How to Get an Australian Visitor Visa: A Complete Guide (2026)
Disclaimer: The information in this article is general in nature and is intended for educational purposes only. It is not migration advice and should not be relied upon as advice for your individual circumstances. Australian visa requirements can change, and every applicant's situation is unique.
Planning a Trip to Australia?
Whether you're travelling to Australia for a holiday, to visit family or friends, or for certain short-term business activities, it's important to understand Australia's visitor visa options before making travel plans.
This guide provides general information about the Australian Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) and some of the factors that may be relevant during the application process.
Litchfield National Park - Northern Territory
What is the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)?
The Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) is one of Australia's temporary visa options that may allow eligible individuals to visit Australia for purposes such as:
Tourism and holidays
Visiting family or friends
Certain business visitor activities
Short-term study in limited circumstances
The length of stay, visa conditions and application requirements can differ depending on individual circumstances and the stream under which an application is made.
Who May Be Eligible?
Eligibility requirements vary depending on the individual applicant and the visa stream being applied for.
Generally, applicants may be required to demonstrate matters such as:
Their identity
The purpose of their visit
That they intend to comply with visa conditions
That they meet any applicable health or character requirements
That they satisfy any other legislative requirements relevant to their application
Applications are assessed on their own individual merits.
Gold Coast Hinterlands, Queensland
Supporting Documents
The documents requested during an application can differ depending on individual circumstances.
Examples of documents that applicants may be asked to provide include:
Passport identification documents
Evidence of financial circumstances
Employment or study information
Travel plans
Evidence relating to family or personal circumstances
Invitation letters (where applicable)
Providing complete and accurate information may assist with the assessment process.
Temporary Nature of the Visa
One of the matters that may be considered during assessment is whether an applicant intends to visit Australia temporarily and comply with the conditions of their visa.
The type of information relevant to this consideration will differ between applicants and may depend on their personal circumstances.
Processing Times
Visa processing times vary and can change over time.
Processing may be influenced by factors such as:
Application volumes
Whether all requested information has been provided
Individual circumstances
Whether additional checks are required
Applicants are generally encouraged to allow sufficient time before their intended travel dates.
Great Barrier Reef, Cairns, Queensland
Reasons an Application May Not Be Successful
Every application is different and outcomes depend on the information available to the decision-maker.
Some applications may require additional information, while others may not be successful for a range of reasons under Australian migration law.
Ensuring information is complete, accurate and consistent may assist in avoiding unnecessary delays.
Before You Apply
Before lodging a visa application, it may be helpful to:
Check that your passport is valid.
Read the current visa information published by the Australian Government.
Gather any documents requested for your circumstances.
Ensure all information provided is accurate and consistent.
Allow adequate time before your proposed travel.
How Drift Visa Can Help
At Drift Visa, we provide general information about Australian visa pathways and assist clients throughout the application preparation process in collaboration with Australian Registered Migration Agents where required.
If you would like to discuss your circumstances, our team can help you understand the process and connect you with the appropriate support.
Whitsunday Islands, Queensland
General Information Disclaimer
The information contained in this article is general information only. It is not legal or migration advice and does not take into account your individual circumstances. Australian migration legislation and policy may change over time. If you require advice about your personal situation, you should seek assistance from an Australian Registered Migration Agent or Australian legal practitioner where appropriate.