Australia Tourist Visa for Indians — Your Complete Guide

Maybe it's the Great Barrier Reef. Maybe it's a child who's settled in Melbourne and you haven't seen them in two years. Maybe it's a business conference in Sydney, or simply the desire to experience a country that feels like a different planet — red deserts, turquoise oceans, cities that consistently rank among the world's most liveable.

Whatever your reason, the Australia Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) is your gateway. It's the visa that lets Indian citizens travel to Australia for tourism, family visits, short-term business activities, and more — for stays of up to 3, 6, or even 12 months.

But here's the thing about Australian visitor visas — they're not rubber-stamped. Australia takes its border security seriously, and the Department of Home Affairs evaluates every application individually. They're looking for genuine visitors with strong ties to their home country, clear travel purpose, and adequate finances. A careless application with weak documentation is the easiest way to get a refusal — and a refusal stays on your record.

At E3 Immigration, we prepare Australian tourist visa applications with the same care we give to PR and study visa cases. Because your holiday, your family reunion, or your business trip matters — and a well-prepared application is the only thing standing between you and Australia.

Visa Subclass

600

Visa Fee

AUD $190

Processing Time

15-30 Days

Maximum Stay

Up to 12 Months

What Is the Subclass 600 Visitor Visa?

The Subclass 600 is Australia's standard visitor visa. It covers tourism, family visits, and short-term business activities. Unlike many countries where you apply at the embassy or consulate, Australia's tourist visa is applied for entirely online through ImmiAccount — and the visa itself is electronic (no sticker or stamp in your passport).

DetailInformation
Visa Subclass600 — Visitor Visa
PurposeTourism, visiting family/friends, short business visits, medical treatment
Stay Duration3, 6, or 12 months (as granted by case officer)
Entry TypeSingle entry or multiple entry
Work Allowed?No — you cannot work on this visa
Study Allowed?Up to 3 months of study only
ApplicationOnline via ImmiAccount
Visa FormatElectronic — linked to your passport number (no sticker)

Types of Subclass 600 Visitor Visa

Most Common

Tourist Stream

For holidays, sightseeing, visiting family and friends, or attending a special event (wedding, graduation, etc.). This is the stream most Indian applicants use. You apply online through ImmiAccount. Stay granted: typically 3 or 6 months for first-time visitors, 12 months for applicants with strong travel history.

For Family Sponsors

Sponsored Family Stream

If you have an eligible family member in Australia (Australian citizen, PR, or eligible New Zealand citizen), they can sponsor your visitor visa by providing a bond and supporting documents. This stream is useful for parents visiting children, or relatives attending family events. Stay: up to 12 months. Your sponsor may need to provide a security bond of AUD $5,000-$15,000.

Short Business Activities

Business Visitor Stream

For attending conferences, trade fairs, negotiations, or exploratory business activities in Australia. You cannot perform productive work or be employed by an Australian company. This stream is for business-related visits of a non-work nature — networking, meetings, contract discussions.

Eligibility Requirements

RequirementDetails
Genuine VisitorYou must demonstrate genuine intent to visit temporarily and return to India
PassportValid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond your intended stay
Financial CapacitySufficient funds to support yourself during your stay (or a sponsor who can support you)
HealthMeet health requirements — medical exam or chest X-ray may be requested
CharacterNo criminal record, good character — police clearance may be requested
No Outstanding DebtsNo outstanding debts to the Australian government
Previous Visa ComplianceComplied with conditions of any previous Australian visas
Health InsuranceStrongly recommended (not mandatory but expected for older applicants)

Documents Required — Comprehensive Checklist

Personal Documents

  • Passport: Current passport with at least 6 months validity and 2 blank pages. Plus copies of all previous passports (if applicable)
  • Photographs: Recent passport-sized photographs per Australian visa specifications (45mm x 35mm)
  • National ID: Aadhaar card, PAN card for identity verification

Financial Documents

  • Bank statements: Last 6 months from your primary savings/current account — showing consistent balance and regular transactions
  • Fixed deposit certificates: If applicable, showing long-term savings
  • Income proof: Last 3 months salary slips, or ITR (Income Tax Returns) for the last 2-3 years for self-employed applicants
  • Business proof: If self-employed — GST registration, company registration, CA certificate
  • Sponsor's financials: If someone in Australia is sponsoring your trip — their bank statements, employment letter, and tax documents

Travel & Purpose Documents

  • Travel itinerary: Planned dates of travel, cities to visit, activities planned (doesn't need to be a confirmed booking)
  • Flight booking: Tentative flight reservation (not a confirmed ticket — a hold booking or dummy PNR is sufficient)
  • Accommodation proof: Hotel bookings, or an invitation letter from family/friends with their address and contact details
  • Invitation letter: If visiting family — letter from the host explaining their relationship with you, your visit purpose, and duration
  • Travel insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance covering the duration of your trip (highly recommended)

Ties to Home Country

  • Employment letter: From your employer confirming your position, salary, approved leave dates, and expected return
  • Business ownership proof: If self-employed — evidence that your business requires your return
  • Property documents: Ownership of property, land, or vehicle registration showing assets in India
  • Family ties: Marriage certificate, children's school records, dependant family members — evidence of commitments in India
  • Previous travel history: Copies of previous visas and travel stamps showing you've complied with visa conditions before

Step-by-Step Application Process

1 Create an ImmiAccount

Register at the Australian Department of Home Affairs' ImmiAccount portal. This is where you'll fill out and submit your application, upload documents, and track your visa status. You can create the account yourself, or we can create and manage it on your behalf.

2 Fill Out the Application Form

Complete the online application form (Form 1419). You'll need to provide personal details, travel history, employment information, financial details, and the purpose of your visit. Answer every question honestly and completely — leaving fields blank or giving vague answers can trigger additional scrutiny.

3 Upload Supporting Documents

Upload all documents in PDF, JPEG, or PNG format. Each file has a size limit (typically 5MB per document). Ensure every document is clear, legible, and properly labelled. If any document is not in English, include a certified translation. The quality of your document upload can significantly impact processing time — poorly scanned or blurry documents trigger requests for additional information.

4 Pay the Visa Fee

Pay AUD $190 (approximately ₹10,500) per applicant via credit/debit card through ImmiAccount. The fee is non-refundable, even if your visa is refused. Family members applying together need separate applications and separate fees.

5 Biometrics (If Requested)

Some applicants may be asked to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) at a designated collection centre. Not everyone is asked — it depends on your profile and travel history. If required, you'll receive instructions via ImmiAccount.

6 Health Examination (If Requested)

Depending on your age, health history, and intended length of stay, you may be asked for a medical exam or chest X-ray. Applicants over 75 are almost always required to undergo a health examination. This must be done at a Bupa-approved panel clinic in India. The Department will generate a HAP ID (Health Assessment Portal) for you to book your appointment.

7 Wait for Decision

Processing time is typically 15-30 days, but can be longer during peak seasons (May-July and November-December) or if additional information is requested. If approved, you receive a visa grant notification via email with your visa conditions. Check the entry validity period — you must enter Australia before the "must enter by" date. The visa is electronic and linked to your passport number.

Australia Tourist Visa Costs

ComponentCost
Visa Application Fee (per person)AUD $190 (~₹10,500)
Health Examination (if requested)₹5,000-₹8,000
Travel Insurance (recommended)₹2,000-₹5,000 (depending on coverage and duration)
Biometrics (if requested)No additional charge
Document Translation (if needed)₹1,000-₹2,000 per document

Processing Time — What to Realistically Expect

Application TypeTypical Processing Time
Tourist Stream (straightforward)15-25 days
Tourist Stream (complex — first-time traveller, older applicant)25-45 days
Sponsored Family Stream20-40 days
Business Visitor Stream10-20 days
Peak Season Warning: May-July (Australian winter = Indian summer holidays) and November-December (Christmas/New Year) see a 30-40% increase in applications. Processing slows down significantly. If you're planning travel during these periods, apply at least 6-8 weeks in advance. We've seen December applications submitted in late November take 6+ weeks — by which time the trip was over.

Special Cases — Parents Visiting Children in Australia

This is one of the most common scenarios we handle, and it deserves its own section because the dynamics are different from a regular tourist application.

When parents apply to visit their children who are Australian PRs or citizens, the Department knows that the emotional pull to stay is strong. They're not questioning your love for your child — they're assessing whether you'll comply with visa conditions and return to India on time.

What Strengthens a Parent Visitor Application:

  • Clear return date: A specific departure plan, not an open-ended "I'll visit for a while"
  • Strong ties to India: Property ownership, spouse staying in India, other children/grandchildren in India, medical treatment in India
  • Previous travel compliance: If you've visited Australia (or other countries) before and returned on time, that's powerful evidence
  • Child's invitation letter: A detailed letter from your child explaining the visit purpose, duration, accommodation, and financial support
  • Health insurance: Particularly important for elderly parents — shows you won't be a burden on the Australian healthcare system
  • Financial support proof: Either your own funds or your child's evidence of ability to support you during your stay
For Longer Stays: If your parents want to stay for more than 12 months, the Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent Visa allows stays of up to 3 or 5 years — but it requires your child to be an approved sponsor, and the visa fee is significantly higher (AUD $5,735 for 3 years, AUD $11,470 for 5 years). We can assess which option is best for your family.

Common Reasons for Visa Refusal

  • Weak financial evidence: Insufficient bank balance, inconsistent income, or funds that appear suddenly without explanation
  • Insufficient ties to India: No property, no ongoing employment, no dependants — the Department may doubt your intent to return
  • Previous visa non-compliance: If you've overstayed a visa in Australia or another country, it significantly hurts your case
  • Incomplete application: Missing documents, blank fields, or vague answers — the Department may refuse rather than ask for more information
  • No travel history: First-time passport holders applying for a 12-month Australian visa may face scrutiny — start with shorter requested stays
  • Inconsistent information: Details in your application not matching your supporting documents (dates, addresses, employment details)
  • Health concerns: Particularly for elderly applicants — conditions that may require hospitalisation in Australia can trigger refusal if no adequate insurance is shown

Tips for a Stronger Application

Apply Early

Submit at least 4-6 weeks before travel. For peak seasons, 6-8 weeks. Rushing leads to incomplete applications and missed documents.

Be Honest

Provide accurate information. Discrepancies between your application and supporting documents are the fastest way to get refused.

Show Strong Finances

6 months of bank statements with consistent income. Avoid sudden large deposits — they look suspicious. If someone is sponsoring, provide their financial evidence too.

Document Home Ties

Property papers, employer letter with approved leave, family commitments — anything that shows you have reasons to return to India.

Why E3 Immigration for Your Australia Tourist Visa?

A tourist visa sounds simple — and in many cases, it is. But we've also seen perfectly legitimate travellers get refused because of a carelessly prepared application, a missing financial document, or an invitation letter that raised more questions than it answered.

We treat every tourist visa application with precision. We review your financial documents for consistency, prepare invitation letters that are clear and complete, ensure your application accurately reflects your circumstances, and identify any potential red flags before the case officer does.

Whether you're a first-time traveller applying for your very first visa, a parent visiting your child in Sydney, or a business professional attending a conference in Melbourne — we make sure your application is strong, complete, and positioned for approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an Australia tourist visa cost?
The Subclass 600 Visitor Visa application fee is AUD $190 (~₹10,500). If an Australian sponsor invites you, an additional AUD $190 may apply. Biometrics are free. Add medical exam costs (₹5,000-₹8,000) if requested.
Is there an interview for the Australia tourist visa?
No. The Australia Subclass 600 visa is processed entirely online via ImmiAccount. There is no in-person interview. Decisions are made based on your uploaded documents. This makes the quality of your documentation even more critical.
How long does Australia tourist visa processing take?
Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks for standard applications. During peak periods or if health/character checks are triggered, it can extend to 6-8 weeks. Apply at least 6-8 weeks before your planned travel date.
How long can I stay in Australia on a tourist visa?
The Subclass 600 allows stays of 3, 6, or 12 months depending on what's granted. First-time applicants typically receive 3-6 months. The specific duration is determined by the case officer based on your purpose, financial capacity, and ties to India.
Can I work on an Australia tourist visa?
No. The Subclass 600 visa does not permit any work in Australia. You also cannot study for more than 3 months. Violating these conditions can result in visa cancellation and future application bans.