Australian Tourist Visa (Subclass 600): Complete Guide 2026
The Australian Subclass 600 visitor visa allows you to visit Australia for tourism, business activities, or to visit family for stays of up to 3, 6, or 12 months. It costs from $190 for the Tourist stream and is available to passport holders from virtually every country. You apply online through ImmiAccount, and processing times currently range from 1 day to 27 months depending on your stream and circumstances.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Visa subclass | 600 |
| Cost | $190 (Tourist), $415 (Business Visitor), $190 (Sponsored Family), $1,120 (Frequent Traveller) |
| Processing time | Tourist: 1 day – 5 months; Business: 1–48 days; Sponsored Family: 4–27 months |
| Maximum stay | 3, 6, or 12 months (depending on grant) |
| Work rights | No — you cannot work on this visa |
| Apply from | Outside Australia (most streams), or inside Australia (in some cases) |
| Age requirement | None |
| Health insurance | Recommended but not mandatory |
What Is the Subclass 600 Visa?
The Subclass 600 is Australia's general visitor visa. It replaced the old Subclass 676 (Tourist) and Subclass 956 (Electronic Travel Authority Business) visas in 2013. If you don't qualify for a free eVisitor (Subclass 651) or an ETA (Subclass 601), the Subclass 600 is your go-to option for visiting Australia.
This visa covers four distinct streams, each designed for different types of visitors. You'll need to pick the right stream when you apply — get this wrong and your application could be refused.
Tourist Stream
The most common stream. Suitable for holidays, visiting friends, or recreational activities in Australia. You apply online through ImmiAccount. Most applicants receive a visa valid for 3 or 6 months, though 12-month grants are possible for applicants with strong ties to their home country.
Business Visitor Stream
For short-term business activities — attending conferences, negotiating contracts, or exploring business opportunities. You can't actually work or provide services to an Australian business. Think of it as a visa for business discussions, not business operations.
Sponsored Family Stream
If you have a family member in Australia willing to act as your sponsor, you can apply under this stream. The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. Processing times are significantly longer — currently up to 27 months.
Frequent Traveller Stream
Designed for business visitors who need to travel to Australia regularly. Grants a visa valid for up to 10 years with stays of up to 3 months each visit. The $1,120 application charge reflects the extended validity. You must be invited to apply for this stream — it's not open to everyone.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a Subclass 600 visa, you must meet several core requirements. The Department of Home Affairs will assess your application against all of these criteria.
Genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirement: You must genuinely intend to visit temporarily and return home. The department looks at your immigration history, circumstances in your home country (employment, family, assets), and conditions in Australia. If they suspect you're using a tourist visa as a backdoor to staying long-term, expect a refusal.
Financial capacity: You need enough money to support yourself during your stay. There's no fixed amount, but bank statements showing sufficient savings — typically $5,000–$10,000 for a short visit — help your case. If someone in Australia is supporting you financially, include evidence of their capacity.
Health and character requirements: You must be of good character and may need to undergo health examinations. Applicants from higher-risk countries or those staying longer than 3 months are more likely to require medical checks.
Health insurance: While not a formal visa condition, the Department of Home Affairs strongly recommends adequate health insurance. Australia's public healthcare system does not cover visitors (except citizens of countries with reciprocal healthcare agreements like the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, and a handful of others).
How to Apply for the Subclass 600
Applying for the Subclass 600 visa is a straightforward online process, though gathering the right documents takes effort. Here's the step-by-step process.
Step 1: Create an ImmiAccount. Head to the Department of Home Affairs website and set up your ImmiAccount. This is the online portal for almost all Australian visa applications.
Step 2: Select the correct stream. Choose Tourist, Business Visitor, Sponsored Family, or Frequent Traveller. If you're unsure, Tourist is the default for most holiday and family visit applications.
Step 3: Complete the application form. Fill in your personal details, travel plans, employment history, and family information. Be thorough and honest — inconsistencies trigger additional scrutiny.
Step 4: Upload supporting documents. At minimum, you'll need:
- Colour scan of your passport bio page
- Recent passport-sized photograph
- Bank statements (last 3 months)
- Evidence of employment or business (leave approval, employment letter)
- Travel itinerary or flight bookings (not mandatory but helpful)
- For family visits: invitation letter from your host in Australia
Step 5: Pay the visa application charge. $190 for Tourist and Sponsored Family streams, $415 for Business Visitor, or $1,120 for Frequent Traveller. Payment is by credit card through ImmiAccount.
Step 6: Wait for a decision. You can track your application status through ImmiAccount. Do not make non-refundable travel bookings until your visa is granted.
Processing Times
Processing times for the Subclass 600 vary dramatically depending on the stream and your individual circumstances.
| Stream | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist | 1 day | 8 days | 27 days | 5 months |
| Business Visitor | 1 day | 2 days | 9 days | 48 days |
| Sponsored Family | 2 months | 5 months | 14 months | 27 months |
| Frequent Traveller | By invitation only | Varies | Varies | Varies |
The Business Visitor stream is processed fastest — often within days. The Tourist stream has gotten slower, particularly for applicants from countries with high refusal rates. Sponsored Family applicants should plan well ahead; the 27-month wait at the 90th percentile means some people wait over two years.
Why Are Processing Times So Long?
Several factors influence wait times: your nationality, completeness of your application, whether additional checks (security, health) are required, and seasonal demand. Applications lodged before peak travel seasons (December–February) tend to face longer queues.
Visa Conditions and Restrictions
Your Subclass 600 visa will come with specific conditions attached to the grant. Common conditions include:
- Condition 8101: You must not engage in any work in Australia. This means no paid employment, no freelancing, and no volunteering that would otherwise be a paid position.
- Condition 8201: Maximum stay period (3, 6, or 12 months as specified on your grant).
- Condition 8503 (if applied): "No further stay" — you cannot apply for another visa while in Australia. This is a significant restriction. If 8503 is on your visa, you must leave before it expires with no exceptions.
- Condition 8558: You must not stay in Australia for more than 12 months in any 18-month period.
Check your visa grant letter carefully for conditions. Breaching any condition can result in visa cancellation and a ban from future Australian visas.
Tips for a Strong Application
Getting a Subclass 600 visa isn't guaranteed — refusal rates for some nationalities exceed 20%. Here's how to strengthen your application.
Show strong ties to your home country. Property ownership, ongoing employment, enrolled children in school, and family obligations all demonstrate you'll return home. A single, unemployed applicant with no assets faces more scrutiny than a married homeowner with a stable job.
Provide a clear travel itinerary. Even a rough plan helps. "I want to visit Sydney and Melbourne for two weeks" is better than a blank travel plan. It shows you've actually thought about your trip.
Don't over-apply. If you've been refused before, address the reasons for refusal directly in your new application. Repeatedly applying without addressing concerns wastes your money and damages your immigration history.
Use a migration agent if your case is complex. If you have previous visa refusals, a criminal record, or health issues, a registered migration agent can help present your case effectively. Only use agents registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA).
Extending Your Stay
Already in Australia and want to stay longer? You may be able to apply for a new Subclass 600 visa from within Australia — but only if your current visa doesn't have condition 8503 (No Further Stay) attached.
Applying onshore costs an additional $190, and you'll receive a Bridging Visa A while your application is processed. This bridging visa lets you stay lawfully in Australia until a decision is made. However, consecutive tourist visa applications raise red flags. If the department believes you're trying to live in Australia on rolling tourist visas, expect a refusal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work on a Subclass 600 tourist visa?
No. The Subclass 600 visa explicitly prohibits work. You cannot engage in paid employment, operate a business, or perform work in exchange for accommodation. Violating this condition can result in visa cancellation and a three-year exclusion period from Australia. If you need to work, consider a Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) or an employer-sponsored visa.
How long can I stay in Australia on a Subclass 600?
Your maximum stay is specified on your visa grant — typically 3, 6, or 12 months. The Frequent Traveller stream allows multiple entries over up to 10 years, with each stay limited to 3 months. You must not accumulate more than 12 months in any 18-month period regardless of your grant.
Can I apply for a Subclass 600 if I'm eligible for an ETA or eVisitor?
Technically yes, but there's no reason to. The ETA (Subclass 601) and eVisitor (Subclass 651) are faster, cheaper (free or $20), and processed almost instantly. Only apply for a Subclass 600 if you need to stay longer than 3 months or don't qualify for the other options.
Do I need to show a return flight booking?
No, a return flight booking is not mandatory. However, having one strengthens your application by demonstrating you intend to leave Australia. At minimum, show you have sufficient funds to purchase a return ticket.
Can I study on a Subclass 600 visa?
You can study for up to 3 months on a tourist visa. If your course is longer than 3 months, you'll need a Student Visa (Subclass 500). Short courses, language classes, and recreational courses under 3 months are fine on a Subclass 600.
