How to Get an Australia Tourist Visa: Complete Guide

Australia requires advance permission to enter for almost every foreign national. Depending on your passport, you will apply for one of three options: an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), an eVisitor, or a full Visitor Visa (subclass 600). This guide covers all three and what you need to know for each.

Which Visa Type Do You Need?

Electronic Travel Authority (ETA — subclass 601) Available to passport holders from: USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, and a handful of others. Applied via the Australia ETA app ($20 AUD service charge). Decisions are typically made in under 30 seconds. Valid for 12 months, multiple entries, up to 90 days per visit.

eVisitor (subclass 651) Available to passport holders from EU countries, UK, Norway, Iceland, and a few others. Free of charge. Applied online at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Valid for 12 months, multiple entries, 90 days per visit. Decisions typically within 24 hours.

Visitor Visa (subclass 600) Required for all other nationalities — including India, China, Philippines, South Africa, and most of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Fee: AUD $150. Processing: 4-8 weeks on average, can be longer.

The rest of this guide focuses on the subclass 600, which is the most complex.

Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) — Application Process

Step 1: Apply online Apply through ImmiAccount at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. No paper applications.

Create an ImmiAccount, complete the application form, and upload all supporting documents digitally.

Step 2: Pay the fee Visitor stream fee: AUD $150 (approximately USD $100).

• 3-year multiple entry: AUD $375
• 5-year multiple entry: AUD $630

For frequent visitors to Australia, longer-validity options are worth the upfront cost.

Step 3: Submit biometrics (if required) Some applicants are required to provide biometrics at a Visa Application Centre. You will be notified via your ImmiAccount if this applies to you.

• Most applicants: 4-8 weeks
• Complex cases or high-volume countries (India, China): can be 8-16 weeks

The Department of Home Affairs publishes current processing times at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au.

Documents Required

1. Valid passport (at least 6 months validity)
2. Current photograph meeting biometric specifications
3. Completed online application

• 3-6 months of bank statements
• Evidence of employment and leave approval (employment letter)
• Pay slips (last 3 months)
• If self-employed: business documentation and financial statements
• If retired: pension or superannuation statements

• Detailed itinerary
• Return flight booking or evidence of funds to purchase one
• Accommodation bookings (hotel confirmations, Airbnb, or letter from host)
• If visiting family/friends in Australia: letter of invitation, their Australian status documents

• Employment letter with confirmed return-to-work date
• Property ownership
• Evidence of family not travelling with you
• Evidence of ongoing financial obligations

Character and Health Requirements

Australia applies character and health requirements to all visitor visa applicants. Most applicants are not directly asked to provide police certificates or health examinations for short tourist visits, but:

• If you have a serious criminal history, you may be asked to provide police clearance certificates
• If you are staying for 3 months or more, a health examination may be required
• Previous Australian visa refusals, cancellations, or deportations must be declared truthfully

Providing false information is grounds for permanent refusal and potential bans.

The Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) Requirement

Australia's primary criterion for approving visitor visas is the GTE (Genuine Temporary Entrant) requirement. You must satisfy the immigration officer that:

• Your intention is genuinely to visit temporarily
• You will leave Australia before your visa expires
• Your circumstances motivate compliance with conditions

• Clear travel purpose
• Strong ties to home country
• Sufficient financial resources
• A credible itinerary

If Your Application Is Refused

Australian visitor visa refusals come with a reason letter. You can:

1. **Reapply** with stronger supporting evidence (no mandatory waiting period for initial applicants)
2. **Request a merits review** through the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) — only available in certain circumstances
3. **Apply for a different visa** if your circumstances have changed

The most common reason for refusal is failure to satisfy the GTE requirement — insufficient evidence of ties to home country or unclear travel purpose.

Once You Arrive in Australia

Your visa determines how long you can stay. Most visitor visas grant 3-6 months per entry. You cannot extend a visitor visa from within Australia except in genuinely exceptional circumstances (medical emergencies, natural disasters).

Working while on a visitor visa is strictly prohibited. Breach of visa conditions can result in cancellation, removal, and bans on future applications.

Fees and processing times current as of 2026. Always verify at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before applying.