Australia does not offer a visa on arrival for travellers who need a visa, so the question of how to get an Australia visa has one straightforward answer for most visitors: apply online for the Visitor visa (subclass 600), Tourist stream, through the Department of Home Affairs' ImmiAccount portal. There is no interview in most cases, and the whole application is handled online — but the decision is made almost entirely from the documents you upload, so a weak file is the most common reason for refusal.
This guide walks through the whole process in order: what the subclass 600 visa is, who is eligible, every document you need, what it costs, how long it takes, and what happens after you arrive. All figures were checked against the Department of Home Affairs on 5 November 2026, and the official sources are linked at the end, because Australian visa fees and processing times change often and the official site always wins over any guide.
Required Documents — Australia Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) Checklist
Gather every item below before you start the online application. Australia assesses subclass 600 applications without an interview in most cases, so your documents have to speak for you. Missing documents are the most common cause of delay and refusal.
| Document | What it must show |
|---|---|
| 1. Valid passport | All biographical data pages, plus any old passports you hold. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned travel. |
| 2. Proof of funds — bank statements for 3 to 6 months | Bank statements on official bank letterhead, stamped and signed by your bank, showing steady income and a healthy balance. Also include an account maintenance letter confirming account ownership and opening date. |
| 3. Proof of employment or business | An employment letter confirming your position, salary, approved leave and expected date of return, plus salary slips for the last 3 months. If self-employed: business registration, tax documents and business bank statements. |
| 4. Travel itinerary and accommodation | Your planned dates, places you will visit and where you will stay. You do not need to have paid for flights before your visa is granted — a planned itinerary is enough. |
| 5. Invitation letter (if visiting family or friends) | A letter from your host in Australia, with their full name, address and visa or citizenship status, plus evidence that they can support you if they are paying for your stay. |
| 6. Genuine visitor statement (cover letter) | A short written statement explaining why you are visiting, for how long, and why you will return to your home country — your job, business, property and family ties. A vague or generic statement is a leading cause of refusal. |
| 7. Health and character documents (if asked) | Health examinations may be required depending on your circumstances and length of stay, and police certificates may be requested. You will be told in ImmiAccount if either applies to you. |
At a glance: Visitor visa (subclass 600), Tourist stream · application fee from AUD 250 · stay of 3, 6 or 12 months per entry, up to 12 months in total · Tourist stream: 50% of applications decided within 21 days, 90% within 31 days (Department of Home Affairs, published 2 November 2026) · apply online in ImmiAccount, from outside Australia · you cannot work on this visa.
What Is the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)?
The Visitor visa (subclass 600) is Australia's main visa for tourists, people visiting family and friends, and business visitors. It has four streams: Tourist, Business Visitor, Sponsored Family and Frequent Traveller. This guide covers the Tourist stream for applicants applying from outside Australia, which is the stream almost every visitor uses — for a holiday, sightseeing, a cruise, or a visit to family and friends.
With this visa you can visit family or friends, be in Australia as a tourist, go on a cruise, or visit for purposes other than business or medical treatment. You must be outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is decided, you must intend to come to Australia to visit only, you must have enough money for your stay, and you must not work in Australia. The visa is electronic: it is linked to your passport, and you can check your visa details and conditions at any time through the Department's Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service.
The Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) and the eVisitor (subclass 651) are only for passport holders of certain countries — check whether your nationality qualifies; if it does not, subclass 600 is the standard route. There is also no visa on arrival for travellers who need a visa, so do not travel to Australia hoping to get a visa at the airport.
Who Is Eligible: The Genuine Visitor Test
Eligibility for subclass 600 has three parts, and the first one is the one that decides most applications. First, you must be a genuine visitor. Under the visa rules (criterion 600.211), the case officer must be satisfied that you genuinely intend to stay in Australia only temporarily, that you will comply with your visa conditions, and that you will return home. This is judged from your whole file: your travel history, your employment or business in your home country, your income and savings, your family in your home country, property you own, and whether your planned trip makes sense for your circumstances. A first-time traveller with no job, no property and no family ties in your home country will find this much harder than someone with a steady job, a family and a clear reason to return.
Second, you must have enough money for your stay. The Department does not publish a fixed minimum amount for a visitor visa, so there is no official figure like "AUD 5,000" to aim for. Instead, the officer looks at whether your funds realistically cover your flights, accommodation, food and activities for the length of your trip. As a practical guide, many applicants show bank statements for the last 3 to 6 months with a steady income and a balance that comfortably covers the trip — a balance of around AUD 8,000 to 15,000 is often suggested for a trip of a few weeks, but that is guidance from advisers, not an official requirement. What matters most is that the money is genuinely yours, built up over time: a sudden large deposit just before applying is a red flag, and officers routinely refuse applications where the bank balance appeared overnight.
Third, you must meet the health and character requirements. Depending on your circumstances and how long you plan to stay, you may be asked to have a health examination. You may also be asked for police certificates. If you have a criminal record, a previous visa refusal, or a history of overstaying in any country, declare it honestly — the Department checks, and a false statement is far worse than a difficult fact. You must also not have any debt to the Australian Government, and you must not have had a visa cancelled or an application refused in Australia before, unless that has been resolved.
How to Apply in ImmiAccount, Step by Step
Step 1: Create an ImmiAccount and Choose the Right Stream
Go to the Department of Home Affairs website and create a free ImmiAccount with your email address. This is Australia's official online visa portal, and it is where you will lodge the application, upload documents, pay the fee, and track your progress. Select the Visitor visa (subclass 600), Tourist stream, applying from outside Australia. Do not choose the Business Visitor or Sponsored Family stream unless that is genuinely your situation — the wrong stream is a common reason for refusal.
Step 2: Fill in the Application Form
Complete the online form carefully. It asks for your personal details, passport details, travel history, employment, finances and family. Answer every question exactly as asked, and make sure the details match your passport and your documents word for word — a different spelling of your name or a different date of birth between the form and your passport will cause delays. The Department's own advice is "check twice, submit once": a decision-ready application, with everything attached on the first lodgement, is processed faster than one that needs follow-up requests.
Step 3: Upload Your Documents
Upload every document in the checklist at the top of this article. Scan documents clearly, in colour, and make sure every page is readable. Documents not in English need a certified translation. Include your genuine visitor statement (cover letter) — this is your chance to explain your trip in your own words: where you will go, how long you will stay, who you will visit, how you will pay for it, and what ties you to your home country. Keep it specific and honest; a generic letter copied from the internet hurts more than it helps.
Step 4: Pay the Fee and Lodge the Application
The visa application charge for the Tourist stream, applying from outside Australia, is from AUD 250 per person. Pay by card in ImmiAccount when you lodge. A card surcharge may apply. The fee is not refunded if your visa is refused, so do not lodge until your file is complete. Once lodged, you will get a Transaction Reference Number (TRN) — keep it safe, as you will need it to track your application.
Step 5: Give Biometrics If You Are Asked
You may be asked to provide biometrics — a photograph and a ten-finger digital fingerprint scan — at an Australian Visa Application Centre. Biometrics are usually collected by the Department's appointed service provider at a Visa Application Centre in your country — the Department's website lists the centres. If biometrics apply to you, you will receive a letter in ImmiAccount telling you to book an appointment, and you usually have 14 days from the date of the letter to provide them. Take your passport and a printed copy of the biometrics letter to the appointment. There is a separate service charge for biometrics, paid to the Visa Application Centre. Not every applicant is asked for biometrics, so do not book an appointment until ImmiAccount tells you to.
Step 6: Wait for the Decision
Once you have lodged, paid and given biometrics (if asked), the Department will assess your application. Do not book non-refundable flights or accommodation until your visa is granted — the Department itself advises you to wait. You can track your application in ImmiAccount, and if the case officer needs more information, they will contact you there. Respond quickly: waiting for information is one of the main reasons applications take longer than the published times.
Step 7: Travel and Check Your Visa Conditions
When your visa is granted, you will get a grant letter by email. Read it carefully: it states how long you can stay, whether the visa is single or multiple entry, the date by which you must first enter Australia, and any conditions attached to your visa. Your visa is electronically linked to your passport, so there is no sticker or stamp — the airline will check your visa status electronically when you check in. A "No further stay" condition (8503) is sometimes attached, which means you cannot apply for another visa while you are in Australia, so check for it before you travel.
How Much Does an Australia Visitor Visa Cost?
There are three costs to plan for: the visa application charge, the biometrics service charge if you are asked for biometrics, and the money you must show to support yourself. The figures below are from the Department of Home Affairs, checked on 5 November 2026. Fees change, so always confirm the current amounts on the official site before you pay.
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa application charge — Visitor visa (subclass 600), Tourist stream, applying outside Australia | From AUD 250 per person |
| Visa application charge — Tourist stream, applying inside Australia | From AUD 630 per person |
| Biometrics service charge (Visa Application Centre, if asked) | Payable separately to the Visa Application Centre — check the current charge on the Department's website before your appointment |
| Health examination (if asked) | Payable separately to the approved clinic — only if the Department asks you to have one |
| Money to support yourself | No fixed official amount — you must show enough to cover your whole trip (flights, accommodation, food and activities) |
The visa application charge is paid in Australian dollars in ImmiAccount, and it is not refunded if your visa is refused. Each person applying pays the fee, including children. The Department also offers a Visa Pricing Estimator on its website if you want to confirm the exact charge for your circumstances before you lodge. Be careful with agents who quote a much higher "visa fee" — the official charge is from AUD 250, and anything above that is the agent's own service fee, which should be quoted separately.
Processing Time, Stay Period and Visa Validity
For the Tourist stream, the Department of Home Affairs' global visa processing times, published on 2 November 2026, show that 50% of applications were decided within 21 days, 75% within 27 days and 90% within 31 days. These are a guide only, based on recently decided applications — they are not a promise about your application. A complete, decision-ready file is usually faster; a file with missing documents, a complex travel history or extra health or character checks can take longer. The Department advises you to apply well in advance of your travel date, and to book your flight after your visa is granted.
How long can you stay? The subclass 600 visa allows a stay of up to 12 months, and it is usually granted for 3, 6 or 12 months per entry, depending on your circumstances and what the case officer decides. The exact stay period is written on your grant letter — it is not something you choose. The visa can be granted as a single-entry or multiple-entry visa: a multiple-entry visa lets you travel in and out of Australia during its validity, but each stay is still limited to the period on your grant letter. Do not assume you can stay for 12 months just because the visa allows up to 12 months — always check your own grant letter.
What You Can and Cannot Do on a Visitor Visa
On a subclass 600 Tourist stream visa you can visit family and friends, travel around Australia as a tourist, go on a cruise, and visit for purposes other than business or medical treatment. You can also study for up to 3 months, and you can do unpaid volunteer work in some circumstances. What you cannot do is work in Australia — not even casual or online work for an overseas employer while you are in the country. Working on a visitor visa can lead to your visa being cancelled and to a ban on future visas, so do not risk it.
You also cannot stay beyond the date on your grant letter, and you cannot apply for another visa in Australia if a "No further stay" condition has been attached to your visa. If your plans change and you need to stay longer, check whether you can apply for a further Visitor visa — but note that applying inside Australia costs more (from AUD 630), and a further application made in Australia can attract an additional charge if you have already applied for a temporary visa in Australia before.
Other Australia Visa Routes, Briefly
The Visitor visa is the right route for a holiday or a family visit, but it is not the right route for everyone. If you want to study in Australia, the Student visa (subclass 500) is a separate visa: you need a Confirmation of Enrolment from a registered education provider, you must meet the Genuine Student requirement, show financial capacity, and hold Overseas Student Health Cover for the whole course. Its fee is higher than the visitor visa fee — check the current amount on the official pricing table before you apply, as student visa fees have changed several times in recent years.
If you want to work in Australia, you need a work visa, not a visitor visa. The main routes are the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), which needs an Australian employer to sponsor you for a skilled job, and the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), a points-tested visa for skilled workers who do not have an employer sponsor. Both have their own occupation lists, skills assessments and English language requirements, and both are much more involved than a visitor visa application. There is also the Working Holiday visa, but it is only open to passport holders of certain countries — check whether your nationality is eligible. If your goal is to work or study, do not apply for a visitor visa hoping to switch after you arrive — a visitor visa does not lead to work rights, and a "No further stay" condition can stop you from applying in Australia at all.
Common Reasons Australia Visitor Visa Applications Are Refused
Most refusals are not bad luck — they are paperwork problems that could have been avoided. The most common ones are: a weak genuine visitor case — no job, no property, no family ties and no travel history, so the officer is not convinced you will return; bank statements that show a sudden large deposit, or a balance that does not match your stated income; a vague travel plan with no dates, no places and no bookings; missing documents, especially missing employment proof or missing family documents; inconsistent information between the form and the documents, such as different dates of birth or different employers; and a previous refusal or overstay that was not declared. Read every question on the form slowly, answer exactly what it asks, and keep copies of everything you submit. If you are refused, read the refusal letter carefully — it tells you the exact reason, and whether you can reapply or seek a review. A refusal is not a ban, but a second application with the same weak file will usually be refused again, so fix the problem first.
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting an Australia Visa
Do I need a visa to visit Australia?
If your nationality requires a visa, yes — you need one before travelling to Australia. The usual visa for a holiday or family visit is the Visitor visa (subclass 600), Tourist stream, applied for online in ImmiAccount. There is no visa on arrival for travellers who need a visa, and the Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) and the eVisitor (subclass 651) are only for passport holders of certain countries.
How long does an Australia visitor visa take?
For the Tourist stream, the Department of Home Affairs' global processing times published on 2 November 2026 show 50% of applications decided within 21 days, 75% within 27 days and 90% within 31 days. These are a guide only — a complete application is usually faster, and a complex one can take longer. Apply well in advance and do not book non-refundable travel until your visa is granted.
Can I work in Australia on a visitor visa?
No. The subclass 600 Tourist stream visa does not allow you to work in Australia, including casual or online work. If you want to work, you need a work visa such as the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) or the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189).
Do I need biometrics for an Australia visa?
You may be asked to provide biometrics — a photograph and fingerprints — at an Australian Visa Application Centre in your country. You will be told in ImmiAccount if biometrics apply to you, and you usually have 14 days from the letter to provide them. Not every applicant is asked, so do not book an appointment until you are told to.
How long can I stay in Australia on a visitor visa?
Up to 12 months, and usually 3, 6 or 12 months per entry depending on what is granted. The exact stay period is written on your grant letter, so always check it — do not assume you can stay for 12 months.
Sources and Disclaimer
Sources (checked 5 November 2026): Department of Home Affairs — Visitor visa (subclass 600), Tourist stream (apply outside Australia) (stay up to 12 months, cost from AUD 250, online application, biometrics), Visa processing times (global processing times, published 2 November 2026: Tourist stream 50% within 21 days, 75% within 27 days and 90% within 31 days), Fees and charges for visas (current visa pricing table and Visa Pricing Estimator). Visa fees and processing times change — always re-check the official site before you apply or pay.
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not migration advice. It does not replace the official Department of Home Affairs guidance or advice from a registered migration agent. If your case is complicated — a previous refusal, a criminal record, a health issue, or a job that sits on the edge of the eligible list — speak to a registered migration agent before you apply.