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Visitor visa (subclass 600)

Visitor visa (subclass 600)

The Visitor Visa (SC600) allows individuals to travel to Australia temporarily for tourism, business, or family visits. Below are the minimum requirements for the Tourist Stream of this visa:

TOURIST STREAM

This stream is for individuals traveling to Australia for holidays or to visit family or friends.

As the visa applicant, you must:

  • Intend to visit Australia genuinely for leisure, family, friends, or other non-business purposes.
  • Have sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your stay in Australia.
  • Meet the health and character criteria, which may include obtaining health insurance for your time in Australia.

BUSINESS VISITOR STREAM

This stream is for those traveling to Australia for short-term business activities, such as attending conferences or meetings.

As the visa applicant, you must:

  • Intend to visit Australia for an eligible business activity (e.g., attending a conference, participating in negotiations, or exploring business opportunities).
  • Have personal attributes and a business background relevant to your activities in Australia.
  • Have sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your stay.
  • Meet the health and character criteria, which may include obtaining health insurance for your time in Australia.

SPONSORED FAMILY STREAM

This stream is for individuals traveling to Australia to visit family. Applicants must be sponsored by an eligible relative living in Australia.

Applicant Requirements As the visa applicant, you must:

  • Be sponsored by an eligible relative in Australia (details below).
  • Intend to visit family in Australia genuinely.
  • Have sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your stay.
  • Meet the health and character criteria, which may include obtaining health insurance for your time in Australia.

Sponsor Requirements The sponsor must:

  • Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Have been settled in Australia for a reasonable period (usually at least two years).
  • Be a close family member (e.g., spouse, partner, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew, including step or adopted equivalents).

Note: In certain cases, a Member of Parliament or an authorized representative from a government department may also sponsor an application.

The sponsor must not be supporting another visitor with a valid visa (unless that person is a family member with the same travel reason) and must not have sponsored a visitor who breached their visa conditions within the last five years.

Security Bond If required, the sponsor must pay a security bond (usually between AUD 5,000 and AUD 15,000). This bond will be refunded if the visa holder complies with visa conditions and leaves Australia before the visa expires.

Features of the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)

This visa allows you to visit Australia:

  • For tourism or business visitor purposes.
  • For up to three, six, or twelve months.

The application fee ranges from AUD 190 (offshore) to AUD 475 (onshore). Holders of certain passports may be eligible for a free or reduced fee visa.

  • The eVisitor (Subclass 651) visa is free but is available only to passport holders of specific countries.
  • The Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601) visa incurs a AUD 20 service charge and is also limited to certain passport holders.

Requirements

You might be eligible for this visa if you are traveling to Australia:

  • As a visitor.
  • For business visitor activities.
  • To visit family.
  • On a tour with a registered travel agent from the People’s Republic of China.

If you are in Australia, you can apply for the Tourist Stream online, provided you hold a valid visa without Condition 8503 imposed. Only certain passport holders can apply online from outside Australia; if you cannot, you may submit a paper application.

What This Visa Allows You to Do

This visa allows you to come to Australia for a holiday or to visit family and friends.

  • You might be allowed only a single entry. If this is the case, you will need to apply for a new visa if you wish to return to Australia after leaving.
  • You may be permitted to travel to and from Australia multiple times while your visa is valid, but the total time spent in Australia cannot exceed your granted period of stay.

Who Could Get This Visa

To be granted this visa, you must:

  • Meet health and character requirements.
  • Have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in Australia.
  • Intend to engage in activities permitted under the Tourist Stream.

You must demonstrate that you are traveling to Australia as a genuine visitor, such as for tourism, recreation, or to visit family and friends. If visiting family, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will inform you whether a sponsor is needed or if a security bond must be paid during the application.

You may be asked to provide proof of having 12 months of health insurance coverage.

Visitor Visas for Parents of Australians

Due to the lengthy processing time for the permanent Parent (Migrant) visa (Subclass 103), and the desire for family reunification, the DHA may grant a more generous Visitor Visa. If you identify as a parent or step-parent of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen and request a stay of up to 12 months, you will be considered for this option.

DHA reviews these applications case-by-case, and visas can last up to:

  • Five years for parents outside Australia in the Parent (Migrant) visa (Subclass 103) queue.
  • Three years for parents outside Australia with a previous visa who complied with its conditions and either:
    • Have not applied for a Parent visa.
    • Have applied for a Parent visa (Subclass 103) but are not yet in the queue.
  • Eighteen months for parents who have not previously traveled to Australia and either:
    • Have not applied for a Parent visa.
    • Have applied for a Parent visa (Subclass 103) but are not yet in the queue.

This visa will include three additional conditions:

  1. Maximum 12-Month Stay in 18 Months: You cannot stay in Australia for more than 12 months on any visit or exceed 12 months in any 18-month period.
  2. Health Insurance: You must maintain comprehensive health insurance during your stay. Evidence of 12 months of health insurance may be required during your application. Reciprocal health arrangements are insufficient for this requirement.
  3. No Further Stay: You cannot apply for a new visa while in Australia and must leave before your current visa expires, except in very limited circumstances.

Health Requirements

You must meet specific health requirements. The necessary health examinations depend on your personal circumstances, including the duration of your stay, citizenship, and activities planned in Australia. Generally, health examination results are valid for 12 months.

You can arrange your health examinations before submitting your visa application.

Health Insurance

You are responsible for all health costs incurred during your stay in Australia. You will not be covered by Australia’s national health scheme (Medicare) unless your country has a reciprocal health care agreement with Australia.

DHA recommends obtaining health insurance for each visit to Australia.

Character Requirements

You must meet certain character criteria, including providing a police certificate from each country where you lived for 12 months or more in the past ten years after turning 16. Do not obtain police certificates until requested by DHA.

Debts to the Australian Government

You must have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government or have arranged repayment for any debts before the visa can be granted.

Provide Biometrics

You may be required to provide biometrics (a form of scientific identification) as part of the application process. More information is available regarding countries and visa subclasses included in the biometrics program.

Tourist Stream: Document Checklist

Visa application requirements vary by country. If you are outside Australia, your nearest immigration office will provide guidance on how to lodge your application and what documents to submit.

You must provide supporting documents with your visa application. It’s beneficial to include as much information as possible.

  • Submit certified copies of original documents; do not include originals unless specifically requested. Police certificates should be original documents. Documents not in English must have accredited English translations.

Use this checklist to ensure your application is complete:

Forms

  • A completed application form.

Charges

  • Pay the visa application charge.

Your Identity

  • Certified copies of the biographical pages of current passports or travel documents for everyone included in the application (these are the pages with the holder’s photo, personal details, and issue/expiry dates).
  • One recent passport-sized photograph (45 mm x 35 mm) of each applicant, showing only the head and shoulders against a plain background. Print the name of the person on the back of each photograph.
  • If your name or anyone included in the application has changed, provide a certified copy of the name change evidence.
  • Certified copies of birth certificates for you and any other applicants, showing the names of both parents.

The Character Requirements

  • If any applicant has served in the armed forces, provide certified copies of their military service record or discharge papers.

Documents to Show You Are a Visitor

  • Evidence of sufficient funds, such as personal bank statements, pay slips, audited accounts, tax records, or credit card limits.
  • If visiting relatives or friends, include a letter of invitation from your relative or friend in Australia. If they are paying for your visit, provide evidence of their financial capability.
  • If applying under the Tourist Stream: include your itinerary for your stay in Australia.
  • Other evidence indicating your intention to return home, such as:
    • A letter from your employer confirming your job return.
    • Evidence of enrollment at a school, college, or university in your home country.
    • Evidence of immediate family members in your home country.
    • Evidence of your visa or residence status in your home country and your right to return.
    • Evidence of property or significant assets owned in

Approved Destination Status (ADS) Stream: Document Checklist

To support your visa application, you must provide various documents. We will use the information you submit when lodging your application to make a decision. It’s in your best interest to include as much relevant information as possible.

Document Requirements

  • Provide certified copies of original documents. Do not submit original documents unless specifically requested.
  • Police certificates must be original documents.
  • Documents not in English must include accredited English translations.

Checklist for Application Completeness

  1. Charges
    • Pay the visa application charge.
  2. Your Identity
    • Include copies of the biographical pages from the current passports or travel documents of everyone included in the application (these pages show the holder’s photo, personal details, and issue/expiry dates).
    • Provide one recent passport-sized photograph (45mm x 35mm) of each applicant. Photographs should show only the head and shoulders against a plain background.
    • If your name or anyone else’s name in your application has changed, include a certified copy of the name change evidence.
  3. Character Requirements
    • If anyone included in the application has served in the armed forces of any country, provide certified copies of their military service record or discharge papers.
  4. For Children Younger Than 18 Years of Age
    • If you are under 18, provide evidence of consent for your travel to Australia from every person with legal rights to decide where you live. If one or both parents are not traveling with you, provide:
      • A Notarial Certificate of consent from the non-traveling parent(s), or
      • Form 1229: Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under 18. If using this form, attach:
        • A certified copy of the government-issued identification (such as a passport or driver’s license) of the parent or guardian, including their photograph and signature, and
        • A copy of the child’s birth certificate.
  5. For Applicants Aged 75 Years or Older
    • Provide evidence of health insurance to cover your stay in Australia.
  6. Yellow Book: Documents for ADS Tour Groups
    • Letter from the ADS agent, including the ADS tour group name list and itinerary.
    • ADS tour itinerary for your stay in Australia.
    • Copy of the ADS Tour Leader’s passport.
    • Copy of the ADS Tour Leader’s Tour Leader Certificate.
    • Copy of the ADS Tour Leader’s visa grant letter if they already hold a valid Subclass 600 Visitor (Business Stream) visa.

Integrity Checks for ADS Agents

  • The ADS agent must submit a statement detailing the integrity checks undertaken and the reasons for supporting applicants if:
    • Any working-age applicant declares they are unemployed, or
    • Anyone included in the application has previously had a visa application refused, had a visa canceled, or has been removed from Australia.

Who Can Sponsor a Family Member

A sponsor must:

  • Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
  • Be over 18 years of age.
  • Have been settled in Australia for a reasonable period (usually over two years).

Additionally, you must be one of the following:

  • A relative of the applicant (partner, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, or their step or adopted equivalents).
  • A relative of someone who is a member of the applicant’s family unit and also applying for a Visitor visa (e.g., the partner of your sibling).

Sponsorship Limitations

  • You cannot sponsor more than one person at the same time unless they are members of the same family unit (comprising the head of the family, their partner, and dependent children). Other relatives can be included if dependent on the head of the family.
  • If you have already sponsored a visitor, you must wait until their visa ceases before sponsoring someone else, unless your next sponsorship is for a member of the family unit of someone you are currently sponsoring for the same purpose.
  • If you have previously sponsored a visitor who did not comply with their visa conditions, you typically cannot sponsor another visitor in the same visa class for five years.

Applying to be a Sponsor

This section outlines what you need to do to apply as a sponsor for someone applying for the Tourist stream of the Visitor visa.

You might be asked to provide sponsorship for a Tourist stream application. The office processing your application will inform you if this is necessary. Do not submit the 1149 Application for Sponsorship for Sponsored Family Visitors for the Tourist stream unless requested.

Sponsor Obligations

As a sponsor, you must:

  • Guarantee that your visitor will comply with all visa conditions, including leaving Australia before their visa expires.
  • Take responsibility for all financial obligations incurred by your visitor to the Australian Government during their stay.

If your visitor does not comply with their visa conditions, you may be unable to sponsor another visitor for five years and might lose your security bond.

Security Bond

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) decides on a case-by-case basis whether a security bond is required. If needed, DHA will inform you in writing.

  • The bond typically ranges from AUD 5,000 to AUD 15,000 per person (but any amount can be requested).
  • It must be paid in full before a final decision can be made on the visa application.
  • The bond is refundable if your visitor leaves Australia before their visa expires and complies with all visa conditions.

You can check your visa expiry date and conditions using the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service or in your visa grant letter.

If you are in Australia on an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), check your ETA expiry and conditions through the Check an ETA service.

I’m in Australia and Want to Stay Longer During COVID-19

If you are a temporary visa holder in Australia and cannot leave as planned, apply for a new visa before your current visa expires.

Note that limited visa options are available if you are already in Australia. You may consider applying to stay as a visitor unless eligible to work, study, or join family in Australia.

If you apply for a new visa, you may qualify for a bridging visa that will keep you lawful in Australia until your visa application is decided. You may be allowed to work in Australia based on the conditions of your bridging visa.

If your visa has expired, apply immediately for a Bridging Visa E (BVE). A BVE will keep you lawful in Australia while you arrange to leave or finalize your visa options.

Visa Conditions

  • No Further Stay Condition (includes 8503, 8534, and 8535)
    • If you hold a visa with conditions 8503, 8534, or 8535 and cannot depart Australia as planned, you can request a waiver if your visa will expire in less than four weeks.
  • Condition 8531 (must not remain in Australia beyond the permitted stay)
    • If you hold a visa with condition 8531 and cannot depart Australia as planned, apply for a further visa before your current visa expires. A new visa application may qualify you for a bridging visa to remain lawful in Australia while awaiting a decision.
  • Condition 8558 (must not stay in Australia for more than 12 months in any 18-month period)
    • If you hold a visa with condition 8558 and cannot depart Australia as planned, apply for a further visa before your current visa expires. A new visa may also qualify you for a bridging visa.

Visa Processing Arrangements

Some services related to the visa application process may be impacted by COVID-19, and various services (such as medical checks and biometric collection) may be unavailable. Applicants will receive additional time to complete required checks and provide requested information.

I’m Overseas and Want to Travel to Australia During COVID-19

If you are not a permanent visa holder, you must adhere to current travel restrictions.

Travel Restriction Exemption If you believe you have a compassionate or compelling reason to travel to Australia, you can apply for a travel restriction exemption. Do not travel to Australia until DHA confirms that you can. If you do not receive an exemption, you cannot travel to Australia. All travelers seeking an exemption must apply online.

Extending Visitor Visas

Visitor visas and ETAs cannot be extended. If your visa expires before you can travel to Australia, you must apply for a new visa that suits your needs. Visa holders who have altered their travel plans due to restrictions are not eligible for a visa application charge (VAC) refund.

Visa Processing Arrangements

You should reconsider your need to apply for a Visitor visa or ETA at this time and regularly check this page for updates on travel restrictions and visa processing.

The Department is prioritizing processing visa applications for travelers in exempt categories to support urgent travel. We encourage online applications, as these are processed faster than paper applications.

You will not be able to apply for an ETA online while travel restrictions are in place.

Some services related to the visa application process may be impacted by COVID-19, including overseas panel doctors (for medical checks), English language testing facilities, biometric collection, and paper application lodgment centers. While these services are unavailable, many applicants cannot meet visa requirements. Applicants will be granted additional time to fulfill checks and provide the necessary information.