Travelling to Australia for a holiday, to visit family or friends, or to join a cruise requires a visa suited for short-term stays. The Visitor Visa (subclass 600) under the Tourist stream is one of the most common options for such travellers. It allows temporary entry for non-work purposes, but applicants must follow specific eligibility rules and stay conditions.
Who the visa is for
The Tourist stream of the Visitor Visa (subclass 600) is meant for people visiting Australia for leisure, to see family and friends, or to take part in a cruise. The visa can also cover travellers entering Australia as part of a round-trip cruise, but time spent on such a cruise is counted as time spent in Australia. Importantly, applicants cannot work on this visa. However, they can study or undertake training for up to three months. If the primary purpose of travel is education, a student visa would be more appropriate.
To qualify, applicants must be outside Australia both when applying and when their visa is being processed. This visa is not designed for employment or long-term residence but for temporary stays, generally lasting a few months.
Duration and type of stay
The subclass 600 visa is a temporary visa, and the duration of stay depends on individual circumstances. Typically, the stay period is three months, but it can extend up to 12 months in specific cases. The Department assesses each application based on factors such as the applicant’s purpose of travel, ties to their home country, and intended length of stay.
(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)
The visa may be granted for single entry or multiple entry:
Parents or step-parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents are eligible for longer validity, sometimes over 12 months, provided they meet all requirements. However, they cannot stay in Australia for more than 12 months in any 18-month period and must have adequate health insurance. Those wishing to stay beyond that period may be eligible for a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa.
Extending or reapplying for the visa
Visitors cannot extend their stay by simply renewing this visa. Once it expires, they must apply for a new visa. Applications are possible only if the existing visa does not carry Condition 8503 – No Further Stay. This condition, if attached, prevents further visa applications from within Australia, though it can be waived in limited and exceptional circumstances.
Those planning to stay longer or transition to another visa type must explore other visa options that allow extended or permanent residence.
Family applications and visa costs
Each family member, including children listed in a passport, must apply separately for the Visitor Visa (subclass 600). The cost starts from AU $200 per applicant, though additional charges may apply for medical examinations, police certificates, or biometric collection. The Department provides an online Visa Pricing Estimator to help applicants calculate potential expenses, but it excludes supplementary costs.
Health insurance and visitor obligations
Visitors are responsible for their own healthcare expenses while in Australia. Health insurance is not mandatory in all cases but is strongly recommended to manage unexpected medical costs. Some nationalities may be covered under reciprocal healthcare agreements between their country and Australia. In some cases, the visa may include Condition 8501, i.e., maintain adequate health insurance, making coverage a formal requirement.
Holders must also comply with all visa conditions and Australian laws during their stay. Breaches can affect future visa applications.
Visa linking and travel information
Australia no longer issues physical visa labels. The visa is digitally linked to the applicant’s passport, and verification can be done through VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online). Travellers should check their visa grant letter carefully for details such as duration, entry type, and conditions.
Those with multiple-entry visas can leave and re-enter Australia as long as the visa remains valid. For single-entry visas, a new application is necessary if the traveller leaves the country before the visa expires.
The Visitor Visa (subclass 600) under the Tourist stream provides a flexible way to visit Australia for short periods. It is suitable for tourism, family visits, and cruises but does not permit employment. The stay period, cost, and entry privileges depend on individual cases, and health insurance is essential for financial protection.
Who the visa is for
The Tourist stream of the Visitor Visa (subclass 600) is meant for people visiting Australia for leisure, to see family and friends, or to take part in a cruise. The visa can also cover travellers entering Australia as part of a round-trip cruise, but time spent on such a cruise is counted as time spent in Australia. Importantly, applicants cannot work on this visa. However, they can study or undertake training for up to three months. If the primary purpose of travel is education, a student visa would be more appropriate.To qualify, applicants must be outside Australia both when applying and when their visa is being processed. This visa is not designed for employment or long-term residence but for temporary stays, generally lasting a few months.
Duration and type of stay
The subclass 600 visa is a temporary visa, and the duration of stay depends on individual circumstances. Typically, the stay period is three months, but it can extend up to 12 months in specific cases. The Department assesses each application based on factors such as the applicant’s purpose of travel, ties to their home country, and intended length of stay.(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)
The visa may be granted for single entry or multiple entry:
- Single entry means the visitor can enter Australia once. If they leave before the visa expires, they must apply again to return.
- Multiple entry allows the holder to leave and re-enter Australia during the visa’s validity period.
Parents or step-parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents are eligible for longer validity, sometimes over 12 months, provided they meet all requirements. However, they cannot stay in Australia for more than 12 months in any 18-month period and must have adequate health insurance. Those wishing to stay beyond that period may be eligible for a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa.
Extending or reapplying for the visa
Visitors cannot extend their stay by simply renewing this visa. Once it expires, they must apply for a new visa. Applications are possible only if the existing visa does not carry Condition 8503 – No Further Stay. This condition, if attached, prevents further visa applications from within Australia, though it can be waived in limited and exceptional circumstances.Those planning to stay longer or transition to another visa type must explore other visa options that allow extended or permanent residence.
Family applications and visa costs
Each family member, including children listed in a passport, must apply separately for the Visitor Visa (subclass 600). The cost starts from AU $200 per applicant, though additional charges may apply for medical examinations, police certificates, or biometric collection. The Department provides an online Visa Pricing Estimator to help applicants calculate potential expenses, but it excludes supplementary costs.Health insurance and visitor obligations
Visitors are responsible for their own healthcare expenses while in Australia. Health insurance is not mandatory in all cases but is strongly recommended to manage unexpected medical costs. Some nationalities may be covered under reciprocal healthcare agreements between their country and Australia. In some cases, the visa may include Condition 8501, i.e., maintain adequate health insurance, making coverage a formal requirement.Holders must also comply with all visa conditions and Australian laws during their stay. Breaches can affect future visa applications.
Visa linking and travel information
Australia no longer issues physical visa labels. The visa is digitally linked to the applicant’s passport, and verification can be done through VEVO (Visa Entitlement Verification Online). Travellers should check their visa grant letter carefully for details such as duration, entry type, and conditions.Those with multiple-entry visas can leave and re-enter Australia as long as the visa remains valid. For single-entry visas, a new application is necessary if the traveller leaves the country before the visa expires.
The Visitor Visa (subclass 600) under the Tourist stream provides a flexible way to visit Australia for short periods. It is suitable for tourism, family visits, and cruises but does not permit employment. The stay period, cost, and entry privileges depend on individual cases, and health insurance is essential for financial protection.
