Visitor visa (subclass 600)

The purpose of the visitor visa (SC600) is to allow people to travel to Australia for tourism or business purposes, or to visit family, on a temporary basis. The minimum requirements for the Tourist stream of this visa are set out below:

TOURIST STREAM

For people travelling to Australia for a holiday or to visit family or friends.

As the visa applicant, you must:

genuinely intend to visit Australia for a holiday, to see family and/or friends, or for other purposes that are not related to business/work or medical treatment
have access to sufficient funds to cover your costs whilst you are in Australia

meet the relevant health and character criteria (this could include a requirement to obtain health insurance for the period of your stay in Australia)

BUSINESS VISITOR STREAM

For people travelling to Australia for short-term business purposes, such as a conference, negotiation or meeting.

As the visa applicant, you must:

genuinely intend to visit Australia for an eligible business activity e.g. attending a conference or seminar, participating in a negotiation or exploring a business opportunity
have personal attributes and a business background that are relevant to your business activities in Australia
have access to sufficient funds to cover your costs whilst you are in Australia

meet the relevant health and character criteria (this could include a requirement to obtain health insurance for the period of your stay in Australia)

Features of the Visitor visa (subclass 600)

This visa lets you visit Australia:

to visit or for business visitor purposes
for up to three, six or 12 months.

The base application charge for this visa ranges from AUD190 (offshore) to AUD475 (onshore).

If you hold a certain passport, you might be able to apply for a free or cheaper visa.

The eVisitor (subclass 651) visa is free. You must be a passport holder of a certain country.

The Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) visa has an AUD20 service charge. You must be a passport holder of a certain country.

Requirements

You might be able to get this visa if you are travelling 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 of the Visitor visa online provided you currently have a valid visa that does not have condition 8503 imposed.

If you are outside Australia only certain passport holders can apply for this visa online.

If you cannot apply online, you can lodge a paper application.

What this visa lets you do

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

We will tell you how many times you can enter Australia on this visa:

You might be allowed to enter only once. If so, you will need to apply for a new visa if you want to return to Australia again after you leave.
You might be able to travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while your visa is valid, but the total time you spend in Australia cannot be more than the period of stay that you have been granted.

Who could get this visa

To be granted this visa, you must:

meet health and character requirements
have enough money to support yourself during your stay in Australia
intend to do the activities in the Tourist stream.

You must be able to show that you are travelling to Australia as a genuine visitor, for example as a tourist, for recreation or to visit your family and friends.

If you are visiting your family, DHA will tell you whether you need a sponsor or need to pay a security bond when you apply.

You could be asked to prove that you hold 12 months of health insurance cover.

Visitor visas for parents of Australians

Due to the length of the permanent Parent (Migrant) visa (subclass 103) queue, and the desirability of family reunion, DHA might grant a more generous Visitor visa. You will be considered for this if you request a length of stay in Australia of up to 12 months and you identify yourself as a parent or step-parent of:

an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
an eligible New Zealand citizen.

DHA will consider these applications on a case-by-case basis. DHA can grant visas that last up to:

five years for parents outside Australia who are in the Parent (Migrant) visa (subclass 103) queue
three years for parents outside Australia who have had a previous Australian visa and complied with the visa conditions, and either:
- have not applied for a Parent visa
- have applied for a Parent visa (subclass 103) but are not yet in the Parent visa queue
18 months for parents who have not previously travelled 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 Parent visa queue.

The visa will have three extra visa conditions:

Maximum 12 month stay in 18 months: You cannot stay in Australia for more than 12 months on any visit or for more than 12 months in any 18-month period.
Health insurance: You must maintain fully comprehensive health insurance while you are in Australia. You could be asked to provide evidence of 12 months health insurance cover when you apply. Reciprocal health arrangements are not adequate to meet this requirement.
No further stay: You cannot apply for a new visa while you are in Australia. You must leave Australia no later than the date on which your visa ends, except in extremely limited circumstances.

Health requirements

You must meet certain health requirements. The health examinations you need will depend on your personal circumstances, including your period of stay, country of citizenship, time spent in another country during the last five years and your intended activities in Australia. The results of your health examinations are generally valid for 12 months.

You are able to organise your health examinations upfront before lodging a visa application.

Health insurance

You are responsible for all your health costs while you are 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 recommend that you take out health insurance each time you travel to Australia.

Character requirements

You must meet certain character requirements. You must be prepared to provide a police certificate from each country you have lived in for 12 months or more during the past 10 years after you turned 16 years of age. Do not arrange for police certificates until DHA ask you to.

Debts to the Australian Government

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

Provide biometrics

You might be asked to provide biometrics (a scientific form of identification) as part of the application. Countries and visa subclasses included in the biometrics program has more information.

Tourist Stream: document checklist

Visa application requirements differ from country to country. If you are outside Australia, your nearest immigration office outside Australia will tell you exactly how to lodge your application and what documents to provide.

You need to provide documents to support your application for this visa. We can make a decision using the information you provide when you lodge your application. It is in your interest to provide as much information as possible with your application.

Provide certified copies of original documents. Do not include original documents unless we specifically ask for them. Police certificates should be original documents. Documents not in English must be accompanied by accredited English translations.

Use this checklist to make sure your application is complete.

Forms

A completed application form.

Charges

Pay the visa application charge.

Your identity

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

The character requirements

If anyone included in the application has served in the armed forces of any country: 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, taxation records or credit card limit.
If you are visiting relatives or friends, a letter of invitation from your relative or friend in Australia. If your relative or friend is paying for your visit, evidence that they have the necessary funds.
If you are visiting under the Tourist stream: Your itinerary for your stay in Australia.
Other information to show that you have an incentive and authority to return to your home country, such as:
- a letter from your employer stating your intention to return to your job
- evidence of enrolment 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 other significant assets owned in your home country.

Children younger than 18 years of age

If you are younger than 18 years of age: evidence that every person with a legal right to decide where you live consents to your travel to Australia on this visa. If one or both parents are not coming with you, provide:
- a statutory declaration giving their permission
- Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years .
  If you use this form, you will have to attach a certified copy of your parent’s or guardian’s government-issued identification document (such as a passport or drivers licence) with their photograph and their signature.
If you are younger than 18 years of age and you will stay in Australia with someone other than a parent, legal guardian or relative: a declaration signed by the person who will be responsible for you in Australia
- Form 1257 Undertaking declaration .
Evidence of enrolment at school, college or university.

Business Visitor Stream: document checklist

Visa application requirements differ from country to country. If you are outside Australia, your nearest immigration office outside Australia will tell you exactly how to lodge your application and what documents to provide.

You need to provide documents to support your application for this visa. We can make a decision using the information you provide when you lodge your application. It is in your interest to provide as much information as possible with your application.

Provide certified copies of original documents. Do not include original documents unless we specifically ask for them. Police certificates should be original documents. Documents not in English must be accompanied by accredited English translations.

Use this checklist to make sure your application is complete.

Charges

Pay the visa application charge.

Your identity

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

The character requirements

If anyone included in the application has served in the armed forces of any country: 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, taxation records or credit card limit.
If you are visiting relatives or friends, a letter of invitation from your relative or friend in Australia. If your relative or friend is paying for your visit, evidence that they have the necessary funds.
If you are visiting under the Tourist stream: Your itinerary for your stay in Australia.
Other information to show that you have an incentive and authority to return to your home country, such as:
- a letter from your employer stating your intention to return to your job
- evidence of enrolment 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 other significant assets owned in your home country.

Children younger than 18 years of age

If you are younger than 18 years of age: evidence that every person with a legal right to decide where you live consents to your travel to Australia on this visa. If one or both parents are not coming with you, provide:
- a statutory declaration giving their permission
- Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years (125KB PDF).
  If you use this form, you will have to attach a certified copy of your parent’s or guardian’s government-issued identification document (such as a passport or drivers licence) with their photograph and their signature.
If you are younger than 18 years of age and you will stay in Australia with someone other than a parent, legal guardian or relative: a declaration signed by the person who will be responsible for you in Australia
- Form 1257 Undertaking declaration (125KB PDF).
Evidence of enrolment at school, college or university.

Additional documents

Evidence of why you need to visit Australia on business, such as:
- a letter of invitation from the host organisation in Australia
- conference registration details
- a letter from your employer stating the reasons for your visit
- your itinerary, with contact details of the business parties involved.
Your educational or professional qualifications.
Your current employment and your role during your visit to Australia.
Details of previous contacts with Australian businesspeople or organisations.
Documents to show that the company you work for is an actively operating business, such as a business registration certificate or annual report.

Sponsored Family Stream: document checklist

Charges

Pay the visa application charge.

Your identity

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

The character requirements

If anyone included in the application has served in the armed forces of any country: 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, taxation records or credit card limit.
If you are visiting relatives or friends, a letter of invitation from your relative or friend in Australia. If your relative or friend is paying for your visit, evidence that they have the necessary funds.
If you are visiting under the Tourist stream: Your itinerary for your stay in Australia.
Other information to show that you have an incentive and authority to return to your home country, such as:
- a letter from your employer stating your intention to return to your job
- evidence of enrolment 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 other significant assets owned in your home country.

Children younger than 18 years of age

If you are younger than 18 years of age: evidence that every person with a legal right to decide where you live consents to your travel to Australia on this visa. If one or both parents are not coming with you, provide:
- a statutory declaration giving their permission
- Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years.
  If you use this form, you will have to attach a certified copy of your parent’s or guardian’s government-issued identification document (such as a passport or drivers licence) with their photograph and their signature.
If you are younger than 18 years of age and you will stay in Australia with someone other than a parent, legal guardian or relative: a declaration signed by the person who will be responsible for you in Australia
- Form 1257 Undertaking declaration.
Evidence of enrolment at school, college or university.

Additional documents

Certified copies of marriage certificates or relationship registrations for you and anyone else included in your application, even if they are not joining you in Australia.
If you are living in a de facto relationship: independent evidence that you have been in the relationship for at least 12 months (for example, joint bank account statements or billing accounts in joint names).
If you or anyone included in the application has been widowed, divorced or permanently separated: a certified copy of the death certificate, divorce decree absolute, or statutory declaration/separation certificate.
Evidence of financial dependency for all dependants aged 18 or older (such as evidence of current studies):
- a certified copy of their birth certificate and proof of their relationship to you
- proof that they live in your household
- proof that they have been dependent on you for at least the 12 months immediately before you lodge your application.

Approved Destination Status (ADS) Stream: document checklist

You need to provide documents to support your application for this visa. We can make a decision using the information you provide when you lodge your application. It is in your interest to provide as much information as possible with your application.

Provide certified copies of original documents. Do not include original documents unless we specifically ask for them. Police certificates should be original documents. Documents not in English must be accompanied by accredited English translations.

Use this checklist to make sure your application is complete.

Charges

Pay the visa application charge.

Your identity

Copies of the biographical pages of the current passports or travel documents of all people included in the application (these are the pages with the holder’s photo and personal details and the issue/expiry dates).
One recent passport sized photograph (45mm x 35mm) of each person included in the application.
- These photographs should be of the head and shoulders only against a plain background.
If your name has changed or the name of anyone included in your application has changed: a certified copy of evidence of the name change.

The character requirements

If anyone included in the application has served in the armed forces of any country: certified copies of their military service record or discharge papers.

Children younger than 18 years of age

If you are younger than 18 years of age: evidence that every person with a legal right to decide where you live consents to your travel to Australia on this visa. If one or both parents are not coming with you, provide:
- a Notarial Certificate of consent from the parent(s) not travelling with the child; or
- Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years. If you use this form, you will have to attach:
  - a certified copy of your parent’s or guardian’s government-issued identification document (such as a passport or drivers licence) with their photograph and their signature; and
  - a copy of the child’s birth certificate

Applicants aged 75 years of age or older

Evidence of health insurance to cover your stay in Australia
Yellow Book

Documents that ADS agents submit for ADS tour groups:

Letter from ADS agent including ADS tour group name list and tour 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.
ADS agent must provide a statement detailing what integrity checks have been undertaken, and why the agent is willing support the applicant for cases of:
- any applicants of working age declares they are unemployed, or,
- anyone included in the application has been previously refused a visa application to Australia, or held a visa that was cancelled, or has been removed from Australia.

Who can sponsor a family member

A sponsor must:

be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
be older than 18 years of age
have been settled in Australia for a reasonable period (usually more than two years).

You must also be one of the following:

a relative of the applicant (partner, parent, child, brother, sister, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, or the ‘step’ or adopted equivalent of any of these).
a relative of a person who is a member of the applicant’s family unit and who is also applying for a Visitor visa (such as the partner of your brother or sister).

You cannot be a sponsor for more than one person at the same time, unless they are the member of the same family unit. A family unit is made up of the head of the family, their partner and their dependent children. Other relatives can be included in the family unit if they are dependent on the head of the family.

If you have already sponsored a visitor, you must wait until their visa ceases before applying to be a sponsor again, unless your next sponsorship is for a member of the family unit of someone you are currently sponsoring and they are proposing to travel to Australia for the same purpose as the previous applicant.

If you have previously sponsored a visitor and they did not abide by the conditions of their visa, you will usually not be able to sponsor another visitor in the same visa class for five years.

Applying to be a sponsor

This information explains what you need to do to apply to sponsor someone for the Tourist stream of the Visitor visa.

You might be requested to provide sponsorship for a Tourist stream application. The office processing your application will advise you if this is required. Do not provide 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 the conditions of their visa, including leaving Australia before their visa expires
take responsibility for all financial obligations to the Australian Government incurred by your visitor during their stay in Australia.

If your visitor does not comply with all the conditions of their visa, you will usually be unable to sponsor another visitor for this visa for five years and might lose your security bond.

Security bond

DHA decide on a case-by-case basis whether to ask for a security bond. DHA will tell you in writing if you need to provide a bond.

The bond:

is usually between AUD5000 and AUD15 000 per person (but we can ask for any amount)
must be paid in full before a final decision can be made on the visa application
is refunded if your visitor leaves Australia before their visa ends and if they have complied with all visa conditions.

Tourist Visa Australia

You can check your visa expiry date and visa conditions in VEVO, in your visa grant letter.

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

I’m in Australia and want to stay longer during the COVID-19

If you are a temporary visa holder in Australia and have not been able to depart Australia as planned, you should apply for a new visa before your current visa expires.

Please note there are limited visa options available if you are already in Australia. You may consider applying to remain in Australia as a visitor unless you are eligible to work, study or join family in Australia.

If you apply for a new visa, you may be eligible to be granted a bridging visa that will keep you lawful in Australia until a decision is made on your visa application. You may be allowed to work in Australia depending on the visa conditions that apply to your bridging visa.

If your visa has expired, you should immediately apply for a Bridging visa E (BVE). A BVE will keep you lawful in Australia until you are able to make arrangements to leave Australia or finalise your visa options.

Visa conditions

No further stay condition (includes 8503, 8534 and 8535)

If you hold a visa with condition 8503, 8534 or 8535 and have not been able to depart Australia as planned, you can request to waive this condition if your visa will expire in less than 4 weeks.

Condition 8531 (must not remain in Australia beyond the period of stay permitted by the visa)

If you hold a visa with condition 8531 and have not been able to depart Australia as planned, you should apply for a further visa before your current visa expires. If you apply for a new visa you may be eligible to be granted a bridging visa that will keep you lawful in Australia until a decision is made on your visa application.

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 have not been able to depart Australia as planned, you should apply for a further visa before your current visa expires. If you apply for a new visa you may be eligible to be granted a bridging visa that will keep you lawful in Australia until a decision is made on your visa application.

Visa processing arrangements

Some services relating to the visa application process may be impacted by COVID-19 and a range of services we rely on (such as medical checks and biometric collection) are increasingly unavailable. Applicants will be given additional time to complete checks and provide the requested information.

Invitation letter for tourist visa

I’m overseas and want to Travel to Australia during COVID-19

If you are not a permanent visa holder, you must comply with current travel restrictions.

Travel restriction exemption

If you think you have a compassionate or compelling reason to travel to Australia, you can apply for an exemption to the travel restriction. Do not travel to Australia until DHA confirm that you can. If you are not granted an exemption, you cannot travel to Australia. All travellers applying for an exemption must apply online. Apply online for a travel exemption.

Extending visitor visas

Visitor visas and ETAs cannot be extended. If your visa expires before you are able to travel to Australia, you will need to apply for a new visa that meets your needs. Explore your visa options. Visa holders who have changed their travel plans due to travel restrictions are not considered 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 check this page regularly for updates on travel restrictions and visa processing.

The Department is prioritising processing visa applications for those travellers in the exempt categories to support urgent travel. We encourage applicants to apply online wherever possible, as these applications will be processed faster than those lodged on paper.

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

Some services relating to the visa application process may be impacted by COVID-19 and a range of services we rely on are increasingly unavailable. This includes overseas panel doctors (who undertake medical checks), English language testing facilities, biometric collection and paper application lodgement centres. While these services are unavailable, many applicants cannot meet visa requirements. Applicants will be given additional time to complete checks and provide the requested information.

Visitor visa (subclass 600)

TOURIST STREAM

BUSINESS VISITOR STREAM

SPONSORED FAMILY STREAM

Features of the Visitor visa (subclass 600)

Requirements

What this visa lets you do

I’m in Australia and want to stay longer during the COVID-19

Visa conditions

Visa processing arrangements

I’m overseas and want to Travel to Australia during COVID-19

Travel restriction exemption

Extending visitor visas

Visa processing arrangements

Australia visa options

Employer Sponsored

Immigration Lawyer* Melbourne

Lawyers*

TR to PR

Book a Consultation

Immigration Tools

Migration Agent Melbourne

MARA registered agents

Locations

Melbourne Office