How to Apply for Australian Tourist Visa: A Complete Guide + Free Checklist for Your Holiday!
Australia is known as one of the best holiday destinations. The mix of natural beauty and modern cities makes Australia popular with international travellers. Whether you’re planning to visit friends or family, or simply enjoy the beauty it offers, the Australian Tourist Visa or Visitor Visa (subclass 600) is your gateway. This article will walk you through how to apply for this visa with a complete guide and a free checklist special for you!
What is the Australian Visitor Visa (subclass 600)?
The Australian Visitor Visa (subclass 600) is also well known as the Australian Tourist Visa. This visa allows international tourists to visit Australia for a short stay for tourism, business, or family visits. This is the most ideal visa for foreigners who wish to explore and spend their holidays in Australia.
Currently, the application charge for the Visitor Visa for applicants outside Australia/offshore is AUD $200 for most streams, except the frequent traveller stream, which costs AUD $1,480. Meanwhile, the onshore application for a Visitor Visa costs AUD $500.
The Visitor Visa (subclass 600) has 5 streams: Tourist, Business Visitor, Sponsored Family, Frequent Traveller, and Approved Destination Status.
Australian Visitor Visa (subclass 600) Streams
1. Tourist Stream
This stream allows you to visit Australia as a tourist, go on a cruise, or visit family and friends. You can apply for this stream offshore or onshore, but be mindful that the application charge is different. The offshore Tourist Stream costs AUD $200, meanwhile the onshore Tourist Visa costs AUD $500.
You can stay in Australia between 3, 6, or 12 months with different visa conditions.
2. Business Visitor Stream
This stream allows you to have a short business visit to Australia, but you can’t work or sell goods or services. For example, you can make general business or employment enquiries, negotiate contracts, or take part in a conference, but you can’t be paid to take part.
You must be offshore at the time of visa application and at the time of decision is made.
3. Sponsored Family Stream
This visa allows you to visit Australia with sponsorship from a family member. This stream provides a stay period of up to 12 months in Australia, but you can’t extend your stay. Your sponsor may also pay a security bond of AUD $5,000.
4. Frequent Traveller Stream
This visa stream is specified for citizens of the People’s Republic of China, Brunei, Cambodia, the Philippines, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, or Timor Leste who often travel to Australia for tourism or business purposes. This stream may be valid for up to 10 years.
5. Approved Destination Status Stream
This stream is specialised for the citizens from certain areas in China to visit Australia on a tour organised by an approved travel agent.
If you need specialised guidance on how to apply for the Australian Tourist Visa for your parents, check this out: Visitor Visa Australia for Parents: Full Guidelines
Visitor Visa (subclass 600) Application Arrangement
Starting in 2022, the Australian Government only accepts online Visitor Visa (subclass 600) applications – Tourist stream. The application must be submitted through IMMIAccount with completed information and documents. The purposes of this arrangement are:
- Allowing applicants to lodge the application at any convenient time;
- Lodge online applications by yourself or get help from an authorized person or registered migration agent;
- Attach your document online;
- Check your application status, correct mistakes, or update your details at any convenient time.
What are the requirements?
Before submitting an application for an Australian Visitor Visa (subclass 600), it’s important to understand the requirements. Since each stream has different requirements, we will divide this section into two: general requirements and specific requirements for each stream.
600 Visa General Requirements:
- Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE): You must show that your intention is genuinely for a short visit in Australia and that you will return to your home country before your visa expires.
- Financial requirement: You must show that you have enough funds to support your holiday. There are no exact numbers set by the Government, but based on our experience, it’s best to keep at least AUD $5,000 deposited in your bank account.
- Health and character requirements: You must ensure that you don’t have any health or character issues that may put the Australian communities at risk. The Department of Home Affairs may ask you to undergo a health examination as part of the assessment.
600 Visa Stream Specific Requirements:
- Tourist stream: You must provide evidence of your travel itinerary, accommodation arrangements in Australia, and arrangements to return to your home country before the visa expires.
- Business Visitor stream: You must provide evidence of business activities or an invitation to attend in Australia.
- Sponsored Family stream: You must provide evidence of a family relationship with your sponsor and that your sponsor is capable of sponsoring you.
- Frequent Traveller stream: You must provide evidence of business or family ties in Australia that require frequent travel to Australia.
- Approved Destination Status stream: You must provide evidence of the arranged tour with the approved travel agency.
We highly valued our client’s expectation in their Australian Visitor Visa application, so ensuring a successful outcome is our priority. Read one of our clients’ success stories in obtaining the Visitor Visa after 4 refusals here: Visitor Visa Australia Success Story – Our Client’s Story
Checklist for Australian Tourist Visa (subclass 600) Application
The required documents for an Australian Visitor Visa application is vary depending on your circumstances. Also, if you come from a high-risk country, you are most likely need to provide stronger evidence to prove you will return to your home country before the visa expires.
Here are some documents you should prepare for your application:
Form 1419 – Application for a Visitor Visa – Tourist Stream
Personal Bank Statement Showing at least AUD $5,000
Proof of Ties to Home Country (for example: employment letter)
Form 956 – If you appoint a Migration Agent/Legal Practitioner/Exempt Person to apply for the Visitor Visa (subclass 600)
We have provided a complete and free checklist to help you prepare the required documents for Visitor Visa (subclass 600) application. You only need to put your contact details below and we will send the checklist directly to your email!
How to Apply for the Australian Visitor/Tourist Visa (subclass 600)
The process of applying for the Australian Visitor Visa is usually straightforward, but it’s still important to understand the application process. Here’s the step-by-step applying for the Australian Visitor Visa (subclass 600):
Step 1: Choose the Right Visitor Visa Stream
The first step is choosing the right Visitor Visa stream that suits your purpose. If you choose the wrong visa stream, your application will most likely to be refused.
If you’re not sure which stream suits your situation, call our Visa Consultant at +61894775831 to get a free assessment and guidance.
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
Once you’ve chosen the visa stream, you can start collecting the required documents based on the free checklist we’ve sent to your email.
If you haven’t received it, you can go back to the form above, complete it with your contact details, and we will send it to you in seconds!
Step 3: Submit the Application Online
Next, submit your Visitor Visa application online through ImmiAccount using all required documents. Ensure all information and documents are relevant and reflect your purpose of visiting Australia.
Step 4: Wait for the Decision
The processing time for each visa stream varies. While waiting for the decision, you can undergo a health examination and review any additional documents or information that may be requested. This is very crucial to ensure the decision on your visa application.
Step 5: Receive Your Visa
The Department of Home Affairs will send you the grant notification letter to your email. Once you receive it, you can use it to travel to Australia!
Can I extend my Visitor Visa (subclass 600)?
Visitor Visa (subclass 600) cannot be extended. However, if you need to stay longer in Australia, you can submit another Visitor Visa (subclass 600) application. Bear in mind that the approval is not automatic. You must provide strong evidence to support the application.
Otherwise, you can explore and consider other visa options that may suit your situation and the purpose of extending your stay. It’s important to plan your extension strategically. So, don’t hesitate to have a private consultation with our Registered Migration Agent to find the best visa option:
We’re here to assist you
If you are still not sure how to apply for the Australian Visitor/Tourist Visa by yourself, we’re here to assist you. We have a 98% success rate and are one of Australia’s most highly recommended migration agents. Read our 4.9* score customer reviews.
We are complex visa specialists. As registered Australian migration agents with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA), we are regulated in our professional practice and bound by the profession’s Code of Conduct issued by the MARA.
Take the first step and contact us. Our team members are honest, accountable and professional. Contact us via email at visa@onederland.com.au, by phone at 1300 827 159, or through WhatsApp at +61494367258. Alternatively, you can book your consultation online, and it is backed by our 100% Money-Back Guarantee Program.
