Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)

While each stream has its own requirements, the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) generally allows temporary travel to Australia for tourism, business visits, or family visits.

• Stay periods are usually up to 3, 6, or 12 months, depending on the stream and assessment
• The base application charge for Subclass 600 generally starts from around AUD 190 (fees may vary by stream)
• Subclass 600 is different from eVisitor (651) and ETA (601), which are separate visas available only to eligible passport holders
• eVisitor (651) is free, and ETA (601) has an AUD 20 service charge, but eligibility depends on nationality

Why Aussizz?

No matter what type of visitor visa you may require to visit Australia, Aussizz is there to guide you in the right direction. We have extensive experience of filling up applications with appropriate documents without any error. This saves lot of your time and energy.

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Sponsored Family Visa – Basic Requirements

The Sponsored Family stream of the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) is for people travelling to Australia temporarily to visit eligible family members.

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Meet health and character requirements
• Demonstrate a genuine intention to stay temporarily in Australia
• Have sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay
• Hold or arrange adequate private health insurance for the duration of the visit
  (Visitor visa holders are generally not eligible for Medicare, except under limited reciprocal health care agreements)
• Intend to undertake only activities permitted under the Sponsored Family stream

Evidence You Must Provide 

Applicants must satisfy the Department of Home Affairs that:

• They are a genuine temporary visitor
• Their purpose of travel is to visit family members in Australia
• They are sponsored by an eligible Australian relative, such as
  • An Australian citizen
  • An Australian permanent resident
  • An eligible New Zealand citizen

Sponsored Family Visa – Key Details

• An eligible family member in Australia must agree to sponsor the applicant
• The sponsor may be asked to provide a security bond, depending on individual circumstances
• The visa may be granted with single or multiple entry, depending on assessment
• The total time spent in Australia cannot exceed the period of stay granted

Note: A security bond is not mandatory in every case and is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Application Location

In most cases:

• Applicants must be outside Australia at the time of application and grant

However, this depends on individual circumstances and visa conditions.

Important Conditions

• This visa does not allow work in Australia
• Study is permitted for up to 3 months
• Applicants must comply with all visa conditions, including the approved length of stay

Business Visitor Stream

The Business Visitor stream of the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) is for people travelling to Australia temporarily for short-term business activities.

This stream is suitable if you are visiting Australia for purposes such as:

• Attending business meetings or negotiations
• Making general business or employment enquiries
• Investigating, negotiating, signing, or reviewing business contracts
• Participating in conferences, trade fairs, or seminars
• Taking part in official government-to-government visits

Important: This visa does not allow work or paid activities in Australia.

Entry & Stay Conditions

• The visa may be granted with single or multiple entry
• You may travel in and out of Australia while the visa is valid
• The total time spent in Australia cannot exceed the period of stay granted
• Stay periods are usually up to 3 months, and in some cases up to 6 or 12 months, depending on assessment

Application Location

In most cases:

• Applicants must be outside Australia at the time of application and grant

This depends on individual circumstances and visa conditions.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Business Visitor stream, applicants must:

• Meet health and character requirements
• Have sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay
• Demonstrate a genuine intention to visit Australia temporarily for business
• Undertake only permitted business visitor activities
• Comply with all visitor visa conditions

Activities You Can Do on This Visa

You may:

• Attend meetings, conferences, or seminars
• Conduct business negotiations
• Explore business opportunities
• Participate in trade fairs (without payment)

You must not:

• Work for or provide services to an Australian business or individual
• Be paid by an Australian organisation
• Sell goods or services directly to the public in Australia

Health Insurance

Business visitor visa holders are generally not eligible for Medicare.

Applicants are strongly advised to:

• Hold adequate private health insurance for the full duration of their stay
• Maintain insurance for themselves and any accompanying family members

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Sponsorship Requirement

• No sponsor is required for the Business Visitor stream
• Applicants apply independently, based on their business purpose and eligibility

Holiday (Tourist) Stream

The Holiday (Tourist) stream of the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) is for people travelling to Australia temporarily for:

• Holidays or recreation
• Visiting family or friends
• Other short-term purposes not related to business or medical treatment

Where You Can Apply From?

In most cases:

• Applicants can apply from outside Australia, and in some circumstances from inside Australia, depending on their current visa status and conditions.

This is not strictly limited to offshore applications in all cases.

What You Can Do on a Subclass 600 (Tourist Stream)?

With this visa, you may:

• Holiday or visit family and friends in Australia
• Study for up to 3 months
• Undertake genuine unpaid volunteer work, provided:
  • An Australian resident would not otherwise be paid for the role, and
  • You are only reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (such as meals or accommodation)

What You Cannot Do?

You must not:

• Work in Australia or provide services
• Undertake long-term study
• Engage in business or paid activities
• Stay in Australia permanently

Basic Eligibility Requirements

To be granted a Tourist stream visa, applicants must:

• Meet health and character requirements
• Have sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay
• Demonstrate a genuine intention to stay temporarily
• Intend to undertake only activities permitted under the Tourist stream
• Comply with all visa conditions, including the approved length of stay

Health Insurance Requirement

Visitor visa holders are generally not eligible for Medicare.

Applicants may be asked to:

• Show evidence of adequate private health insurance for their stay
• Maintain insurance for the entire duration of the visit

(Some limited exceptions apply under Reciprocal Health Care Agreements, depending on nationality.)

Important Clarification on Parent Visas

• Holding or applying for a Parent visa does not automatically guarantee a longer Tourist visa
• Any decision to grant a longer stay is made case by case, based on individual circumstances
• Parent visa queues and family-reunion considerations do not create an entitlement to extended visitor stays

Visa Conditions

If granted, the visa may include conditions such as:

• Maximum stay period (e.g. 3, 6, or 12 months)
• Single or multiple entry
• No work condition

All conditions must be strictly followed.

Approved Destination Status (ADS) Stream

The Approved Destination Status (ADS) stream of the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) is for Chinese passport holders travelling to Australia as part of an organised tour group.

This stream operates under a bilateral agreement between the Australian Government and the Government of China, allowing group tourism through approved travel agents.

Who Can Apply Under the ADS Stream?

You may be eligible if you:

• Hold a People’s Republic of China passport
• Are travelling to Australia as part of an organised tour
• Book your travel through a travel agent approved under the ADS scheme
• Intend to stay in Australia temporarily for tourism purposes only
• Meet health, character, and genuine temporary stay requirements

Individual travel applications are not permitted under the ADS stream.

What You Can Do on an ADS Visa?

With this visa, you may:

• Travel to Australia as part of an approved tour group
• Participate in tourism and sightseeing activities
• Stay in Australia for the period approved for the tour

What You Cannot Do?

You must not:

• Work or undertake paid activities in Australia
• Study or train
• Change tour operators after arrival
• Extend your stay beyond the approved tour period
• Travel independently outside the tour program

Application Location

• Applications must be lodged outside Australia
• Applicants must also be outside Australia at the time of visa grant

Health Insurance Requirement

ADS visa holders are not eligible for Medicare.

Applicants are required to:

• Hold adequate private health insurance for the full duration of their stay
• Maintain insurance that covers medical treatment and hospitalisation

Basic Eligibility Requirements

To be granted an ADS visa, applicants must:

• Be a genuine visitor intending to stay temporarily
• Have sufficient funds for the duration of the tour
• Meet health and character requirements
• Comply with all ADS program conditions
• Agree to travel strictly in line with the approved itinerary

Visa Conditions

If granted, the ADS visa may include conditions such as:

• Restricted stay period aligned with the tour itinerary
• No work condition
• No study condition
• Mandatory participation in the approved tour group

Failure to comply with these conditions may result in visa cancellation.