Need a quick response? Call us on 1300 919 717
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)
Reviewed by Mohammad Saghir Khan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN 1170510)Last reviewed:
The Visitor visa (subclass 600) lets you visit Australia for tourism, to see family or friends, or for business visitor activities, usually for up to 3, 6 or 12 months. You cannot work, and you can study for no more than 3 months. You must show you are a genuine visitor who intends to leave, with enough money for your stay. Most people apply online from outside Australia, and the Tourist stream costs AUD 250 from outside Australia from 1 July 2026.
Visitor Visa (600) at a Glance
| Visa type | Temporary |
|---|---|
| Streams | Tourist (outside or in Australia), Sponsored Family, Business Visitor, Approved Destination Status, Frequent Traveller |
| Stay | Up to 3, 6 or 12 months, as stated on your grant (Business Visitor up to 3 months) |
| Work | Not allowed. Study or training up to 3 months |
| Key requirement | Genuine visitor with enough money for your stay |
| Government charge | Tourist from outside Australia AUD 250; in Australia AUD 630; Frequent Traveller AUD 1,845 (from 1 July 2026) |
| Processing (90%) | Tourist 33 days, Sponsored Family 3 months, Business Visitor 19 days (updated 29 September 2026) |
| Pathway to PR | None |
Visitor Visa Streams
| Stream | For | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist (outside Australia) | Holidays, visiting family or friends | Apply and be decided outside Australia. Stay up to 12 months |
| Tourist (in Australia) | People already in Australia who want to stay longer as a visitor | You must hold a substantive visa. Usually not granted if you would stay more than 12 months in a row |
| Sponsored Family | Visiting family who sponsor you | Apply from outside Australia. The sponsor may be asked for a security bond. "No further stay" condition 8503 is usually imposed |
| Business Visitor | Conferences, negotiations, exploring business opportunities | Up to 3 months. You cannot work for, or provide services to, an Australian business |
| Frequent Traveller | Passport holders of China, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor-Leste | Valid up to 10 years, with stays of up to 3 months each visit |
Showing You Are a Genuine Visitor
Home Affairs looks at whether you intend to stay only temporarily. Evidence that helps includes:
- employment or study you are returning to, such as a leave approval letter
- family, property or business ties in your home country
- bank statements showing enough money for your trip, or a sponsor's support
- your travel history, including complying with past visa conditions
- an invitation letter from family in Australia, if you are visiting them.
Conditions to Know
- No work: you cannot work, including online work for an Australian business. Volunteering may be allowed in limited cases.
- 8503 No Further Stay: if imposed, you cannot apply for most other visas while in Australia. A waiver is only possible in limited circumstances. Decode your conditions with our visa conditions decoder.
- Multiple-entry visas: you should not spend more than 12 months in Australia in any 18-month period.
- Health insurance: strongly recommended, and condition 8501 may require it. Visitors are generally not covered by Medicare.
Planning to study? Visitor visa holders cannot apply for a Student visa while in Australia, with no exemptions. If you want to study, apply for a Student visa from outside Australia.
How to Apply
- Choose your streamTourist for most holidays and family visits, Sponsored Family if a relative will sponsor you, or Business Visitor for business activities.
- Prepare your evidencePassport, bank statements, employment or study letters, travel plans and, if visiting family, an invitation letter.
- Lodge onlineApply in ImmiAccount and pay the charge. Some applicants must provide biometrics.
- Complete any health checksHealth examinations may be required depending on your country and length of stay.
- Travel and follow your conditionsCheck your grant letter for your stay period and conditions, and leave before your visa ends.
How Aussie ASEAN Can Help
A refused visitor visa stays on your record, so it pays to apply properly the first time. We choose the right stream, prepare a clear statement and evidence of your genuine visit, help Australian families sponsor their relatives, and advise on what to do if a visitor visa has been refused.
Free tools for this visa
Related visas
Every case is different. Talk to a Registered Migration Agent about your Visitor Visa (600) before you lodge.
Book a consultationSources: Home Affairs: Visitor visa (600) · Sponsored Family stream · Frequent Traveller stream · Global visa processing times
Frequently Asked Questions
Plain-English answers to the questions we are asked most often.
What is the 600 visa?
The Visitor visa (subclass 600) is a temporary visa for tourism, visiting family or friends, or business visitor activities in Australia. It does not allow you to work.
How long can I stay on a visitor visa?
Usually up to 3, 6 or 12 months, as stated on your grant letter. Business Visitor stream visas allow up to 3 months, and Frequent Traveller visas allow up to 3 months per visit over up to 10 years.
Can I work on a visitor visa?
No. Visitor visa holders cannot work in Australia or provide services to an Australian business. You can study or train for up to 3 months.
How much does a visitor visa cost?
From 1 July 2026 the Tourist stream costs AUD 250 if you apply from outside Australia and AUD 630 if you apply in Australia. The Frequent Traveller stream costs AUD 1,845. Each person applies separately.
Can I apply for a Student visa while on a visitor visa?
No. Visitor visa holders cannot apply for a Student visa while they are in Australia, and there are no exemptions. You must apply from outside Australia.
What is condition 8503?
Condition 8503 "No Further Stay" means you cannot be granted most other visas while you remain in Australia. It is usually imposed on Sponsored Family stream visas and can be waived only in limited circumstances, such as compelling circumstances beyond your control.
How long does a visitor visa take?
Home Affairs figures updated on 29 September 2026 show 90% of Tourist stream applications decided within 33 days, Sponsored Family within 3 months and Business Visitor within 19 days. Apply well before you plan to travel.
Why are visitor visas refused?
Common reasons are not showing you are a genuine visitor, such as weak ties to your home country or unclear travel plans, not enough money for the trip, a poor immigration history, or incomplete documents.
Unlock Your Immigration Potential
Take the First Step Towards
Your Immigration Goals
Begin your immigration journey today with the right advice, personalized solutions
and a clear path forward.