Tourist Visas Australia
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Australia is a postcard-perfect mix of kangaroos, coral reefs, cosmopolitan cities, and sun-drenched coastlines. Whether you’re dreaming of snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, exploring the cultural vibrance of Sydney, or embarking on an outback adventure, an Australian tourist visa is your gateway to it all.
Through this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about tourist visas in Australia. We will cover types of visas, their specific requirements, application steps, costs, processing times, and much more.
Let’s get started.
Types of Tourist Visas in Australia
Now let’s throw some light on the types of tourist visas in Australia:-
- Visitor Visa (subclass 600)
This is the most versatile short-term visa, suitable for tourism, visiting family/friends, or cruising. It covers multiple streams:
- Tourist Stream Application
This is ideal for purely recreational visits. It allows stays for up to 12 months.
- Sponsored Family Stream
If you’re invited by an Australian relative, the sponsored family stream may apply.
- Business Visitor Stream
If part of your trip involves meetings or conferences, the business visitor stream applies.
- eVisitor Visa Australia (Subclass 651)
It is a free, multi-entry visa for eligible EU and EEA passport holders. Each stay can be up to 3 months within a rolling 12-month period.
- Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)
This is an automated visa type for selected countries. It allows multiple short visits and incurs a small service fee (~AUD 20). All of this makes it ideal for U.S., Asian, and some other passport holders.
- 3 Year Multiple Entry Visa Australia
It was previously issued under Visitor (subclass 600) for “frequent travellers,” and offered an extended validity for select nationalities, such as eligible Chinese and ASEAN citizens.
Tourist Visa Australia Requirements
In order to apply for an Australian tourist visa, you generally need to have the following :
- Valid passport from an eligible country.
- Evidence that your visit is solely for tourism or visiting friends/family.
- Sufficient funds to cover your stay.
- Health and character clearance.
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended).
- If applying under the requirements for a tourist visa in Australia with a sponsor, you’ll need an invitation letter and possibly proof of their financial capacity as well.
The aforementioned are the core tourist visa Australia requirements that the Department of Home Affairs emphasizes.
Documents Required for an Australian Tourist Visa
Here’s a breakdown of documents you must prepare:
- Valid Passport- Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure.
- Completed Application Form (subclass 600)- It is available on the official site or via ImmiAccount.
- Passport-size Photos- You must have two recent, plain-background photos meeting specifications.
- Financial Evidence- These include bank statements, payslips, or sponsor’s documents (if applicable).
- Travel Itinerary & Accommodation Confirmation
- Health Insurance- This one is especially important for lengthy stays.
- Invitation Letter and Support Documents- They are needed if you are applying with a sponsor.
- Character & Health Certificates- Depending on your stay length or personal circumstances.
- Additional Docs (if applicable)- These may include employment proof, property ownership, or school enrollment to show ties to the home country.
Tourist Visa Australia Price & Fees
Visa fees vary based on subclass and when you apply. The tourist visa for Australia price can be estimated using the Home Affairs’ visa pricing estimator. You must know that fees are subject to change, thus checking the official tool for accurate pricing is advised.
Tourist Visa Australia Processing Time
One of the unique advantages of visitor visas is their processing efficiency.
According to the Department of Home Affairs, the Visitor visa processing time is less than one day (median) in their temporary visa program as of July 2025. For accurate estimates, you must rely on the government’s global processing time tool.
Step-by-Step: Australia Tourist Visa Application
Here we present before you a quick step-by-step guide to your Australia tourist visa application process:-
- Select the right visa type– You must start by deciding between Visitor (subclass 600), eVisitor, or ETA and selecting the one that suits your primary interests.
- Prepare documents– Afterwards, you must prepare the documents. Using checklists to ensure completeness can be helpful for that.
- Lodge via ImmiAccount (or paper if necessary).
- Pay the application fees using the estimator tool.
- Submit and wait– Processing is often swift, but you must track it via your account.
- Receive decision– You must submit any follow-up info promptly if that is requested.
Conditions of an Australian Tourist Visa
You must keep the following conditions in mind:-
- Duration is typically up to 12 months for subclass 600.
- Work is not permitted.
- A short-term study (up to 3 months) is usually allowed.
- Tourist visas may be extended only if you applied before expiry and don’t have a “No Further Stay” condition.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When preparing your Australia tourist visa application you must avoid the following pitfalls at all costs:-
- Missing documentation or incomplete forms.
- Failing to disclose past visa refusals.
- Insufficient proof of funds or lack of ties to your home country.
- Booking flights before receiving your visa.
- Overlooking sponsor-related requirements when applying for support.
Applying for a visa can indeed be quite daunting. But you don’t have to go at it alone.
Visa Empire simplifies the process with expert support for Australian tourist visas, right from stream selection to document preparation and timely submission. Book a free consultation and take a confident step toward your dream Australian getaway.
Conclusion
Ready to plan your Aussie adventure? Whether you’re heading to the Outback, visiting relatives, or basking on Bondi Beach, understanding the Visitor visa (subclass 600), eVisitor visa Australia, or ETA options is crucial. This guide outlines everything; right from tourist visa Australia requirements and estimated processing times, to the tourist visa Australia price and the application checklist.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) by completing the application online via ImmiAccount. Start by choosing the correct stream (Tourist, Sponsored Family, or Business Visitor) depending on your purpose. Then submit your documents, pay the fee, and wait for approval.
A standard Visitor visa (subclass 600) typically costs around AUD 200, though this may vary based on your location or stream type (Tourist, Family Sponsored, etc.). Confirm current rates using the official visa pricing estimator.
For an Australian tourist visa, there’s no fixed bank balance required. Instead, you must show you have enough funds to cover your stay. This can be proven with bank statements, pay slips, tax records, audited accounts, or a credit card limit. If a host is covering your expenses, a support letter may be needed.
You may also be asked to provide evidence of ties to your home country (such as employment, studies, property, or close family) to confirm your intention to return.
Under the Visitor visa (subclass 600), you may be granted a stay of up to 12 months, with the length depending on the stream and your circumstances.
In order to apply for an Australian tourist visa, you must take the following steps:-
- Lodge your visitor stream application via ImmiAccount.
- Upload required documents (bank statements, travel itinerary, etc.).
- Pay the visa charge.
- Track your application and respond to any requests promptly.
Under the Sponsored Family stream of subclass 600, Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens can sponsor certain family members, including siblings, parents, and other dependents.
It’s a versatile short-term visa that lets visitors enter Australia for tourism, visiting, or business discussions. Available streams include Tourist, Sponsored Family, and Business Visitor.
As of 2025, Australia is accepting tourism visa applications. While visa processing has improved across temporary visa programs, global processing times vary.
You must apply well in advance, ideally 4–6 weeks before your planned travel, to accommodate processing times and avoid disruptions. This approach is especially recommended for ETAs.