Australia Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)
A plain-English guide to the Visitor visa (subclass 600) — for tourism, visiting family or short business trips — based on the Department of Home Affairs and Australian High Commission guidance. Answer a few quick questions, follow nine simple steps, and track your documents as you go.
Visa finder
Not everyone needs the full Subclass 600 process. Answer these three questions and we'll point you to the right visa, stream and estimated fee.
The application journey
Click any step to expand it. Tick "Mark as done" as you complete each one — your progress is tracked below.
Before applying for the Visitor visa (subclass 600), check whether a faster, cheaper electronic visa applies to your passport:
The Subclass 600 has several streams. Picking the wrong one can delay or even risk your application, so match it to your real purpose of travel:
Prepare your evidence before you start the online form — this is the single biggest cause of delay. Use the full Document Checklist further down this page to track every item.
Almost all Australian visa applications, including the Subclass 600, are lodged online through ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs website. Registration is free and only takes a few minutes.
Fill in the online form accurately: personal details, passport information, travel history, purpose of visit and background questions. Upload the documents you prepared in Step 3.
Pay online through ImmiAccount by card. The charge is non-refundable, even if your visa is refused, so make sure your application is complete before you pay.
Most applicants are asked to provide a photograph and fingerprints. In Pakistan, this is done at a VFS Global Australian Biometrics Collection Centre — no appointment is needed, and you can walk in.
Processing times vary by stream and how complete your application is. As a guide: Business stream is usually fastest, Tourist stream commonly takes around 20–33 days, and Sponsored Family can take considerably longer.
If granted, you'll receive a visa grant notice by email — there is no visa label in your passport. Read it carefully for your visa conditions, stay length and expiry date, and keep a copy for travel.
Fee calculator
Select your stream and where you're applying from. These are current base government charges per applicant — always confirm on the official Visa Pricing Estimator before paying.
Document checklist
Tap each card as you prepare it. This checklist covers the Tourist and Sponsored Family streams — business travellers should swap the invitation letter for a business host letter.
Know before you go
Every Subclass 600 grant carries conditions. Breaking them can affect your current and future visa applications.
No paid employment, freelancing, or unpaid work that would normally be a paid role.
You may study for up to 3 months only — anything longer needs a student visa.
Some grants require you to maintain adequate health insurance for your whole stay.
You must convince the Department you genuinely intend to leave before your visa expires.
Common questions
Never submit false or misleading information, or bogus supporting documents — a visa agent or third party who advises this is breaking the law, and it can lead to refusal and a future application ban of up to three years. You are never required to use an agent; you can apply yourself directly on the official Department of Home Affairs website.
Official resources
This page is an independent, plain-English guide. Rules, streams and fees can change — always confirm details on these official sites before you apply.