TL;DR

• The Australia Visitor Visa (subclass 600) lets you visit family, friends, or travel for tourism.
• Stay in Australia for up to 12 months depending on your visa grant.
• Visa cost starts from AUD200 per applicant.
• You cannot work, but you can study for up to 3 months.
• Apply outside Australia through the official immigration portal.
• Multiple entry options allow flexible travel within the visa validity.
• A One Australia Education Group helps with expert guidance for a seamless visa application.

Introduction

If exploring Australia’s breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cities, and unique wildlife is on your travel bucket list, you’ll need the Australia Visitor Visa (subclass 600). This visa allows you to visit Australia for tourism, cruises, or to meet family and friends—for up to 12 months. Whether you’re planning a short getaway or an extended holiday, this visa gives you the flexibility to enjoy Australia’s charm legally and safely.

At A One Australia Education Group, we help international travellers understand their visa options, ensuring a smooth and confident Australia visitor visa application process.

What Is the Australia Visitor Visa?

The Australia Visitor Visa (Tourist stream) is a temporary visa designed for travellers who wish to visit Australia for recreational purposes. It allows you to:

• Visit family or friends.
• Tour Australia’s cities, beaches, and national parks.
• Join a cruise or holiday trip (excluding business or medical visits).

This visa is ideal for visitors who want a short-term stay without engaging in paid work. If your main purpose is study, a student visa (subclass 500) would be more suitable.

Key Highlights:

• Stay duration: Up to 12 months (usually 3 months per visit)
• Cost: From AUD200 per applicant
• Visa type: Temporary, with either single or multiple entries

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for the Australia Visitor Visa, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Intend to visit Australia only for tourism or family visits.
• Have sufficient financial means to support your stay.
• Be outside Australia at the time of application and decision.
• Have no plans to work in Australia.
• Meet health and character requirements specified by the Australian Government.

Parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents may be granted a visitor visa valid for more than 12 months, subject to individual assessment.

How Long Can You Stay in Australia?

The Australia Visitor Visa allows stays up to 12 months, depending on your specific travel plans and eligibility.

• Standard approval is typically 3 months.
• In select cases, longer stays may be approved for parents of Australian residents.
• If granted with multiple entry, you can leave and re-enter Australia while your visa remains valid.

However, you cannot extend the same visa beyond your granted stay. If you decide to stay longer, you must apply for a new visa, provided your visa doesn’t have condition 8503 (No Further Stay).

Cost and Additional Expenses

The base cost of an Australia Visitor Visa starts from AUD200. Additional costs may apply for:

• Health checks
• Police certificates
• Biometric collection

Use the Visa Pricing Estimator on the official immigration website for a more accurate cost breakdown.

Processing Time

Visa processing times can vary depending on where and when you apply. To get the most accurate timeline, check the Visa Processing Time Guide Tool on the Department of Home Affairs website.
This tool provides recent processing estimates for tourist visa applications.

Studying or Training on a Visitor Visa

You can take part in short-term courses or training for up to 3 months on an Australia Visitor Visa. However, if studying is the main reason for your travel, applying for a student visa is more appropriate.

Travel and Cruise Guidelines

If you’re entering Australia via a cruise, a visitor visa is still required.
For round-trip cruises, the time you spend on the ship counts as part of your stay in Australia. This does not reset your visa duration. To check whether your cruise qualifies as round-trip, consult your travel agent or cruise operator.

Health Insurance and Safety

While visiting Australia, travellers are responsible for their own healthcare costs. It’s strongly recommended to secure adequate travel and health insurance to cover any medical emergencies.
Australia also has reciprocal healthcare agreements with certain countries, offering limited medical benefits to eligible visitors.

Sometimes, your visa may include Condition 8501, requiring you to maintain health insurance throughout your stay.

Key Conditions of the Australia Visitor Visa

Every Australia Visitor Visa holder must:

• Abide by Australian laws.
• Avoid any form of paid work.
• Comply with visa restrictions listed in your Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) record.
• Keep your contact and personal information updated with the authorities.

If your situation changes (for example, your address or passport details), inform the Department of Home Affairs immediately through their online portal.

Can You Include Family in Your Application?

No. Each family member, including children listed on your passport, must submit a separate visitor visa application. The Australian government assesses each application individually, even if you plan to travel together.

Traveling In and Out of Australia

The visa can be issued for single entry or multiple entry:

• Single Entry: You can enter Australia once. To return, you must apply for a new visa.
• Multiple Entry: You may leave and re-enter as many times as needed during visa validity.

Before traveling, confirm your visa type and validity through VEVO or your visa grant letter.

Before You Travel

Ensure you have the following documents ready:

• A valid visitor visa.
• A valid passport or travel document.
• Completed Incoming Passenger Card upon arrival.

You can also use SmartGate, an automated border process using facial recognition technology, to speed up your airport clearance.For more guidance on visa requirements and support, explore our Canada Visa.

After You Leave Australia

When you exit the country, keep records of your travel through the International Movement Record. This document proves your visits and can be useful for future visa applications. You can request this record through the official immigration website.

Why Choose A One Australia Education Group?

At A One Australia Education Group, we go beyond English test training and study visa support — we also guide individuals through their Australia Visitor Visa process. Our team:

• Helps identify the best visa stream for your travel purpose.
• Assists in preparing accurate documentation.
• Offers consultation for parents and family visa applications.
• Keeps you informed on the latest visa updates and requirements.

With years of experience supporting international applicants, we ensure your Australia visit begins smoothly, legally, and confidently.

FAQs on Australia Visitor Visa

Do I need a visa to enter Australia?

Yes, almost all international travellers require a visa to enter Australia. Whether you’re visiting for tourism, meeting family or friends, or joining a cruise, you’ll need an Australia Visitor Visa (subclass 600) before travelling. This visa allows you to stay in the country for up to 12 months, depending on your personal circumstances and travel plans.

What types of tourist visas does Australia have?

Australia offers several visa options for tourists, but the most common one is the Australia Visitor Visa (subclass 600) under the Tourist stream. This visa lets you visit Australia for leisure, family visits, or short-term courses. There are also specialised streams like the Sponsored Family Stream and Business Visitor Stream, which apply to specific travel purposes.

How can I apply for an Australian tourist visa?

Applying for an Australia Visitor Visa is simple and can be done online through the Department of Home Affairs website. You’ll need to submit documents such as your passport, proof of funds, and travel intent letter. At A One Australia Education Group, our visa experts can guide you step-by-step, ensuring your application meets all eligibility and documentation requirements.

Can I extend a visitor visa while in Australia?

No, the Australia Visitor Visa cannot be extended. If you wish to stay longer, you must apply for a new visa before your current one expires, provided there’s no “No Further Stay” condition attached (Condition 8503). For those planning longer stays, A One Australia can help you explore other visa options suitable for your goals.

How long does it take to process an Australia Visitor Visa application?

Processing times vary depending on your nationality, the completeness of your documents, and seasonal demand. On average, it may take a few weeks. You can use the Visa Processing Time Guide Tool on the official immigration website to check recent processing time averages before applying.