Subclass 600 · Visitor · Tourist, Sponsored Family, Business Visitor, and others
Visitor visa (Subclass 600)
The subclass 600 is the main visitor visa for people who are not eligible for an ETA or eVisitor. It is granted for stays of 3, 6, or 12 months, sometimes as a multi-year multiple-entry visa. You cannot work on it, and study is limited to 3 months.
By Roman Lama
- Stay period
- Usually 3, 6, or 12 months per entry
- Permanent residence
- No, temporary only
- Points tested
- No
- Age limit
- None
- Base application charge
- From AUD 250 for the Tourist stream applied for outside Australia, or AUD 630 applied for inside Australia. Other streams cost more. A lower charge applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens from 1 July 2026.
- Processing time
- From a few days to several weeks depending on stream and country
- English requirement
- None
Who it's for
You must show that you:
- 1
Genuinely intend to stay temporarily
- 2
Have enough money for the visit
- 3
Have an incentive to return home, such as a job, family, or property
- 4
Meet health and character requirements
Pathway to permanent residence
None. The visitor visa is strictly temporary. Many visitor visas carry condition 8503, which blocks applying for most other visas while in Australia.
Which visitor visa applies to you
Passport holders from many countries use the free eVisitor (subclass 651) or the low-cost ETA (subclass 601) instead. The 600 is for everyone else, and for visits that need a longer stay or a specific stream.
Visitor visa versus student visa
People often ask whether they can study on a visitor visa, or start on a 600 and switch to a student visa later. A visitor visa allows only short, casual study, and switching onshore is frequently blocked.
| Question | Visitor visa (600) | Student visa (500) |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Tourism, visiting family, business meetings | Full-time enrolment in a CRICOS-registered course |
| Study allowed | Up to 3 months, under condition 8201 | Unlimited, that is the purpose of the visa |
| Work allowed | None, under condition 8101 | Up to 48 hours a fortnight while the course is in session |
| Typical length | 3, 6, or 12 months per entry | Length of the course plus a short buffer |
| Health cover | Not required, but strongly advised | OSHC mandatory for the whole visa |
| Cost | From AUD 250 | From AUD 2,500, see the cost breakdown |
| Leads anywhere | No | Can lead to a 485 graduate visa and, in some fields, permanent residence |
A visitor visa is enough for a language course or a single subject of under three months. For anything longer you need a student visa, and you generally cannot move from a 600 to a 500 without leaving Australia, especially if your visitor visa carries condition 8503 (no further stay). Applying for the right visa from the start avoids a wasted trip.
The 8503 condition
If your visa says 'no further stay', you generally cannot apply for a student, partner, or skilled visa while in Australia. Waivers are granted only for major, unforeseen changes in circumstances.
Visiting while a partner visa is processed
Offshore partner visa (309) applicants often hold a 600 to spend time in Australia during processing, as long as the 600 does not carry 8503.
Visa conditions
Condition 8101 prohibits work. Condition 8201 limits study to 3 months. Condition 8503 (no further stay) is often imposed and prevents applying for another visa onshore. Condition 8558 limits you to no more than 12 months in any 18-month period for long-validity visas.
Visitor visa (subclass 600): common questions
How much does the subclass 600 visa cost?
Base application charge for the Visitor visa (subclass 600): From AUD 250 for the Tourist stream applied for outside Australia, or AUD 630 applied for inside Australia. Other streams cost more. A lower charge applies to eligible Pacific Island and Timor-Leste citizens from 1 July 2026. Family members you include each pay an additional charge, and there are separate costs for health checks, police certificates, and skills assessments.
How long does the subclass 600 visa take to process?
Typical processing time for the Visitor visa (subclass 600): From a few days to several weeks depending on stream and country. Times vary with your occupation, how complete your application is, and demand at the time.
Does the subclass 600 visa lead to permanent residence?
No. The Visitor visa (subclass 600) is a temporary visa. Some holders move onto a skilled or employer-sponsored visa afterward, but the 600 itself gives no permanent residence entitlement.
What is the age limit for the subclass 600 visa?
None. Age is assessed at a specific point in the process, usually the date of invitation or application, so check exactly when before you plan around it.
How long can I stay on the subclass 600 visa?
Stay period for the Visitor visa (subclass 600): Usually 3, 6, or 12 months per entry. The exact period and any conditions are set on your grant notice, so confirm yours on the Department of Home Affairs website or in VEVO before you plan travel, study or work around it.
Related guides and visas
More guides that cover this visa
Been through the visitor visa yourself? Share what actually happened — it helps the next applicant more than another summary of the rules.
This is general information, not immigration advice, and Where To Apply is not a registered migration agent. Visa criteria change often, so always confirm the current rules on the Department of Home Affairs website or with a registered migration agent (check their MARN on the OMARA website) before you apply.