Apply for an Australian Visitor visa (subclass 600)
Planning a holiday, family visit or short business trip to Australia? Your Visitor visa application needs to clearly prove your travel purpose, financial position and intention to leave Australia before your visa expires.
Sable International helps you prepare a clear, evidence-led application so you can apply with confidence.
Enquire nowWhat is an
Australian Visitor visa?
An Australian Visitor visa, also known as the Visitor visa (subclass 600), allows eligible travellers to visit Australia temporarily for tourism, family visits or approved short-term business visitor activities.
Depending on your reason for travel and personal circumstances, this visa may allow you to:
- Visit family or friends in Australia
- Travel to Australia for a holiday or cruise
- Attend business meetings, conferences or negotiations
- Study or train for up to three months, where permitte
- Stay in Australia for the period granted on your visa
A Visitor visa does not allow you to work in Australia. If your real purpose is to work, study long term, join a partner or move permanently, a different Australian visa may be more appropriate.
Not sure which Australian visa you need? Speak to our team before you apply.
Contact usWhen is a Visitor visa (subclass 600) the right option?
You may need to apply for a Visitor visa (subclass 600) if you are not eligible for an Electronic Travel Authority or eVisitor visa, or if your circumstances require a more detailed application. This is often the case where your visit involves a longer stay, sponsorship by an eligible family member, you have had previous visa issues or refusals, or a purpose that needs to be clearly explained and supported by evidence.
A Visitor visa may be appropriate if you are:
01
Visiting children, parents, siblings or extended family in Australia
02
Travelling for tourism, a cruise or a holiday
03
Attending short business meetings or conferences
04
Applying after a previous Australian visa refusal
05
Requesting a longer stay than the standard three months
06
Being sponsored by an eligible family member in Australia
How Australian Visitor visa applications are assessed
A Visitor visa is not granted simply because you want to travel to Australia. The Department of Home Affairs must be satisfied that your visit is genuine, temporary and supported by clear evidence.
That means your application needs to answer the real decision-making questions clearly:
- Why are you travelling to Australia?
- How long do you intend to stay?
- Do you have enough money for the trip?
- What ties do you have to your home country?
- Have you complied with previous visa conditions?
- Is the visa stream correct for your purpose?
- Are there any refusal risks that should be addressed upfront?
Sable International helps you present the right evidence from the start, so your application is built around the factors that matter.
Which Australian Visitor visa stream should you apply for?
Tourist stream
The Tourist stream is for people travelling to Australia for a holiday, cruise or to visit family and friends.
This may be suitable if you are:
- Visiting relatives in Australia
- Travelling for leisure or tourism
- Joining a cruise that includes Australia
- Planning a short stay for a family holiday
- Applying from outside Australia
You cannot work on this visa. You may be able to study or train for a short period, provided study is not your main reason for travelling and will be for less than three months.
Business Visitor stream
The Business Visitor stream is for short business visitor activities in Australia.
This may be suitable if you need to:
- Attend meetings
- Attend a conference or seminar
- Take part in business negotiations
- Explore business opportunities
- Attend a trade event without being paid by the organiser
This visa is not for working in Australia, providing services to an Australian business or organisation, or selling goods or services directly to the public.
Sponsored Family stream
The Sponsored Family stream is for visitors who have an eligible sponsor in Australia and are travelling to visit family or friends, for tourism, a cruise or another temporary purpose that is not business or medical treatment.
This may be suitable if:
- You are visiting family or friends in Australia
- You have an eligible sponsor who is a settled Australian citizen or permanent resident
- You can show your relationship to your sponsor
- You may need a longer stay or stronger family-based support for your application
An eligible sponsor is usually a close relative, such as a partner, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece or nephew, including step-equivalent relationships.
A sponsor cannot be your fiancée, in-law, cousin, friend or New Zealand citizen.
This visa is usually granted for a temporary stay, often three months, although longer stays may be granted in limited circumstances. The Department will also request a security bond before deciding the application.
What are the Australian Visitor visa requirements
Every Visitor visa application is assessed on its own facts. In general, you must show that you are a genuine temporary visitor and that you meet the relevant visa requirements.
You will need to provide evidence of:
A valid passport
Your reason for travelling to Australia
Your intended travel dates and itinerary
Funds available for your stay
Employment, business or study commitments outside Australia
Family responsibilities or other ties to your home country
Invitation letters from family, friends or business contacts
Previous travel history
Health and character information, where required
The stronger and clearer your evidence, the easier it is for the decision-maker to understand your application and how it meets the requirements.
Why Visitor visa applications are refused
Refusals often happen when the application does not clearly show that the applicant meets the genuine temporary entrant requirements, has enough funds for the visit, intends to stay temporarily and has provided the right supporting documents.
Common issues include:
01
Weak evidence of ties to your home country
02
Unclear travel purpose
03
Insufficient financial evidence
04
Long requested stays without a strong explanation and supporting documentation
05
Inconsistent information across documents
06
Previous visa refusals or overstays
07
Applying under the wrong visitor visa stream
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Missing invitation letters or supporting documents
The good news is that many refusal risks can be identified and addressed before you apply. Getting advice early can help you understand what evidence is needed and avoid problems that may affect future Australian visa applications.
How Sable International helps with your Australian Visitor visa
We do more than help you complete forms. We help you build a clear, credible and well-supported application.
Our services include:
- Assessing the correct Australian Visitor visa stream
- Reviewing your eligibility and potential refusal risks
- Advising on the documents you should provide
- Helping you explain your travel purpose clearly
- Checking your financial and personal evidence
- Preparing a stronger application narrative
- Guiding you through lodgement requirements
- Supporting you with further information requests, where needed
Our role is to help make your application clear, ensure it is supported by the right evidence and aligned with Australian immigration requirements.
When should you apply for an Australian Visitor visa?
Visitor visa processing times can vary. Applications may take longer if the Department requests more information, needs to assess complex circumstances, or if documents are missing.
Do not wait until flights are booked, family events are close or business travel is urgent. A rushed application is more likely to contain gaps.
If you want to visit Australia, start with advice early.
Speak to Sable International before you apply.
Start your enquiryStart your Australian Visitor visa application
Australia is more than a destination. For many of our clients, it is where their children live, where family milestones happen, where business opportunities begin and where future plans take shape.
At Sable International, we help people build futures beyond borders by making complex immigration processes clearer, more strategic and less stressful.
If you are ready to visit Australia, our team can help you take the next step.
Complete the form and one of our Australian immigration specialists will contact you.
Enquire nowAustralian Visitor Visa FAQs
01What is the Australian Visitor visa (subclass 600)?
The Visitor visa (subclass 600) is a temporary visa for eligible travellers who want to visit Australia for tourism, family visits or certain business visitor activities.
02Can I work in Australia on a Visitor visa?
No. The Australian Visitor visa does not allow you to work in Australia. If you want to work, you should get advice on the correct work visa.
03How long can I stay in Australia on a Visitor visa?
The length of stay depends on the visa stream, your circumstances and the period granted by the Department. Some visitor visa streams may allow stays of up to 12 months, but generally the standard stay period is three months.
04Can I visit family in Australia on a Visitor visa?
Yes. The Visitor visa can be used to visit family and friends in Australia. Some applicants may apply under the Tourist stream, while others may be better suited to the Sponsored Family stream.
05What documents do I need for an Australian Visitor visa?
You may need documents showing your identity, travel purpose, finances, employment or study commitments, family ties, travel history and any invitation from people you are visiting in Australia.
06Can Sable International help if my Australian Visitor visa was refused?
Yes. If your Visitor visa has been refused, our team can review the refusal reasons and advise on your possible next steps. It is important to get advice before submitting another application.
07Should I book flights before my visa is granted?
It is generally safer to get visa advice and understand your application timeline before relying on fixed travel plans. Processing times can vary, especially if further information is requested.
Australian Visa Assessment
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