Immigration · Visit

Visitor visas for Australia.

Tourism, family, business or a working holiday across the Tasman — advised by senior hands, with the same care whether your matter is simple or anything but.

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Choose by purpose

Why are you visiting?

Australia's main visitor visa is one visa — Subclass 600 — with several streams beneath it, alongside a handful of separate pathways. Find what matches your visit, or let a senior adviser place you.

01 Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) One visa, five streams — chosen by who you are and why you're travelling.
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Tourist Stream

Most common Holidays, sightseeing and visiting family or friends — the default for most leisure visits, for stays of three to twelve months. ↗ ▪

Business Visitor Stream

No paid work Conferences, negotiations and short business enquiries — without working for, or selling to, an Australian business. ↗ ▪

Sponsored Family Stream

Sponsor required Visiting a family member who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, on their sponsorship — a security bond may apply. ↗ ▪

Frequent Traveller Stream

Eligible nationalities For citizens of eleven eligible countries — including China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam — who travel often for tourism or business. Long validity, with short stays on each entry. ↗ ▪

Approved Destination Status

PRC tour groups For citizens of the People's Republic of China travelling on an organised tour through an approved travel agent. ↗
02 Other pathways Separate visas — not part of Subclass 600.
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eVisitor (Subclass 651)

Eligible passports A free, electronic visa for eligible European passport holders — short tourist or business visits, applied for online. ↗ ▪

Work and Holiday (Subclass 462)

Work-authorised · age-capped A different kind of visa — for eligible young travellers who want to work as well as holiday. We'll confirm if it fits before you apply. ↗
03 When it's not simple A past refusal or a difficult matter — handled with judgement.
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Complex & Refused

Senior counsel A prior refusal, a character or health concern, a genuine temporary entrant question, or a tight timeframe — assessed with a steady hand and a clear next step. ↗
Before you apply

What to know about visiting Australia.

Most visitors to Australia travel on the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600), which carries several streams for different purposes and nationalities. Eligible European passport holders can instead apply for the free electronic eVisitor, and many other passport holders use the separate ETA. Which applies depends on your nationality, your purpose, and how long you intend to stay.

A visitor visa is for a temporary stay — tourism, visiting family, or short business activities. It does not permit paid work, though most streams allow short study of up to three months. Stays are typically granted for three, six or twelve months depending on the stream and your circumstances.

The stream you choose should match who you are and why you're travelling, and applying under the wrong one is a common and costly mistake. The Department of Home Affairs weighs whether you are a genuine temporary entrant, so a complete, consistent application matters. If there's a past refusal, a health or character matter, or a deadline in play, it pays to take senior advice before you lodge — not after.

We advise on visitor matters for both Australia and New Zealand, including visits that span the Tasman. If you're not certain which visa or stream fits, that's exactly what a consultation is for.

Common questions.

Do I need a Subclass 600 visa, an eVisitor, or an ETA? +
It depends on your passport. Eligible European passport holders can use the free eVisitor; many other passport holders use the ETA; the rest apply for the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600). A senior adviser will confirm which applies before you commit to travel plans.
How long can I stay in Australia on a visitor visa? +
Visitor visas are usually granted for three, six or twelve months depending on the stream and your circumstances. The Department of Home Affairs sets the final stay period on each grant.
Can I work on a visitor visa? +
No. The Subclass 600 visa does not permit paid work — that's the meaning of condition 8101. You may undertake short study of up to three months. If your purpose involves working, a different visa applies, such as the Work and Holiday visa.
What is the Sponsored Family Stream? +
It's a Subclass 600 stream for visiting a family member who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, on their sponsorship. A security bond may be required, and the application is assessed differently from the Tourist Stream.
My Australian visa was refused before. Can you still help? +
Often, yes. A prior refusal isn't necessarily the end — but it changes how the next application should be prepared, particularly around the genuine temporary entrant assessment. This is precisely where senior advice makes the difference.
Begin

Not sure which visa or stream fits?

Speak with a senior adviser. We'll tell you exactly where your visit sits — and the strongest way forward.

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