Australia Tourist Visa (Subclass 600): Application Guide
Step-by-step guide to applying for an Australian tourist visa (Subclass 600). Covers online application via ImmiAccount, required documents, health examinations, processing times, and the difference between eVisitor and Subclass 600.
Check if you need a Subclass 600, eVisitor, or ETA
eVisitor (Subclass 651): free, for passport holders of 36 European countries — apply online, processed in seconds. ETA (Subclass 601): for passport holders of 8 countries (US, Canada, Japan, South Korea, etc.) — apply via the Australian ETA app, costs 20 AUD. Subclass 600: for everyone else, or for stays longer than 3 months. Check your eligibility at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.
Check if your passport qualifies for eVisitor (651) or ETA (601)
If neither applies, proceed with a Subclass 600 application
Select the correct Subclass 600 stream
Tourist stream: for holidays, visiting family/friends, or other short-term non-business visits (up to 12 months). Business visitor stream: for business activities like attending conferences or negotiations. Sponsored family stream: for visiting family in Australia where a family member provides a bond.
Select the Tourist stream for holiday or family visits
Select Business Visitor stream if attending professional events
Check if you have any health or character concerns
Australia has strict health and character requirements. Significant medical conditions (TB, HIV) may require additional examination. Criminal convictions — including DUI in some cases — can result in visa refusal under the character test (Section 501). Disclose everything truthfully. Consult a registered migration agent if you have concerns about health or character issues.
Create an ImmiAccount and Complete the Application
Create an ImmiAccount
All Subclass 600 applications are lodged online through ImmiAccount at online.immi.gov.au. Create an individual account with your email and a strong password. You can save your application and return to it. The system also supports attaching documents and tracking your application status.
Go to online.immi.gov.au and create an ImmiAccount
Save your login credentials securely
Start a new Subclass 600 application
Select 'New Application' > 'Visitor' > 'Visitor Visa (600)'
Select the appropriate stream (Tourist, Business Visitor, or Sponsored Family)
Complete personal and passport details
Enter all details exactly as they appear on your passport. If you have dual nationality, list both passports. The application asks about all countries you hold citizenship in, previous names, and your national identity number.
Full name and date of birth matching passport
Passport number, issue and expiry dates
Previous travel to Australia (dates and visa types)
Complete travel and stay details
Planned arrival and departure dates
Australian address during stay (hotel or host address)
Purpose of visit and planned activities
Complete health, character, and declaration sections
Answer all health and character questions honestly. Declare any criminal history, including traffic offenses, in any country. The character declaration covers convictions, pending charges, and association with criminal organizations. False declarations result in visa cancellation and a 3-year ban.
Answer health declaration questions
Answer character and criminal history questions
Sign the declaration of truthfulness
Gather and Upload Supporting Documents
Upload identity documents
Color scan of passport biographical page
Recent passport photo (45x35mm, white background)
National identity card (if applicable)
Scans of previous Australian visas or entry stamps (if any)
Upload financial documents
Australia does not specify a minimum fund amount, but you must prove you can support yourself for the entire stay. Bank statements from the last 3 months showing consistent income and a reasonable balance are the primary evidence. Include employment details and any financial support from a sponsor.
Bank statements from the last 3 months
Employment letter with salary and leave approval
Sponsor's financial documents and Form 1418 (if applicable)
Upload travel arrangement evidence
Flight bookings or itinerary (return ticket recommended)
Accommodation bookings for the duration of stay
Travel insurance covering your stay in Australia
Upload evidence of ties to home country
Demonstrate that you have reasons to return home: employment, property, family obligations, or ongoing education. The case officer must be satisfied you are a genuine temporary entrant — the GTE requirement is central to all Australian visitor visa decisions.
Employment contract or business registration
Property ownership or lease documents
Family documents (spouse, children remaining at home)
Upload invitation or sponsor documents (if visiting family/friends)
If someone in Australia is inviting you, include their signed invitation letter with their full name, address, date of birth, Australian visa status or citizenship, your relationship to them, and the dates of your visit. Attach a copy of their Australian passport or visa grant letter.
Signed invitation letter from Australian host
Host's proof of Australian citizenship or residency status
Pay Fees and Complete Health Examination
Pay the visa application fee
The Subclass 600 Tourist stream fee is 190 AUD for applications lodged outside Australia. Applications lodged inside Australia cost 415 AUD. The Business Visitor stream costs 190 AUD. Pay online via credit/debit card in ImmiAccount. Fees are non-refundable.
Pay the application fee through ImmiAccount
Save the payment confirmation and transaction reference number
Complete a health examination (if requested)
Not all applicants need a health exam — the system generates a health requirement based on your answers and country of residence. If required, the exam includes a chest X-ray (for TB screening) and general medical. Book through the Bupa Medical Visa Services portal at bfrportal.bfrgroup.net using your HAP ID from ImmiAccount. The exam costs 200-400 AUD depending on location.
Check ImmiAccount for your HAP ID and health examination requirements
Book with a Bupa-panel doctor in your country
Attend the examination (results are sent directly to the Department)
Provide biometrics (if requested)
Biometrics are required for applicants from certain countries. If requested, you will be directed to an Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC) operated by VFS Global. The biometrics collection fee is approximately 42 AUD. Complete this within the timeframe stated in your request letter.
Application Processing and Decision
Track your application in ImmiAccount
Processing times for Subclass 600 Tourist stream: 75% of applications processed within 24 days, 90% within 46 days (current estimates). Business visitor applications are typically faster. Check your ImmiAccount for status updates. Do not book non-refundable flights until the visa is granted.
Log into ImmiAccount regularly to check for updates
Respond promptly to any request for additional information
Receive the visa grant notification
Australian visas are electronic — no sticker or stamp is placed in your passport. You receive a Visa Grant Notification letter via email and in your ImmiAccount. This letter contains your visa grant number, conditions, and validity dates. Print this letter and carry it when traveling.
Verify visa validity dates and conditions
Note any visa conditions (e.g., 8101 = no work, 8201 = limited study)
Print the Visa Grant Notification letter
Handle a visa refusal (if applicable)
The Department sends a refusal letter with the specific reasons citing the Migration Act sections. Onshore applicants may have merits review rights at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). Offshore applicants generally do not have review rights and must reapply. Consult a registered migration agent if refused.
Read the refusal letter and identify the cited reasons
Check if you have review rights at the AAT
Address the refusal reasons before reapplying
Arriving in Australia
Complete the incoming passenger card
Fill out the paper or digital incoming passenger card before landing. Declare all food, plant material, animal products, wooden items, and currency over 10,000 AUD. Australia has extremely strict biosecurity laws — undeclared items result in on-the-spot fines of 660 AUD or more, and possible prosecution.
Declare all required items on the passenger card
Present passport at SmartGate or to a border officer
Pass through immigration and customs
Australian border officers can verify your visa electronically. Carry your Visa Grant Notification letter, return flight booking, accommodation details, and proof of funds in case they ask. Entry is not guaranteed — officers can refuse entry if they believe you do not intend to comply with visa conditions.
Have your Visa Grant Notification letter accessible
Carry proof of accommodation and return travel
Comply with visa conditions during your stay
Common conditions: no work (condition 8101), limited study (8201 — maximum 3 months), and must leave before visa expiry. Breaching conditions results in visa cancellation, a 3-year exclusion period, and a negative immigration record. If you need to extend your stay, apply for a new visa from within Australia before your current visa expires.
Note the 'must not arrive after' date and 'stay period' on your visa grant
Apply for a new visa before expiry if you need to extend your stay
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an ETA and a Visitor Visa for Australia?
The Electronic Travel Authority (ETA/subclass 601) is available to citizens of 8 countries (including the US, Canada, and Japan) for tourism or business stays up to 3 months, costs AUD $20, and is processed almost instantly via the AustralianETA app. The eVisitor (subclass 651) is free and available to EU and other European passport holders. The Visitor Visa (subclass 600) is for nationalities not eligible for ETA/eVisitor and for stays up to 12 months, with fees starting at AUD $190 and processing times of 1-4 weeks.
How long can I stay in Australia on a tourist visa?
ETA and eVisitor holders can stay up to 3 months per visit, with multiple entries allowed during the 12-month validity period. Visitor Visa (subclass 600) holders can be granted stays of 3, 6, or 12 months depending on the stream applied for. You cannot extend an ETA or eVisitor within Australia, but you can apply for a Visitor Visa (subclass 600) to extend your stay. Overstaying any Australian visa results in automatic cancellation and a 3-year exclusion period.
What are Australia's strict biosecurity rules?
Australia has some of the world's strictest biosecurity controls. You must declare all food, plant material, animal products, wooden items, soil, and biological specimens on your Incoming Passenger Card. Undeclared items can result in on-the-spot fines of AUD $626 or prosecution with fines up to AUD $660,000 and 10 years imprisonment. Biosecurity detector dogs and X-ray machines screen all luggage. Items commonly confiscated include fruit, meat products, seeds, honey, wooden souvenirs, and even hiking boots with soil on them. When in doubt, declare it.
Do I need travel insurance for Australia?
Travel insurance is not a visa requirement for tourists but is strongly recommended given Australia's expensive healthcare system. A doctor's visit costs AUD $60-100, an emergency room visit AUD $500-1,000+, and a hospital stay can cost AUD $2,000+ per day. Australia has no reciprocal healthcare agreement with the US (though some agreements exist with the UK, NZ, and EU countries). Medical evacuation from remote areas (Outback, Great Barrier Reef) can cost AUD $20,000-50,000 without insurance.