If your parents live overseas and you’d like them to visit you in Australia, the Subclass 600 Visitor Visa is the appropriate visa for them. This visa allows parents to stay in Australia temporarily while remaining on a visitor status. It’s important to understand that the 600 is not a pathway to permanent residence; it’s purely for temporary visits. Understanding the Subclass 600 The Subclass 600 is a temporary visitor visa that allows overseas visitors, including parents, to stay in Australia for a specified period. The visa comes in two streams: the Tourist Stream and the Sponsored Family Stream. Both streams allow visits of up to 12 months, though extensions may be possible in limited circumstances. Holders of a 600 cannot work in Australia and must demonstrate they are genuine visitors with the intention to depart before their visa expires. The Tourist Stream Parents can apply for the 600 Tourist Stream without a sponsor in Australia. This stream is appropriate for visitors who are self-sufficient and can afford their visit without relying on financial support from family members in Australia. In the Tourist Stream, applicants must demonstrate: – Genuine visitor intent, meaning they intend to visit Australia temporarily and return home
- Financial capacity to support their stay in Australia without working
- Ties to their home country, such as employment, property, or family, that demonstrate they’ll return
- Access to funds to cover accommodation, living expenses, and return travel Processing times for the 600 Tourist Stream vary, but applicants can expect processing to take several weeks to months. The Sponsored Family Stream If your parents need financial support from you during their visit, or if they’re less able to demonstrate their own financial capacity, the Sponsored Family Stream may be appropriate. In this stream, the sponsor must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. You commit to providing financial support to your parents during their stay, and you take on obligations to ensure they depart Australia before their visa expires. As a sponsor, you must complete a Form 40SH (Family Sponsorship form) or declare your sponsorship within the visa application. Financial Support as a Sponsor When you sponsor a parent in the 600 Family Stream, you’re declaring that you’ll support them financially. This means: – You’ll provide sufficient funds for their accommodation
- You’ll cover their living expenses while they’re in Australia
- You’ll ensure they can afford return travel to their home country
- If they face financial hardship, you’ll support them Your Sponsorship Obligations As a sponsor of a parent on the 600, you have legal obligations: – Ensure your parent departs Australia before their visa expires
- Provide financial support so they don’t become a burden on Australian government services
- Notify the Department of Home Affairs if your circumstances change significantly
- Ensure they comply with visa conditions Breach of these obligations can have serious consequences, including potential liability if your parent receives government services they’re not entitled to. Validity Periods for the 600 The 600 is typically granted for one of three periods: – 3 months
- 6 months
- 12 months For parents, particularly older parents, a 12-month validity period is common. However, the actual duration of stay is determined by the visa grant notice. Your parent must depart Australia before the expiry date shown on their visa. Extensions are rarely granted, so your parent should plan their visit accordingly and ensure they depart before the visa expires. Health Requirements for Older Parents Older parents may be subject to health requirements. While the 600 doesn’t require extensive health screening like migration visas do, if an older parent has significant health conditions, the Department of Home Affairs may: – Request health examination results
- Assess whether they’ll be a burden on Australian healthcare systems
- Require health insurance It’s often recommended that visiting parents obtain travel health insurance to cover unexpected medical expenses in Australia. What Your Parents Cannot Do on the 600 It’s essential to understand the limitations of the 600 visa: – No work rights: Your parents cannot engage in paid work in Australia. Volunteers positions and unpaid work may be possible in some cases, but paid employment is not permitted.
- No permanent residence pathway: The 600 is not a step toward permanent residence. It’s purely temporary.
- No access to most government services: While emergency medical care is available, parents on the 600 generally cannot access Medicare, government education benefits, or other services available to residents or permanent residents.
- No family reunion pathway: The 600 doesn’t lead to other visa types. Health Insurance and Travel Insurance While not required, health insurance is strongly recommended. The Overseas Visitor Health Cover (OVHC) is available for visitors and covers most medical expenses in Australia. Private travel insurance can also provide additional coverage for emergencies. Without adequate insurance, a medical emergency could result in significant out-of-pocket costs. Genuine Visitor Intent The Department of Home Affairs assesses whether your parent is a genuine visitor. This assessment considers: – The purpose of the visit
- The duration of stay
- Financial ties to Australia
- Family and employment ties to the home country
- Previous travel history
- Whether they’ve overstayed previous visas Parents who have worked illegally on previous visas, overstayed previous visas, or shown reluctance to depart may face difficulties obtaining approval. Visa Conditions The 600 visa will have conditions attached. Your parent must comply with these conditions. Common conditions include: – Not working
- Reporting to immigration if required
- Complying with all Australian laws Breach of visa conditions can result in cancellation of the visa and potential deportation. Differences from Parent Migration Visas It’s important not to confuse the 600 visitor visa with parent migration visas (Subclass 103, 143, 884, or 864). Those visas allow parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents to migrate permanently to Australia. The 600 is purely temporary and provides no pathway to permanent residence. Parent migration visas involve substantial costs, lengthy processing times, and significant requirements, but they do lead to permanent residence. The 600 is simpler and faster but doesn’t provide the security of permanent residency. Planning Your Parent’s Visit Before your parent applies for a 600 visa, consider: – How long they want to visit
- Whether they can afford the visit or need your financial support
- What travel and health insurance they’ll need
- Any health concerns that might need addressing
- What they’ll do during the visit to comply with the visitor requirement Prepare comprehensive evidence of their ties to their home country to support their application. Getting Help Processing a 600 visa application requires proper documentation and strong evidence of genuine visitor intent. A MARA-registered migration agent can review your parent’s circumstances, ensure their application is strong, and maximise their chances of approval. Migration Guru has extensive experience helping families bring their parents to Australia on visitor visas. Our team understands the requirements and can guide your parent through the application process.
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Email: info@migrationguru.com.au
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