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Australia Visitor Visas:
Subclass 600, 601 & 651 Information Guide

Australia Visitor Visas:
Subclass 600, 601 & 651 Information Guide

As an education and migration consultant in Australia, it's essential to provide prospective visitors with clear, accurate information about the most common visitor visas Subclass 600, Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601), and eVisitor (Subclass 651). These visas are ideal for short stays in Australia, such as holidays, tourism, family visits, or business meetings. Visitor visas are not designed for work or long-term migration, but they do allow people to enter and stay legally in Australia for a limited period.

Australia Visitor Visas – Complete Information Guide (2025)

Australia offers several Visitor Visa options for tourists, family visitors, business travellers, and short-term stay visitors. These visas allow applicants to enter Australia for holidays, tourism, family reunions, or attending meetings and events. As an Education and Migration Consultant in Australia, we provide accurate and updated information to help individuals understand the requirements, country levels, documents, and stay limits for the Visitor Visa Subclass 600, Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601), and eVisitor Visa (Subclass 651).

Main Types of Visitor Visas

  • Visitor Visa (Subclass 600): For tourists, family visits, and business short stays. Stay allowed for 3, 6, or 12 months.
  • Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601): Online approval for eligible passport holders with 12-month validity and multiple entries.
  • eVisitor Visa (Subclass 651): Free visa available to specific European passport holders for tourism and business visits.

Visitor Visa Documents Required (General)

Document requirements vary depending on your country’s assessment level, purpose of visit, and financial strength. Below is the complete and simplified requirement list:

  • Valid Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel.
  • Photographs: Passport-size photographs with white background.
  • Bank Statements: 6 months’ financial statements showing sufficient funds for your stay.
  • Employment Proof: Job letter, leave approval, business registration certificate (for self-employed), or student ID for students.
  • Family or Sponsor Documents: If visiting family, include invitation letter, sponsor passport/visa, and sponsor bank statements.
  • Travel Itinerary: Flight reservation, hotel booking, or accommodation details.
  • Proof of Ties to Home Country: Property documents, family ties, job stability, study enrollment (for students).
  • Health Insurance: Travel or visitor health insurance covering your stay.
  • Character Documents: Police clearance certificate (if requested).

Country Assessment Levels for Visitor Visas

Australia evaluates Visitor Visa applications based on three levels of countries. This system affects documentation, checks, and approval strength.

Level 1 Countries (High Visa Approval)

  • USA, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, UAE, Germany, France, South Korea, Japan.
  • Requirements: Minimal documentation, strong passport credibility, and fast processing times.
  • Common Reasons for Visit: Tourism, business meetings, family visits.

Level 2 Countries (Moderate Approval)

  • India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines.
  • Requirements: Strong financial documents, employment history, and travel history.
  • Notes: Applicants are assessed more strictly on financial capacity and purpose of visit.

Level 3 Countries (High-Risk or Under Strict Scrutiny)

  • African nations, conflict-zone countries, and countries with high overstay risk.
  • Requirements: Extensive proof of ties to home country, verified bank statements, family stability, and a strong purpose of visit.
  • Notes: Visa officers examine documents very closely.

Additional Requirements Based on Purpose of Visit

Tourism / Holiday Visit

  • Detailed trip plan or itinerary.
  • Proof of accommodation.
  • Proof of sufficient funds for daily expenses.

Family Visit

  • Sponsor’s invitation letter.
  • Sponsor’s bank statement (3–6 months).
  • Sponsor’s Australian passport, PR visa, or citizenship confirmation.

Business Visitor

  • Meeting invitation letter from an Australian company.
  • Company profile or business background.
  • Proof of business activity in home country.

Stay Limits and Validity

  • Subclass 600: Stay for 3, 6, or 12 months (single or multiple entry).
  • Subclass 601 (ETA): Valid for 12 months, multiple entry, 3 months per visit.
  • Subclass 651 (eVisitor): Valid for 12 months, multiple entry, 3 months stay per visit.

Key Factors That Affect Visa Approval

  • Travel history to countries like UK, USA, Canada, Europe.
  • Financial capacity to support your trip.
  • Strong ties to home country (job, business, family, property).
  • Clear purpose of visit without intention to stay longer.
  • Consistent documentation with no mismatches or false information.

Important Conditions You Must Know

  • You are not allowed to work on Visitor Visas.
  • You must leave Australia before your visa expires.
  • You cannot extend Visitor Visas inside Australia (in most cases).
  • You cannot study for more than 3 months during your stay.

Why Choose an Education and Migration Consultant in Australia?

Visitor Visa requirements change frequently, and approval depends heavily on documentation quality. An Education and Migration Consultant in Australia helps you evaluate your country-level category, prepare financial and purpose-related documents, understand stay limits, and improve chances of approval. Whether you are visiting for tourism, business meetings, or family reunions, a consultant ensures your documents meet the Australian immigration standards for a smooth and successful visa outcome.

Conclusion

Australia Visitor Visas (Subclass 600, 601, 651) offer flexible options depending on your passport, purpose, and country level. By providing the correct documentation, proof of purpose, financial evidence, and ties to your home country, applicants from Levels 1, 2, and 3 can successfully obtain approval. Understanding these categories and requirements helps travellers plan confidently and avoid complications. With guidance from a qualified Education and Migration Consultant in Australia, applicants can ensure their case is strong, genuine, and professionally prepared.

FAQs: Working Holiday Visas

The Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) is designed for travellers from all countries, including Level-2 and Level-3 nations, who want to visit Australia for tourism, family visits, medical treatment, or short business activities. It allows stays of 3, 6, or 12 months and requires full documentation. The eVisitor (Subclass 651) and ETA (Subclass 601) are fast online visas available only to specific Level-1 countries like the UK, USA, Canada, and most of Europe. These do not require heavy documentation and are generally approved quickly. If you are unsure which one suits your passport, an education and migration consultant in Australia can help you select the most reliable option.

Applicants usually need a valid passport, photographs, financial proof, employment proof, travel itinerary, relationship proof (if visiting family), and strong home-country ties such as job, business, property, or family responsibilities. Level-2 and Level-3 countries often need additional documents like bank statements for 6 months, tax returns, business registration, pay slips, employer letters, and sometimes travel history. Requirements depend on the applicant’s country category and risk level.

Australia categorizes countries based on visa-risk levels.
• Level-1 countries (low risk): UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, most of Europe. These applicants get ETA or eVisitor options with simple requirements.
• Level-2 countries (medium risk): India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, UAE residents, Southeast Asia. These applicants require strong financial and travel-back evidence.
• Level-3 countries (high scrutiny): Countries with higher refusal rates, requiring deeper documentation, background checks, and clear intent to return.
Migration consultants in Australia often guide applicants according to their country’s level to reduce refusal chances.

Yes. Applicants must show they can afford their stay in Australia. Level-1 countries may only need basic proof, while Level-2 and Level-3 applicants must show bank statements, income proof, business documents, or sponsorship support. A migration consultant in Australia can help applicants present their financial documents neatly to increase approval success.

Yes, students and fresh graduates can apply. They must show proof of studies, transcripts, enrolment letters, or future educational plans in their home country. Strong educational ties improve financial and return credibility. Many people contact an education consultant in Australia for guidance on combining future study plans with visitor visa requirements.

Yes. A good travel history to countries like the UK, USA, UAE, Malaysia, Singapore, or Europe improves approval chances, especially for applicants from Level-2 and Level-3 countries. Applicants with limited travel history must show stronger financial and social ties to compensate.

It is not mandatory. However, if you are visiting family or friends, an invitation letter along with their passport copy, address details, and residential proof helps your case. Level-2/3 applicants benefit from including an invitation because it establishes a clear purpose of visit. Migration consultants in Australia often prepare a structured invitation format to avoid confusion.