Subclass 600 — Visitor visa

Who the Visitor visa (subclass 600) is generally for

In general terms, the subclass 600 is a temporary visa for people who want to come to Australia for a short stay — typically for tourism, to visit family or friends, or to take part in business visitor activities such as meetings, conferences or negotiations. It is organised into several streams (for example tourist, sponsored family, business visitor and frequent traveller), and the stream a person applies under shapes the evidence expected and the conditions attached. Across the streams, the visa is built around a few common ideas. An applicant is generally expected to be a genuine visitor who intends to stay temporarily and leave Australia at the end of the authorised period. Decision-makers typically look at matters such as ties to a home country, the purpose and plan of the trip, and access to enough funds to support the stay. Visitor visas usually do not permit paid work in Australia, and study is normally only allowed for a limited period if at all. Health and character requirements generally apply, and some streams involve a sponsor or invitation. Permitted length of stay and any conditions are decided case by case. This is general information only — not immigration assistance or legal advice. Streams, conditions and current requirements change, so always check the official Home Affairs page for the subclass 600, and a registered migration practitioner can advise on which stream and what evidence suit your particular circumstances.

What it typically costs

The main government cost is the Visa Application Charge (VAC). For the subclass 600, the base charge commonly cited for an offshore application is around $200 AUD, though the exact amount varies by stream and can change — always confirm the current figure on the official Home Affairs page before relying on it. Beyond the base charge, a few other costs typically come up. Where family members are included in the same application, additional-applicant charges generally apply per person. Applicants often also meet ancillary out-of-pocket costs that are separate from the VAC, which can include health-related items such as health examinations or travel health insurance, police or character certificates, and certified translations of documents that are not in English. Visitor visas are generally lighter on this front than skilled or partner visas — items such as a skills assessment or an English-language test are usually not part of a visitor application, though requirements differ by case. Importantly, the VAC is a government charge payable to the Department of Home Affairs and is entirely separate from any platform fees or fees charged by a registered practitioner for their professional services. Those are always shown distinctly and are never part of the government charge. Because amounts change, treat any figure here as indicative and check the official page for current charges; a registered practitioner can give a tailored estimate for your situation.

Common questions about the Visitor visa (subclass 600)