What the Subclass 600 Covers
The Visitor visa (subclass 600) is the most widely applicable visitor visa for Australia. Unlike the eVisitor (651) or ETA (601), which are restricted to citizens of eligible countries, the subclass 600 is available to all nationalities. It is the standard visitor visa for nationals of countries including India, China, the Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and many others.
The subclass 600 does not allow the holder to work in Australia (paid or unpaid). It is for tourism, recreation, visiting family, and short-term business activities (such as attending meetings, conferences, or negotiations — but not performing work). Work rights require a separate visa.
The Four Streams of the Subclass 600
The Genuine Visitor Requirement
The most important eligibility criterion for the subclass 600 is that the applicant must be a "genuine visitor" — a person who genuinely intends to stay temporarily in Australia and who will depart when required. This is assessed holistically by the Department of Home Affairs.
The Department considers how strong your connections are to your country of residence. Strong ties include: current employment, a business you own or manage, property you own or lease, family members (especially dependent children or spouse) remaining at home, and ongoing financial obligations. Weak or absent ties are a common reason for visa refusal.
You must demonstrate that you can fund your stay in Australia — accommodation, food, activities, and return travel — without needing to work. Evidence: bank statements showing regular balances (not just a single large deposit), income evidence, or a sponsor's financial declaration.
The Department considers any previous visa applications to Australia or other countries — including any previous refusals, overstays, or compliance issues. A history of overstaying previous visas in any country is a significant adverse factor. A clean immigration history is a positive indicator.
The stated purpose of the visit must be consistent with visitor activities (tourism, recreation, family visit, short business activities). A purpose that is inconsistent with a visitor visa — for example, to seek employment, to remain permanently, or to receive medical treatment paid for by Medicare — will indicate the applicant is not a genuine visitor.
Citizens of some countries face higher refusal rates due to historical rates of overstaying, working illegally, or applying for protection after arrival. This does not mean a visa cannot be granted — but it means applications from nationals of certain countries are assessed more carefully and require stronger supporting evidence.
Visitor Visa 600 Charges
| Application scenario | Approximate charge | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist stream — offshore primary applicant | ~AUD 200 | Per person; confirm on DoHA |
| Tourist stream — offshore secondary applicant (adult) | ~AUD 200 | Per additional adult |
| Tourist stream — onshore | Higher than offshore | Confirm on DoHA |
| Sponsored Family stream | ~AUD 200 + possible bond | Bond may be required — confirm on DoHA |
| Business Visitor stream | ~AUD 200 | Confirm on DoHA |
Condition 8503 — What It Means for Your Visit
Many subclass 600 grants (particularly offshore tourist stream grants) carry Condition 8503, also known as the "No Further Stay" condition. This condition prevents the visa holder from applying for any other substantive visa while they are in Australia — with very limited exceptions.
If your tourist visa has Condition 8503, you cannot simply apply for a new visitor visa extension from inside Australia. You would need to either depart Australia before your visa expires, or apply for a waiver of Condition 8503 — which is only available in "compelling and compassionate circumstances" and is rarely granted.
Common Refusal Reasons and How to Address Them
The most common reason. Fix: Provide evidence of your current employment (employment letter, payslips), property ownership or lease agreement, dependent family remaining at home (partner, children), business ownership documents, or other ongoing obligations that require you to return.
Fix: Provide bank statements covering at least 3 months, showing regular account activity and sufficient balances — not just a single large deposit before the application. Include income evidence (payslips, tax returns, business financials). If a sponsor in Australia is helping with costs, include a sponsor's financial declaration.
A history of immigration non-compliance in Australia or other countries will be assessed. Fix: Be transparent about your immigration history. Provide an explanation of the circumstances of any previous refusal. Demonstrate that the circumstances have changed and that the previous issues no longer apply.
If the stated purpose of the visit is not consistent with what the evidence shows — for example, the stated purpose is tourism but the applicant has no return booking and no evidence of planned activities — the Department may not be satisfied the visit is genuine. Fix: Provide a detailed travel itinerary, accommodation bookings, and evidence of activities planned.
This encompasses all the above factors — the Department forms an overall view of whether the applicant will depart at the end of the visa. A clean immigration history, strong home ties, and a specific, time-limited purpose of visit all support this. A credible, honest application is far more effective than a generic one.
Subclass 600 Questions Answered
This information is general in nature and does not constitute immigration assistance or legal advice for any individual situation. Requirements including occupation lists, fees and processing criteria change without notice.
Nanak Migration Group Pty Ltd makes no representation that information on this site is complete, current or applicable to your circumstances. Nothing here guarantees, implies or represents any visa outcome, approval likelihood or processing time.
Obtain advice tailored to your situation from a registered migration agent or Australian legal practitioner. Navpreet Aulakh, MARN 2619467, is registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
Information current as at August 2026. Verify all requirements with the Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au) before lodging any application.