Documents Checklist for Australian Visitor Visa (2025 Edition)

Visiting Australia is indeed quite exciting, all thanks to its beaches, city sights, family reunions, or a short business trip. To make that trip stress-free, you must get your paperwork right the very first time. 

This post covers a complete and up-to-date documents checklist for the Australian Visitor Visa (Subclass 600). This will assist you significantly in lodging a stronger application and reduce delays.

What is the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)?

The Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) lets people come to Australia for tourism, to visit family and friends, or for short business visits. There are several streams namely Tourist, Business Visitor, Sponsored Family, and others. 

Each stream has slightly different documentation needs. Hence, you must always pick the stream that best matches your purpose of travel. 

Quick Checklist (At-a-glance)

Here is a short checklist for you to confirm the essentials before you start the online form:-

• Valid passport (with at least 6 months’ validity recommended)

• Recent passport-size photo that meets Australian visitor visa photo requirements

• Proof of funds for Australia visitor visa (bank statements, payslips, tax returns) 

• Travel plan/itinerary and accommodation evidence

• Invitation letter for Australia visitor visa (if visiting family/friends)

• Employment or study evidence (leave letter, business docs)

• Previous travel history and previous visa copies

• Health/character documents if requested by Home Affairs. 

Detailed Documents Checklist

Now here is a detailed documents checklist that will serve you pretty well:-

1. Identity & Travel Documents

• Passport: A clear scanned copy of the biodata page; your passport must be valid for your entire stay.

• Photograph: You must follow the official specs that are typically 35 mm × 45 mm (head size and background rules apply); digital upload sizes are specified when you apply. Always consider using a high-quality and unedited colour photo.  

2. Proof Of Funds (Financial Documents)

• At least 3-6 months of bank statements showing regular income and sufficient balance.

• Payslips (last 3-6 months), employer salary letter, audited accounts if self-employed, or tax return copies.

• If a sponsor/friend will pay for you, include their bank statements and a supporting letter. Strong proof of funds for an Australian visitor visa reduces GST concerns. 

3. Purpose-of-visit Documents

• Travel itinerary (planned activities, tentative dates).

• Accommodation bookings (hotel reservations or host address).

• Invitation letter for an Australian visitor visa (if staying with a family/friend). You should state the relationship, purpose, planned dates, and whether the host is providing accommodation or financial support. If the host is a sponsor, attach evidence of their Australian residence and identity. 

4. Employment & Study Evidence

• For employed applicants- Letter from employer confirming position, salary, approved leave, and return date.

• For self-employed- Business registration, tax returns, and audited accounts.

• For students- Enrollment proof and leave approval from the institution. These documents demonstrate that you intend to return home after your visit.

5. Family Visit / Sponsored Family Stream Documents

• If applying under the Sponsored Family stream, include the sponsor’s documents (proof of Australian residence/citizenship/permanent residence, passport/ID copy, and their statutory declaration or sponsorship form). 

6. Character & Health Documents

• Police clearance certificate(s) if requested.

• Medical examination results will only be provided if Home Affairs asks for them. Not every applicant will need these, but older applicants or certain nationalities may be asked to complete health checks. 

7. Travel History & Previous Visas

• Copies of previous passports showing travel stamps and visas. 

8. Additional Supporting Documents

• Cover letter explaining the purpose of the visit, ties to the home country, and itinerary (helps the case officer).

• Evidence of property, family ties, or ongoing commitments at home (to show you intend to return).

• Any other documents requested by the visa office or shown on the local checklist (VFS/Visa application centre checklists vary by post). 

How To Lodge: Step-by-step Application Guide

Here we present before you a step-by-step guide using which you can lodge your application successfully:-

1. Create an ImmiAccount on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.

2. Select the correct stream of Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) and begin the online application.

3. Upload scanned copies of all documents (clear, legible, translated into English if necessary).

4. Pay the visa fee and book biometrics if required.

5. Respond promptly to any additional requests from Home Affairs. 

Processing Times (What To Expect In 2025)

Processing times vary by stream and by volume at the time you apply. Typical median timelines (indicative only) show Tourist stream decisions within a few weeks to a couple of months for the majority of applicants, while the Sponsored Family stream can take longer. 

You must always check the Department’s official global visa processing times tool before applying. Delays commonly occur if documents are missing or credibility questions arise. 

Common Mistakes That Cause Delays Or Refusal

Some common mistakes that can lead to unnecessary delays or even refusal of your application are as follows:-

• Uploading low-quality or cropped scans (photos, passports).

• Inconsistent information across documents (names, dates).

• Not providing translations for non-English documents.

• Missing proof that you can cover your stay or that someone will sponsor you.

• Using a generic invitation letter. You must make your invitation letter specific and supported by evidence. Following the Australia visitor visa checklist 2025 precisely reduces risk. 

You must avoid making the aforementioned mistakes at all costs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which documents are required for an Australia Visitor Visa?

For Australia Visitor Visa (Subclass 600), whether applying under the tourist, business, or family-visit stream, you generally need:

• A valid passport (with adequate validity) and a recent passport-size photograph meeting Australian visitor visa photo requirements. 

• A completed visa application form (Tourist-stream application form when relevant). 

• Evidence of financial capacity including bank statements, payslips, income tax returns, or business records to show you can fund your stay, or, if you have a sponsor, supporting financial documents from them. 

• Proof of travel purpose including tentative travel itinerary, accommodation bookings, or invitation letter (if visiting friends/family). It must also include the host’s details & visa/residence proof if applicable. 

• Evidence of strong ties to your home country such as an employment letter, business documents (if self-employed), property documents, or proof of ongoing commitments. 

• Travel history, previous visa copies (if any), and other supporting documents if required. 

• Additional documents if relevant, such as employer leave letter (if employed), business registration and financials (if self-employed), invitation letter (for family/friend visits), travel insurance, or health/character documents (if requested). 

2. How much is the 600 visa fee for Australia?

For the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600), the standard visa application fee for applicants outside Australia (offshore) is typically around AUD 200. 

If you apply while inside Australia (onshore), the fee tends to be higher (as per some sources it can be around AUD 490-AUD 500) depending on stream and conditions. 

Note: These fees are subject to change. Hence, you must always check the official fee schedule before applying.