclass 600 visa are as follows:

• Proof of financial details must be submitted to the authorities at the time of application. Proof of financier or sponsor living in Australia must be submitted alongside the application.
• Be a genuine visitor
• Medical certificates
• Character certificate
• The applicant and the family must not have any financial debts.
• The purpose of the visit must be clearly stated.
• Travel itinerary
• Documents related to the person accompanying the primary applicant
• Proof of sufficient funds
• Proof of intent to leave the country after your visa expires
• Declare you will not work (unless permitted)
• Be outside Australia during application and final decision
•  

Specific requirements for each stream

Below is detailed information on all requirements for each of the Australian visitor visa streams:
 

Tourist stream (apply outside Australia)

You can stay in Australia for up to 12 months if you apply for the Tourist stream from outside the country. The processing fee to apply for the stream is AUD 195, with a processing time of around 30 days. With a tourist visa, you can visit your family & friends, go on a cruise, be a tourist, get medical treatment, or for other business purposes.

You can be eligible if:

• Your intent to enter the country is only for visit purposes
• You have sufficient funds to support your stay in the country
• You do not work in Australia
• You must apply from outside the country and must remain outside at the time of visa decision

Eligibility requirements for the Tourist stream (apply outside Australia):

• Fulfill the health requirements
• Fulfill the character requirements
• Pay any unpaid debts to the Australian government
• Have enough funds
• Be a genuine visitor to the country who will stay temporarily and not violate the given stay period
• For those under 18, the visa may not be granted if it is not in the best interest of the child

Tourist stream (apply in Australia)

If you apply for the tourist stream from within the country, you can stay in the country for up to a year. The processing fee for the stream is AUD 490, and the processing time is one month. With this visa, you can visit your friends and family, seek medical treatment, enjoy a cruise trip, or be here for other business-related reasons.

You can be eligible if:

• Your intent to enter the country is only for visit purposes
• You have sufficient funds to support your stay in the country
• You do not work in Australia
• You must apply from inside the country and must remain in Australia at the time of visa decision

Eligibility requirements for the Tourist stream (apply inside Australia):

• Fulfill the health requirements
• Fulfill the character requirements
• Pay any unpaid debts to the Australian government
• Have enough funds
• Be a genuine visitor to the country who will stay temporarily and not violate the given stay period
• For those under 18, the visa may not be granted if it is not in the best interest of the child
• You can apply online form inside the country if you have a substantive visa

Sponsored Family Stream

If you apply for the sponsored family stream, you can stay in the country for up to one year. The processing fee is AUD 195, and the processing time is 17-28 days. With this visa, you can meet up with your family and friends, go on a holiday or cruise, or take up a study or training program for three months.

You can be eligible if:

• You have a legal sponsor
• Your intent to enter the country is only for visit purposes

Eligibility requirements for the Sponsored family stream:

• Fulfill the health requirements.
• Fulfill the character requirements.
• Pay any unpaid debts to the Australian government.
• Have enough funds
• Be a genuine visitor to the country who will stay temporarily and not violate the given stay period.
• For those under 18, the visa may not be granted if it is not in the child's best interest.
• Have a sponsorship (In cases where the family wishes to support you without a sponsorship, you can apply for the Subclass 600 tourist stream alongside a Letter of Invitation from a family member)
   

Approved Destination Status stream:

The Approved Destination status stream is particularly for individuals from certain parts of China who are visiting Australia on a travel tour organized by an authorized travel agent. The cost to apply for the stream is AUD 195.

You can be eligible if:

• You are a citizen of the People’s Republic of China.
• Your intent to travel to Australia is only as a member of a tour group that is organized by an approved travel associate 

Eligibility requirements for the Approved Destination Status stream:

• Fulfill the health requirements
• Fulfill the character requirements
• Pay any unpaid debts to the Australian government
• Be a genuine visitor to the country who will stay temporarily and not violate the given stay period
• For those under 18, the visa may not be granted if it is not in the best interest of the child

Health and Character Requirements

Detailed health requirements:

Australia maintains one of the best and high health standards with strict health-related immigration requirements. 

You must get your health examination done by clinics and physicians that the Department approves.

The medical examinations depend on the following:

• The type of visa you are applying for
• Your duration of stay in the country
• The TB risk factor that your country of nationality possesses
• If your health is of special significance
• If you fall under any of the special circumstances
• If there were any medical conditions that were found during your examination
   

Character requirements and background checks

You must meet the character requirements and be of good character to reside and work in the country. 

The list of character requirements that may be submitted is:

• Police certificate
• Form 80 (Personal particulars for character assessment)
• Form 1563 – Statement of Character
• Military certificate
• A letter of good conduct from any of the past employers

Australian Visitor Visa Application Process

Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for an Australian Tourist Visa

You can apply for an Australian Visit visa both online and offline. Given below is a detailed process to apply for the Subclass 600 visa:

Apply for an Australia tourist visa online:

Step 1: Create an account

The first step is to create an ImmiAccount and fill in all your details

Step 2: Choose a stream

After creating an account, you can log in and select the Subclass 600 stream of your choice.

Step 3: Complete the application form

You can then fill in the application form with all the required documents such as valid passport, proof of funds, travel insurance etc. 

Step 4: Pay the application fee

You must then pay the required visa fee via credit/debit card

Step 5: Wait for the visa status

You will be given a visa grant number if your application has been approved. 

Apply for an Australia tourist visa offline:

Step 1: Look for the nearest Australian consulate or embassy

Step 2: Schedule an appointment

Step 3: Fill in the visitor visa application form

Step 4: Arrange the required documents

Step 5: Pay the application fee and submit the application

Step 6: Wait for the visa status 
 

Applying for Different Streams

The steps to apply for the Australia visit visa are similar for most streams. However, you can follow the five simple steps given below to apply for the Subclass 600 visa:

Step 1: Check if you meet the eligibility criteria for the visit visa

Step 2: Arrange the documents required for the visa

Step 3: Apply for the visa

Step 4: Wait for the visa status

Step 5: Travel to Australia

Additional Information for Specific Applicants

Applicants Aged 75 Years or Older:

Applicants aged 75 years or above must apply for a long-term visit visa and undergo a health assessment. They will also be asked for medical insurance that will cover their stay in Australia.

If you are aged 75 years or older and applying for a Visitor visa (subclass 600), you must submit:

• Medical examination test results
• serum creatinine/eGFR

Additional health requirements:

 Children Younger than 18 Years of Age

Consent from parents or guardians

For consent from parents or guardians, you must submit:

• Form 1257 Undertaking, declaration must be submitted for children under the age of 18 who are residing in Australia with someone who is not a parent, legal guardian, or relative.
• Form 1229 Consent must be submitted for an Australian visa to children under 18.

Visitor Visas for Parents of Australians

Visitor visas for parents of Australians are of two types:

Subclass 600 visa: Subclass 600 is a tourist visa that allows parents to visit their family and friends in Australia 

Subclass 103 visas: Subclass 103 is a permanent visa that will enable parents to move to the country if more of their children reside in Australia than in any other country

Documents Required for Australian Visitor Visa (subclass 600)

Tourist Stream: Document Checklist

The checklist of documents for the tourist stream:

• Passport
• Visitor visa Subclass 600 Form
• Proof of financial documents
• Proof of medical insurance
• Letter from employer (if applicable)
• Letter from school (If applicable)
• Letter of Invitation (If applicable)
• Proof to support your medical treatment (If applicable)
• Proof of sponsorship
• Form 1257 & Form 1229
• Proof of accommodation
• Proof of Travel itinerary
• Proof of your intent to exit the country after the visa expires

Costs of the Visitor Visa (subclass 600)

The table given below has a complete list of the Subclass 600 visa:

Visa Fees, Validity, and Processing Time

eVisitor vs ETA vs Subclass 600 – Key Differences

Visa Conditions and Obligations

To apply for the Subclass 600 visa, you must have a valid passport, a recent passport photograph, a completed visa application form, proof of sufficient funds, etc.

Conditions attached to the visa

The table given below has the conditions attached to the Australia visit visa are as follows:

Obligations, Rights, and limitations of Subclass 600 visa

The Australia visit visa, or the Subclass 600 visa, allows you to travel to Australia for visit purposes. You can visit your family, friends, or relatives, plan a holiday, cater to business-related purposes, or go for medical treatment in Australia. The visa duration varies based on the four types of available streams. You are allowed to travel to Australia for 3, 6, or 12 months, depending on the purpose of your visit.
 

Common Reasons for Visa Rejection

The top 5 mistakes to avoid while filing for your Australia visit visa application are:

• Ensure your application is complete with all the required documentation
• Maintain a checklist to avoid missing any of the important documents while applying
• Make sure you have the required financial funds that are needed for the Subclass 600 visa
• Avoid last-minute submissions of details and other personal information
• Consult with a good immigration company that can assist you with the complete Australia visit visa application process

How can Y-Axis assist you?

Y-Axis, the leading overseas immigration consultancy in Canada, offers customized and tailored immigration services for every client based on their requirements. Some of our services include:

• Get a free eligibility check through the Australia Immigration Points Calculator
• Get expert guidance for Australia Immigration
• Book your slot for a free career consultation
• Get end-to-end support while applying for an Australia PR visa