600 Visitor Visa Australia: Complete 2026 Guide

The Five Streams of the 600 Visitor Visa

The Subclass 600 has five streams. The Tourist stream is by far the most common — for people visiting Australia for tourism, recreation, or visiting family or friends, and allows a stay of up to 12 months. The Business Visitor stream is for people attending business meetings, conferences, or short-term business activities where they are not performing work for an Australian employer, and allows a stay of up to 3 months. The Sponsored Family stream is for people sponsored, usually by a family member, to visit that family member in Australia, and allows a stay of up to 12 months; a sponsor may be asked to pay a security bond. The Frequent Traveller stream is for citizens of a set list of countries (including China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines) who travel to Australia often for tourism or business — it can be granted for up to 10 years, with each stay capped at 3 months. The Approved Destination Status (ADS) stream is for citizens of certain areas of China visiting on a tour organised by an approved travel agent. Most applicants use the Tourist stream. If you are visiting a family member on a partner visa or other temporary visa, the Tourist stream still applies — the Sponsored Family stream is for specific circumstances where standard Tourist applications have been refused.

Who Needs a 600 Visa?

Citizens of many countries can enter Australia without a 600 visa using either the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA, subclass 601) or the eVisitor (subclass 651). ETA is available for citizens of the US, Canada, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and several other countries via a simple app application. eVisitor is available for citizens of most EU countries, the UK, and some others, and is free to apply for online. If your country is not eligible for ETA or eVisitor, you need the full Subclass 600 Visitor visa. Citizens of countries including China, India, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and most of the Middle East and Africa require a full 600 visa. Check the Department of Home Affairs website or use the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) tool to confirm which visa applies to your passport.

How to Apply and Processing Times

The 600 Tourist stream is applied for online through ImmiAccount. You will need: a valid passport; evidence of your purpose of visit (travel itinerary, hotel bookings, or evidence of family/friends to visit); evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay; evidence of ties to your home country showing you will return — employment letter, property ownership, family commitments; health insurance (highly recommended, not always required). Processing times vary significantly by nationality and individual circumstances. Straightforward applications from low-risk countries often process within 1–2 weeks. More complex applications or high-risk nationalities can take 4–12 weeks or longer. There is no guaranteed processing time for the 600 — the Department does not publish standard timeframes.

Duration and Conditions

Most 600 streams are granted for up to 12 months, but the length of any single stay is determined by the visa grant notice, not the visa validity — the Tourist stream, for example, is typically granted for 3, 6 or 12 months. The Business Visitor stream is capped at 3 months. The Frequent Traveller stream is the exception: it can be granted for up to 10 years, though each individual stay within that period is still capped at 3 months. The visa may be single or multiple entry. Key conditions: you cannot work in Australia on a 600 visa, though limited volunteer work tourism schemes may be an exception. You can study or train for up to 3 months. You must leave by the date specified in the visa. Overstaying your visa is a serious matter and can result in detention, removal, and bans from future visa applications.

When a 600 Gets Complicated

Most straightforward tourist visa applications do not need a migration agent. However, the 600 can become complex in several situations. If you have been refused a previous Australian visa — even for another country — this must be disclosed and can significantly impact your application. If you have a criminal history. If you have serious health conditions — a health examination may be required. If you are visiting a family member who is on a partner visa application — the Department may scrutinise whether your visit is genuinely temporary. If you have previously overstayed in Australia or any other country. If you are from a country with a high visa refusal rate. In these situations, a migration agent can assess your specific circumstances, advise on the strength of your application, and help you present your case effectively.

Can I extend my stay in Australia on a 600 visa?

You can apply for a new 600 visa while in Australia before your current visa expires. However, the Department may question why you need to extend — strong evidence of ongoing genuine tourist purpose and ties to your home country is important.

Can I apply for a partner visa from within Australia on a 600?

In some circumstances yes, but it is complex. Partner visa applications from people on visitor visas are scrutinised carefully. Seek migration advice before attempting this.

How much does a 600 visa cost?

The Tourist stream application fee is AUD $250 if you apply offshore, or AUD $630 if you apply onshore (rates in force from 1 July 2026). The Frequent Traveller stream is AUD $1,845. The Sponsored Family, Business Visitor and Approved Destination Status streams are each AUD $250. Additional charges may apply for health examinations and police clearances if required.

Do I need travel insurance for a 600 visa?

Travel insurance is not a legal requirement for the 600 Tourist stream but is strongly recommended. Australia does not have reciprocal healthcare agreements with most countries — medical costs can be extremely high.