Australia Visitor Visa 600 from India: Fees, Documents & Timeline

What the subclass 600 visa is and who it suits

The subclass 600 is a temporary visa for tourism, visiting family and friends, or short non-work activities. Most Indian applicants use the Tourist stream. Stays are commonly granted for up to three months, though officers may grant six or twelve months in some cases, and the visa may be single or multiple entry. Paid work is not permitted.

Indian passport holders currently cannot use quicker electronic options such as the ETA, so a full visa application is generally needed. Other streams exist, such as Sponsored Family and Business Visitor, with different requirements. Check that you are applying under the stream that matches your purpose before paying anything.

Indicative fees and extra costs

The government charge for the Tourist stream, applied for from outside Australia, has recently been around AUD 195 to 200. That works out to roughly ₹10,500 to ₹11,500 depending on the exchange rate. Charges are revised periodically, often each July, so treat this as indicative and confirm the current figure on the Home Affairs website.

Budget for extras too: a possible service fee at the VFS centre for biometrics, card surcharges, travel insurance, photocopying or certified translations, and a medical examination if one is requested. Keep all receipts. Pay only through official channels, and be wary of anyone promising a guaranteed outcome for an additional fee.

Documents checklist for Indian applicants

There is no single fixed list, because the officer wants to see that you are a genuine visitor who will return home and can fund the trip. Documents should be clear scans, in English or with certified translations. The items below are what applicants typically prepare, and you can add more where your situation needs it.

Do not buy non-refundable tickets before approval, as this is a common and costly mistake. A simple dated itinerary and refundable hotel bookings are usually enough. If you travel with a spouse or children, add marriage and birth certificates and show clearly who is funding each person.

• Passport valid for the whole trip, plus old passports if you have them
• Three to six months of bank statements and recent salary slips
• Income tax returns for the last two or three years
• Employment letter with approved leave dates, or business registration if self-employed
• Day-wise itinerary with flight plan and accommodation bookings
• Invitation letter and host's proof of status if visiting relatives
• Form 1229 consent and birth certificates for children travelling without both parents

How to apply: ImmiAccount and biometrics

Most applicants apply online through an ImmiAccount on the Home Affairs website. You upload scanned documents, answer questions about health, character and travel history, and pay the fee. After submission you may be asked to give biometrics (a photo and fingerprints) at a VFS Global Australia application centre in India, such as the one in Hyderabad, subject to current locations.

Answer every question honestly and consistently. Mismatched details between your form, passport and supporting papers cause delays, and incorrect or misleading information can lead to refusal and affect future applications. If an officer requests more information, reply by the date given in the email.

• Create an ImmiAccount and start the Visitor (600) Tourist stream application
• Enter details exactly as they appear in your passport
• Upload clearly named, legible documents
• Pay the application charge online and save the receipt
• Book biometrics promptly once you receive the instruction letter
• Track your application and respond to any request for more information

Processing timeline and when to apply

Processing times are published by Home Affairs and change with demand, season and the completeness of each file. For Tourist stream applications from outside Australia, many decisions have recently arrived within a few weeks, but some take longer, especially if extra checks or health examinations are needed. Treat any figure as indicative.

A sensible plan is to apply at least two to three months before departure, and earlier for peak periods such as Indian summer holidays, Christmas or school breaks. Avoid fixing non-refundable bookings until the grant letter arrives, and check that the visa validity covers your entire travel window.

• 8 to 10 weeks before travel: check passport validity and gather financial papers
• 6 to 8 weeks before: lodge the application and pay the fee
• Within days of the request: complete biometrics if asked
• Waiting period: a few weeks is common, but it can vary
• After grant: check conditions on VEVO, then book flights and insurance

The Genuine Visitor test and common mistakes

Officers assess whether you are a Genuine Visitor: someone who intends a temporary stay, has reasons to return and has enough funds. Strong ties such as employment, family, property or studies in India help show this, though nothing is automatic. Explain your purpose clearly and keep your plans realistic for your income.

Most problems are avoidable. If a visa is refused, read the reasons carefully before reapplying, because repeating the same application rarely changes the outcome. Declare any earlier refusals or cancellations truthfully, since the department can usually see your travel and visa history.

• Large unexplained deposits shortly before applying
• Itinerary dates that do not match your leave approval
• Not declaring a previous visa refusal or cancellation
• Fake bookings or unverified agents promising approval
• Applying under the wrong stream or with a nearly expired passport