Visitor Visas
Visitor Visas for Australia
The visitor visa (subclass 600) allows temporary entry to Australia for tourism, business visitor activities, and sponsored family visits. Stream selection, genuine temporary entrant assessment, and evidence quality determine outcome. Refusals carry review consequences that affect future applications.
What is the subclass 600 visitor visa?
The visitor visa (subclass 600) is Australia's primary temporary entry visa for people who are not eligible for an Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) or eVisitor (subclass 651), or who require a stay longer than three months. It covers four distinct streams: Tourist, Business Visitor, Sponsored Family, and Approved Destination Status.
Applicants must satisfy the genuine temporary entrant (GTE) criterion, demonstrating that they intend to remain in Australia only for the authorised period and will depart on time. The Department assesses financial capacity, home country ties, travel history, and consistency across all documents submitted.
Applying under the wrong stream, submitting incomplete financial evidence, or presenting inconsistent documentation are the most common causes of refusal. A refusal creates a record that must be disclosed in all future Australian visa applications.
Key considerations
Stream selection is critical
Each stream has distinct eligibility criteria and permitted activities. Applying under the wrong stream is grounds for refusal regardless of overall circumstances.
Genuine temporary entrant assessment
The Department assesses whether the applicant intends to visit only temporarily. Strong home country ties, including employment, property, and family, support a positive assessment.
Refusal consequences
A refused visitor visa must be disclosed in every subsequent Australian visa application. Repeated refusals significantly affect long-term migration prospects.
Review rights vary by stream
Onshore applicants generally have merits review rights at the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). Most offshore tourist stream refusals carry no automatic review right.
600
Visa subclass
12 months
Maximum stay (Tourist)
3 months
Maximum stay (Business)
4 streams
Tourist, Business, Sponsored, ADS
Visitor visa streams
Select the correct stream before lodging any application. Each stream permits different activities and has different eligibility criteria.
Tourist
For holidays, leisure travel, and visiting family or friends. The most commonly used visitor visa stream. Stay periods of 3, 6, or 12 months depending on circumstances.
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Business Visitor
For attending conferences, meetings, negotiations, and short-term business activities. Does not permit paid work for an Australian employer. Maximum stay of 3 months.
Read more
Sponsored Family
For visits sponsored by an eligible Australian citizen, permanent resident, or approved organisation. Extended stays of up to 12 months. Sponsor obligations apply.
Read more
Why instruct Visa Plan?
Correct stream from the outset
Applying under the wrong stream is the most avoidable cause of refusal. We identify the correct stream and structure the application accordingly before anything is lodged.
Evidence that withstands scrutiny
GTE assessments are evidence-based. We build the evidentiary case around the applicant's specific circumstances, not a generic document checklist.
Refusal and review management
Where a visa has been refused, we advise on review prospects at the ART and on the implications for future applications before any further steps are taken.
Visitor visa information is sourced from the Department of Home Affairs and is current as at 15 October 2026. Visa conditions, stream eligibility, and processing times are subject to change. This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice.