The Subclass 600 visitor visa allows people to visit Australia for tourism, to visit family, or for short-term business activities. It's one of the most commonly applied-for Australian visas, with hundreds of thousands of applications lodged each year.
Streams of the Subclass 600
Tourist stream
For people visiting Australia for holidays, recreation, or to visit family and friends. Usually granted for 3, 6, or 12 months.
Business Visitor stream
For short-term business activities such as attending conferences, negotiations, or exploratory business visits. You cannot work or provide services to an Australian business on this stream.
Sponsored Family stream
For people visiting family in Australia where the family member provides a bond. This stream allows stays of up to 12 months and may be suitable for elderly parents visiting their children.
Requirements
- Genuine temporary visit — you must demonstrate you intend to return to your home country
- Financial capacity — evidence you can support yourself during your stay (or evidence of sponsorship by family in Australia)
- Health insurance — recommended but not always mandatory (mandatory for applicants over 75)
- Health and character — may need a medical examination and police clearances depending on your nationality and length of stay
- No work condition — condition 8101 (no work) is standard on tourist visas
Costs
- Tourist stream (outside Australia): $190
- Tourist stream (inside Australia): $415
- Business Visitor stream: $190
- Sponsored Family stream: $190 plus a bond (typically $5,000-$15,000)
Supporting documents
A strong tourist visa application typically includes:
- Certified copy of your passport
- Evidence of employment or business in your home country (to show ties)
- Bank statements showing sufficient funds
- Travel itinerary or flight booking
- Accommodation arrangements
- Letter of invitation from family or friends in Australia (if applicable)
- Evidence of assets in your home country (property, investments)
- Previous travel history (stamps from other countries demonstrate compliance)
Processing times
Tourist visa processing times vary significantly by nationality and stream. As of 2026, typical processing times are 1-4 weeks for straightforward applications from low-risk countries, and 1-3 months for applications from higher-risk countries or with complex circumstances.
Common reasons for refusal
- Insufficient ties to home country — if DHA isn't convinced you'll return home, the visa will be refused
- Inadequate financial evidence — unexplained large deposits, insufficient funds, or inconsistent bank statements
- Previous visa overstays — any history of overstaying visas in Australia or other countries is a major red flag
- Incomplete application — missing documents or unclear information leads to requests for further information or refusal
If your tourist visa application is complex — perhaps you've had a previous refusal, you're from a higher-risk country, or you have family in Australia and DHA may question your intention to return — a registered migration agent can strengthen your application significantly.