Visitor visa (subclass 600)
Updated 22 July 2026
This is general information, not migration advice. Visa rules, fees and eligibility change often — always confirm on the Department of Home Affairs website, and speak to a registered migration agent about your own situation.
Overview
The Visitor visa (subclass 600) is a temporary visa that lets you visit Australia as a tourist, to see family and friends, to take a cruise, or for business visitor activities. It has several streams (Tourist stream applied for outside Australia, Tourist stream applied for in Australia, Business Visitor stream, Approved Destination Status stream, Frequent Traveller stream and Sponsored Family stream) and each stream has a different cost, ranging from AUD250.00 to AUD1,845.00. On the Tourist stream you can visit family and friends or be here as a tourist or for a cruise, you can study or train for up to 3 months, but you cannot work in Australia. The steps and eligibility below are those published for the main Tourist stream (apply outside Australia). How long you can stay: Up to 12 months. For the Tourist stream (apply outside Australia) the Department states: "Generally, we grant a stay period of 3 months. We might grant a stay of up to 12 months in certain circumstances." You can stay for the period or dates specified on the visa grant letter, and the visa can be granted with a single entry or multiple entry.
Step by step
Step 1: Step 1 - Before you apply: check your passport is valid (get a new one before you apply if you plan to), organise any health examinations, and decide if you will get help with your application from a registered migration agent, legal practitioner or exempt person.
Step 2: Step 2 - Gather your documents: include as much supporting information as possible, with English translations, and scan or photograph all documents in colour so they are legible (the Department may decide your application without asking you for more information).
Step 3: Step 3 - Apply for the visa: apply online, providing accurate information.
Step 4: Step 4 - After you apply: do not travel until the visa is granted, provide biometrics and health examinations if asked, attach more information if needed, correct any mistakes on your application, and tell the Department if your situation changes.
Step 5: Step 5 - Visa outcome: the Department tells you the decision in writing; if granted you get your visa grant number, start date and conditions.
Eligibility & requirements
- Meet our health requirement.
- Meet our character requirement.
- Pay your debts to the Australian government - if you owe the Australian government money, you must have paid it back, or have arranged to pay it back.
- Have enough money - you must have, or have access to, enough money to support yourself while you are in Australia.
- Be a genuine visitor - you must only intend to stay temporarily in Australia and to obey any condition and stay period attached to your visa.
- Best interests of the child - the visa might not be granted if it is not in the best interests of an applicant under 18.
- For the Tourist stream (apply outside Australia): you must be outside Australia when you apply and when we decide your visa, you must intend to come to Australia to visit only, and you must not work in Australia.
Costs
| Item | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| Application charge - Tourist stream (apply outside Australia) | From AUD250.00 (concessions apply in limited circumstances). |
| Application charge - Tourist stream (apply in Australia) | From AUD630.00 (concessions apply in limited circumstances). |
| Application charge - Business Visitor stream | AUD250.00 (concessions apply in limited circumstances). |
| Application charge - Approved Destination Status stream (organised tour groups from the People's Republic of China) | AUD250.00 |
| Application charge - Frequent Traveller stream | AUD1,845.00 (concessions apply in limited circumstances). |
| Application charge - Sponsored Family stream | AUD250.00 (concessions apply in limited circumstances). We might ask your sponsor to pay a security bond. |
| Other costs (health checks, police certificates, biometrics) | Current fee is published on the Home Affairs page for this visa — see Key links. |
Key links
- Visitor visa (subclass 600) - main page (opens the official website)
- Tourist stream (apply outside Australia) (opens the official website)
- Tourist stream (apply in Australia) (opens the official website)
- Business Visitor stream (opens the official website)
- Frequent Traveller stream (opens the official website)
- Sponsored Family stream (opens the official website)
- Visa Pricing Estimator (opens the official website)
- Health requirement (opens the official website)
- Character requirement (opens the official website)
- Explore visa options (visa finder) (opens the official website)
Contacts
- Registered migration agent (MARA)
- For advice about your own circumstances, use a registered migration agent or a legal service. This page is general information only.