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.
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Tourist Visas in a Nutshell
Which tourist visa should I apply for Australia?
eVisitor Visa
If you plan to travel for less than 3 months
ETA
You travel less than 3 months (visa requested via a travel agency)
Visitor Visa
You want to stay more than 3 months or you are already in Australia
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.
How to get a tourist visa for Australia?
1. Submit your application on the Australian Immigration website
To apply for a tourist visa in Australia, you must do it directly online through the “E-visa” service at www.homeaffairs.gov.au. Visa applications are not processed by the Australian Embassy.
2. Create an ImmiAccount
You will then need to create an ‘Immiaccount’ where you will submit your application. The application process is straightforward and takes only a few minutes. You will need to enter your personal details (last name, first name, date of birth, address, email, etc.), your passport number. Next, you will be required to answer a series of ‘Yes or No’ questions regarding your criminal history. Attach documents (passport or any other documents requested at the time of applying). Then pay the application fee (if any).
Note: Enter the information exactly as it appears on your passport (including all your given names, for example).
3. Visa confirmation
Once your application has been validated, you will receive an email confirming that it has been processed. You will be notified by email if your tourist visa is approved and it will be digitally linked to your passport. We advise you to print the email granting your application.
It is advisable not to book flights or make travel arrangements until you have obtained your visa for Australia.
Evisitor Visa (subclass 651)
- Up to 3 months at a time
- You must be OUTSIDE Australia when applying
- Free
- Apply online ➡️ HomeAffairs visa 651
Eligibility
This tourist visa allows you to stay a maximum of 3 consecutive months in Australia (for tourism, business, private or family visits).
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.
It is free and can be obtained online from the Department of Home Affairs.
To apply for an eVisitor (subclass 651) you must be OUTSIDE Australia and be a passport holder of an eligible country.
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.
Processing time
The application process is swift as it involves a simplified visa. It can be obtained within a few clicks through the immigration website (see above).
The processing time for this visa is quick. It can be acquired in a matter of hours (even minutes!). This duration might extend if you don’t correctly fill out the form or provide all the requested documents. The maximum processing time to obtain this visa is 50 days.
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.
For more information and apply online: eVisitor 651
Electronic Travel Authority ou ETA (subclass 601)
- Up to 3 months at a time
- You must apply from OUTSIDE Australia
- Application service charge $20
- You must use the Australian ETA app to apply ➡️ HomeAffairs visa 601
Eligibility
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.
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.
The visa is valid for up to 12 months from the date it has been granted.
For more information and apply online: ETA 601
What you can do with a 601 & 651 visa
Tourist trip
These visas allow you to visit Australia as often as you wish in a 12-month period. You can stay up to 3 months each time you enter Australia. These two visas (ETA and eVisitor) are multiple entry visas, valid for one year (12 months). So if during your tourist trip to Australia you leave the country to visit an another country, on your return to Australia, your tourist visa will resume and be valid for 3 months. You can travel outside Australia and return as many times as you like during the visas validity.
You cannot work or be paid on these visas. However, it is possible to do voluntary work.
Business visitor activities
You can :
- make general business or employment enquiries
- investigate, negotiate, sign or review a business contract
- undertake an activity as part of an official government visit
- take part in a conference, trade fair or seminar. The organisers cannot pay you to take part
You cannot:
- work for or provide services to a person, business or organisation
- sell goods or services to the public.
Stay longer
You cannot extend these visas. To stay longer you must apply for another visa. For a longer stay you may be eligible for a Visitor visa (Subclass 600 – see below).
Visitor Visa (subclass 600)
- Stay up to 12 months
- Apply In or OUTSIDE Australia
- From $190
- Apply online ➡️ HomeAffairs visa 600
Eligibility
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 $190 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 August 2023:
- 25% of applications: 3 Days
- 50% of applications: 7 Days
- 75% of applications: 13 Days
- 90% of applications: 22 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 $475.
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 the immigration decides your application.
Processing times for the visitor visa when applying from Australia are (as at August 2023):
- 25% of applications: 3 Days
- 50% of applications: 7 Days
- 75% of applications: 13 Days
- 90% of applications: 22 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 $190. Your sponsor might have to pay a security bond.
You must be OUTSIDE Australia when you apply and when the immigration decides your visa.
Processing time for the visitor visa (sponsored family stream) are (as at August 2023):
- 25% of applications: 8 Days
- 50% of applications: 13 Days
- 75% of applications: 20 Days
- 90% of applications: 30 Days
Business Visitor Stream
This visa stream lets you visit Australia for business reasons. With this visa you can stay up to 12 months. The application charge is $190.
You must be OUTSIDE Australia when you apply and when the immigration decides your visa.
Processing time for the visitor visa (business visitor stream) are (as at August 2023):
- 25% of applications: 2 Days
- 50% of applications: 6 Days
- 75% of applications: 9 Days
- 90% of applications: 14 Days
For more information on the Visitor Visa and to apply online: Visitor Visa 600
Frequently asked questions on Tourist Visa
Entry to the Australian territory requires obtaining a visa. You must absolutely have a valid visa to enter the country. Whether it’s a tourist visa, a Working Holiday Visa, or even a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, make sure to have a visa before booking your flight to Australia. If you are an Australian citizen, you do not need a visa.
It is strongly advised to apply for your tourist visa before booking your flight. The processing times for tourist visas are generally (very) fast, but it’s still recommended to plan ahead. The processing times might be longer during certain periods of the year or due to a high volume of applications.
To enter Australian territory, you will need a valid visa. In addition to that, you will require a valid passport for the entire duration of your stay.
Once in Australia and if you hold an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA 601) visa, you can extend your stay by applying for another tourist visa (for example, the Visitor visa subclass 600). This will involve a fee. If you are in Australia on an eVisitor (651) visa, you will not be able to extend it.
It is important to note that visa information can change, so it is essential to refer to the official website of the Australian government or contact the Australian embassy or consulate in your country to obtain the most up-to-date information about tourist visas for Australia
Source: www.homeaffairs.gov.au
