The Tourist/Visitor visa (subclass 600) is for people who want to travel Australia as genuine tourist, business or family visitors on a temporary basis. There are options for the visa to be granted from 3 months to 12 months.

This visa has five streams:

• Tourist stream: for people visiting Australia for a holiday, recreation or to visit family and friends. The visa can be granted for up to three, six, or 12 months. The applicant for this visa stream may be in or outside Australia. If you are in Australia on another visa that is about to expire and want to stay longer, you may apply under the Tourist Stream.
  
• Business Visitor stream: for business people traveling to Australia for a short business visit. This includes making a general business or employment inquiry, negotiations, or participating in a conference. Holders of this visa stream can enter Australia while their 12-month visa is valid and stay for up to 3 months.
  
• Sponsored Family stream: for people traveling to Australia to visit their family. You must have a sponsor (an Australian citizen or permanent resident) who might be asked to provide a bond. Tourist visa holders are allowed to study or train for up to 3 months. All family members to lodge separate applications. You must be outside Australia when you apply and when
  the visa is decided.
• Frequent Traveller: This visa stream is for citizens of the People’s Republic of China who often travel to Australia for business or personal reasons. The visa can be granted for up to 10 years. Stay up to 3 months each time you enter.
• Approved Destination Status stream: for people from the People’s Republic of China who are traveling in an organised tour group. You must be outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is decided.

What this visa lets you do?

This visa lets you travel to Australia to:

• have a holiday or visit family and friends in Australia
  
• study in Australia for up to three months
  
• engage in business activities while in Australia, provided you:
• do not work for or provide services to a business or organisation in Australia
• do not sell goods or services to the public.

The department will tell you how many times you can enter Australia and on this visa:

- You may be allowed to enter only once. If so, you will need to apply for a new visa if you want to return to Australia again after you leave.
- You may be able to travel to and from Australia as many times as you want while your visa is valid, but the time you spend in Australia cannot be more than the period of stay that you have been granted.

Common Criteria

• are travelling to Australia as a genuine visitor, for example as a tourist, for recreation or to visit your family and friends;
  
• have access to adequate funds to support yourself during your visit;
  
• are of good character and health;
• have private health insurance (or equivalent) and a 'fitness to travel' certificate from a doctor if you are over 75 years of age;
• have no debts to the Commonwealth;
• will comply with any condition imposed on your visa;