Overview
The Subclass 600 Visitor visa is for tourism, visiting family, or business visitor activities. It has several streams — Tourist, Business Visitor, Sponsored Family and Frequent Traveller — and is generally granted for stays of 3, 6 or 12 months. It does not permit work, and study is limited to 3 months.
The Subclass 600 Visitor visa covers tourism, visiting family and business visitor activities — but no work. You choose a stream to match your purpose, and the visa is usually granted for 3, 6 or 12 months. Below are the points visitors ask about most.
Can you work or study on a 600?
No work is permitted on any 600 stream — that includes casual, unpaid or “helping out” work. Study or training is limited to a maximum of three months. If you want to work or study longer, you need a different visa (for example a Working Holiday, Student or work visa).
How long can you stay?
Visitor visas are typically granted for 3, 6 or 12 months per entry, decided case by case based on your purpose and circumstances. Your grant letter states the exact stay period and whether you can enter once or multiple times. Some visas carry a “No further stay” (condition 8503), which prevents you from applying for most other visas while you’re in Australia — check your conditions.
Choosing the right stream
The Tourist stream is for holidays and visiting family or friends; the Business Visitor stream is for meetings, conferences and negotiations (not actual work); the Sponsored Family stream is for visiting an Australian relative who sponsors you (a bond may be required); and the Frequent Traveller stream is for eligible China passport holders who travel often.
Applying onshore or offshore
You can usually apply for a 600 inside or outside Australia. Where you apply, your travel history, and the strength of your ties to home all affect the stay period and whether it’s granted — so a well-evidenced application matters, especially for higher-risk profiles.
Who is eligible
- Genuine intention to visit temporarily for tourism, family or business visitor activities
- Adequate funds for the stay
- Meet health and character requirements
- Sponsored Family stream: an approved sponsor (a security bond may be required)
Costs
The base application charge is A$190 . Charge varies by stream; some Visitor streams have higher charges. Fees are indexed each year — see the official Visa Pricing Estimator for the current figure.
Processing times
Around 75% of applications are finalised within 12 days, and 90% within 30 days. Source: Department of Home Affairs — Global visa processing times .
How to apply
- Choose the right stream. Tourist, Business Visitor, Sponsored Family or Frequent Traveller.
- Prepare supporting evidence. Funds, ties to your home country and purpose of visit.
- Lodge the application. Apply online with supporting documents (onshore or offshore).
How it compares
| Stream | For | Typical stay |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist | Holidays, or visiting family and friends | 3, 6 or 12 months |
| Business Visitor | Meetings, conferences, negotiations — no work | Up to 3 months per entry |
| Sponsored Family | Visiting an Australian relative who sponsors you | Up to 12 months; a bond may apply |
| Frequent Traveller | Frequent tourism or business (China passport holders) | Up to 10 years; 3 months per stay |
Frequently asked questions
Can I work on a Visitor visa?
No. The Subclass 600 does not allow work of any kind. Study or training is limited to a maximum of three months.
How long can I stay on a 600 visa?
Visitor visas are usually granted for a stay of 3, 6 or 12 months per entry. The length and whether it's single or multiple entry are decided case by case and shown on your grant letter.
What is the Sponsored Family stream?
A stream where an Australian relative sponsors the visitor. The Department may require a security bond, which is refunded if the visitor complies with their visa conditions.
Can I extend my visitor visa or apply for another visa in Australia?
Sometimes. If your visa does not carry a 'No further stay' (condition 8503), you may be able to apply for a new visa before your current one ends. If 8503 is attached, you generally cannot apply for most other visas while in Australia. Always check the conditions on your grant.