Australia Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) from India in 2026: Complete Application Guide
By Ananya Singh (Ananya Singh writes step-by-step first-international-trip guides for Indians — passport rules, visa cascade timing, immigration walkthroughs, and the unglamorous logistics that separate a smooth trip from a stranded one.) · Published · 12 min read
Australia visitor visa (Subclass 600) from India in 2026 — ImmiAccount online application, biometrics at VFS, document checklist, and refusal-recovery playbook.
Subclass 600 — what it is, what it isn't
Indian passport holders need a visa to enter Australia — there is no ETA option for Indians (the ETA / eVisitor visa is restricted to passport holders of about 40 specific countries; India is not one of them). The visa Indians apply for is the Subclass 600 Visitor Visa, also called the Tourist stream visitor visa. It's a fully electronic visa (no sticker in your passport), processed entirely online through ImmiAccount.
Default validity is 3, 6 or 12 months from grant date with each stay typically capped at 3 months. Stronger applicants can be granted 3-year or 5-year multiple-entry visas with 3-month-per-visit limits, useful for repeat travellers and parents visiting family.
Step 1 — Create ImmiAccount + start application
Go to immi.homeaffairs.gov.au, create a free ImmiAccount, click "New application" → "Visitor" → "Subclass 600 Tourist Stream". Fee in 2026 is AUD 195 (~₹10,800) for the Tourist stream + AUD 35 (~₹1,950) VFS service fee for biometrics. Paid online by international debit/credit card.
The application form is long — 40+ pages, 200+ questions. Save and resume as you go. Block 90 minutes for a first-time application; have your passport, employment letter, bank statements and travel history ready before you start.
Step 2 — Document checklist (upload as PDFs)
- Passport bio page — colour scan
- Old passports — all previous travel pages
- Passport photo — 35×45mm, white background
- Cover letter — purpose of visit, who you're visiting, dates, itinerary, return commitment
- Bank statements — 3 months, with bank seal
- ITRs — last 3 years
- Salary slips — 3 months + HR leave-approval letter
- Property documents / business proof — strengthens ties
- Itinerary — dummy flights + hotel bookings
- Invitation letter — if visiting family, with their passport copy, visa/citizenship status, address proof, financial undertaking
- Form 1419 (Tourist application form) — auto-generated by ImmiAccount
- Form 956A — only if a migration agent is helping you
Step 3 — Health requirements
Most Indian visitors to Australia are exempt from medical exams for stays under 6 months. Exceptions: if you're over 75 or visiting healthcare workers, you'll be asked to do a health exam (BUPA Medical Visa Services in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata; ~₹6,000–8,000 depending on tests). The HAP ID for the medical comes from ImmiAccount after you submit the application.
Step 4 — Biometrics at VFS Australia
After submitting the application and paying, you'll get a Biometrics Collection Request letter within 1–2 days. Take it to a VFS Australia centre (12 cities in India: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Pune, Cochin, Jalandhar, Trivandrum). 10 fingerprints + digital photo, 15 minutes. Biometrics valid for 10 years.
Step 5 — Processing + decision
Posted target in 2026 is 21–32 days for Indian applicants but actual processing is often 15–30 days for straightforward cases, longer if health/security checks trigger. Decision arrives via ImmiAccount email — usually one of:
- Grant notification — visa is electronically linked to your passport. No sticker, no embassy visit. Print the grant letter and carry it for emergencies.
- Request for more information — respond within 28 days, case continues.
- Refusal — with reasons. No appeal for offshore applicants; you can re-apply with a stronger file.
Why Australian visitor visas get refused
- Genuine Temporary Entrant criterion failure (PIC 4020) — Australia's strict honesty rule. Any inconsistency, omission, or even unintentional misstatement triggers a 3-year ban. Be meticulous with dates, employer names, and travel history.
- Insufficient ties to India — single, young, freshly graduated. Strengthen with current employment, family responsibilities, property, and stamps from other countries.
- Insufficient funds — under ₹2L per traveller for a 2-week trip looks thin.
- Vague purpose — no clear itinerary or dates. Always submit a day-by-day plan.
- Sponsor's circumstances — if visiting family, the sponsor's PR/citizenship status and income matter.
Working Holiday and Sponsored Visitor — not for most Indians
India is NOT in Australia's Working Holiday Maker programme (no Subclass 417/462 available to Indian passport holders). The "Sponsored Family Visitor" subclass (Subclass 600 family-sponsored stream) requires an Australian PR/citizen sponsor and a security bond — useful only for parent visits where the regular Tourist stream is rejected.
Frequently asked questions
Can Indians get an Australian ETA?
No. The Australian ETA (Subclass 601) and eVisitor (Subclass 651) visas are not available to Indian passport holders. Indians must apply for the Subclass 600 Visitor Visa, which is a full visa application with biometrics and documents.
How long does the Australian visitor visa take?
Official target in 2026 is 21–32 days but most clean applications from India are decided in 15–30 days. Files with prior travel refusals, complex employment, or health-trigger conditions can take 45–90 days.
Is the visa a sticker in my passport?
No — Australia's visa is fully electronic and linked to your passport number. There's no sticker, no embassy collection. You'll get a grant letter PDF that you should print and carry, but airline check-in staff verify the visa by scanning your passport against Australia's system.
How much money should I show for an Australia visa?
Unwritten benchmark: ₹2L+ per traveller in stable savings (3-month average) for a 2-week trip, or AUD 200–300/day equivalent. More if the trip is longer or you're visiting expensive destinations like the Great Barrier Reef.
Can I extend my visa while in Australia?
Yes — you can apply for a Subclass 600 extension or a different visitor stream from inside Australia, but extensions require fresh fees and documentation. Stays of 3 months at a time are the practical norm.
Does Australia care if I've been refused a visa elsewhere?
Yes — every prior refusal must be declared in the application, including dates and reasons. Hiding a refusal triggers PIC 4020 and a 3-year ban. Declaring it honestly with a brief explanation is the safe path.