Last Updated: 15 July 2026

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The Tourist Stream (Apply Outside Australia) is part of the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600). It allows eligible applicants who are outside Australia to travel to Australia temporarily for tourism purposes.

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This stream is commonly used for holidays, visiting family or friends, and short recreational study. This page explains eligibility requirements, stay period, conditions and application considerations for offshore applicants.

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Who Can Apply for the Tourist Stream (600) Outside Australia?

You can apply for the Tourist stream from outside Australia if you intend to visit only, have enough money for your stay, and will not work while in Australia.

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To apply under this stream, you must meet all of the following:

• You intend to come to Australia to visit only

• You have enough money for your stay in Australia

• You will not work in Australia

• You are outside Australia both when you apply and when the Department decides your application

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If you hold, or may be eligible for, an Electronic Travel Authority (601) or eVisitor (651), check those options first — they carry no visa application charge, unlike the Tourist stream's AUD 250 base charge. See How Much Does a Tourist Visa to Australia Cost above.

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What Can You Do on the Tourist Stream (600) Offshore Visa?

If granted, this visa lets you visit family or friends, travel as a tourist, go on a cruise, or travel for purposes other than business or medical treatment.

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This visa carries the following conditions:

• Condition 8101 (No work) — you cannot work in Australia on this visa

• Condition 8201 (Maximum 3 months study) — you may undertake short recreational study, generally up to 3 months

• Condition 8501 — you must maintain adequate health insurance for the length of your stay

• Condition 8531 — you must leave Australia before your visa expires

For the full official condition list, see the Department of Home Affairs' visa conditions checker.

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How Long Can You Stay?

The Department grants a stay of up to 12 months on the Tourist stream (600) offshore, though not every applicant receives the maximum period.

The duration granted depends on:

• Your individual circumstances

• Your immigration history

• Your purpose of travel

• Compliance with the conditions of any previous Australian visa

Always check your visa grant notice to confirm the exact stay period and conditions attached to your grant.

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Genuine Visitor Requirement

You must satisfy the genuine temporary entry criterion under clause 600.211 of Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations 1994. The Department must be satisfied that you genuinely intend to stay in Australia only temporarily, for the purpose the visa is granted.

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In assessing this, the Department considers:

• Whether you complied substantially with the conditions of any previous substantive visa, or any subsequent bridging visa

• Whether you intend to comply with the conditions of the Tourist stream (600) visa

• Any other relevant matter

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Failing to satisfy clause 600.211 is the most common reason Tourist stream applications are refused. This same genuine-intent assessment underpins clause 600.215, which caps most visitor visa stays at 12 consecutive months — see How Long Can You Stay above.

Source: Migration Regulations 1994, Schedule 2, Federal Register of Legislation.

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Financial Requirements

You must show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay.

Evidence may include:

• Bank statements
• Employment income
• Sponsor support (if applicable)
• Return travel arrangements

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There is no fixed minimum amount. Assessment depends on individual circumstances.

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Health and Character Requirements

Depending on your circumstances, you may be required to:

• Undergo medical examinations
• Provide police certificates
• Declare criminal history

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The Department will notify you if additional checks are required.

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Visa Conditions

Common conditions include:

• No work permitted
• Study limited to 3 months
• Must leave Australia before visa expiry

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Some visas may include a No Further Stay condition.

Failure to comply may affect future visa applications.

 

How Long Does the Tourist Stream (600) Offshore Take to Process?

The Department publishes one combined processing time figure for the Tourist stream, covering both onshore and offshore applications — there's no separate offshore-only timeframe.

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Based on the Department's current published processing times:

• 50% of applications are processed within 16 days

• 90% of applications are processed within 33 days

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These figures are a guide based on recently decided applications, not a guarantee for your specific case. Processing may take longer if your application is missing required information or documents.

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Check the status of your application, and confirm you've provided all necessary supporting documents, through ImmiAccount. The Department will contact you directly once a decision is made.

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For the most current figures, use the Department's visa processing time guide tool directly — select Visitor visa (subclass 600) and the Tourist stream.

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Tourist Stream (600) Offshore — Visa Application Charge

The base application charge is AUD 250.

You may qualify for a nil visa application charge if you provide supporting evidence and are travelling:

• As a representative of a foreign government

• On a United Nations Laissez-Passer for official purposes

• As a member of an exempt group

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Additional applicants aren't eligible for this visa. Each person must lodge a separate application.

Fees sourced from the Department of Home Affairs' Current Visa Pricing Estimator. Charges may change — always confirm with the official tool before applying.

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How to Apply

Step 1: Create an ImmiAccount.
Step 2: Select Visitor Visa (Subclass 600).
Step 3: Choose Tourist Stream (Apply Outside Australia).
Step 4: Upload required documents.
Step 5: Pay the visa application charge.
Step 6: Await a decision.

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If granted, the visa will be electronically linked to your passport.

For a broader overview of tourism visa options in Australia, see the Tourist Visa Australia guide.

Important

You must be outside Australia when applying and when a decision is made.

Visa rules and requirements may change. Always refer to the official Department of Home Affairs website for current information.