Planning a trip to Australia is exciting, but navigating the visa paperwork can quickly become confusing.
We see this often with travellers who are applying for the first time or submitting their application from India.
Questions like
- What documents are actually required?
- Is this checklist enough?
- Why do visitor visas get delayed or refused?
come up more often than you’d expect.
That’s where having a clear Australian visitor visa checklist makes all the difference. It helps reduce errors, avoid unnecessary delays, and improve the overall strength of the application.
In 2024–25, the Australian Department of Home Affairs granted about 4.44 million tourist visas under the Visitor visa program, showing strong demand for travel to Australia.
In this blog, we’ve compiled a practical checklist for a tourist visa to Australia, specifically focusing on the Australia Subclass 600 Tourist Stream checklist.
This guide is designed to be simple, clear, and easy to follow, which will help you understand what to prepare, how to prepare it, and why each document matters. We’ll take it step by step so you can apply with confidence and clarity, without second-guessing every form or file.
Key Highlight:
- Complete Australian visitor visa checklist covering passport, finances, travel plans, and supporting documents under Subclass 600 (Tourist Stream)
- Clear Visitor visa Australia document checklist to help first-time and Indian applicants avoid common mistakes
- Exact Australia visitor visa processing time (20–33 days) and current visa cost (AUD 190) included for planning clarity
- Practical guidance on proof of financial capacity, ties to the home country, invitation letters, and travel evidence
What Is an Australian Visitor Visa?
The Australian Visitor Visa, also known as Subclass 600, allows travellers to visit Australia for a short period for tourism, visiting family or friends, or other non-business purposes. It is one of the most commonly applied visas and is suitable for people planning holidays, family visits, or short recreational stays.
It is basically a temporary visa, and it does not allow work, long-term study, or permanent residence. The focus is strictly on short stays with a clear intention to return to the home country.
Here are the key details you should know:
- Visa Type: Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)
- Purpose: Tourism, visiting relatives or friends, short leisure travel
- Stay Duration: Usually up to 3, 6, or 12 months (granted at the discretion of the case officer)
- Entries: Single-entry or multiple-entry, depending on approval
- Work Rights: Not allowed
- Study: Short courses allowed (up to 3 months)
The visa is applied for online, and applicants must submit a set of supporting documents as part of the Visitor visa Australia document checklist. These documents help Australian immigration assess:
- the purpose of the visit,
- financial capacity,
- travel plans,
- and strong ties to the home country.
In the next sections, we’ll break down the Australia visitor visa documents list and the entire visitor visa step by step, so your application is structured, complete, and easy for immigration officers to assess.
Complete Australian Visitor Visa Checklist (Subclass 600 – Tourist Stream)
If you’re planning to visit Australia temporarily, this Australian visitor visa checklist from a registered MARA agent in Australia will help you decide if you’re ready to apply. We’ve created this as a practical, step-by-step Visitor visa Australia document checklist that covers what immigration officers usually expect to see for a strong application.
This checklist applies to travellers visiting for tourism, family visits, or short stays under the Tourist Stream Visa Checklist Australia (Subclass 600).
1. Passport & Identity Documents
✔ Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
✔ Clear colour scan of passport bio-data page
✔ Copies of previous visas and entry stamps (if available)
✔ National ID (if applicable)
This forms the foundation of your Australia visitor visa documents list.
2. Visa Application Form
✔ Completed Australian visa checklist form 1419 (online submission)
✔ Accurate personal, travel, and background details
✔ Consistency across all documents
Errors or mismatched details here often cause delays.
3. Australia Visa Photo Requirements
✔ Recent passport-size photograph
✔ White or light background
✔ Neutral facial expression
✔ Clear image without shadows or filters
Photos that don’t meet Australia visa photo requirements may lead to re-submission requests.
4. Proof of Financial Capacity
✔ Last 6 months' bank statements
✔ Payslips or income proof
✔ Income Tax Returns (if applicable)
✔ Sponsorship documents (if someone else is funding the trip)
Strong proof of financial capacity for an Australian visa shows you can support your stay without working.
5. Travel Plans & Accommodation Evidence
✔ Travel itinerary (planned dates and locations)
✔ Hotel bookings or accommodation details
✔ Return or onward travel plan
Clear travel itinerary and accommodation evidence help establish genuine visitor intent.
6. Purpose of Visit Documents
✔ Personal cover letter explaining reason for travel
✔ Invitation letter for visiting family in Australia (if applicable)
✔ Sponsor’s passport or visa copy (if invited)
This is a key part of the Australia checklist for a tourist visa and should be clear and honest.
7. Proof of Ties to Home Country
✔ Employment letter or business registration
✔ Leave approval letter
✔ Property documents or rental agreement
✔ Family ties evidence
Strong proof of ties to your home country reassures immigration that you’ll return after your visit.
8. Additional Supporting Documents (If Applicable)
✔ Marriage certificate
✔ Birth certificates (for dependents)
✔ Previous travel history
✔ Any refusal explanation (if applicable)
These documents strengthen your Subclass 600 visa application documents where relevant.
Final Checklist Review Before Applying
Before submitting, make sure:
- All documents are clear and readable
- Information matches across forms and files
- Financial proof is recent and sufficient
- The purpose of the travel is well explained
Need Expert Guidance?
Even with a detailed Visa Application Checklist Australia, small mistakes can impact the outcome. Working with a registered professional makes the process smoother and more confident.
And, if you are looking for an expert immigration agent in Adelaide, then our team of experts at Visafast Migration Consultancy, a registered MARA agent in Australia, can help. Our team understands the visitor visa 600 document requirements, case officer expectations, and can help structure your application correctly from the start.
A well-prepared checklist, combined with expert guidance, gives your Australian visitor visa application the best possible chance of success.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
1. How to prepare the Australian tourist visa checklist for first-time applicants?
For first-time travellers, start with a step-by-step checklist for the Australia tourist visa subclass 600. Focus on passport validity, financial proof, travel plans, and a clear purpose of visit.
2. How long should my passport be valid for an Australian visa application?
Your passport should ideally be valid for at least 6 months from your planned travel date. This is an important part of the Visitor visa Australia document checklist and helps meet passport validity requirements.
3. Do I need an invitation letter for a tourist visa to Australia?
An invitation letter is not mandatory for all applicants. It is required only if you’re visiting family or friends. In such cases, an invitation letter for visiting family in Australia, along with the sponsor’s visa or passport copy, strengthens your Australia visitor visa documents list.
4. Is travel insurance required for an Australian visitor visa?
Travel insurance is not compulsory, but it is strongly recommended. Including it in your Australia checklist for a tourist visa shows financial preparedness and helps cover medical or travel emergencies during your stay.
5. How much is the processing time for an Australian visitor visa?
For the Tourist Stream (Subclass 600), most applications are processed within about 20–33 days (90% of cases) after submission when all required documents are complete.
6. How much does the Australian visitor visa cost?
The Australian visitor visa (Subclass 600) fee starts from AUD 190.
