Australia welcomes millions of visitors every year — tourists, families reuniting, and business travellers alike. If you’re planning a trip, the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) is your go-to visa option. It’s flexible, has multiple streams for different purposes, and opens the door to unforgettable Australian experiences.
This guide gives you everything you need to know about the Visitor Visa 600 — from eligibility and streams to documents, conditions, FAQs, and expert tips.
🌏 What Is the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)?
The Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) is a temporary visa that lets you:
- Travel to Australia for tourism, visiting family/friends, or business visitor activities.
- Stay for 3, 6, or 12 months depending on your circumstances.
- Apply either outside or inside Australia depending on the stream.
It is not a work visa — employment is strictly prohibited. You can study or train for up to 3 months, but if study is your primary purpose, a Student Visa (Subclass 500) is more appropriate.
🛫 Streams of the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)
There are six streams designed to match different visitor needs.
1. Tourist Stream (Apply Outside Australia)
- Purpose: Holidays, visiting friends/family, cruises.
- Stay: Generally 3 months; may be up to 12 months in special cases.
- Key Rule: You must be outside Australia when you apply and when the decision is made.
- Parents of citizens/PRs: May be granted longer validity (up to multiple entries) but can’t exceed 12 months stay in 18 months.
2. Tourist Stream (Apply in Australia)
- Purpose: Extend your stay in Australia for tourism/family visits.
- Stay: Up to 12 months.
- Key Rule: You must be in Australia at both application and decision.
- Conditions: If you’ve already spent close to 12 consecutive months on visitor visas, you’ll need exceptional circumstances to be approved. Many visas also carry Condition 8503 (No Further Stay), which prevents onshore applications unless waived.
3. Business Visitor Stream
- Purpose: Attend business meetings, negotiations, conferences (no paid work).
- Stay: Up to 3 months (sometimes 12 in limited cases).
- Key Rule: Apply outside Australia and be offshore when the decision is made.
- Allowed activities:
- General business enquiries
- Exploring, negotiating, or reviewing contracts
- Official government visits
- Attending trade fairs or seminars (without payment)
- Not allowed: Working for or selling directly to Australian organisations.
Tip: If you hold an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC), you may not need to apply separately for this stream.
4. Approved Destination Status (ADS) Stream
- Purpose: For mainland Chinese citizens travelling on an approved group tour.
- Stay: Period defined in your visa grant letter.
- Key Rule: You must remain with your approved tour group and leave with them.
5. Frequent Traveller Stream
- Purpose: For citizens of China, Brunei, Cambodia, Philippines, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, or Timor-Leste who travel frequently.
- Validity: Up to 10 years.
- Stay: Up to 3 months per entry, maximum 12 months in 24 months.
- Key Rule: Apply offshore. Must not breach conditions such as 8573 (no more than 12 months stay in 24 months).
6. Sponsored Family Stream
- Purpose: For those sponsored by an eligible Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- Stay: Generally 3 months, sometimes up to 12 months.
- Key Rule: Must apply offshore; often granted with Condition 8503 (No Further Stay).
- Sponsor Eligibility: Must be a close relative, MP, mayor, or government agency.
📋 General Eligibility Requirements
All streams require you to:
- Be a genuine visitor (temporary stay only).
- Have enough funds to support your trip.
- Meet health and character requirements.
- Have repaid or arranged repayment of any Australian Government debt.
- Hold or arrange adequate health insurance (sometimes mandatory under Condition 8501).
- Respect the best interests of the child principle (applications under 18 are carefully reviewed).
🧾 Documents Checklist
- Identity: Passport copy, recent photos.
- Funds: Bank statements, pay slips, proof of employment/study.
- Purpose of travel:
- Tourist: itinerary, bookings, invitation letters.
- Sponsored Family: sponsorship documents, proof of relationship, possible bond.
- Business: invitation letters, conference registrations, contracts.
- Health & character: Health insurance, police clearance if requested.
❌ Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Applying for the wrong stream (e.g., business activities under Tourist Stream).
- No Further Stay condition (8503) blocking onshore applications.
- Insufficient proof of funds or ties to home country.
- Assuming a round-trip cruise resets your stay — it doesn’t; it counts as time in Australia.
- Trying to include family in one application — each person must apply separately.
❓ FAQs
Can I work on this visa?
No. Work is not permitted under any stream.
Can I study?
Yes, up to 3 months. For longer study, a Student Visa is required.
Can I extend my stay?
No extensions are possible. You may apply for another visa if eligible.
Can I travel multiple times?
Yes, if you are granted a multiple-entry visa. Otherwise, it’s single entry.
Do I need health insurance?
Yes, highly recommended. Some visas come with Condition 8501, making it mandatory.
✅ Why Choose Migration Guru?
At Migration Guru, we make the process stress-free:
- Helping you choose the right stream.
- Preparing strong applications that meet DHA requirements.
- Avoiding pitfalls like 8503 restrictions and incomplete documentation.
- Offering expert advice from over 20 years of migration experience.
📞 Begin Your Australian Journey
Ready to explore Australia on a Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)? Whether it’s for holidays, family reunions, or short business trips, this visa makes it possible.
📞 Need help applying for Subclass 600?
- Phone: +61-7-3036 3800
- Email: info@migrationguru.com.au
- Website: migrationguru.com.au
- Facebook: Migration Guru
