If you are planning to visit Australia for holidays, sightseeing, recreational reasons, to visit relatives or friends, you will need to apply for a tourist visa. Applying for a tourist visa can also be a good option to extend your stay after a working holiday visa. There are various types of visas available for visiting Australia so it is important to apply for the right one. The type of visa that you may be able to get depends on the length of your stay, your country of origin, where you are applying from and the purpose of your visit. Here is a summary of the different visas available and costs associated.
Conditions to enter Australia in 2022
International borders are opened to tourists. To enter Australia, you must:
- have a valid passport
- have a valid visa
- You do not need to prove your vaccination status anymore
- complete an Incoming Passenger Card.
Tourist Visas in a Nutshell
Which tourist visa should I apply for Australia?
- If you plan to travel for less than 3 months on Australian territory: Opt for a free eVisitor Visa (651)
- You plan to travel less than 3 months and you go through a travel agency for your plane tickets: they will apply for a 601 visa ($20) on your behalf.
- If you want to stay more than 3 months in Australia, choose the Visitor Visa (600), fees applied!
- If you are already in Australia on another visa, you will need to take the Visitor Visa (600).
What a tourist visa allows you to in Australia
- Visit and stay in the country during your visa;
- Study for 3 months maximum;
- Work as a volunteer (Wwoofing/HelpX) – you can not do any paid work.
Important: Tourist Visas do NOT allow you to work legally in Australia.
There are three visas that you can apply for online to visit Australia for tourism or business visitor activities.
Evisitor Visa (subclass 651)
This visa allows you to stay for a maximum of 3 months in Australia for holidays, recreation, a business visit, or visiting family or friends.
Note: This visa allows you to enter Australia for up to three months. However, its validity lasts 12 months from the date the eVisitor is granted. During this period, you are able to travel to Australia as many times as you wish.
To apply for an eVisitor (subclass 651) you must be OUTSIDE Australia and be a passport holder of an eligible country.
This is a free visa.
You must apply online on the Department of Immigration and Border Protection website.
Processing time for an eVisitor is usually quick (1 day). You will be notified by email once your eVisitor is approved.
The visa is valid for up to 12 months from the date it has been granted.
To obtain this visa you must meet the following criteria:
- Do not have any illness or health problems that require significant care
- stay temporarily in Australia and obey any condition and stay period attached to your visa
- Have enough money for your stay in Australia
- Not have a criminal conviction for which the sentences total 12 months or more, whether or not you have served the sentences.
For more information: eVisitor 651
Electronic Travel Authority or ETA (subclass 601)
The ETA allows you to visit Australia as often as you wish in a 12-month period as a tourist or for business visitor purposes. You may stay up to 3 months each time you enter Australia. You are also permitted to study in Australia for up to 3 months in some circumstances.
Note: This visa allows you to enter Australia for up to three months. However, its validity lasts 12 months from the date the eVisitor is granted. During this period, you are able to travel to Australia as many times as you wish.
To apply for an Electronic Travel Authority, you must be OUTSIDE Australia and be a passport holder from an eligible country.
You can lodge your ETA application online at Electronic Travel Authority if you hold a passport from: Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, United States.
If your country of origin is not eligible for the online application, it will have to be lodged by a travel agent, an airline or an immigration agency.
The service fee for an ETA is $20.
The visa is valid for up to 12 months from the date it has been granted.
To obtain this visa you must meet the following criteria:
- Do not have any illness or health problems that require significant care
- stay temporarily in Australia and obey any condition and stay period attached to your visa
- Have enough money for your stay in Australia
- Not have a criminal conviction for which the sentences total 12 months or more, whether or not you have served the sentences.
For more information: ETA 601
Visitor Visa (subclass 600)
For tourists, business visitors or to visit family longer than 3 months, the Visitor visa allows you to stay in Australia for up to three, six or 12 months.
The government can grant this visa with a single entry or multiple entry. If they grant you a visa with multiple entry, you can leave and return to Australia on the visa while it is valid. Generally, the immigration grant a stay period of 3 months. They might grant a stay of up to 12 months in certain circumstances.
You can apply online being IN or OUTSIDE Australia.
For the different reasons of stay, this visa is available in several versions:
- Tourist stream (for tourists)
- Sponsored family stream (if you are visiting family in Australia)
- Business visitor stream (on a business trip)
Tourist stream (apply outside Australia)
If you are outside Australia, this visa stream allows you to visit Australia as a tourist, to go on a cruise or to see family and friends.
The application charge for this visa starts from $150 depending on the length of your stay.
You must be outside Australia when you apply and when the immigration decides your visa.
Processing times for the Visitor visa can vary depending on your situation. It can take a few days up to a couple of months.
Current Processing Times as at June 2022:
- 25% of applications: Less than 1 Day
- 50% of applications: 6 Days
- 75% of applications: 26 Days
- 90% of applications: 37 Days
Tourist stream (apply in Australia)
For those in Australia who wish to apply online, you will need to hold a current visa without a ‘No further stay’ condition.
The application charge for this visa ranges from $380.
It is important to note that if you are applying for a Subclass 600 after a Working Holiday Visa, the application charge will be higher. Indeed, a ‘Subsequent Temporary Application Charge’ of $700 will be applied (if application submitted in Australia).
You must be in Australia when you apply and when we decide your application.
Processing times for the visitor visa when applying from Australia are (as at June 2022):
- 25% of applications: Less than 1 Day
- 50% of applications: 6 Days
- 75% of applications: 26 Days
- 90% of applications: 37 Days
Sponsored family stream
This visa stream lets people who are sponsored, usually by a family member, come to Australia to visit their family members. You must be sponsored by an eligible family member who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
With this visa you can stay up to 12 months.
The application charge for this visa is $150. Your sponsor might have to pay a security bond.
You must be outside Australia when you apply and when the immigration decide your visa.
Processing times for the visitor visa (sponsored family stream) are (as at June 2022):
- 25% of applications: 28 Days
- 50% of applications: 36 Days
- 75% of applications: 45 Days
- 90% of applications: 50 Days
For more information: Visitor Visa 600
Source: www.homeaffairs.gov.au
