VISIT AUSTRALIA
Visitor Visa
Subclass 600
For people travelling to Australia temporarily for tourism, to visit family or friends, or for other permitted visitor purposes.
PURPOSE
Temporary - Tourism · Family visits · Business visitor
APPLY FROM
Australia or overseas
GOVERNMENT VISA CHARGE
From AUD $500*
ESTIMATED PROCESSING TIME
18 days - 38 days*
*Government charges and processing times are indicative and subject to change. Current at September 2026.
*Depending on your passport and purpose of travel, a subclass 600 visa may not be required. Some travellers may be eligible for an ETA (subclass 601) or eVisitor (subclass 651), which have different application processes, charges and processing times.
Who is the Visitor 600 visa for?
Tourism. Family visits. Business activities. A temporary stay in Australia.
The Visitor visa (subclass 600) is for people travelling to Australia temporarily for an eligible visitor purpose, including tourism, visiting family or friends, and certain business visitor activities.
The appropriate visitor visa depends on both the passport held and the purpose of travel. Some passport holders may be eligible for an ETA (subclass 601) or eVisitor (subclass 651) instead, while others will need to apply for a subclass 600 visa.
The subclass 600 includes different streams. The Tourist stream is commonly used for holidays and visits to family or friends, while the Sponsored Family stream provides a separate pathway for eligible family visits. The Business Visitor stream permits specified short-term business visitor activities, but does not provide general work rights. Home Affairs lists activities such as business enquiries, contract negotiations and attending conferences or seminars.
Whatever the stream, a Visitor visa is for a genuine temporary visit. The applicant's purpose of travel, financial circumstances, immigration history and reasons to return home can therefore be important to the application
Key requirements for a Visitor 600 visa
01
Genuine temporary visit
The applicant must genuinely intend to stay in Australia temporarily and undertake only activities permitted by the relevant Visitor visa stream
02
Purpose of travel
The reason for the visit should be clear and supported by appropriate evidence, whether travelling for tourism, to visit family or friends, or for permitted business visitor activities.
03
Financial capacity
The applicant must have access to sufficient funds to support their stay in Australia and departure, taking into account the circumstances and length of the proposed visit.
04
Reasons to return
Employment, study, family responsibilities, assets and other circumstances in the applicant's home country can help demonstrate that the proposed stay in Australia is temporary.
05
Correct stream & application location
The appropriate stream and whether the application can be made in or outside Australia should be established before lodging. For example, the offshore Tourist and Business Visitor streams require the applicant to be outside Australia, while eligible Tourist stream applicants can apply onshore.
06
Health, character & visa conditions
Health and character requirements apply. Visitor visas do not provide general work rights, and the conditions attached to the particular visa must be observed.
01
Identify the correct stream
Check the qualification, study history and whether Post-Vocational or Post-Higher Education Work applies.
How the Visitor 600 process works
02
Select the appropriate stream
Determine whether the Tourist, Sponsored Family, Business Visitor or another subclass 600 stream fits the proposed visit.
03
Prepare the evidence
Provide evidence of the purpose of travel, financial capacity, circumstances at home and other information demonstrating a genuine temporary visit. Home Affairs specifically points to evidence such as funds, travel plans, employment, study, family and assets..
04
Lodge the application
Submit the application with the supporting documents required for the relevant stream and whether the application is being made in or outside Australia. Eligible Tourist-stream applicants can apply onshore, but their existing visa conditions can affect whether a further application can be made
05
Visa decision & travel
If granted, check the permitted stay, entries and visa conditions before travelling or making plans for the visit. A subclass 600 Visitor visa does not provide general work rights.
Things to check before applying for a Visitor 600 visa
Home-country circumstances
Employment, business interests, study, family responsibilities, assets and other commitments can be important in demonstrating that the proposed visit is temporary. Home Affairs specifically identifies these kinds of circumstances as relevant evidence.
Which visitor visa is appropriate?
Passport nationality and the purpose of travel can affect the available visitor pathway. Before lodging a subclass 600 application, check whether an ETA or eVisitor may be available instead.
Financial evidence
Bank balances alone do not necessarily tell the whole story. The source of funds, recent large deposits, regular income, who is paying for the trip and whether the proposed expenditure is realistic for the applicant's circumstances can all require explanation.
Previous visa & travel history
Previous refusals, cancellations, extended stays, limited travel history or earlier Australian visas can affect how a new application should be prepared. The information in a new application should also be consistent with previous visa applications.
Not sure which Visitor visa is right for you?
The appropriate visitor pathway can depend on your passport, purpose of travel, personal circumstances and immigration history. We can assess your circumstances and advise on the most appropriate way to approach your visit to Australia.