Visitor Visa (600)

What is the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)?

The Visitor Visa (subclass 600) lets you visit Australia as a tourist, to see family and friends, or for short business visitor activities. Depending on your circumstances, you may be granted a stay of 3, 6 or 12 months.

There are five streams:

• Tourist stream – apply inside or outside Australia
• Sponsored Family stream – sponsored by an eligible family member in Australia
• Business Visitor stream – conferences, negotiations, business enquiries
• Approved Destination Status (ADS) stream – Chinese nationals travelling with an approved tour operator
• Frequent Traveller stream – invitation only, for eligible passport holders who travel to Australia regularly

Who is this visa for?

• Tourists, cruise passengers and people visiting family or friends in Australia
• Current Visitor or Working Holiday visa holders who want to extend their stay in Australia (Tourist stream, onshore)
• Family members of Australian citizens or permanent residents who can be sponsored (Sponsored Family stream)
• Business people attending meetings, conferences or exploring opportunities (Business Visitor stream)
• Chinese tourists on a tour with an approved travel agent (ADS stream)

How long does the visa last?

• Applying outside Australia: you may be granted a stay of 3, 6 or 12 months. The visa may be single or multiple entry.
• Applying inside Australia: you can usually only extend your stay so that your total time in Australia as a visitor does not exceed 12 months in any 18-month period.
• Frequent Traveller stream: the visa can be valid for up to 10 years, with a maximum stay of 3 months on each entry.

How much does the Visitor Visa 600 cost?

Additional costs may apply for health examinations, biometrics, police certificates and document translations. Fees are reviewed every 1 July.

How long does it take? (Processing time)

Processing times vary by stream and are updated monthly by the Department of Home Affairs. As a guide:

• Tourist stream: most applications are finalised within 2–5 weeks
• Business Visitor stream: usually the fastest, often within 1–4 weeks
• Sponsored Family stream: longer – typically 6–12 weeks or more

Incomplete applications take longer. Submit all documents up front and respond promptly to any request for information.

What can I do with this visa?

1. Travel to Australia for tourism, a cruise, or to visit family and friends
2. Enter Australia multiple times while the visa is valid (if granted as multiple entry), as long as each stay does not exceed the granted period
3. Study or train for up to 3 months
4. Carry out business visitor activities (Business Visitor stream only)

You cannot work in Australia on a Visitor Visa.

What documents do I need?

1. Valid passport (bio page) and a recent passport-size photo
2. Birth certificate or national ID
3. Evidence of sufficient funds (bank statements, payslips, tax records)
4. Evidence of your reason to return home: employment letter or approved leave, business ownership, property, family ties, enrolment letter
5. Tourist stream: travel itinerary; if visiting family or friends, an invitation letter and evidence of their status in Australia
6. Sponsored Family stream: sponsorship form and documents from your sponsor (and a security bond if requested)
7. Business Visitor stream: invitation or registration for the event, letter from your employer
8. Military service record (only if you have served in the armed forces)
9. Health insurance for your stay (strongly recommended)

For the latest official requirements, visit the Department of Home Affairs – Visitor visa (subclass 600) page, or contact AUG Student Services for a free assessment.