Subclass 600 Visitor Visa: Complete Guide for Tourists and Business Travellers (2026)
Published 2026-02-14
Key Facts — Subclass 600 at a Glance
Visa type: Temporary visitor visa. Application cost (2025–26): $190 (Tourist stream), $415 (Business Visitor stream). Processing time: 1–4 weeks for most tourist applications; longer for complex cases. Duration: Usually 3, 6, or 12 months (up to 12 months for Tourist stream). Work rights: None — you cannot work on a Visitor Visa. No age limit. No formal English requirement. You must have genuine temporary purpose and intend to leave before the visa expires.
What is the Subclass 600 Visitor Visa?
The Subclass 600 Visitor Visa allows people to visit Australia for tourism, visiting family and friends, or business purposes. It is the most commonly granted Australian visa, with millions issued each year. Many nationalities can visit Australia without a separate 600 visa — citizens of eligible countries can use an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority, Subclass 601) or eVisitor (Subclass 651) instead. The 600 visa is primarily for nationalities that are not eligible for the ETA or eVisitor, or for visitors who need a longer stay than those visas allow. If you hold a passport from the United Kingdom, most European countries, the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, or Malaysia, you likely need an ETA or eVisitor instead of a 600. Check the Department of Home Affairs website to confirm which visa applies to your nationality.
Tourist Stream
The Tourist stream is for people visiting Australia for holidays, sightseeing, visiting family or friends, or other recreational activities. You can usually stay for 3, 6, or 12 months, depending on what you request and what the Department grants. Key conditions: You cannot work (including volunteer work for an Australian organisation). You can study or train for up to 3 months. You must have genuine plans to leave Australia before your visa expires. You need adequate health insurance for your stay (recommended, and sometimes required). When applying, you should demonstrate your ties to your home country (employment, property, family) that give you reason to return. You should also show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your visit without working. If you are visiting family, an invitation letter from your host in Australia strengthens your application.
Business Visitor Stream
The Business Visitor stream is for people travelling to Australia for business activities that do not involve working for an Australian business. Permitted activities include: attending meetings, conferences, or trade fairs; negotiating contracts or business deals; making business enquiries or exploring business opportunities; participating in site visits or inspections; and attending board meetings. You cannot use this stream to work for an Australian company, provide services to Australian clients, or sell goods directly to the public. If you need to work in Australia, you will need a work visa such as the Subclass 482 or a business visa. The Business Visitor stream has a higher application fee ($415) but is otherwise similar to the Tourist stream in terms of processing.
When Do You Need a Migration Agent for a Visitor Visa?
Most visitor visa applications are straightforward and many people apply successfully without professional help. However, you should consider using a migration agent if: You have previously been refused an Australian visa or any visa to another country. You have a complex immigration history (overstays, visa cancellations, or breaches). You have health conditions that may affect your eligibility. You have a criminal record or character concerns. You are from a high-risk country where refusal rates are higher. You are applying for a long-stay visitor visa (12 months) or a repeat visit. You have family members in Australia and the Department may question whether you will return home. You are sponsoring a family member's visitor visa application and want to ensure everything is done correctly. In these situations, a migration agent can help you present your case effectively and address any concerns the Department may have. The relatively low cost of agent fees for visitor visas ($500–$1,500) is worthwhile insurance against refusal.
How to Apply for a Subclass 600 Visa
Step 1: Determine whether you need a Subclass 600 or whether an ETA or eVisitor is available for your nationality. Step 2: Gather your documents — valid passport, passport-sized photos, evidence of funds, travel itinerary, accommodation details, and evidence of ties to your home country. Step 3: If visiting family, obtain an invitation letter from your host including their contact details and relationship to you. Step 4: If applying for the Business Visitor stream, prepare a letter from your employer explaining the purpose of your visit and evidence of the business activities you will undertake. Step 5: Lodge your application online through ImmiAccount (or through an Australian visa application centre if required for your country). Step 6: Pay the application fee. Step 7: Complete biometrics if requested. Step 8: Wait for a decision — most straightforward applications are processed within 1–4 weeks. Apply well before your planned travel dates to allow for processing time.
Costs Breakdown
Government application fee: $190 (Tourist stream) or $415 (Business Visitor stream). Biometrics (if required): Approximately $100. Migration agent fees (if used): $500–$1,500. Travel insurance: $100–$500 depending on duration and coverage. Medical examination (if requested by the Department): $300–$500. The total cost for a standard tourist visa application is typically $190–$400 without an agent. Budget extra for travel insurance, which is strongly recommended even if not technically required for all applicants. Use our cost estimator at /tools/cost-estimator for a personalised estimate.
Common Reasons for Visitor Visa Refusal
The most common reasons visitor visas are refused include: Failure to demonstrate genuine temporary purpose — the Department is not convinced you will leave Australia before your visa expires. Insufficient ties to your home country — no evidence of employment, property, family obligations, or other reasons to return. Inadequate financial capacity — unable to show you can support yourself without working in Australia. Previous immigration non-compliance — history of overstaying visas or breaching conditions. Incomplete application — missing documents or information. Health or character concerns. If your visitor visa is refused, the refusal goes on your immigration record and may affect future visa applications to Australia and other countries. This is why professional advice is valuable for applicants with any complications.
Extending Your Stay or Applying for Another Visa
If you are in Australia on a 600 visa and want to extend your stay, you may be able to apply for a new visitor visa while onshore. However, visitor visas generally have a condition (8503 — 'No Further Stay') that prevents you from applying for most other visas while in Australia. If your visa has this condition, you must leave Australia before the visa expires and apply for any new visa from outside Australia. If your visa does not have the 8503 condition, you may be able to apply for other visa types (such as a partner visa or student visa) while in Australia. Always check the conditions on your specific visa grant letter. A migration agent can advise on your options for extending your stay or transitioning to another visa type.
Find an Agent for Your Visitor Visa
If your visitor visa application has any complications, a migration agent can help you navigate the process and improve your chances of approval. Search our directory at /migration-agents for agents who handle visitor visas, learn more about visitor visa options at /visa/visitor-visa, or verify an agent's MARA registration at /tools/mara-check.
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