Planning a holiday on the Gold Coast, a road trip along the Great Ocean Road, or a long-overdue visit to relatives in Sydney? Before you pack, you need the right permission to enter. For most travellers, that is the visitor visa Australia offers under subclass 600. This guide covers the costs, requirements and application steps for 2026, so you can apply once and apply properly.

What the Subclass 600 Visitor Visa Covers

The Visitor visa (subclass 600) is Australia’s main temporary visa for tourism, family visits and short business trips. It has several streams, and the right one depends on why you are travelling.

The Tourist stream suits holidays, cruises and family visits. It lets you stay in Australia for up to 12 months, although the stay granted to you is often shorter. The Business Visitor stream covers short work-related activities such as meetings and conferences. The Sponsored Family stream is for people invited by an eligible Australian relative. The Frequent Traveller stream is for citizens of selected Asia-Pacific countries who visit Australia repeatedly for tourism or business. 

Not everyone needs a subclass 600. Some passport holders can use a $20 Electronic Travel Authority (subclass 601) or the free eVisitor (subclass 651) instead, so check your eligibility before you pay for the wrong visa.

How Much Does a Visitor Visa Cost in 2026?

The fee rose on 1 July 2026. The base charge is now AUD 250 if you apply outside Australia and AUD 630 for the Tourist stream if you apply inside Australia, up from AUD 200 and AUD 500. The Frequent Traveller stream costs AUD 1,845. 

The date you lodge decides which fee applies. Applications validly lodged before 1 July keep the old fee schedule, even if they are decided later. The visa charge is generally not refunded if your application is refused, so a weak application costs you money. Budget for extras too, such as biometrics, health examinations, document translation and bank service charges. 

Visitor Visa Requirements: What Home Affairs Looks For

The Department of Home Affairs wants to see that you are a genuine visitor. Failing the genuine visitor requirement is the most common reason Tourist stream applications are refused. An officer weighs whether you plan to stay temporarily and follow your visa conditions. 

In practice, you should be ready to show:

• A valid passport with enough remaining validity.
• Proof of funds, such as recent bank statements, payslips or sponsor support.
• Ties to your home country, such as a job, business, family, property or study.
• A clear purpose of visit and a realistic itinerary.
• Good character and, where requested, a police certificate.
• Meeting the health requirement, which may include a medical exam depending on your country and length of stay.

If a relative in Australia is inviting you, their invitation letter and proof of their status can strengthen the application. Documents in another language need certified English translations.

What You Can and Cannot Do on a Visitor Visa

You can sightsee, visit family and friends, attend events and take short courses of study. You cannot work. The Tourist stream does not permit employment in Australia. Study is limited to a short period, usually up to three months. Breaking a condition can lead to visa cancellation and make future applications harder. 

How to Apply for an Australian Visitor Visa Online

Most people apply online, and the process is simple if your documents are ready:

1. Create an ImmiAccount on the Home Affairs website.
2. Choose Visitor visa (subclass 600) and select the correct stream and location.
3. Complete the form with details that match your passport and supporting documents exactly.
4. Upload your evidence, then pay the visa application charge.
5. Provide biometrics or a health exam if the Department asks.
6. Wait for the decision, then check your grant conditions and stay period through VEVO.

Processing times differ by nationality, stream and how complete your file is. The Department’s visa processing time guide tool gives the most current figures, so check it for your stream. Apply well before your travel date and avoid booking non-refundable flights until the visa is granted. 

Common Reasons Visitor Visas Get Refused

Most refusals trace back to a few avoidable problems:

• Thin evidence of ties: the officer cannot see why you would return home.
• Unexplained funds: large recent deposits with no paper trail.
• Vague plans: no itinerary, no accommodation and no clear purpose.
• Repeat visits: back-to-back tourist applications can raise red flags. 
• Inconsistent information: details that differ between forms and documents.

A refusal stays on your record and can affect later applications, so it is better to submit a strong file once than to rush and reapply.

How Edvise Hub Can Help

Edvise Hub is a Melbourne-based migration and education consultancy. Its team can review your documents, check whether subclass 600, an ETA or an eVisitor suits you, and help you present your case clearly before you lodge. If you would rather talk it through, email contact@edvisehub.com or call +61 424 295 050.

FAQS

1. How much is the Australian visitor visa in 2026?
The base fee is AUD 250 when applying from outside Australia and AUD 630 when applying for the Tourist stream from inside Australia.

2. How long can I stay in Australia on a visitor visa?
The Tourist stream allows up to 12 months, but the stay period granted on your visa may be shorter, usually 3, 6 or 12 months.

3. How long does a visitor visa take to process?
It depends on your nationality and stream, so check the Home Affairs processing time guide for current figures.

4. Can I work in Australia on a visitor visa?
No, the Tourist stream does not allow work, and breaching this condition can lead to visa cancellation.

5. Can I apply for a visitor visa while I am in Australia?
Yes, in limited cases for the Tourist stream, but the fee is higher and other streams generally must be lodged from outside Australia.