At a glance: The Australia 600 visa (Subclass 600) is the country's main visitor visa, letting you travel for tourism, business, or to see family for up to 3, 6, or 12 months. It costs from AUD 195 in the Tourist stream, has no work rights, and most Tourist stream applications are decided within 18 days. This guide breaks down every stream, requirement, and step so you can apply with confidence.
What Is the Australia 600 Visa?
The Subclass 600 visitor visa is Australia's general-purpose short-stay visa. It exists for anyone whose passport doesn't qualify for the free eVisitor (subclass 651) or the AUD 20 Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) — which covers most applicants from South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and much of Asia. If you're applying from Pakistan, India, or a similar passport country, the 600 visa is almost always your route into Australia for a temporary visit.
It does not permit paid work in Australia, and any stay is capped at 12 months within an 18-month period under visa condition 8558.
Australia 600 Visa Streams
The visa has five distinct streams, and choosing the correct one matters for both approval odds and required evidence:
Tourist Stream — For holidays, sightseeing, or visiting friends informally. No sponsor needed. This is the most commonly used stream.
Sponsored Family Stream — For visiting relatives who are Australian citizens or permanent residents. The sponsor must be at least 18 and may be asked to lodge a security bond.
Business Visitor Stream — For short-term business activities like meetings, negotiations, or conferences. Paid work is still not allowed; visa condition 8115 restricts activity to business purposes only.
Approved Destination Status (ADS) Stream — For Chinese passport holders travelling with an approved tour group.
Frequent Traveller Stream — An invitation-only stream for repeat, low-risk visitors, offering longer validity at a much higher fee.
Australia 600 Visa Fees (2026)
Government charges are reviewed periodically, so always confirm the exact figure on the official Home Affairs website before paying. As things stand:
- Tourist, Business Visitor, and Sponsored Family streams: around AUD 195–250 per applicant
- Frequent Traveller stream: significantly higher, in the thousands
- Each family member included on an application pays a separate fee
- Additional costs may apply for health checks, police clearance certificates, and biometrics
Australia 600 Visa Processing Time
Processing time is one of the most searched questions around this visa, and Home Affairs publishes it as percentiles rather than a single number:
- Tourist stream: median of around 18 days, with 90% finalised within 38 days
- Business Visitor stream: fastest overall, often decided in about a week
- Sponsored Family stream: the slowest, with a median near 46 days and 90% finalised within roughly three months
These are indicative figures that shift with application volume, nationality, and season. A complete, decision-ready application at the time of lodgement remains the single biggest factor in avoiding delays.
Eligibility: The Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Requirement
Every 600 visa application is assessed against the Genuine Temporary Entrant criterion. In practice, this means demonstrating:
- A clear, credible purpose for the visit
- Strong ties to your home country — employment, property, family, or ongoing study — that indicate you intend to return
- Sufficient funds to support yourself for the full length of your stay
- A valid passport, generally with at least six months' validity beyond your intended stay
- Adequate health insurance for the duration of the trip
- No adverse health or character issues
Weak or generic GTE statements are one of the leading causes of refusal, particularly for applicants from countries with historically higher refusal rates.
Documents You'll Typically Need
- Passport bio page and any previous Australian visa history
- Evidence of financial capacity (bank statements, salary slips)
- Proof of ties to your home country (employment letter, property documents, family details)
- A travel itinerary or invitation letter (for the Sponsored Family stream)
- Health insurance details
- A genuine visitor statement explaining your travel purpose and return intentions
How to Apply for the Australia 600 Visa
All Subclass 600 applications must now be lodged online through an ImmiAccount — paper applications are no longer accepted except in exceptional, department-approved cases. The general steps are:
- Create or log into your ImmiAccount
- Select "Visitor" and then "Visitor Visa (600)"
- Choose the correct stream for your travel purpose
- Upload supporting documents and pay the visa application charge
- Complete biometrics if requested
- Track your application and respond promptly to any requests for more information
Home Affairs recommends applying at least 4–6 weeks before your planned travel date, and earlier for the Sponsored Family stream given its longer processing time.
How Edvise Hub Can Help
Putting together a strong GTE case and choosing the right stream is where most applications go wrong. Edvise Hub's migration team reviews your documents, helps structure a credible visitor statement, and guides you through ImmiAccount lodgement — reducing the risk of delays or refusal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work on an Australia 600 visa?
No. The Subclass 600 does not permit paid employment under any stream.
How long can I stay on a 600 visa?
Grants are typically for 3, 6, or 12 months, with a maximum stay of 12 months in any 18-month period.
Do I need the 600 visa if I hold a US, UK, or EU passport?
Usually not — most passport holders from these countries qualify for the ETA or eVisitor instead, which are cheaper and faster.
Can my family apply together?
Yes, but each applicant, including children, must submit a separate application and pay a separate fee.
Is travel insurance mandatory?
It isn't a strict legal requirement, but it's strongly recommended and often expected by case officers reviewing your application.
