Australia Visitor Visa (Subclass 600): Application Process and Requirements

Visiting Australia (whether for business meetings, holidays, or to see family) starts with getting the right visa. The Australia Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) happens to be the most common route for short-term stays. 

In this guide, you’ll find a clear breakdown of the Subclass 600, its streams, the Australia Visitor Visa process, required documents, common pitfalls, processing expectations, and practical tips to help you lodge a strong application. 

So without further ado, let’s proceed.

What is the Australia Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)?

The Australia Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) lets people visit Australia temporarily for tourism, to visit family or friends, or to engage in short business activities. It has several streams depending on the purpose of your visit. Each of the streams has slightly different conditions and document requirements. 

The visa can allow single or multiple entries. It can also permit stays of up to 12 months depending on the stream and circumstances. 

Streams under Subclass 600

Streams under Subclass 600 consist of the following:-

• Tourist Stream- This is for holidays, visiting friends/family, or other non-business visits. This stream is the typical choice for travelers. 

• Business Visitor Stream- This stream is for short business visits such as meetings, conferences, or negotiations (not for long-term work). 

• Sponsored Family Stream- This stream serves its purpose when an eligible Australian sponsor (usually a family member) supports your visit. This stream often requires the sponsor to provide additional documents. 

• Approved Destination Status (ADS) Stream- This stream is for nationals from specific countries visiting on an organised tour. 

Choosing the correct stream at the start assists you in saving time and reduces the risk of refusal.

Key Eligibility Criteria

All applicants must meet baseline requirements. Those include having a valid passport, a genuine intention to stay temporarily, adequate financial capacity for the trip, and meeting health and character requirements. 

Immigration officers will assess whether you intend to return home after your visit and whether you have sufficient funds to support the stay. You must be well-prepared to show clear and consistent evidence for these points.

The Australia Visitor Visa Process

Now let’s go through the step-by-step process of getting the Australia Visitor Visa:-

1. Decide the correct stream

Start by reviewing the stream descriptions and pick the one that matches the purpose of your visit. 

2. Gather supporting documents

Typical documents include passport bio-data, proof of funds (bank statements, payslips), travel itinerary, accommodation bookings, an invitation letter if visiting family, and evidence of ties to your home country (employment letters, property documents). You can rely on VFSGLOBAL / embassy checklists to ensure you don’t miss anything. 

3. Lodge the application online

Most Subclass 600 applications are submitted via the Department of Home Affairs online portal (ImmiAccount). You must follow the instructions, upload scanned documents, and answer all questions truthfully. 

4. Pay the visa fee & provide biometrics (if requested)

Fees and biometrics requirements can depend on your location and application stream. You must always check the current fee schedule on the official site before paying. 

5. Wait for a decision

Processing times vary by stream, applicant nationality, completeness of documents, and whether more checks are needed. You may be asked to provide additional documents or attend an interview. 

Documents you should prepare

While content and quantity may vary by country/stream, common documents include the following:-

• Passport bio-data page and copies.

• Recent passport-sized photograph(s).

• Proof of funds including recent bank statements, payslips, or tax records.

• Travel itinerary and accommodation bookings.

• Invitation letter and sponsor documents (for the Sponsored Family Stream).

• Employment letter or evidence of ongoing ties to your home country (to show intent to return).

• Health insurance (recommended) and any required medical certificates (if requested).

• Official checklists by consulates or VFS Global tailored to your country are invaluable for ensuring your application is complete. 

Common reasons for refusal (and how to avoid them)

Now let’s throw some light on the most common reasons for refusal and how you can avoid them:-

• Incomplete or inconsistent documentation

You must always cross-check that details match across the passport, application form, and supporting papers.

• Insufficient evidence of funds. You must provide clear bank statements with transaction history and, if applicable, the sponsor’s financial proof as well.

• Weak ties to home country Consider strengthening your case with employment letters, property documents, family commitments, or return tickets.

• Health or character issues

You must declare any relevant matters and be ready for additional checks.

A careful, truthful, and well-documented application reduces the risk of refusal significantly. 

Processing times & fees (what to expect)

Processing times vary widely depending on the stream and the applicant’s country. Official tools on the Department of Home Affairs website provide up-to-date processing indicators. Anecdotal averages (which change frequently) show many Tourist stream applications processed within a few weeks, while sponsored family and special streams may take longer. 

You must always check the Department’s processing time tool for current estimates before applying. 

Visa application charges can change. Recent announcements (effective from July 2025) adjusted a range of visa fees. Hence, applicants should confirm the current Subclass 600 fee on the official Home Affairs page before payment. If you apply via a visa application centre (VFS / local partner), additional service fees may apply. 

Practical Tips For A Successful Application

Here are some practical tips you can rely on for a successful application:-

• Apply early

Allow plenty of time for document collation and processing, especially during peak travel seasons.

• Use official checklists

Follow embassy-specific or VFS checklists to avoid omissions. 

• Be consistent

Ensure the purpose described in your application matches your itinerary and supporting letters.

• Demonstrate intent to return

Strong ties to your home country are often the deciding factor in visitor visa decisions.

• Keep records organized

Clear and labeled PDFs with dates and translations (if needed) help visa officers review your case efficiently.

Apply with confidence (and expert help)

The Australia Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) is a flexible option for short-term travel. However, its success depends on choosing the right stream, providing clear evidence, and meeting the visa requirements. For numerous applicants, having expert guidance reduces stress, prevents mistakes, and speeds up the process.

If you want a smooth, professional, and reliable application experience, Visa Empire is here to help. As the best visitor visa agent in Perth, we specialise in the Australia Visitor Visa process; right from selecting the correct Subclass 600 stream to checking your documents and lodging the application. Let our team guide you step-by-step so you can focus on planning your trip.

Ready to visit Australia? 

Contact Visa Empire today and let us make your visitor visa application simple and successful.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the requirements for a Visitor Visa in Australia?

The requirements for an Australian Visitor Visa include having a valid passport, a genuine intention to stay temporarily, sufficient financial resources to support your stay, and meeting health and character standards. You may also need to show strong ties to your home country (such as family, employment, or property) to prove that you intend to return after your visit.

2. What is the process of an Australia Tourist Visa?

The Australia Visitor Visa process (Tourist Stream under Subclass 600) involves selecting the right visa stream, gathering documents, lodging your application for the Australia Visitor Visa online via the Department of Home Affairs portal, paying the visa fee, and waiting for a decision. You might also be required to provide biometrics or additional documents during the process.

3. What documents do I need for a Visitor Visa?

You’ll need several supporting documents for your Australia Visitor Visa application, such as:-

• A valid passport

• Recent passport-sized photographs

• Bank statements or financial evidence

• Travel itinerary and accommodation details

• Invitation letter (if applicable)

• Health insurance (recommended)

Providing complete and accurate documentation strengthens your case and helps avoid delays.

4. What is the procedure of a Visitor Visa?

The procedure of a Visitor Visa starts by identifying the appropriate stream (Tourist, Business Visitor, or Sponsored Family). You then gather required documents, fill out the online form, pay the fee, and submit your application. The Department of Home Affairs assesses whether you meet the Genuine Temporary Entrant criteria and other visa conditions before making a decision.

5. What are valid reasons for a Visitor Visa?

Valid reasons for applying for a Visitor Visa to Australia include tourism, visiting family or friends, attending business meetings or conferences, or participating in short recreational courses. It’s important that your purpose aligns with the stream you apply for. For instance, tourists should apply under the Tourist Stream, while business travelers should choose the Business Visitor Stream.

6. How to make a strong Visitor Visa application?

To make a strong Australia Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) application:-

• Choose the correct visa stream for your visit purpose.

• Provide clear proof of financial capacity.

• Demonstrate genuine intent to return home.

• Ensure all documents are accurate and consistent.

• Apply well in advance of your travel date.