Australia Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) 2026: Fee, Documents and How to Apply
Australia visitor visa (subclass 600) guide for 2026: the AUD 250 fee, how long you can stay, the documents you need and how to apply online, step by step.
AustraliaIn brief
- The Australia visitor visa (subclass 600) Tourist stream lets you visit as a tourist, go on a cruise or see family and friends.
- It costs from AUD 250 per person, plus any health checks, police certificates or biometrics you are asked for.
- A stay of 3 months is usual; up to 12 months may be granted in some cases.
- You apply online through ImmiAccount, and the visa is linked digitally to your passport, with no label.
- You cannot work on this visa, but you can study or train for up to 3 months.
| Country | Australia |
|---|---|
| Organization | Australian Department of Home Affairs |
| Official source | Department of Home Affairs – Visitor visa (subclass 600), Tourist stream (apply outside Australia) ✓ immi.homeaffairs.gov.au |
The Australia visitor visa (subclass 600) is the main visa for people who want to visit Australia for a holiday, a cruise or to see family and friends. You apply for it online, and once it is granted it is linked digitally to your passport, so many people call it the Australia "e-visa". This guide explains the fee, how long you can stay, the documents you need and how to apply, based on the Department of Home Affairs' official information.
At a glance
| Detail | What Home Affairs says |
|---|---|
| Visa | Visitor visa (subclass 600), Tourist stream (apply outside Australia) |
| Purpose | Tourism, a cruise, or visiting family and friends |
| Fee | From AUD 250 per applicant |
| Other possible costs | Health checks, police certificates, biometrics |
| Length of stay | Usually 3 months; up to 12 months in some cases |
| Entries | Single or multiple entry, as stated in your grant |
| Where to apply | Online, through ImmiAccount |
| Visa label | None. The visa is linked to your passport |
| Work | Not allowed |
| Study | Allowed for up to 3 months |
*Some passport holders can use a simpler option instead, the Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) or the eVisitor (subclass 651). Home Affairs suggests checking "Explore visa options" first.*
Who can apply
You must:
- intend only to visit, and stay temporarily;
- have enough money to support yourself during your stay;
- not work in Australia;
- be outside Australia when you apply and when the decision is made;
- meet the health and character requirements;
- have paid back any debts to the Australian Government, or arranged to pay them.
For applicants under 18, Home Affairs also considers whether granting the visa is in the child's best interests.
How long can you stay?
Home Affairs decides the stay period case by case, looking at how long you want to stay and why.
- Usually, 3 months is granted.
- Up to 12 months may be granted in certain circumstances.
- Parents and step-parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents may get a visa valid for more than 12 months, but they cannot stay more than 12 months in total in any 18-month period and must arrange health insurance.
You cannot extend this visa. To stay longer you must apply for a new visa from inside Australia, if your visa does not have a "No Further Stay" condition (such as 8503).
How much does it cost?
The visa fee is from AUD 250 for each applicant. Every family member, including children on your passport, needs their own application. You may also have to pay for:
- health examinations, if asked;
- police certificates, if asked;
- biometrics (fingerprints and a photo), if asked.
Use the official Visa Pricing Estimator on the Home Affairs website to check your total. A lower fee applies from 1 July 2026 to eligible citizens of Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste.
Documents you need
Upload clear colour scans or photos of every document. Put multi-page documents into one file, and get non-English documents translated into English.
1. Identity
- Passport pages showing your photo, personal details and issue and expiry dates
- National identity card, if you have one
- Proof of a name change, if applicable (for example, a marriage certificate)
2. Proof you are a genuine visitor
| What to show | Examples |
|---|---|
| Money for your trip | Personal bank statements for the last 3 months, payslips, tax records, term deposits, credit card statements |
| Invitation (if visiting someone) | A letter from your relative or friend in Australia giving your relationship, the purpose and length of your visit, and whether you will stay with them |
| Sponsor's funds (if someone else pays) | Proof of their money |
| Your plans | A simple travel plan for your stay |
| Reasons to return home | A letter from your employer saying you will return to your job, proof of study, family at home, property or other major assets |
3. Character
- Military service records or discharge papers, if applicable
- A police certificate, if Home Affairs asks for one
4. Extra documents in some cases
- Asking for a longer stay? Explain why, with evidence (for example, proof that your child is an Australian citizen or permanent resident).
- Under 18? A birth certificate with both parents' names, and Form 1229 (consent) from any parent not travelling. If the child will not stay with a relative or guardian, Form 1257 is also needed.
- Getting help with your application? Use Form 956 (for a registered migration agent, lawyer or exempt person) or Form 956A (for someone who only receives letters for you).
How to apply, step by step
- Check your passport. If you plan to get a new passport, do it before you apply.
- Health examinations (optional at this stage). You can do them before applying or wait until Home Affairs asks.
- Gather and scan your documents using the list above. Give as much information as you can. Home Affairs may decide your application without asking for more.
- Create or log in to your ImmiAccount on the Home Affairs website.
- Fill in the application, attach your documents and pay the fee. Your application is not processed until the fee is paid. Submit family members' applications together.
- Give biometrics or have health checks if asked. Home Affairs will tell you if you need to.
- Wait for the decision outside Australia. Do not book travel until you receive the grant in writing.
- Receive your visa grant. The letter shows your grant number, start date and conditions. The visa is linked to your passport, so there is no sticker. You can check it any time in VEVO.
Processing times: check the official visa processing time guide on the Home Affairs website. It shows times for recently decided applications and is updated regularly.
Common reasons for refusal
Based on the requirements above, applications are often refused when the applicant:
- does not show they are a genuine visitor who will leave on time;
- cannot show enough money for the trip;
- does not meet the health or character requirements;
- owes money to the Australian Government;
- gives incomplete, unclear or inaccurate information or documents.
If your visa is refused, Home Affairs tells you in writing why, and whether you have a right to have the decision reviewed.
Important rules once you are in Australia
- No work. Working, even part-time, is a breach of your visa. You may be able to do some volunteer work.
- Follow your conditions, which are listed in your grant letter and in VEVO.
- Health insurance is strongly recommended, because you pay your own medical costs.
- Round-trip cruises do not reset your stay. Time on a round-trip cruise counts as time in Australia.
- Single-entry visas end when you leave Australia.
Avoid visa scams
- Apply only through the official Home Affairs website and ImmiAccount.
- Only registered migration agents, lawyers or exempt persons can legally give immigration assistance.
- A visitor visa is not a work visa. Ignore anyone offering to "convert" a visit visa into a job or work permit for a fee.
Read: how to spot a fake job or visa offer.
Related
- Jobs in Australia with visa sponsorship: who is hiring in 2026
- Australia skilled visa salary thresholds for 2026–27
This guide is general information based on the Department of Home Affairs website as of October 2026. Visa rules and fees can change, so always check the official page before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Australia visitor visa fee in 2026?
The subclass 600 visitor visa costs from AUD 250 for each applicant, according to the Department of Home Affairs. You may also pay for health examinations, police certificates or biometrics if they are requested.
How long can I stay in Australia on a visitor visa?
Home Affairs decides case by case. It usually grants a stay of 3 months, and may grant up to 12 months in certain circumstances. Parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents may get a longer visa, but cannot stay more than 12 months in any 18-month period.
Is the Australia visitor visa an e-visa?
Yes, in practice. You apply online through ImmiAccount and the visa is linked digitally to your passport. You do not get a visa label or sticker in your passport.
Can I work in Australia on a visitor visa?
No. You cannot work on the subclass 600 visitor visa. You can study or train for up to 3 months and may be able to do some volunteer work.
Can I extend my Australia visitor visa?
No. You cannot extend this visa. To stay longer you must apply for a new visa while in Australia, if your current visa does not have a 'No Further Stay' condition such as 8503.
How long does the Australia visitor visa take to process?
Processing times change often. Use the official visa processing time guide on the Home Affairs website, which shows times for recently decided applications. Do not book travel until your visa is granted in writing.
Why are Australian visitor visas refused?
Common reasons include not showing that you are a genuine visitor, not having enough money for the trip, not meeting the health or character requirements, owing money to the Australian Government, or giving incomplete or inaccurate information.
Apply only on the official site.
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