Visitor Visa Australia (Subclass 600)

The visitor visa (subclass 600) is the standard temporary visa for people who want to visit Australia for tourism, to see family or friends, or to undertake short-term business activities. It is a temporary visa that does not permit you to work in Australia, and the holder is expected to depart before the visa expires.

At OVEC, we assist clients with visitor visa applications from Canberra and nationally — including first-time applications, repeat applications after a previous refusal, and applications for elderly parents or relatives visiting from overseas. As registered migration agents with over 15 years of experience (MARN 1170438), we provide advice on how to present your application accurately and persuasively.

Streams of the Subclass 600

The subclass 600 has several streams depending on the purpose of your visit and your circumstances.

Tourist Stream

The tourist stream is the most common. It is for people visiting Australia for a holiday, to see family or friends, or for other leisure purposes. You can apply for the tourist stream from outside Australia (offshore) or, in some cases, from within Australia (onshore) if you are already lawfully in the country on another visa. The tourist stream is typically granted for stays of three, six, or twelve months, with the visa itself valid for a period of one year or longer depending on your circumstances.

Business Visitor Stream

The business visitor stream is for people attending business meetings, conferences, negotiations, or short-term business activities in Australia. You must apply from outside Australia. You cannot undertake work for an Australian employer or provide services to Australian clients for payment on this stream — your business activities must be limited to the types listed in the legislation. The business visitor stream is suitable for executives, investors, and professionals attending events or conducting due diligence in Australia.

Sponsored Family Stream

The sponsored family stream is for people whose visit to Australia is sponsored by an approved family sponsor — typically an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen. Sponsorship provides the Department with an additional layer of accountability and can support the application where the applicant has limited financial resources of their own. The sponsor must be approved before the applicant can apply under this stream.

Approved Destination Status (ADS) Stream

The ADS stream is available to Chinese citizens travelling to Australia as part of an approved tour group through an authorised travel agent. It is not available for independent applications and is managed through the Chinese National Tourism Administration’s approved tour operator framework.

Genuine Temporary Entrant Requirement

The most important requirement across all visitor visa streams is demonstrating that you are a genuine temporary entrant — that you genuinely intend to visit Australia temporarily and will depart when your visa expires. The Department assesses this based on your individual circumstances, including your ties to your home country, your reasons for visiting, your immigration history, and any connections you have to Australia that might indicate an intention to remain.

Strong ties to your home country are the foundation of a successful visitor visa application. These include stable employment or business, property ownership, close family members who are not in Australia, financial commitments, and other factors that give a clear reason to return home. Applicants with weak home country ties — including those with immediate family members already in Australia as permanent residents or citizens — may find their applications subject to greater scrutiny.

Financial Requirements

You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover your accommodation, travel, and living expenses in Australia for the full duration of your proposed stay, and that you have the means to pay for your return journey. Acceptable evidence includes recent bank statements, payslips, a letter from your employer, or evidence of a financial sponsor. Funds must be genuinely yours and accessible — presenting bank statements that show a recent large deposit without a clear explanation can raise concerns rather than strengthen your application.

Health Requirements

Most visitor visa applicants are not required to undergo a health examination. However, if you have spent time in certain countries or have a health condition that may be relevant, the Department can request health checks. Applicants who are likely to access health services in Australia — including elderly parents — may be subject to additional scrutiny. OVEC advises clients on whether a health examination is likely to be required based on their individual circumstances.

How Long Can You Stay?

The maximum stay period granted on a visitor visa depends on your circumstances and the stream you apply under. Most tourist stream applicants are granted a stay of three or six months. Some applicants are granted twelve months, particularly if they have a strong travel history and clear ties to their home country. The Department determines the stay period at the time of decision — it is not always possible to predict or guarantee a particular stay period.

If you need to extend your stay, you may be able to apply for a further visitor visa from within Australia before your current visa expires, provided you are still lawfully in Australia. OVEC can advise on whether an extension application is appropriate and how to present it.

Visitor Visa Refusals

Visitor visa refusals are more common than many applicants expect — particularly for nationals from countries with a higher rate of visa non-compliance, or for applicants with existing family ties in Australia. A refusal is recorded on your immigration history and can affect future visa applications, including for other visa types.

Common reasons for refusal include a weak or unconvincing demonstration of genuine temporary entry, insufficient evidence of financial capacity, a poor immigration history (including previous overstays or visa breaches), or failure to disclose relevant information. OVEC reviews all visitor visa applications carefully before lodgement to identify potential issues and address them proactively.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work in Australia on a visitor visa?

No. The subclass 600 visitor visa does not permit you to work in Australia. Working on a visitor visa — whether paid or unpaid — is a breach of your visa conditions and can result in visa cancellation and future bans. If you intend to work in Australia, you need an appropriate work visa.

Can I apply for a visitor visa for my parents to visit me in Australia?

Yes. Many OVEC clients apply on behalf of elderly parents or relatives who want to visit Australia. These applications require particular care — parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents are often subject to closer scrutiny, as the Department needs to be satisfied they will genuinely depart at the end of their stay. OVEC can assist in preparing a strong, well-documented application on behalf of your parents.

My visitor visa was refused. Can I apply again?

Yes, but a fresh application needs to address the reasons for the previous refusal. Simply submitting the same information again is unlikely to result in a different outcome. OVEC reviews the refusal decision with the client, identifies the issues the Department raised, and advises on how to address them before lodging a new application. In some cases, a request for a review before the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) may also be considered, depending on the grounds of refusal.

How long does a visitor visa application take?

Processing times vary depending on your country of citizenship, the completeness of your application, and current Departmental workloads. Some applications are decided within a few days; others can take several weeks or months. OVEC advises clients to apply well in advance of their intended travel date and ensures all documents are in order at the time of lodgement to avoid delays.

Can I extend my visitor visa from within Australia?

In some circumstances, yes. If you are lawfully in Australia and need to stay longer, you may be able to lodge a new visitor visa application onshore before your current visa expires. Whether this is appropriate depends on your circumstances and immigration history. OVEC can advise on whether an onshore application is possible and advisable, and whether any conditions or limitations apply.

How OVEC Can Help

As registered migration agents (MARN 1170438), OVEC assists with visitor visa applications for tourism, family visits, and business purposes — including applications for parents and relatives, repeat applications following a previous refusal, and onshore extension applications. We review your circumstances, advise on the strength of your application, and ensure your documentation is presented clearly and completely before lodgement.

Contact OVEC

Contact OVEC today to discuss your visitor visa application.

📞 0430 586 030
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OVEC — Oz Visa & Education Consultants. Registered Migration Agent MARN 1170438. General information only — not legal advice. Migration law changes frequently; always seek current professional advice before lodging any application.