Australia · Application requirements

Australia Visa Requirements 2026

Non-Australian citizens travelling to Australia for tourism, business, family visits, study under 3 months, work, or working-holiday purposes. The most common category is the Visitor visa (subclass 600) — open to all nationalities and granting up to 3, 6 or 12 months per entry for tourism, business or family visits. ETA (subclass 601) is restricted to eligible passport holders (US, UK, Canada, Japan, Singapore, EU, etc.) for tourism/business stays up to 3 months and is applied via the Australian ETA app. The Work and Holiday (subclass 462) and Working Holiday (subclass 417) visas are for applicants aged 18–30 (35 for Canada, France, Ireland, Italy) from partner countries. The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482, formerly TSS 482) requires employer sponsorship, a nominated occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List, and at least 1 year of relevant experience. All applicants must meet health and character requirements and hold adequate funds plus genuine-stay intent.

Issued by Australian Passport Office (DFAT) · Last verified May 28, 2026 · Official source ↗

At a glance

Application fee

Visitor visa 600 — Tourist (outside AU): A$200
Visitor visa 600 — Tourist (in AU): A$500
Visitor visa 600 — Sponsored Family stream: A$255
Visitor visa 600 — Frequent Traveller stream: A$1,480
ETA (subclass 601): A$20 service fee
eVisitor (subclass 651, EU passports): A$0 (free)
Working Holiday 417 / Work and Holiday 462: A$670
Skills in Demand 482 — base VAC: A$3,210
Student visa (subclass 500): A$2,000

as of May 28, 2026 · details

Processing time

ETA (601): Minutes–12 hours
Visitor 600 — Tourist (75%): ~16 days
Visitor 600 — Tourist (90%): ~36 days
Working Holiday 417: ~27–46 days
Work and Holiday 462: ~30–60 days
Skills in Demand 482 (90%): Up to 4 months
Student 500 (90%): Up to 4 months

details

Issuing authority

Australian Passport Office (DFAT)

Who needs a Australia Visa?

Where to apply

Online via ImmiAccount at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au — the standard channel for almost all Australian visas including 600, 462, 417, 482, and 500. ETAs (subclass 601) are applied through the dedicated Australian ETA mobile app (iOS/Android) only, not ImmiAccount. Paper applications (Form 1415 for visitor visas) are accepted in limited circumstances but processing is significantly slower and costs the same. After lodgement, you may be asked to attend biometrics collection at an Australian Visa Application Centre (VAC) — this depends on your nationality and country of application. Health examinations are booked via eMedical with a Bupa-panel doctor for stays over 6 months or for higher-risk countries.

Fees

Visitor visa 600 — Tourist (outside AU): A$200
Visitor visa 600 — Tourist (in AU): A$500
Visitor visa 600 — Sponsored Family stream: A$255
Visitor visa 600 — Frequent Traveller stream: A$1,480
ETA (subclass 601): A$20 service fee
eVisitor (subclass 651, EU passports): A$0 (free)
Working Holiday 417 / Work and Holiday 462: A$670
Skills in Demand 482 — base VAC: A$3,210
Student visa (subclass 500): A$2,000

Australian visa fees are set by the Department of Home Affairs and CPI-indexed every 1 July. The Visitor visa (subclass 600) Tourist stream is A$200 when applying from outside Australia and A$500 from inside; the Sponsored Family and Business Visitor streams are also A$200, while the Frequent Traveller stream (for eligible nationalities) is A$1,480. The ETA (subclass 601) is technically free as a Visa Application Charge but carries a A$20 service fee through the official Australian ETA app. EU passport holders qualify for eVisitor (subclass 651), which is free. Working Holiday (417) and Work and Holiday (462) visas both cost A$670 after the 1 July 2025 CPI uplift. The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482, formerly TSS 482) has a base Visa Application Charge of A$3,210 plus the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy (A$1,200–A$1,800/year, paid by the employer) and additional charges for accompanying family. Student visas (subclass 500) cost A$2,000. All fees are paid in ImmiAccount via credit card and are non-refundable, including for refused applications.

Fees as of May 28, 2026. Confirm current amounts on the official source before paying.

What to bring

Documents and items you'll need at the appointment or with your application.

Valid passport with at least 6 months' validity beyond intended stay
Recent 35×45 mm photo uploaded to ImmiAccount (JPEG/PNG, 50 KB–1 MB, min 900×600 px)
Evidence of funds: bank statements, payslips, tax returns covering the stay
Travel itinerary, return-flight booking, accommodation reservations
Evidence of ties to home country: employment letter, property, family
Invitation letter from Australian host (for Sponsored Family stream)
Health insurance covering the stay (recommended for tourists, required for some streams)
Police certificates and health examination results if requested
For 482/student visas: employer sponsorship, skills assessment, English-test results (IELTS/PTE), CoE
Application fee payment via credit card in ImmiAccount

Need the photo specs?

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How long does it take?

ETA (601): Minutes–12 hours
Visitor 600 — Tourist (75%): ~16 days
Visitor 600 — Tourist (90%): ~36 days
Working Holiday 417: ~27–46 days
Work and Holiday 462: ~30–60 days
Skills in Demand 482 (90%): Up to 4 months
Student 500 (90%): Up to 4 months

Visitor visa (subclass 600) Tourist stream is currently one of the fastest categories: 75% of applications are decided within 16 days and 90% within 36 days (Department of Home Affairs global figures, Q1 2026). Some applicants from low-risk countries receive grants in days; complex or high-refusal-risk cases can stretch beyond 3 months. ETA (601) is typically minutes to 12 hours via the app. Working Holiday (417) is around 27–46 days; Work and Holiday (462) is similar but slower for ballot countries (China, India, Vietnam). Skills in Demand (482) Core Skills stream sits at 75% within 22 days and 90% within 4 months. Student visa (500) is 75% within 29 days and 90% within 4 months. Processing times are updated monthly on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au — always check before assuming timelines for ticketed travel.

Times vary by location, season, and individual case. Always check the official source for the current backlog before you book travel.

Official source

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/visitor-600

Last verified May 28, 2026

Verify before applying. We compile this from official government sources and re-verify regularly. Fees, processing times, and rules change without notice — always confirm current information on the official site before you apply or pay any fee.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about applying for a australia visa.

How much does an Australian Visitor visa (subclass 600) cost? +

The Tourist stream is A$200 when applied for from outside Australia and A$500 when applied for inside Australia (as of the 1 July 2025 CPI uplift). The Sponsored Family and Business Visitor streams are also A$200; the Frequent Traveller stream is A$1,480. Fees are paid via credit card in ImmiAccount and are non-refundable, even if the application is refused.

What is the difference between an ETA, eVisitor and Visitor visa 600? +

ETA (subclass 601) is for eligible passport holders (US, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, etc.) — A$20 service fee, applied via the Australian ETA app, multiple entries up to 3 months each over 12 months. eVisitor (subclass 651) is the equivalent for EU passport holders — free, same 3-month/12-month structure. Visitor visa 600 is for everyone else (or for stays longer than 3 months) — A$200+, applied via ImmiAccount, up to 12 months per entry.

How long does an Australian Visitor visa take to process? +

For the Visitor visa 600 Tourist stream, 75% of applications are decided within about 16 days and 90% within about 36 days (Home Affairs global figures, early 2026). Low-risk-country applicants often get a grant in days; complex cases or high-refusal-risk nationalities can take 3+ months. ETAs are usually granted in minutes to 12 hours through the app. Always check the latest times on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before booking flights.

How much does a Working Holiday or Work and Holiday visa cost? +

Both subclass 417 (Working Holiday — UK, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, etc.) and subclass 462 (Work and Holiday — US, China, India, Vietnam, Argentina, etc.) cost A$670 as of 1 July 2025. The age limit is 18–30 (35 for Canada, France, Ireland, Italy). Some 462 countries (China, India, Vietnam) require winning a randomised ballot before lodging.

What is the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)? +

The Skills in Demand visa replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa in December 2024. It has three streams: Specialist Skills (high earners, A$135,000+/year salary), Core Skills (occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List, A$73,150+/year), and Labour Agreement. Base visa application charge: A$3,210 from 1 July 2025. Requires employer sponsorship, at least 1 year of relevant experience (down from 2), and meeting the Core Skills Income Threshold. Valid up to 4 years and offers a clear PR pathway under the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186).

Can I work in Australia on a Visitor visa 600? +

No — the Visitor visa 600 explicitly prohibits work, paid or unpaid, in any stream. Limited business activities (meetings, negotiations, conferences) are allowed under the Business Visitor stream, but you cannot fill a position in Australia or sell directly to the public. For work, use a Work and Holiday (462), Working Holiday (417), Skills in Demand (482) or other employment visa. Breaching work conditions on a 600 results in visa cancellation and potential 3-year re-entry bans.

Do I need a photo for an ETA or eVisitor application? +

No — the ETA (subclass 601) applied via the Australian ETA app uses the photo page of your passport plus a live selfie captured in the app for facial-recognition matching. eVisitor (subclass 651) similarly uses passport biometric chip data and does not require a separate uploaded photo. A printed/uploaded 35×45 mm photo is only needed for Visitor 600 (subclass 600), 462/417, 482, 500 and other ImmiAccount-lodged visas.

Can I extend my Australian Visitor visa from inside Australia? +

Yes, by lodging a new Visitor visa 600 (Tourist stream) onshore — but the fee jumps to A$500 (vs A$200 offshore). You typically receive a Bridging Visa A automatically while the new application is decided, allowing you to remain lawfully. Note the "no further stay" (8503) condition: if your current visa has this stamped on it, you cannot apply for most onshore visas and must depart Australia before lodging a new one. Check your visa grant letter via VEVO.

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