By the end of this guide, you’ll understand every aspect of the Visitor visa (600): its streams, eligibility, application steps, plus insider insights on entry options, common pitfalls, and special scenarios you won’t find elsewhere.

What Is the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)?

The Department of Home Affairs’ Visitor visa (subclass 600) page explains that this visa lets you enter Australia temporarily for tourism, business, or family visits. You can stay up to 3, 6 or 12 months, and you must apply from outside Australia. Its main streams are:

• Tourist stream: Holidays, recreation, visiting family or friends.
• Business Visitor stream: Short-term business activities (meetings, conferences).
• Sponsored Family stream: You need sponsorship from an eligible Australian relative.
• Approved Destination stream: Tailored for Chinese citizens under a specific scheme.

Each stream has its own fee and processing timeframe.

Who Can Apply?

You must demonstrate:

1. Genuine intention to visit and leave before your visa expires.
2. Sufficient funds to cover your stay and return travel.
3. Health and character compliance (medical checks, police certificates via AFP National Police Certificates).

Different streams may ask for additional documents, like a sponsor letter or conference invitation.

Tourist Stream

Ideal for exploring Australia’s landmarks, beaches and outback. No sponsorship required.

Business Visitor Stream

Attend meetings, negotiations or trade fairs, but you cannot work for an Australian employer.

Sponsored Family Stream

Your relative in Australia lodges a sponsorship application on your behalf. They must meet income and living-in-Australia criteria.

Approved Destination Scheme

A group-tour arrangement exclusively for Chinese citizens, often with a peak six- to eight-month validity.

Application Process & Required Documents

You can apply online or on paper. Key steps:

1. Create an ImmiAccount.
2. Complete the application form and upload documents:
3. Passport bio-data page
4. Bank statements
5. Health checks/police certificates
6. Sponsor letter (if applicable)
7. Pay the application charge.
8. Provide biometrics, if required.

Some nationalities (e.g., China, Indonesia, India) must attend a biometrics collection.

Costs and Processing Times

Fees vary by stream:

• Tourist and Business Visitor: from AUD $150
• Sponsored Family: from AUD $300
• Approved Destination: from AUD $450

Processing times (median decision to grant):

• Tourist stream: 75% in 20 days
• Business Visitor: 75% in 24 days
• Sponsored Family: up to 90 days

Single vs Multiple Entry Options

The Visitor visa (600) can be granted as single-entry or multiple-entry:

• Single-entry: You can enter once; if you leave, the visa ends.
• Multiple-entry: You can travel in and out of Australia until the visa expires.

Multiple-entry gives the most flexibility, especially if you plan side trips to New Zealand or Pacific islands.

Approval and Refusal Rates

In the 2021–22 financial year, the Visitor visa (600) grant rate was about 89%. Common refusal reasons include:

• Insufficient proof of funds
• Failure to satisfy health or character checks
• Incomplete or misleading information

“A clear paper trail and honest disclosure are your best defence against a refusal.” – Migration agent Lara Cheng

Special Cases & Insider Insights

Australia’s Visitor visa can interact with other visas and circumstances in complex ways. Here’s what you need to know beyond the basic rules:

Applicants With Prior Visa Refusals or Cancellations

You must declare all past Australian or overseas refusals. Non-disclosure can trigger a refusal or a three-year bar on reapplying.

Transitioning to Another Visa

Holding a Visitor visa doesn’t guarantee you can switch to a student or partner visa while in Australia. Often you must apply offshore and meet the new subclass requirements.

Travelling With Children

If you’re under 18 or travelling without both parents, you need:

• Consent from both guardians
• Proof of custody or guardianship arrangements

Health Insurance Recommendations

Australia’s medical costs for visitors can be steep. While not mandatory, comprehensive travel insurance is strongly advised. Smartraveller’s health advice notes that unexpected hospital bills can exceed AUD $10,000 per day.

Impact of Overstaying

Overstaying any Australian visa can lead to visa cancellation and a bar on reapplying for up to three years. See Visa Bureau’s overstay rules for more information.

COVID-19 and Public Health Conditions

During the pandemic, Visitor visa processing was suspended for some nationalities. While borders are open now, you may still need to meet health declarations or vaccination requirements before travel.

Seasonal Trends in Applications

Visitor visa lodgements peak during:

1. June–July (Northern Hemisphere summer breaks)
2. December–January (Christmas/New Year holidays)

Planning well ahead can help you avoid longer waits in busy periods.

Ready for Your Australian Adventure?

You now have a comprehensive roadmap to apply for the Visitor visa (600). From choosing the right stream and gathering documents to understanding special scenarios like overstaying penalties or travelling with minors, you can make informed choices and boost your chances of a smooth approval. Safe travels!