How Long Can You Stay in Australia on a Subclass 600 Tourist Visa?
When planning a trip to Australia, understanding the duration of your stay under the Subclass 600 Tourist Visa is crucial. This visa allows individuals to visit Australia temporarily for tourism, business visitor activities, or to visit family. However, the actual duration you can stay depends on several variables, including your purpose, application stream, personal circumstances, and immigration history.
In this comprehensive guide, we break down everything you need to know about the Subclass 600 Tourist Visa, focusing specifically on how long you can stay, what affects that stay, and what options exist if you wish to extend or modify it.
What Is the Subclass 600 Tourist Visa?
The Subclass 600 Tourist Visa is designed for people who wish to enter Australia temporarily for one of the following reasons:
- Tourism: For holidays, recreation, or seeing family and friends.
- Business Visitor Activities: For attending meetings, conferences, or contract negotiations (not for work).
- Sponsored Family Stream: For those visiting family members in Australia who are sponsoring their visit.
- Approved Destination Status Stream: Specific to citizens from certain areas of China visiting on organised tours.
- Frequent Traveller Stream: For business and leisure travel by citizens of the People’s Republic of China.
For most applicants, particularly those applying under the Tourist Stream, the core concern is: how long can I legally remain in Australia on this visa?
Duration of Stay – Subclass 600 Tourist Visa
Standard Stay Periods
In general, the Department of Home Affairs grants Subclass 600 visas with one of the following stay durations:
- Up to 3 months
- Up to 6 months
- Up to 12 months
However, it’s important to understand that:
- You cannot choose your stay duration.
- The Department decides the length based on your individual application and circumstances.
- The maximum stay period granted is 12 months, but this is typically reserved for exceptional cases or applicants with strong ties to Australia (e.g., elderly parents visiting long-term).
Factors That Influence Visa Duration
The length of stay you are granted depends on several factors:
- Purpose of Visit: If you’re visiting as a tourist, you might be granted a shorter period (e.g., 3 months). If visiting family, especially under a sponsorship stream, you may be granted up to 12 months.
- Your Travel History: Frequent travelers with a good visa record may be given longer durations or even multiple-entry visas.
- Financial Capacity: You must prove you can support yourself during your stay. A higher level of financial stability may support a longer stay.
- Ties to Your Home Country: Strong ties (job, property, family) suggest you are likely to return home, increasing your chances of being granted a longer stay.
- Health and Character Requirements: Meeting these properly ensures you’re considered a low-risk visitor.
Types of Subclass 600 Tourist Visa Streams
The Subclass 600 visa is not a one-size-fits-all visa. It has several streams tailored to different visitor purposes:
1. Tourist Stream (Apply Outside Australia)
This is the most common visa stream for tourists applying from outside Australia.
Typical Stay Duration:
- 3 months: Most standard approvals.
- 6 months: May be granted if you demonstrate need and financial support.
- 12 months: Rare, usually for those with compelling personal reasons and strong evidence.
Key Factors Influencing Stay:
- Previous travel history to Australia or other countries.
- Financial capacity to support yourself during the stay.
- Proof that you will return home before your visa expires.
- Letter of invitation (if visiting friends/family).
Example:
An Indian tourist applying for a Subclass 600 visa to visit Australia for sightseeing and family visits will most likely receive a 3-month stay unless they have demonstrated prior travel, good immigration compliance, and sufficient finances.
2. Tourist Stream (Apply Inside Australia)
If you’re already in Australia on a valid visa (such as another Subclass 600 or eVisitor visa), you can apply for a Tourist stream visa to extend your stay.
Duration of Stay:
- Up to 12 months in total, including your previous visa.
- If you apply onshore, the new visa (if granted) may allow 3–6 months more.
Important:
- You cannot stay in Australia indefinitely by repeatedly applying for new Tourist visas.
- At some point, the Department may refuse your application based on long-term residency patterns.
3. Sponsored Family Stream
This stream allows family members to sponsor a tourist’s stay in Australia.
Typical Stay Duration:
- Up to 12 months
- Actual stay is determined case-by-case.
Notable Points:
- Sponsors must be Australian citizens or permanent residents.
- A security bond may be required (typically between AUD 5,000–15,000).
- Strong ties to the sponsor, health insurance, and intent to return home are critical.
4. Business Visitor Stream
For those visiting Australia temporarily for business-related meetings or events.
Typical Stay Duration:
- Usually up to 3 months
- Short stays are encouraged; this stream is not for ongoing work or income-generating activity in Australia.
5. Approved Destination Status & Frequent Traveller Streams
These are country-specific streams primarily for Chinese citizens.
Typical Stay Duration:
- ADS Stream: Duration as per group tour plan (usually short, less than a month).
- Frequent Traveller Stream: Valid for up to 10 years, with each stay up to 3 months at a time.
Can You Extend a Subclass 600 Tourist Visa?
Technically, Subclass 600 visas cannot be extended. However, you can apply for another visa while you are in Australia, provided your current visa does not have a “No Further Stay” condition (8503).
Your options:
- Apply for another Subclass 600 visa (onshore application).
- Apply for a different temporary visa (e.g., student visa, if eligible).
- Apply for a bridging visa while your new application is processed.
What if You Have a “No Further Stay” Condition?
If this condition is attached, you cannot apply for another visa while in Australia, unless you apply for a waiver under compassionate and compelling circumstances.
Tips to Maximise Your Chances of a Longer Stay
1. Provide Strong Documentation – Submit clear and complete documents such as a well-planned travel itinerary, confirmed hotel bookings, return flight tickets, and recent bank statements to show your financial capacity and genuine intent to visit temporarily.
2. Show Compelling Personal Circumstances – If you’re visiting for a serious reason—such as caring for an unwell family member or supporting dependent children or elderly parents—include relevant medical records or support letters to strengthen your case.
3. Avoid Multiple Onshore Applications – Continuously applying for tourist visas while staying in Australia may raise red flags. Immigration authorities may suspect you’re using the tourist stream to reside long-term, which can lead to refusals.
4. Respect All Visa Conditions – Do not engage in paid work, avoid studying for more than 3 months, and always leave before your visa expires. Strict compliance with these rules boosts your credibility in future applications.
5. Consult a Registered Migration Agent – If your case is complex or you’re unsure about eligibility for a longer stay, seek advice from a registered migration agent. Their professional guidance can help you present a convincing and compliant application.
Conclusion
The Subclass 600 Tourist Visa provides flexible options for short-term visits to Australia. However, the actual length of stay depends heavily on your individual profile, visa stream, and the discretion of the Department of Home Affairs. While most tourists are granted 3-month stays, longer durations are possible if you present a compelling case and meet the necessary criteria.
Always ensure your stay is within the permitted timeframe and conditions to maintain good immigration standing for future visits. If your plans change, seek proper legal advice early to avoid breaches or visa refusals.
