Australia offers a variety of visitor visas for travellers who want to explore the country, visit family, attend business events, or combine travel with work opportunities. Each visa type has specific conditions, eligibility requirements, and permitted activities. This guide breaks down the main visitor visa options, making it easy to find the right visa for your trip.
1. Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) – Subclass 601 Visa
The Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601) is a temporary visitor visa that allows eligible travellers to visit Australia for:
- Tourism or holidays
- Visiting family and friends
- Short-term business activities such as conferences or meetings
The ETA is electronically linked to your passport, so there is no need for a physical visa label or stamp, making it a fast and convenient option for short-term travel. Read more about Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601). Read more about Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601).
2. eVisitor (Subclass 651) Visa
The eVisitor (Subclass 651) visa is a temporary visitor visa that allows eligible travellers to visit Australia for tourism, visiting family, or attending short-term business activities.
Unlike traditional visas, the eVisitor is electronically linked to your passport, eliminating the need for a visa label or stamp. This makes it a fast, convenient, and secure way to enter Australia for short stays. Read more about eVisitor (Subclass 651) visa.
3. Transit (Subclass 771) Visa
The Transit (Subclass 771) visa is a temporary Australian visa that allows travellers to enter and stay in Australia for up to 72 hours when transiting to another country. It is intended for people who need to clear immigration as part of their travel plans, rather than simply staying in an international transit lounge.
This visa can also be used by travelers arriving by air who plan to join a ship and leave Australia by sea within a short period. Read more about Transit (Subclass 771) Visa.
4. Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) – Approved Destination Status (ADS) Stream
The Approved Destination Status (ADS) stream is a specific category of the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) that allows eligible travellers to visit Australia as part of an organised tour arranged by an approved travel agent. This stream is intended for visitors who plan to enter Australia as part of a packaged tour rather than independently.
This stream is one of several options under the broader Visitor Visa (Subclass 600), which includes tourism, business, family, and other visitor purposes. Read more about Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) – Approved Destination Status (ADS) Stream.
5. Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) – Business Visitor Stream
The Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) – Business Visitor Stream is designed for individuals who want to travel to Australia for short-term business-related activities without working in Australia.
This visa allows business visitors to come to Australia temporarily to attend meetings, conferences, or carry out other permitted business activities.
It is suitable for people who need to visit Australia for professional purposes but do not intend to work for an Australian business or provide services to the public. Read more
6. Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) – Frequent Traveller Stream
The Frequent Traveller Stream of the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) is designed for travellers who visit Australia frequently for short-term tourism or business purposes. This visa allows multiple entries over a long validity period, making it ideal for citizens of specific countries who travel often to Australia.
7. Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) – Sponsored Family Stream
The Sponsored Family Stream is a category of the Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) that allows people to travel to Australia to visit family members when they are formally supported by an eligible sponsor who is usually a close relative living in Australia.
This stream is part of the broader Visitor Visa program, which enables temporary entry for tourism, family visits, and other short-term purposes.
8. Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) – Tourist Stream (Apply Outside Australia)
The Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) – Tourist Stream (apply outside Australia) is a temporary visa that lets people travel to Australia from overseas for non‑work reasons such as:
- Tourism and holidays
- Visiting family and friends
- Going on a cruise that includes Australia
This stream is one of several under the broader Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) category. Read more about Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) – Tourist Stream.
The visa is electronically linked to your passport, so you don’t need a physical visa label in your travel documents.
9. Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) – Tourist Stream (Onshore)
The Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) – Tourist Stream (Onshore) is a category of the Australian Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) that allows eligible applicants already in Australia to extend their stay for tourism, personal visits, or other short‑term visitor purposes. This stream is part of the broader Visitor visa family listed on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.
This visa lets you remain in Australia temporarily as a visitor, provided you are in Australia when you apply and when a decision is made on your application.
10. Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462)
The Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) is a temporary visa that allows eligible young people to have an extended stay in Australia while combining travel with work opportunities. It is part of the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program administered by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs.
This visa is designed to let you holiday in Australia and work here, helping to support your travels and experiences during your stay.
11. Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)
The Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) is a temporary visa that enables eligible young travellers to have an extended holiday in Australia while also working to help fund their trip. This visa is part of Australia’s Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program administered by the Department of Home Affairs.
It supports people who want to experience life in Australia — exploring the country, meeting new people, and gaining short‑term work experience while travelling.
Choosing the right visa for your visit
Selecting the right visa depends on:
- Travel purpose (tourism, family, business, work)
- Duration of stay
- Nationality and eligibility
For guidance on which visa may suit your travel plans, you can use the visa information available through the Australian Department of Home Affairs or find and consult with a registered migration agent through ImmigrationAU to receive professional assistance with your visa options.
Need expert help with your visa application?
Navigating Australia’s visa options can be complex. At ImmigrationAU, we connect you with experienced migration agents to help with:
- Eligibility checks
- Application preparation and lodgement
- Smooth processing for a successful Australian visit
DISCLAIMER: This disclaimer applies to all content published on immigrationau.com.au and its associated social media channels. The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. It is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon for making any visa or migration decisions. Immigration laws and policies are subject to change, and the material may not reflect the most current regulations. For guidance specific to your circumstances, please consult a Registered Migration Agent (MARA) or a qualified Australian lawyer before submitting any applications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Australia Visitor Visas
Both are temporary visitor visas electronically linked to your passport, allowing travel for tourism, visiting family, or short-term business activities. The ETA (601) is available to passport holders from countries such as the US, UK, Canada, and Japan, while the eVisitor (651) is mainly for European Union and EFTA passport holders.
No. The Visitor Visa (Subclass 600) does not permit paid work or providing services to the public in Australia. It is strictly for tourism, visiting family, or permitted short-term business activities, depending on the visa stream.
The Frequent Traveller Stream is designed for citizens of selected countries who travel to Australia frequently for tourism or business purposes. This visa allows multiple entries over a long validity period, making it ideal for frequent visitors.
Yes. If you are already in Australia, you can apply for an onshore Tourist Stream visa to extend your stay for tourism, visiting family, or other short-term purposes. You must be in Australia when you apply and when the decision is made.
No. Visitor visas like ETA (601), eVisitor (651), and Visitor 600 are electronically linked to your passport, so a physical visa sticker or label is not required.
Yes. Each traveler, including children, must have their own visa to enter Australia.
If you are unsure which Australian visitor visa is suitable for your travel plans, ImmigrationAU can help. Our platform helps you find and connect with registered migration agents near you who speak your language and can guide you through the visa process.
